This study aims to expose the impact of racial separation policies on the spatial distribution of the population groups in Natal/ KwaZulu, and on Black urbanisation, within a core-periphery framework. Chapter One focuses on global population and urbanisation trends to highlight the difference between First and Third World characteristics, and applies the First and Third World distinction to South Africa. Chapter Two outlines the impact of colonialism, apartheid and separate development on the spatial distribution of the population in South Africa, and especially Natal/KwaZulu. Chapter Three discusses the Friedmann core-periphery model, and the application of the core-periphery model to the Southern African region, as well as the modernisation/dependency debate in terms of its impact on shaping differing perspectives of the relationship between core and peripheral regions a8d perspectives of the urbanisation process. Chapter Four is comprised of an empirical examination of the coreperiphery structure of the Natal/KwaZulu regional economy, and the core-periphery distribution of its population settlement, both between and within such, regions, as well as the geographical distribution of the types of population settlements and the size of the urban population. An assessment of the size and distribution of the population in the Durban Functional Region is also made. Chapter Five draws the main conclusions of the previous Chapters together, critically examines the validity of the Friedmann model in terms of its application to the Southern African and Natal/ KwaZulu regions and discusses the development/underdevelopment relationship between Natal and KwaZulu and its implications for the immediate future. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of Natal, Durban, 1989.