OpenUCT :: Browsing by Subject "City and Regional Planning"

Browsing by Subject "City and Regional Planning"

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Open Access
A critical analysis on the efficiency of property development approval processes in the City of Cape Town
(2023) Webster, Simon; Winkler, Tanja
The Western Cape Government Economic War Room has identified that land-use management in the City of Cape Town is inefficient. Coupled with the fact that there is a housing crisis within the City of Cape Town, it is imperative that such inefficiencies are addressed with urgency. Current development regulations in the City of Cape Town are said to be hindering the involvement of the private sector in the property development space and adding unnecessary delays to the property development sector in general. This paper will argue that a reason for this can be attributed to convoluted legislation linked to property development approval processes, that is being too rigidly interpreted and not administered efficiently. There is therefore a need to understand how the overall development application system is run, especially in relation to the land use and building plan application processes, to assist in identifying the inefficiencies affecting the property development space as a whole. This will allow pragmatic solutions to be formulated and expanded on, to better expound how a more efficient development environment can be created. A further important factor in better understanding the property development space, is comprehending the context within which it functions. Namely, the governance systems which affect it, the laws and regulations applicable to it, and the lack of emphasis on saving time throughout the application process. The purpose of this paper is to show where the inefficiencies lie in the land use management and building development management application processes, and why such inefficiencies may be happening. This paper will also discuss and recommend further topics that should be studied in order to resolve the various issues named. The methodology used to achieve the aforementioned was a mixed method of data collection, which encompassed various interviews with experts working within the property and planning development fields, iterative communication with these professionals, and literature reviews. In sum, there is no one answer to the identified issues as there are many interconnected complexities that must be dealt with in order to address the inefficiencies effectively. What is clear however, is that the current implementation of administrative penalties by the City of Cape Town are causing major capacity issues within the Development Management department and Municipal Planning Tribunal, and which ultimately has a ripple effect on the system as a whole.
Open Access
Addressing car dependency in Cape Town: Reviewing how the Citys mobility and spatial frameworks can transcend car-oriented urbanism
(2023) Mpanang'ombe, Wrixon; Katzschner, Tania
This dissertation presents research conducted by Wrixon Mpanang'ombe titled ‘Addressing car dependency in Cape Town: Reviewing how the city's mobility and spatial frameworks can transcend car-oriented urbanism'. The research stems from a background of the need to address problems associated with the dominance of cars in cities. The problems include carbon emissions contributing to climate change, road safety issues, pollution and other public health challenges, but also inequitable accessibility favouring private car users, among many other problems. Also, the research is motivated by and in response to the argument by Newman and Kenworthy (2015) that cities are experiencing an end to car dependency. However, since this argument is made based on Global North contexts, researching what an end to car dependency might imply for Southern cities is very relevant. Therefore, this research situates in Cape Town to explore how the City of Cape Town is currently dealing with the issue of transitioning away from car dependency and caroriented urbanism. The research explores this by deploying an analysis of the discourse around issues addressing car dependency and car-oriented urbanism in the City's key transport and spatial planning frameworks. The frameworks were analysed through a series of assessment criteria that were derived from the literature review. Three main gaps emerged through the research: (1) the reluctance to call out car dependency as a major transport problem in the city, (2) the focus on costs for low-income groups in the City's transport planning objectives while overlooking the car dependency in medium- and high-income groups, and (3) the inadequate spatial alignment of plans with the varying urban fabrics (i.e., based on Newman's and Kenworthy's (2015) theory of urban fabrics) and therefore not positioned to leverage the potential of rejuvenating urban fabrics as a pathway toward ending car dependency. The research further suggests that to address these gaps, the key frameworks should be repositioned to explicitly name car dependency as a major problem for the urban mobility system, but also the various urban fabrics should be mapped and aligned with the City's transport and spatial plans and land use policies.
Open Access
An in-depth investigation into the safety of Nyanga's public spaces from a gender-sensitive perspective.
(2023) Mofokeng, Tiisetso; Katzschner, Tania
Historically - and currently - women in the global South have generally been viewed as subordinate to men. This is often centred around social perceptions of the different genders and is especially apparent in modern-day leadership, policymaking and managerial roles, where roles are often set aside for men. In the Cape Town township of Nyanga, three public spaces have been identified as crime hotspots. Women who live in the area do not feel safe in these spaces and are often the victims of crime. Thus, there is a need for an in-depth, gender-sensitive investigation into the safety of Nyanga's public spaces. This study seeks to do this and to explore how and why Nyanga's public spaces are failing to deliver gender-sensitive safety outcomes. Methodologically, the aim and main research question of the study is geared towards answering “how” and “why” questions, which necessitate a qualitative (case study and ethnographic research) approach. The tools that are used to collect such data are interviews, observations and mapping as well as Instagram question polls. The results of this study show that in order to provide safe gendersensitive outcomes, appropriate spatial interventions and safety tools need to be implemented for public spaces in Nyanga. Going forward, knowledge from this research recommends planning interventions and design resolutions that encourage South African planners and other built environment practitioners to incorporate gender-sensitive inventions in their thinking and practices. Above all else, this knowledge is geared towards empowering women by not confining them to the indoor realm of the household, but empowering them to reclaim their rights to public spaces.
Open Access
An approach to urban restructuring and intensification in Cape Town: the case of Wingfield
(2015) Bassa, Faranaaz; Dewar, David
Patterns of urban growth in South African cities reflect high levels of socio-economic inequalities, which are exacerbated by rapid population growth and urbanization. These conditions are experienced by many of South Africa's major cities, including Cape Town. The focus is on the inequitable and inefficient urban structure of South African cities, as well as the emerging global challenges for urban growth management faced by cities around the world. In response to these issues, the dissertation argues for strategic intensification on a well-located underutilized piece of land, in order to begin to reverse the skewed and non-integrated urban patterns prevalent in Cape Town. Moreover, the dissertation provides a case, which indicates a different way of thinking about urban restructuring, in the context of South African cities and particularly in the case of Cape Town. The Wingfield site is a strategically significant area as it is an inner city and corridor-reinforcing site allowing access to concentrations of existing opportunities. The restructuring and intensification of Wingfield intends to serve as a "pilot project" that could inspire similar local restructuring proposals to address the current structural inefficiencies of the Cape Town Metropolitan Region. The plan, therefore, requires restructuring of the existing urban structure towards a more integrated urban form, which is critical to the creation of positive urban settlements.
Open Access
Barriers to the development of affordable housing on well-located land: A qualitative study of planning regulations and by-laws in Cape Town
(2023) Briel, Sofia; Madell, Cecil
The notion of adequate housing considers the economic, political, and social components of housing which in Cape Town translates to housing that is well located, affordable, and accessible and creates urban place-making. Both state-subsidised and private development has failed to deliver adequate housing in Cape Town, exacerbating an existing housing and affordable housing shortage and perpetuating spatial inequality in the city. Planning system plays a dynamic role in enabling adequate housing. It is important to distinguish between planning systems that ‘control' and ones that are ‘flexible'. This study critically explores the role of planning regulations and by-laws in the development of adequate housing by means of state-subsidised and other housing instruments. The case of the City of Cape Town's planning regulations, related by-laws and housing policies is the source of ethnographic, empirical findings. These qualitative findings have been generated by way of interviews – with professional planners working in the public and private sectors as well as members of nongovernmental organizations concerned with housing and development in Cape Town – and analysis of planning regulation and policy documentation and secondary data from media sources. A theoretical framework consisting of literature on well-located, affordable, and accessible housing, and the nature and role of planning systems in relation to adequate housing, is the basis of the analysis and synthesis of the research findings. This case study shows that in Cape Town elements of the planning regulations and by-laws act as barriers to the development of adequate affordable housing. But it is not simply the existence of these elements that is the issue. How the planning regulations and by-laws as well as other planning systems are used is also of importance. Non-statutory planning tools address adequate affordable housing to a greater degree than the regulations and by-laws, however, these tools have weak paths to implementation within the current planning systems. So, while the intentions and ideas pertaining to adequate housing do exist to a certain degree in the planning systems, there is a gap in implementation. Additionally, multiple barriers outside of the domain of the planning regulations and by-laws emerged from the findings. Overall, this study indicates that aspects of the planning regulations and by-laws are hindering the development of affordable housing in Cape Town. However, they are but one of many barriers to the development of adequate housing on well-located land in the city.
Open Access
Bridging the divide: an exploration of the intensification of Voortrekker Road Corridor as a means to restructure the City of Cape Town
(2016) Duncan-Brown, Emma; Dewar, David
After nearly two decades of democracy, South African cities remain inequitable, exclusionary and spatially inefficient. This dissertation argues that the adaption of the principles of modernism by apartheid spatial planning has resulted in the formation of settlements that are characterised by sprawl, separation and fragmentation. Using Cape Town as a study, it can be demonstrated that the urban form and structure of South African cities has been affected by urbanisation and in-migration furthermore increasing levels of poverty and unemployment have had significant social, environmental and financial consequences. Therefore, in order to challenge conventional development models in the city and to achieve inclusive growth, this dissertation makes a case for urban corridor intensification in Cape Town. By working across a number of site scales, from metropolitan to precinct scale, this dissertation presents a development framework for the Voortrekker Road Corridor. This framework argues for the intensification of the "economic backbone" of the metropolitan to spatially restructure the city's inefficient and inequitable form. This framework proposes that the spatial intensification of the Voortrekker Road Corridor will improve integration and equitable access to economic and social opportunities throughout the city. Therefore, this dissertation establishes a framework to enable choice, opportunity and spatial equity in Cape Town.
Open Access
Building adaptive capacity to flood risk in Philippi, Cape Town, through infrastructure-led planning interventions
(2016) Mtuleni, Rose T T; Katzschner, Tania
There is a global trend of increase in urban population growth rates. Much of the population growth occurs in cities of developing countries, with high percentages of the populations living in informal settlements on the peripheries of cities. The often unplanned expansion of cities is increasingly exposing a large number of urban residents and economic assets to disaster risk. The City of Cape Town (CCT) is no exception to the rapid expansion of informal settlements. Heavy winter rainfall leads to flooding in Cape Town, with severe flooding impacts mainly manifesting in low income settlements. Flooding occurs due to the natural setting of Cape Town, and due to lack of adequate water-related infrastructure in some parts of the city. Although infrastructure interventions for flood risk reduction have had some success in reducing flood impacts in some parts of Cape Town, much of the local government response to flooding disasters has been reactive, short term and generally not designed to effectively support informal settlements. The township of Philippi is highly impacted by flooding events, which often compromise the township's safety and public health, and destroy livelihood assets, leaving adverse impacts on local livelihoods. This dissertation uses Philippi as a case study to assess and investigate how an infrastructure-led planning approach to flood risk can provide solutions and contribute to building better adaptive capacity to flooding, for a rapidly growing population exposed to flooding and lacking adequate water infrastructure services. Utilizing policy review, key informant interviews, Census data, geospatial data mapping and observation, this study identifies the major impediments to enhancement of flood resilience through infrastructure planning in Philippi. It explores the opportunities and potential that Philippi has to set precedent for flood-resilient developments in Cape Town. A Spatial Flood Resilience Framework is presented as a spatial planning tool providing an infrastructure-led planning approach to flood risk and guiding decision-making towards effectively making Philippi more floodresilient. The study highlights the need for risk-informed local plans to reduce disaster risk in Cape Town and identifies collaborative governance as a significant aspect of the planning and implementation processes for flood risk reduction, as it integrates different actors in working towards a common agenda. This study aims to identify and improve the role of urban planning in moving towards flood resilient neighbourhoods in Cape Town. The study highlights the role of planning in ensuring that development avoids or mitigates flood risk, and identifies flood resilience as a valuable aspect of the spatial quality of a city. Enhancing flood resilience is an essential premise for the facilitation of development in areas of disaster risk and a major step toward socio-spatial justice in the city. The research conducted for the study contributes to the Global South research base and provides a possible precedent for future spatial development plans regarding flood risk in cities of the Global South.
Open Access
The Cape Flats Urban Park : guidelines for multifunctional open space planning
(2001) Herschell, Emily; Dewar, David
Over time, the lack of coherent thought concerning the potential roles of urban open spaces has resulted in the necessity of urban management to become vigilant with regard to the collective aspects of city life. Urban open spaces are especially significant in this regard. In giving attention to the scale, continuity, distribution and status of public open space in Cape Town and indeed, in all South African urban centres, developing the role of public spaces in the lives of the urban poor is especially crucial. This study examines the concept of the ability of multifunctional urban open space in playing the role of a socio-economic developmental tool. In this endeavour, two fundamental approaches are used. The first investigates the significance of open space and examines the history of open space and park development. Cases of successful park developments are presented so as to identify central conceptual ideas and certain key success factors. The second uses a local park proposal, the Cape Flats Urban Park, as an instrument with which to explore the concept. This involves integrating the notions of natural process needs and human needs so as to inform use. Accordingly, a natural systems analysis discovers the particular ecological needs of the area through factors of opportunity and constraint and a potential park user analysis discovers the characteristics and needs of human users, in order to discern what role the urban park could play in enabling socio-economic development and improving quality of life. Consequently, resultant guidelines for planning successful multifunctional open spaces are summarised, and further considerations and guiding principles for multifunctional open space planning are presented. These insights are applied and determine broad distributional tendencies, which may assist towards the creation of a successful plan for the Cape Flats Urban Park and other open spaces. The procedure in which these investigations were followed through was primarily through an extensive literature survey, supplemented by personal observation, map surveys and informal interviews. The findings of this study endorse the proposal for a multifunctional Cape Flats Urban Park, as this park could play conservation, resource preservation, flood control, productive, economic, ceremonial, cultural, educational, health improving, recreational and community-building roles. As such, urban open spaces have the potential to become multifaceted resources, with both intangible and tangible benefits for nature and for people, all of which can improve the quality of life for city dwellers, by improving the quality of the environment in which they live.
Open Access
Cape Town's urban food security plan : a conceptual framework for achieving an accessible and healthy urban food system
(2014) Van Breemen, Hayley; Watson, Vanessa
Until recently food insecurity has been thought to be a primarily a rural problem. Local, national and international food security agendas have focused primarily on agricultural production as a means to addressing food insecurity. However more recent analyses of urban food insecurity indicate that is not a result of food shortage but rather food access and affordability. This research focuses on Cape Town as a case study as its rapidly rising urban population, especially amongst the lower income groups, is placing further pressure on the urban food system as the poor are often unable to purchase sufficient food throughout the month due to income constraints. Nevertheless, enhanced food production still remains the cornerstone strategy to alleviate food insecurity and even poverty in Cape Town. The interviews revealed that urban food insecurity is absent from urban planning agendas which has consequently caused food insecurity to proliferate in the city environment, especially amongst the urban poor. Considering that urban food insecurity is a relatively new concept, especially for South Africa, it is important to understand how it manifests itself within urban contexts and understand the determinants of it in Cape Town. The research identified that food moves through the city differently between formal and informal markets and that informal markets tend to have higher unit prices. Regardless of the higher prices of products from informal markets they were still found to be key food sourcing strategy for the urban poor as supermarkets were found to be, for the most part, absent from the Cape Flats area. The challenge for urban planners in Cape Town is to understand how food insecurity manifests itself spatially and to consider what policy approaches are available to them to improve food access and thus food security throughout Cape Town. The intention of this research is to understand the extent of these problems in Cape Town and to develop an Urban Food Security Plan to place urban food systems planning on the planning agenda.
Open Access
Constraints to secure livelihoods in the informal sector: the case of informal enterprises in Delft South, Cape Town
(2014) Shabalala, Sibonelesihle
Most people who work in developing cities, work in the informal sector. In South Africa's townships, many poor households rely on home-based informal economic activities as their primary source of livelihood. However, these livelihoods often face multiple constraints, and thus remain precarious. The main research question is: What are the key constraints to securer informal livelihoods in Delft South? The research employs the case study method to address this question. This dissertation engages with the lived realities of informal business operators in Delft South, Cape Town. Enterprise census data was analyzed and in-depth interviews with a selection of enterprise owners conducted. This provides a unique insight into the nature of the informal economy in Delft South and the way in which planning shapes current livelihoods. This case is located in previous research on home based work both in South Africa and internationally. This is with a view to informing more appropriate planning responses. The findings indicate the high degree of saturation in Delft South's informal sector. As such, business competition is rife, and livelihoods are compromised. Also evident is that the informal operators of Delft South ply their trades in a regulatory environment oscillating between extremes of neglect and oppression. The permission granted to spaza shop and hair care enterprise operators to conduct their businesses is accompanied by little else in the way of support for business growth. Alternatively, the livelihoods of shebeen owners are under threat, as these enterprises are prohibited from operating in all residential areas of the settlement; and are instead forced to relocate to the high street. This is compounded by the closure to which they are subjected, owing to their exclusion from the framework of the Western Cape Liquor Act. Crime also emerges as a significant impediment to business growth, and its effects are experienced by most of the operators in Delft South. Notably, it distinguishes the working climate of the area's informal sector from those of many other developing contexts. Under the guidance of the enterprise operators, key state interventions are recommended in response. The study concludes by proposing an area-based management approach in which collective action among operators is promoted.
Open Access
A contextual analysis of cycling environment assessment tools in a Cape Town mobility corridor
(2016) Petzer, Brett; Watson, Vanessa; Odendaal, Nancy
Building on recent research on barriers to cycling mobility in low-income South African contexts, this study explored the role of the built environment as a determinant of cycling practices along a mobility corridor in Cape Town, South Africa. The communities surveyed reflect the demographic and income disparities of the city, and their attitudes to cycling and the cycling environment both corroborate existing findings and pose new research questions. In particular, respondents of all income levels showed that they distorted their own journeys by bicycle to avoid areas perceived to have a high risk of criminal activity, even where this meant using routes perceived to present a high risk of physical injury. A second finding was that all road users engage in informal road behaviour, including motorists, and that this is an integral aspect of the study area's mobility culture. The methods used in this study were a series of interviews with three community bicycle-shop owners, supported by focus groups held in each community, and accompanied by a mapping exercise. Fieldwork took the form of accompaniment of youth cycling initiatives and observation of commuting practices by the author. The data obtained in fieldwork were then used to evaluate a selection of cycling environment assessment tools from the USA, UK and Australia, and a pedestrian environment assessment tool from South Africa, in order to evaluate their contextual appropriateness for the local determinants of cycling. The study concludes with recommendations towards a South African cycling environment assessment tool that would capacitate local government and civil society to deliver improvements to the cycling environment and capitalise on existing pro-cycling policies.
Open Access
Conversations with tradition: faith-based community development through the Eden Network in Cape Town
(2018) Kirkby, Heather; Winkler, Tanja; Ngwenya, Nobukhosi
Community development is a tool in urban planning that, when used in contexts in the global South, can be used to perpetuate forms of "worlding" (Roy, 2011). "Worlding" tracks the way that urban models travel in asymmetrical ways from the global North to the global South. Christian Faith-Based Organisations (FBOs), in particular, are sites where this type planning is done. The perpetuation of asymmetries between the global North and the global South lies, partially, in Christianity's connection to iterations of urban citizenship. In the contemporary era, faith-based community development inhabits an ambivalent space, where it draws on Enlightenment traditions to legitimate action, while also invoking hope and conviviality in everyday local settings. I investigate the work that FBOs do in community development through a case study of the Eden Project in Salt River, Cape Town. I use a combination of desktop research, unobtrusive observation and interview, which I analyse using discourse analysis. I also review literature related to FBO community development. Through a thorough review of the literature on FBOs, I establish a set of assessment criteria by which I assess the case study. In the course of this research, I find that the Eden Network SA is an assemblage, which draws on global forms, or principles. These forms are assemblages because they adapt to the heterogeneous conditions of local areas. The Eden Network SA reiterates a version of "worlding", while also subverting parochialisms. The Eden Network SA invokes hope in its capacity to hold the tension between systemic concerns, while also acting on possibilities in particularised settings. These possibilities frequently relate to welfare functions, which means that this network plays a governance function in the local area it locates in. I suggest that FBOs are well-positioned for relational community development work. However, this work should be done in receptive, respectful ways that seek to join the daily life of the neighbourhood. This is the case because relationship-building is the primary foundation for participating in the life of an area. This requires a move away from goal-, or programme-led efforts to undertake community development, in favour of being in relationship with people, on their own terms.
Open Access
Creating a platform for transit-oriented development (TOD) through integrated land use and transport planning in Cape Town: a study of Bellville station
(2018) Van Wyk, Carlu; Odendaal, Nancy
As urbanisation trends continues and increases across the world, urban trends have seen urban growth take place horizontally, leading to undesired urban sprawl. With the global introduction of the automobile in the 1960's, urban sprawl has been exacerbated with the automobile allowing for the decentralisation of employment, residential, commercial and leisure opportunities away from the Central Business Districts of the city. Due to a multitude of negative social, environmental and economic effects associated with urban sprawl, spatial planning practices have been aimed at reversing this trend and ultimately creating a more compact urban form. In addition to undesired urban sprawl, the use of private vehicles as the dominant mode of transport has also been problematic. In an attempt to address these issues simultaneously, Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) has recently been adopted as a tool with which to achieve transformation of urban forms. This study aims to explore TOD has a tool by assisting to (i) provide a theoretical base and historical perspective of TOD; (ii) provide insight regarding the principles and benefits of TOD that has promoted the use of TOD as a transformative tool; (iii) understand the role of land use and transport planning in providing a platform for the implementation of TOD strategies; (iv) identify cases where TOD has been adopted successfully; (v) understand the role of the legal environment in South Africa with regards to the implementation of TOD strategies; (vi) depicting how the ideal TOD environment could look and function in Cape Town; (vii) understanding how South Africa's legal environment promotes TOD at local level of government in Cape Town and; (viii) what key issues and challenges currently hinder the successful implementation of TOD strategies in Cape Town. This study makes use of a literature review, as well as an empirical study where existing documents (such as spatial development frameworks and integrated transport network plans) are analysed and qualitative and quantitative data is used to explore a number of case studies. From the case studies and additional research it was evident that there is a need for a sound legislative platform which promotes and supports the adoption of TOD at all spheres of government. It was further found that several issues and challenges are made mention of in municipal plans and policies, but that these issues and challenges continue to negatively influence the implementation and success of TOD in Cape Town. Existing legal tools and instruments are not necessarily capable of creating a platform for the implementation of TOD and would thus need to be amended or integrated with other local level strategies. If Cape Town is to successfully use TOD as a tool with which to rectify spatial issues, the legal environment needs to better promote the integration of land use and transport planning in order to encourage densification and to ensure that public transport becomes a viable means of transport in the city. Only once the above mentioned are addressed, can the spatial form of the city be transformed through TOD and future development can contribute to the sustainability of Cape Town.
Open Access
Deciphering spaces of and for participation: The subversion of community participation and rights in the urban land restitution process of District Six
(2018) Fortuin, Alicia; Winkler, Tanja
The Land Restitution Act 22 of 1994 affords historically dispossessed person to return areas from which they were forcibly removed. With a focus on urban restitution this dissertation looks at why the restitution of land in District Six has been slow and fraught with frustrations and delays. This dissertation assess the participatory planning processes in the restitution and redevelopment of land in order to gain nuanced and deeper understanding of why, the state's ideal of restorative justice has not been realised. Through a qualitative research approach, the study focuses on the case of District Six, studying the spaces of participation from 1994 -2013. Findings reveal that many want a stake in District Six, none more so than the community themselves. The findings reveal how state-led spaces of participation remain tokenistic in nature and on the other hand community led spaces of participation offers historically marginalised groups an opportunity to realise their rights. Recommendations are aimed at how planners can intervene to improve these spaces and contribute to making more inclusionary spaces.
Open Access
Development of the Northern Growth Corridor in Cape Town: towards a more sustainable city
(2015) Botha, Mari; Dewar, David
The urban form of many South Africa cities is often considered unsustainable as it is based on the modernist and apartheid city models which have led to urban sprawl, fragmentation and the separation of land uses and activities within cities. These trends of development are exacerbated by the current high levels of urbanisation, population growth and in-migration that many metropolitan areas of the country are experiencing. Cape Town is experiencing significantly high levels of growth which is accompanied by increasing levels of poverty, unemployment and inequality. This growth is also causing uncontrolled urban development that is encroaching into valuable agricultural land and sensitive environmental areas. This dissertation seeks to demonstrate how urban growth should be accommodated and managed in Cape Town to meet the needs of urban residents and to promote a more sustainable urban environment. There are limited future spatial growth options available in Cape Town as valuable agricultural land, coastlines and topographical constraints limit possible future growth options. The dissertation presents a development framework for the area to the north of Durbanville in Cape Town. The analysis which was undertaken on the site revealed that it is environmentally sensitive and has valuable agricultural land. The plan therefore proposes a system of dense and integrated urban corridors that are enclosed by intensive agricultural activity to minimise the negative effects of development on the site. This form of development gives rise to opportunities to reduce urban sprawl and to bring urban residents closer to economic and social opportunities. Ultimately the plan advocates for a more sustainable and inclusive urban environment that represents the great need for accommodating future growth in Cape Town.
Open Access
Enabling 'just' forms of regeneration in Woodstock, Cape Town
(2016) Rolls, Lewin; Winkler, Tanja
The dominance of market-led regeneration has the ability to incapacitate the working class individuals' ability to remain in central inner-city neighbourhoods. The inner-city neighbourhood of Woodstock in Cape Town appears to reflect this problem through private sector development that results in the increase of property prices to the detriment of low-income residents. Research indicates that a large proportion of Woodstock residents cannot afford the resulting increase in cost of living, and resort to living in temporary relocated areas remote from economic opportunities and social amenities. Municipal planners are unable to solve proceeding issues from this type of 'unjust' regeneration, however, it is integral for them to enable more 'just' forms of regeneration which mitigates the impact on lower-income residents. In order to respond to this problem, the present study draws largely from Fainstein's (2010) concept of the 'Just City' which reflect the principles of equity, diversity and democracy. In turn, a theoretical framework was established which assessed the extent to which Woodstock performs as a 'Just City'. The case study and oral history data collection method were used. Research techniques included semistructured in-depth interviews, non-participant-observations, mapping techniques of the current situation, document analysis, and an oral history interview. In addition, informal conversations and personal communication, also played a role in this study. Key findings reveal how Woodstock lacks in a number of requirements to indicate a strong presence of urban justice. Regarding equity; there are minimal affordable housing units and a high demand for social housing. Non-Governmental Organisations take the lead in finding bottom-up strategies to benefit marginalised residents. Furthermore, the Urban Development Zone Tax-incentive does not benefit a wide range of individuals beyond long-time property holders. Regarding diversity; although varied public spaces exist, their 'gated' character reveals an inherent social fragmentation. Despite this, zoning, and land-uses speak towards mixed-used and inclusionary potential. Regarding democracy; residents have representation through activist organisations, yet are still not on an equal footing when it comes to decision-making. In order for planners to enable 'just' forms of regeneration, recommendations are made to create a social housing stock, recast the current urban development tax incentive, and prioritize bottom-up strategies. Further recommendations include the establishment of a 'Woodstock Local Area Overlay Zone', promote Amin's (1999) concept of 'institutional thickness', and to enable community activities through working alongside urban designers.
Open Access
Enhancing integrated development planning to alleviate the legacy of apartheid planning
(2016) Mokgalong, Samuel; Winkler, Tanja
The research serves to gain a deeper understanding as to the reasons behind the persistence of the apartheid planning legacy. This is done through a discourse analysis of integrated development planning, a planning tool introduced into South Africa to address the consequences of apartheid. Thus the aim of the Research is to: 1. Understand the underlying values and meanings of the discourses used in the many iterations of the City's Integrated Development Plans (IDPs); 2. Explore if, and how, these values and meanings have changed since 2002; 3. Establish what has prompted a change in the adopted values and meanings contained within the different iterations of the City's IDPs; and 4. Critically assess how altered values and meanings have impacted on planning actions and outcomes. Research Methods used are the case study method, discourse analysis, institutional ethnography and archival research. More specifically, a case study on Cape Town and a discourse analysis of different iterations of the City's IDP (a method done in conjunction with archival research). These IDPs being the 2002, 2007 and 2012 IDP. The findings show that the values and meanings have indeed changed since the 2002 IDP. This change is mainly attributed to the dynamic nature of Cape Town's political context over time, as well as its socio-economic context. This change has resulted in the poor no longer being prioritized and empowered through integrated development planning. It is also seen that the shift towards a more managerial approach to planning, which is seen in the IDP, has come at the expense of actions and outcomes which successfully redress the legacy of apartheid planning. A result which clearly contributes to the persistence of the apartheid planning legacy.
Open Access
Evaluating the impacts of a state led relocation project on beneficiaries' housing satisfactions: Pelican Park as a case study
(2016) Mashazhu, Nigel; Winkler, Tanja
The dissertation evaluates the impacts of state relocation projects on beneficiaries housing satisfaction. The government embarks on relocation projects as a means to address massive housing backlog. One of the main drawbacks with relocation projects is locational disadvantage. The broad aim of this dissertation is to evaluate the impacts of a state led relocation project on beneficiary housing satisfaction. The research method employed in the study was the case study based on a state project used for the evaluation process. In order to evaluate beneficiary housing satisfaction, I set an impact assessment criteria specifically (1) enabling mobility; (2) enabling choice; (3) meeting economic needs; (4) meeting physical needs (5) meeting social needs and enabling access to public services; (6); enabling security of tenure; and (7) environmental resilience. The study findings revealed that beneficiaries were highly dissatisfied with their housing. The main driving factor to dissatisfaction was unfavourable location of the settlement which resulted in accessibility challenges to Cape Town central business district, socio-economic opportunities and transport. The relocation process impacted greatly on livelihood strategies of beneficiaries. Beneficiary aspirations were not met. The contribution of the study is not only to unveil the mismatch in state housing projects but also to ensure that future state assisted projects are delivered on quality approach as opposed to quantity approach.
Open Access
Exploring gated eco-developments - contributing towards urban performance and sustainability: a case study of Chapman's Bay Estate, Noordhoek, Cape Town
(2018) Von Geusau, Alexa; Klizner, Tarna
South African cities maintain an apartheid legacy through their spatial layout, which is characterised by sprawl, fragmentation and separation. These characteristics have devastating implications for spatial justice, which cannot be isolated from urban performance and sustainability. Yet, the proliferation of gated developments and eco-estates is becoming an increasingly popular form of development both internationally and within South Africa. Often the sustainability debate allows for the glossing over of issues of social justice. These exclusive enclaves act as a microcosm for broader issues of social polarization and ecological fragmentation. This dissertation explores the complexities of this radical urban form and its implications for urban performance and sustainability. Through an understanding of the drivers and consequences of gating, it explores the conflict in which planners often find themselves: between the ideals of an integrated, accessible city and the contextual realities. This study of gated developments has been founded upon a theoretical debate as well as a case study analysis of Chapman's Bay Estate in Noordhoek, Cape Town, South Africa. This included a spatial and legislative analysis of the CoCT's Gated Development Policy as well as relevant spatial plans, through the lens of Chapman's Bay Estate. The research has revealed the perpetuating nature of gated developments in the urban realm. Furthermore, it has exposed gaps between the visions, goals and objectives of planning and the outcomes in practise. Additionally, it has revealed fragmentation between policies, plans and built environment professionals. Through this dissertation, I seek add to the current debate regarding gated developments and their implication on urban form. Furthermore, I address these findings through a review of the City of Cape Town's Gated Development Policy, as well as the harmonization and integration of relevant policies and plans.
Open Access
Exploring the potential of technology in enabling the inclusive co-production of space
(2016) Corbett, David; Odendaal, Nancy
The potential of emerging technology to address poly-urban issues is a growing focus on the agendas of cities worldwide. However, there is a lack of consensus regarding how and in whose interests it should be applied - should the aim be to establish 'smart cities' or to encourage 'smart citizens'? The 'bottom-up' approach advocates the latter and recognises the potential of technology to facilitate the prioritisation of issues and co-production of spaces. Particularly in a developing context where resources are severely limited, the ability to prioritise interventions to have maximum impact is exciting. However, these projects and the processes which enable them are under-researched. In this dissertation, a combination of Network Action Research and case study methods are used to guide the application of a selection of digital tools in combination with semi-structured and indepth interviews, surveys, and focus groups to a specific context. The products of this are insights regarding the processes which enable inclusive bottom-up smart city projects; the application of the Network Action Research method; and a context-specific resource of information to guide the future prioritisation of projects and planning in the study area. This dissertation explores the value of inclusive participation in planning, and the role that technology can play in facilitating this. However, it also uncovers the complex and non-linear nature of these projects, ultimately arguing that although technology is a valuable resource, it is not a catch-all. A hybridised approach to bottom-up smart city projects is crucial to their success.