Land-use planning in the Liesbeeck-Black River confluence area: management recommendations and land-use alternatives

Wesemann, Harald

Land-use planning in the Liesbeeck-Black River confluence area: management recommendations and land-use alternatives

Master Thesis

1994

Abstract

This dissertation is the individual analysis and evaluation of the baseline information on the Liesbeeck-Black River Confluence Area (hereinafter referred to as Confluence Area) gathered by the 1993-1994 Environmental and Geographical Science (EN GEO) Master of Philosophy (MPhil) class (see Appendix A). This dissertation is submitted to the examiners for evaluation as a partial requirement for the MPhil degree in Environmental Science. The baseline report (hereinafter BLR) is titled "Environmental Baseline Study for Land-Use Decision-Making in the Liesbeeck and Black River Confluence Area" (ENGEO Master's Class, 1994). It contains a comprehensive description, as well as preliminary analysis, of all the environmental components (socioeconomic and biophysical) that could be of relevance to land-use planning in the area. The overall need for this study, which comprises the group BLR and the individual dissertations, arises out of the fact that the Confluence Area with its river systems, is part of a "green, open space corridor" that is under pressure from development in a city needing to densify and contain urban sprawl. There is thus potential conflict between development and other environmental considerations including that of open space retention for conservation and recreation purposes. The Cape Town City Council (CCC) suggested this study but is not a "client". The study on the Confluence Area is intended to be of use to the CCC to enhance their ability to make sound land-use decisions for the area in the best interests of society at large. The CCC is also involved in numerous planning studies for the proposed redevelopment of a large tract of land adjacent to the study area, called the Culemborg-Black River area (hereinafter C-BR), and this study can feed into the overall planning process. This individual dissertation provides the CCC planning process with recommendations and land-use alternatives for the Confluence Area. Since the BLR forms the basis of this dissertation, they should be read in conjunction with each other.