Showing papers in "Stads- en Streeksbeplanning in 2014"

Backyard housing in Gauteng: An analysis of spatial dynamics

Abstract: This article examines the phenomenon of backyard housing in Gauteng, a prominent driver of urban spatial change in South Africa’s housing market. Backyard housing in South Africa increasingly attracts the attention of policymakers because of the large number of households that this sector accommodates. Moreover, the role played by backyard housing in the overall small-scale rental-housing sector is significant, particularly in Gauteng where a large proportion of households rent their primary dwelling. Drawing on quantitative geo-demographic data from GeoTerraImage (GTI) (2010), Knowledge Factory’s Cluster Plus (2010) as well as StatsSA Census 2011, this article documents the spatial footprint of backyard housing in Gauteng and examines the implications of the findings for infrastructure service planning at the municipal scale.

Access envelopes: a new accessibility mapping technique for transport and settlement planning

Abstract: The article describes the application of a GIS-based accessibility measurement technique suited to assessing the impact of both transport and spatial development strategies on the location-specific affordability of job access for poor households. The access envelope methodology extends existing accessibility measures by: explicitly accounting for public transport service patterns; including transport costs as a dimension of accessibility; and deriving a single intuitive measure of access reflecting the potential income earnable by a person living in a certain location, after paying for transport. Several case studies from the City of Tshwane are presented, illustrating its use for assessing spatial integration and transport initiatives. The cases demonstrate how Tshwane’s emerging Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system selectively enhances accessibility to jobs, although its marginal accessibility benefit is reduced by the part-duplication of existing rail lines to core employment areas. While the BRT improves the net earning potential of low-income workers in certain areas, its ultimate benefits will significantly depend on its achievement of network effects – especially via the reduction of first/last-kilometer trip costs – and its ability to leverage higher density development within walking distance of the route. Accordingly, results obtained with the access-envelopes method carry significant implications for current transport planning in the main metro cities.

Spatial policy, planning and infrastructure investment : lessons from urban simulations in three South African cities : research article

Abstract: This article is based on the assumption that more spatially efficient investment choices in both economic and basic infrastructure spending can make a significant impact on the equity, efficiency and sustainability of human settlements. Emerging from work conducted as part of a Department of Science and Technology (DST)-funded Integrated Planning and Development Modelling (IPDM) project, the article argues that decisions about infrastructure investment in South African metropolitan areas ought to be grounded in robust and rigorous analysis and scenario evaluation. More evidence, and better evidence, an understanding of spatial trends and the underlying forces that shape them, are needed to support planning and infrastructure investment. Urban simulation platforms offer valuable tools in this regard. Findings of simulation work in three metropolitan areas (eThekwini, Nelson Mandela Bay and Johannesburg) are presented to demonstrate this, and some implications for spatial policy, planning and infrastructure investment are highlighted. Die artikel is gebaseer op die aanname dat ruimtelik-effektiewe beleggingkeuses in beide ekonomiese en basiese infrastruktuurbesteding 'n beduidende impak op die gelykheid, effektiwiteit en volhoubaarheid van menslike nedersettings kan he. Werk wat gedoen is as deel van die Integrated Planning and Development Modelling (IPDM)-projek, en befonds is deur die Departement Wetenskap en Tegnologie, argumenteer dat besluite omtrent infrastruktuurinvestering in Suid-Afrikaanse metropolitaanse gebiede gegrond moet word in robuuste en grondige analise en scenario evaluering. Meer bewyse, asook beter bewyse, sowel as 'n begrip van ruimtelike tendense en hul onderliggende kragte is noodsaaklik om beplanning- en infrastruktuurinvestering voldoende te ondersteun. Stedelike simulasie platforms bied waardevolle instrumente in hierdie verband, en bevindinge omtrent simulasie werk wat gedoen is in drie metropolitaanse gebiede (eThekwini, Nelson Mandela Baai en Johannesburg) word voorgele om dit te demonstreer. Sommige implikasies vir ruimtelike beplanning, beleid en belegging in infrastruktuur word ook uitgelig. Serapa sena se tobana le monahano oa hore ho etsa diqeto tsa ho kenya chelete moruong le dithulusing tsa ntlafatso ya teropo, ho ntso beuoe dibaka menahanong, ho ka thusa haholo ka ho thusa haholo ka ho lekana ha batho, tshebetso e phethahetseng kda ho tlala, le tswediso pele ya bolulo ba batho. Ho tsoa mesebetsing ya Lefapha la Saensi le Thekenoloji (DST) e bile e tsheheditsoe ka chelete ya projeke ya Integrated Planning and Modelling (IPDM), serapa sena se thuisa taba ya hore diqeto tse etsoeng ka dichelete tsa dithulusi tsa ntlafatso ya teropo Afrika Borwa di hloka ho shebisisoa ka botebo boo matla. Kekektso ya bopaki, le bopaki bo betere, kutloisiso ya diphetho tsa dibaka tse kholo le tse ding tse ka di qheketsang, di hlokahala kaofela ho tshehetsa merero le dichelete tse eang dithulusing tsa ho ntlafatsa teropo. Methati e nkoang hore e tsebe ho ntlafatsa teropo ke eona e bohlokoa ho fana ka maeletsi tabeng tsena. Mehlala e tsoang teropong tse tharo tsa Afrika Borwa (e leng eThekwini, Nelson Mandela Bay le Johannesburg) ke eona e hlahisitsoeng ho bontsha taba ena le ditla morao tsa maano a dibaka tse kholo, chelete ya dithulusi tsa ntlafatso ya teropo le merero dia hlaha serapeng sena.

A successful local economic development-urban renewal initiative : a case study of the Mandela Bay Development Agency

Abstract: Despite the urgent need for local economic development in South Africa, Local Economic Development (LED) as area of professional endeavour/activity has largely failed to live up to this need. In this article, an alternative approach to local economic development, which involved a ‘bottom-up’ approach to urban renewal is explored. The urban renewal work of the Mandela Bay Development Agency (MBDA) in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality is used as a case study of a ‘successful example of an LED-initiative’. By taking into account the needs of the customer (or local community), a respect for difference, a conscious drive to ensure participation of, and benefit for all affected parties, keeping the eye on the ball, a desire to learn and innovate, and a pragmatic action-orientation, the MBDA achieved success in its local economic development initiatives. The value of this article lies in the experience of lessons learned, the overall understanding of urban planning, and the necessity for urban planning to respond to the local economy of a particular city

Residents’ perceptions of the importance of outdoor spaces and neighbourliness for medium-density mixed-housing in South Africa

Abstract: Medium-density mixed-housing is promoted in various countries as a means toward creating more sustainable settlements. It does, however, require residents to live closer to their neighbours, share outdoor spaces, and be more neighbourly than what may typically be required in lower density suburban neighbourhoods. Yet, how important are outdoor design and neighbourliness for the success of medium-density mixed-housing in a South African context? This article examines the perceived importance of a number of outdoor design and neighbourliness factors from the point of view of residents living in such developments in South Africa. A survey of 300 residents across 10 developments reveals the importance of both outdoor design and neighbourliness, particularly if children, women, and older residents are involved. Planners and designers should, therefore, include sufficient private and common outdoor spaces to address the needs of residents and to promote neighbourliness and consequently the social acceptability of this type of housing in South Africa.

A living laboratory approach in the design of the user requirements of a spatial information platform

Abstract: Peer reviewed and revised Abstract The purpose of this article is to introduce the development of the Regional Spatial Profiler - a spatial information and modelling platform - for the Department of Science and Technology. Based on the steps set out in action research, this platform is aimed at strengthening spatial planning at a regional scale by providing accessible and comparable spatial information (of current and past trends) to planning practitioners in government. To ensure that the Profiler met the requirements and expectations of users, and would be used by practitioners, its user-interface and future content requirements were developed using four living laboratories (living labs): the Cape Winelands, Ugu and Amatole District Municipalities, and Mangaung Local (now Metro) Municipality. Municipal participants and project team members believed that a living-lab process was the appropriate way to develop the Profiler and experienced the living-lab Profiler as a positive initiative; however, due to time, budget and technical constraints, it was a temporally - specific and fragmented project initiative. What would be required in future project phases would be a longer time frame and continued user involvement in multiple project phases.

‘No Messing in Bonteheuwel’: The role of social capital and partnership building in sustainable community development

Abstract: This article focuses on a community-development programme (case study) in Bonteheuwel on the Cape Flats, viz. ‘No Messing in Bonteheuwel’. In a period of just over a decade, this community has transitioned from a degraded natural, built and social environment to one where the community have cohered to realise a vision of a place of which they are currently proud. This case study adds to the understanding of sustainable community development, by tracing the transition from a vicious to a virtuous cycle of community development. The development of social capital within the community, coupled with the development of partnerships and the building of trust with local government, have been identified as key ingredients in this transition. The benefits derived from the current virtuous cycle for the Bonteheuwel community as well as local government are demonstrated. This article contributes towards the understanding of how to foster sustainable communities, and is, therefore, of relevance to local governments and policy-makers.

Assessment of spatial data infrastructures

Abstract: A Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI) is an evolving concept, essentially consisting of policies, institutional arrangements, Geographical Information Systems (GISs), data bases, networks, Web services and portals to facilitate and coordinate the availability, exchange and sharing of geospatial data and services between stakeholders from different levels. This article aims to provide some information on the role and value of SDIs and their potential relationship with, and contribution to other geospatial and evidence-based tools and technologies within the South African planning context and system. For this, it provides a brief overview and comparison of the key characteristics of the SDIs in South Africa, China, Brazil, Australia and India. The article highlights some of the complexities and use of an SDI and the value of, and need for an SDI to support the spatial and land development planning envisaged in the Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act (SPLUMA).

Planning for emergency services using GIS-based geographic accessibility analysis

Abstract: Municipalities and metropolitan structures are required by law to provide sufficient response to emergency situations. In order to respond efficiently to disasters such as fire and flooding, it is necessary to place facilities optimally. This case study presents and applies a methodology to determine the locations of additional fire stations, using accessibility analysis rather than incident data which is often incomplete or unavailable. The required response time is based on the SANS 10090:2003 standard for various risks. The case study recommends that in the longer term seven additional fire stations are needed in conjunction with the existing 19 fire stations in the eThekwini Metro in South Africa to offer a response to fire incidents as required by the standard.

Using election registration data to measure migration trends in South Africa

Abstract: Migration is critical for policy agendas and government planning as it changes the demographic composition of towns, cities and regions – this requires adjustments to service and infrastructure provision To develop suitable policy responses, reliable, comparable and timely information is required Obvious sources of migration data are the national census and household and labour surveys Socio-economic data have not dealt well with migration A recent CSIR research project, Spatial and Temporal Evidence for Planning in South Africa1 (StepSA), explored the use of voter registration information as an alternative source of migration data Anonymised voter registration data were provided by the Independent Electoral Commission of South Africa for several consecutive elections covering a 12-year period The data, once spatialised (and related to a single set of voting districts), could then be processed to extract movement trends between different election periods This article describes the process applied and the initial analyses conducted

Proxy indicators as measure of local economic dispositions in South Africa : an exploratory study

Abstract: Despite rapid advances and sizeable middle-class formation in many African countries, development planning is still frustrated by the absence of reliable, relevant and up-to-date data. Even though South Africa is in a more fortunate position with regard to the availability of such data, it also has data gaps, notably with regard to informal economic activities in the rural areas of the country. This exploratory article engages the use of proxy indicators to provide cues as to the state of a local economy. The article explores the relationship between a number of potential proxy indicators and the national economy in order to identify those proxy indicators that mirror the national economy. An interview approach was used to test the identified indicators in three small towns in order to establish whether the nationally determined proxies reflect economic trends in practice. The six proxy indicators that closely mirrored the local economies of the three sampled towns represent a modest, introductory exploration of an area worthy of far more empirical research.