The space in-between or the uitvalgrond formed old Joburg city centre
I found an interesting article by Bettina Malcomess on the notion of the uitvalgrond and how it is a defining feature of Johannesburg’s spatial, cultural, economic and political identity. Uitvalgrond loosely translated in English means left-over or surplus ground.
While all cities have marginal and in-between spaces, what makes Johannesburg unusual is that when it was laid out in 1886, at what was to become its very centre, was a piece of uitvalgrond . Where the 3 farms of Braamfontein, Doornfontein and Turffontein met there was a triangular piece of surplus land (roughly between Pritchard and Bree streets today in Joburg Central).
Malcomess goes on to look at other spaces of ‘uitvalgrond’ which have defined the way Johannebsurg has developed since its founding.