This article critically evaluates the definition and operational application of various
settlement typologies across selected government departments for the purposes of the
planning, implementation and monitoring of development programmes. Both quantitative
and qualitative research methods are applied and informant and group interviews are
conducted with 21 different government departments or entities. Nine different typologies
are identified and compared on the basis of the requirements highlighted during the group
interviews and international best practice. Discussions with the various interest groups
highlight the need for a functional typology that consists of a number of categories or
classes that can be combined as needed and not be restricted to a simple urban-rural
dichotomy. A more dynamic and accessible linkage between the spatial units of analysis
of the various typologies is also required. It is found that the South African City Network/
Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) settlement typology meets most of the
criteria set by the literature as well as the groups interviewed. In view of the widespread
use of the Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) data and typologies, it is recommended that the
South African City Network/CSIR typologies should dovetail as much as possible with the
2011-census data and classification system.