The history of nature conservation in Sandton

In this article one of the pioneering efforts to conserve nature in urban areas in South Africa is examined. The town of Sandton was founded in 1969 by combining suburbs and small-holdings to the north of Johannesburg in an independent local authority. From the outset the Town Council had attempted to balance the urban and natural environments in order to enhance the quality of life for the residents and to conserve portions of the highveld within the town lands. Although these far-sighted and bold moves were widely acclaimed at the time, conservation is no longer a priority in Sandton's local government. The central government, however, is now taking steps to ensure that the natural environment is not completely obliterated by urban development.