Browsing by Subject "Environmental Management"

Now showing 1 - 20 of 37
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Open Access
    Addressing sustainable development issues in integrated development plans in the Western Cape Province
    (2008) Cooke, Penny-Jane; Sowman, Merle
    The integrated development plan (IDP) has been described as a key tool to ensure the incorporation of sustainability considerations at the local planning level within government. In the South African context this suggests a linking of planning and environmental management functions within local level government. Various theoretical studies have been conducted regarding the incorporation of environmental and sustainability concerns in the integrated development planning process. Evidence from these studies indicates that consideration of the environment and sustainability issues is largely inadequate. Furthermore, the need to consider the environment as a cross-cutting issue has not been realized at the local government level, subsequently the environment is still considered as a separate sector or as an add-on after plan and project formulation. These findings are further indicative of the fact that a gap exists between policy and practice at the local government level. In terms of sustainability concerns and the integrated development plan, there are few empirical studies that provide evidence to support these claims. The broad aim of this study has been to determine to what extent sustainability concerns are being incorporated into Integrated Development Plans (lOP) at the metropolitan, district and local municipal authority level within the Western Cape Province of South Africa. To address the aim of this study, four main methods were employed. Firstly, a literature review was carried out to provide the theoretical and conceptual basis for the research. Secondly, the legislative and policy context in South Africa in terms of integrated development plans, environmental management and planning was examined. Thirdly, an analytical framework was developed based on a set of environmental and sustainability questions that need to be taken into consideration during each phase of the IDP process. Fourthly, this analytical framework was used to review and analyse a sample of lOP documents within the Western Cape Province. Lastly, interviews were conducted with various key officials at all three levels of government involved in different aspects of the IDP in the Western Cape.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Open Access
    An analysis of water quality discharging into the Berg River at Paarl, Western Cape
    (2010) Mgese, Sivile; Winter, Kevin
    In densely settled urban and peri-urban areas of South Africa, stormwater infrastructure is frequently being used as a conduit for the daily discharge of effluents resulting in the deterioration of rivers and other receiving water bodies. This study investigates the pollution load from urban localities entering the Berg River at Paarl, and in particular, seeks to determine whether or not there is a difference in the pollution load immediately after periods of wet and dry weather conditions.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Open Access
    A case study of the EIA for the Cape Town Film Studio : factors that undermine or underpin EIA effectiveness
    (2008) Mathebula, Norman; Hill, Richard
    This case study is based in South Africaand in particular in the Western Cape province. The case study was reviewed for the purpose of evaluating its EIA effectiveness in which all the EIA stages from project design to follow up were revisited and analysed against criteria for effectiveness.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Open Access
    Challenges to interorganizational coordination in integrated coastal management in the developing world : a case study from southwestern Madagascar
    (2008) Kraus, Justin; Sowman, Merle
    This dissertation discusses the challenges to interorganizational collaboration in Integrated Coastal Management (ICM) projects in the developing world. After roughly 20 years of implementation, ICM is just beginning to systematically review its initiatives especially in the developing world. The early reviews of ICM initiatives that have been published note several challenges that are hindering the effectiveness of many ICM initiatives. One of these challenges is how to implement effective interorganizational coordination in ICM initiatives.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Open Access
    Changing coastal access patterns - A study of the Richards Bay Coast
    (2009) Jaumain, Sophia; Sowman, Merle
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Open Access
    The changing face of the Constantia Valley a temporal study of land use change in a heritage landscape
    (2012) Gaffney, Benjamin; Anderson, Pippin; Meadows, Michael E
    The study of land use change and urban morphology requires a multi-layered approach. Case studies are needed to gain an understanding of the local factors that are driving land use change and forming urban landscapes. This study will provide a temporal perspective on land use change in the Constantia Valley, a high income suburb on the outskirts of Cape Town. It will contextualise the efforts to conserve its heritage and, furthermore, attempt to explain the factors underlying the observed changes in the urban form. This study, through the use of Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping and a series of interviews, examines how and why the urban form of the Constantia Valley has changed. Finally, based on the findings the possible future urban form of Constantia will be considered.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Open Access
    A climate of trust : exploring adaptation policy
    (2003) Cousins, Thomas Daniel; Parnell, Sue
    This paper aims to tease out and unpack the different value positions that inhere in the range of discourses and methods that currently permeate the field of climate change. In doing so, I will examine the underlying concepts, methods and their application by various actors and institutions.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Open Access
    A coastal zone management framework for the Erongo Region of Namibia
    (1996) Hattingh, Karen; Hill, Richard
    Management of the coastal environment of the Erongo Region of Namibia is currently fraught with difficulty because of a lack of cohesive planning at national, regional, and local level; a multiplicity of agencies responsible for the management of coastal activities whose planning and management actions are not integrated; and, fragmented environmental legislation which suffers from a lack of coordination. The lack of integrated planning and management has resulted in an uncoordinated and fragmented approach to coastal zone management (CZM) in the Region. Development pressure exists on the coast of the Erongo Region because of factors such as high migration numbers into the area; an increased need for housing and employment; proposed dune mining activity; and, growth of the tourism industry with associated increases in infrastructural provision and the number of people visiting the area. Without effective planning, over-exploitation of coastal resources could occur. This could place at risk the resource base on which the Region depends as a source of income. To achieve better management of the coastal environment of the Erongo Region, the dissertation proposes a Coastal Zone Management Framework for the Region. The suggested Management Framework is applied to coastal zone management in Namibia. The analysis concerns Namibia, and not the Erongo Region, because the framework involves management planning at a national level, and not only at a regional level and local level; the setting in place of national level CZM policies, and not only regional level and local level CZM policies; the adoption of CZM legislation; the establishment of a steering committee to oversee implementation of the framework at national level; and the extension by national level authorities of the role of Strategic Environmental Assessment.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Open Access
    Collaborative environmental governance in agriculture : a case-study from the Upper Breede Valley
    (2013) Rumble, Juli; Hill, Richard
    The focus of this research is in the area of collaborative environmental governance, specifically analysing the Upper Breede Collaborative Extension Group (UBCEG) as an operational example of collaboration. Collaboration is one approach of governing whereby various agencies consult with one another and work together to resolve a common issue or achieve a mutual goal. The research adopts a case-study approach, exploring the collaborative group UBCEG. Firstly, the research aims to improve understanding of collaborative governance in natural resource management in the context of UBCEG in the Upper Breede Valley. Secondly, the study aims to investigate the role of collaboration in practice, by analysing two environmental assessments projects influenced by UBCEG within the study area. The first was a soil conservation works project in six foothill rivers, which gained consent approval through a combined environmental assessment in 2011. The second project is an environmental assessment that includes a wetland study, which may lead to a combined environmental assessment. The second project is in the early stages of the assessment, and the outcomes were not known at the time of completion of this research. Nevertheless, the collaborative governance involved in setting up this second environmental assessment, provides further evidence for analysis of the functioning of the UBCEG group. The methods employed to collect data for this study were that of semi-structured interviews, participant observation of group and project meetings and review of documents, specifically minutes of meetings. The findings of this research highlight the attributes and aspects of UBCEG which were important for collaborative environmental governance. Stakeholder perspectives and opinions were explored, as well as the drivers and strengths of the collaboration. The findings were evaluated and referenced against two collaborative governance theoretical frameworks.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Open Access
    The complex food system : a case study of soft vegetables produced in the Philippi Horticultural Area and the soft vegetables purchased at difference links in the food system
    (2010) Jackson, Amber Leah
    Food systems are complex and have a range of stakeholders that move food from production through to consumption. Value chains are responsible for the activities that move food between the stakeholders and through the system. The food system presented in this project concentrates on the Philippi Horticultural Area (PHA), a local vegetable production area within the City of Cape Town, and the distribution of its produce to traders. In this food system, the informal sector is so entrenched in the system that the two sectors (formal and informal) rely on each other. The informal traders do not produce their own vegetables and are dependant on the formal sector to make the vegetables available and to provide access points. The PHA and the informal sector are important for availability and access of fresh, high quality low cost vegetables to the urban poor. The PHA and the informal sector are important for urban food security in the light of increased urbanisation, poverty, access and availability. Development should consider planning that incorporates urban agriculture for sustainable development and food security policies should acknowledge the informal sector as an important means for the urban poor to access food.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Open Access
    Criteria for successful local level management of water resources : examples from two WUAs in the Eastern Cape
    (2008) Pollard, Derek; Sowman, Merle
    Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 30-31).
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Open Access
    The development of a composite sustainable development indicator for a corporate retail enterprise
    (2007) Rosenburg, Saul; Mabin, Marshall; Ackermann, Neil; Fortoh, Ernest; Fuggle, Richard Francis; Hill, Richard
    This dissertation proposes a conceptual and methodological framework for the creation and implementation of a Composite Sustainable Development Indicator for a retail corporate entity. It provides a review and evaluation of existing approaches to sustainability development, and in particular Corporate Sustainability. The study selects and combines aspects of existing conceptual frameworks into a new conceptual framework for a Composite Sustainable Development Indicator for the retail context. It then applies this framework and general principles and criteria of sustainability assessment, in the selection and adaptation of an existing CSDI framework, namely the Barometer of Sustainability. An illustrative example of the application of the proposed methodological framework is also provided. The study was initiated based on the need for more research into the complexity of Composite Sustainability Indicators. The study also attempts to address the lack of effective methodologies for assessing, measuring and managing sustainability within a corporate environment. It thus proposes a more rigorous approach to sustainability that may enhance the current culture of reporting.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Open Access
    The effectiveness of access and benefit-sharing legislation in South Africa: practical considerations for national regimes
    (2012) Lowman, Michael; Wynberg, Rachel
    The Convention on Biological Diversity provides an international regulatory framework for countries to develop their own access and benefit-sharing (ABS) legislation. This international convention governs the utilization of a country's genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge. Due to increased capabilities and demand from industry for these resources, a market is created over which ABS legislation is to govern. This is based on the realization of the objectives of the convention that provide for state sovereignty over a country's indigenous biological resources. This dissertation presents the results from an evaluation of ABS legislation and its implementation within South Africa. Key objectives are to analyze the implementation of regulations and procedures governing access to indigenous biological resources and traditional knowledge, and associated institutional arrangements.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Open Access
    Environmental Concern and the theory of planned behaviour: Identifying the green consumer.
    (2009) De Jager, JNW; Hamann, Ralph
    Since the 1980's environmentalism has developed into a major worldwide movement with concern for the environment having grown exponentially over the last two decades. With this change in thinking there have been corresponding shifts in consumer attitudes with many stating they are willing to pay more for eco-labelled products and services. With the increase in consumer demands on protection of the environment and businesses becoming aware of their responsibility towards the objective of sustainability, retailers and manufacturers have moved beyond simply addressing environmental regulatory issues and are introducing alternative products that could be classified as ecofriendly. However, at present, businesses find it difficult to predict consumers' reaction towards these products with a degree of accuracy that is necessary to enable the development of new targeting and segmenting strategies. This presumably has contributed towards several failures in green products development (D'Souza et al, 2007). This study tested whether the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB; Ajzen, 1991) explains consumers' intention to purchase eco-friendly products (EFPs). The researcher extended the TPB by including environmental concern in the model. The aim is to test whether this construct directly influences people's attitudes towards the purchase of these products. Furthermore, the study investigates whether consumers' search for information on EFPs and whether their price/quality sensitivity may also affect their intention to purchase these products. The respondent base is then divided by means of demographic segmentation in order to determine whether attitudes towards and intention to purchase EFPs differ between age, income and gender groups. A survey was conducted among 100 customers of a well-known retailer, known for its selection of EFPs. The data obtained was analysed using SPSS software. The results found the TPB to be valid within an environmentally responsible purchase decision framework and that environmental concern does influence consumer attitudes towards the purchase of EFPs. This is in line with the findings of De Groot & Steg (2007) and Bamberg (2003) which also found that ii environmental concern should not be seen as a direct determinant of behaviour, but an important indirect one. The emphasis should thus be on increasing consumers' level of environmental concern and then identify those consumers with favourable attitudes towards EFPs, rather than identify green consumers solely on the basis of environmental concern. Furthermore, the study found that consumers' search for information and trust in product labelling affect their intention to purchase these products. This study suggests that the consumer ought to be educated on the differences between EFPs and regular products by means of advertising and label information. It also emphasises the need for claims made about EFPs to be substantiated. With regards to price and quality sensitivity, the results show that both these constructs affect consumers' attitudes towards and intention to purchase EFPs. Consumers will not readily buy an EFP if it is somewhat more expensive than a regular product and they are even less likely to purchase such a product if it does not meet the same quality standards. With regards to demographic segmentation, the results show that women are more environmentally concerned than men and also have a greater intention to purchase EFPs in future. There is no difference between age groups in terms of their attitudes and intention to purchase EFPs but those aged 41-60 have greater volitional control over the purchase of these products as they are better able to afford them. Similarly, income groups show no difference in attitudes and intention but higher incomes groups have greater volitional control over the purchase of EFPs. Nevertheless, there was no difference found between age and income groups in terms of their price sensitivity. This brings into question the effectiveness of the premium pricing strategy currently employed by many manufacturers of EFPs as it seems that people with higher incomes, even though they are better able to afford EFPs, are not more willing to purchase these products if priced higher than regular products.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Open Access
    An environmental evaluation procedure for coastal township and resort development proposals in South Africa
    (1994) Sowman, Merle Rozanne; Fuggle, Richard Francis
    Most coastal nations recognise the environmental, economic and educational value of their coastal zones. Consequently, they have developed integrated management programmes and employ a variety of strategies, in particular, Environmental Impact Assessment, to promote the sustainable use and development of these resource- rich areas. In South Africa, the absence of a formal, holistic and systematic procedure for evaluating proposals that affect the coastal environment is identified as one of the main causes of coastal degradation. The Integrated Environmental Management Procedure, developed in 1992, provides a generic framework within which the planning and evaluation of proposals, significantly affecting the environment can be made. Further development of more detailed procedures, practical guidelines and tools for specific activities or in particular environments, is now urgently required. The central aim of this dissertation is to develop an environmental evaluation procedure for coastal township and resort development proposals, consistent with the principles of Integrated Environmental Management, and appropriate to the conditions in a developing country, such as South Africa. The proposed procedure addresses key weaknesses inherent in most Environmental Impact Assessment systems in developing countries and incorporates and builds upon relevant Coastal Zone Management strategies operative in South Africa. Furthermore, it seeks to unpack and clarify the Environmental Impact Assessment concept by identifying its underlying principles, clarifying procedural requirements and making operational the processes which characterise it. To assist with implementation, a variety of tools and a series of practical guidelines have been developed. The key features of the procedure were derived from an extensive literature review, an examination of the environmental evaluation and coastal management systems operating in South Africa, a questionnaire survey amongst coastal managers, and from case study material. Action research informed ideas for making operational the processes of scoping and public participation. Particular attention was given to identifying and developing appropriate methods and guidelines for identifying impacts, determining impact significance, involving the public, assessing recreational carrying capacity, clarifying trade-offs amongst alternatives, marrying expert opinion and local experiential knowledge and incorporating subjective value judgements into the assessment and decision-making processes. It is submitted that the employment of this procedure to all proposals affecting the coastal zone and the establishment of the proposed institutional mechanisms for its implementation, will streamline and enhance existing coastal management efforts and give direction to the further development and implementation of an Integrated Coastal Zone Management programme for South Africa.
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Open Access
    Environmental management of filming in the City of Cape Town : a baseline study report & a draft situation analysis
    (2001) Kowalyk, Jennifer; Rose-Innes, Olivia; Winter, Kevin
    The City of Cape Town has become increasingly important as a venue for filming activities, particularly since the mid to late 1990s. The area is attractive to film companies because it offers a considerable diversity of locations (many of great natural beauty) within a small geographic area; favourable weather; the availability of sunny locations during northern hemisphere winters; good film crews; sound infrastructure and accommodation; and better production value given that the cost of filming in South Africa is still highly competitive by international standards. Cape Town's economy benefits significantly from the film industry, which was estimated as having spent close to R500 million in total expenditure over the last year (Yutar, 2001). This puts the film industry as second only to tourism in terms of income generation. The industry is growing rapidly: between October 2000 and the end of March 2001 there were 1 530 shoots, compared with 911 during the same period a year earlier (Yutar, 2001 ). Toe industry also promotes Cape Town - particularly as a tourist destination - through international media exposure. This encouraging financial news, however, has been offset for many locals by the inconvenience and disturbance caused by filming activities such as closed roads, and the threat to the tranquility and quality of life in Cape Town. The challenge for environmental management is to find ways to continue to attract film-making and its much-needed revenue to the area, without compromising Cape Town's unique natural and socio-cultural character. As part of the attempt to meet this challenge, the City of Cape Town Environmental Management Department has commissioned Yebo Environmental Services and Environmental Science Masters students from the University of Cape Town to conduct a Baseline Study and Situation Analysis of Environmental Management of Filming Activities in the City of Cape Town. Toe latter will include recommendations for future management. Toe Baseline Study Report aims to provide an overview of the current situation and identification of key issues to inform the Draft Situation Analysis, which will be presen1ed at a stakeholder workshop on 11 May 2001. The Baseline Study Report and the Draft Situation Analysis are intended as documents that are linked but also "stand-alone.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Open Access
    Estimating farm dam storage using SPOT imagery
    (2011) Petersen, Nicole Jade; Winter, Kevin
    The objective of this study is to establish a methodology in which remote sensing can be used to support the monitoring of water resources. SPOT XS imagery and object-oriented classification was used to identify farm dams and their surface area. Two equations applied to determining the capacity of dams were used to convert surface area to volume. The results showed a similarity between fieldwork and object-oriented classification data for surface area. Overall, there appears to be a strong positive correlation between object-oriented classification and unsupervised classification. The correlation between object-oriented classification and supervised classification ranged from strong positive association to little or no association. This study concludes that remote sensing is a useful tool in identifying water bodies and generating an estimate of volume stored.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Open Access
    Evaluating the role of spatial planning and environmental impact assessment in facilitation environmentally appropriate development : the case of the Big Bay development in Blaauwberg, Cape Town
    (2009) Aaron, Samuel; Hill, Richard
    This dissertation assesses the roles of spatial planning and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) in informing appropriate development in the case of the Big Bay development. The roles considered are those that relate to the planning of the biophysical environment. The dissertation further assesses how the roles relate to the nature of the relationship between the processes followed by the two disciplines. The study found out that planning and EIA had essential roles in informing the development. The roles of EIA related to the identification of environmental issues while those of planning related to the incorporation of those environmental issues into the development proposal. The nature of the roles related to the levels at which the two disciplines were applied and the manner in which they related. EIA was applied at the project level long after the decision to develop the site was made. EIA was thus not used to evaluate the development alternatives so as to identify the development that was suitable for the Big Bay bio-physical environment. The proponents of Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) argue that SEA is best placed to inform the selection of appropriate development. Planning was applied at various levels and, thus, it was involved at both the strategic level and the project level. At the strategic level, planning attempted to identify environmental issues but could not go beyond obvious physical features like dune systems and the coast. At the project level, planning relied on EIA for the identification of environmental issues for incorporation into development proposals. Throughout the planning process, the Big Bay site was sub-divided into smaller precincts with guidance from the EIA on environmental issues. At the lowest level of planning including Site Development Planning (SDP), however, many precincts were so small that the EIA did not identify any new environmental issues - each precinct was either entirely suitable for conservation or development. Planning and EIA related in a series of coordinated interactions. The dissertation associates the interactions with integration and mutual adjustment. In their interaction, planning and EIA mutually adjust to each other. On several instances, the two disciplines had to compromise their positions to facilitate consensus in decision making. In the case study it was found that the two coordinated so well and the flow and incorporation of information was successful. The flow of information was done in time and the information influenced the outcomes of each process.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Open Access
    An examination of solid waste collection and disposal in Maputo City, Mozambique
    (2006) Ferrão, Domingos António Gonçalo; Fuggle, Richard Francis
    Includes bibliographical references (leaves 105-115).
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Open Access
    Extensive green roof design in the City of Cape Town : barriers and opportunities for developing a green industry
    (2010) Armstrong, James Taylor; Ziervogel, Gina
    In today's world of increasing energy costs and rapid ecosystem service decay, a result of direct human disturbance from development, habitat loss and fragmentation and the increasing frequencies of extreme weather events, it is critical that building practices in the next decade adopt a more adaptive and holistic approach to building design.