Closing the Gap Between Urban Planning and Urban Ecology: A South African Perspective

Abstract

Ecological considerations should be an integral part of the decision-making processes of urban planners. Specifically, ecological aspects used in urban ecology, such as green infrastructure and ecosystem services, are substantiated by literature as strategies for improving quality of life, human health, and well-being. Studies dealing with such concepts in the Global South recently gained interest; however, these lack empirical evidence on the integration thereof in mainstream South African urban planning practice. This article conducts a preliminary investigation into the knowledge of ecological aspects of a sample of South African urban planners and their willingness to implement ecological aspects in urban planning practice. The new environmental paradigm scale is employed to determine the environmental worldview (ecocentric or anthropocentric) among respondent and how this relates to their knowledge of ecological aspects. The initial research sample consisted of a total of 283 questionnaires distributed. Although findings of this article are based on a low response rate (15%) of 42 documented responses, it did not affect the validity of the data collected in this context. The initial findings indicated that the environmental worldview of the sample of planners is only one factor influencing their perspective on incorporating ecological considerations. Low to moderate knowledge and awareness regarding ecological aspects such as ecosystem services, green infrastructure, and multi-functionality are argued to be main factors preventing integration in urban planning practice. Findings emphasize the need for context-based implementation strategies and broad recommendations are made for the planning profession as a point of departure to introduce or ingrain ecological considerations.

Using “Live” Public Sector Projects in Design Teaching to Transform Urban Green Infrastructure in South Africa

“…The students were specifically questioned about what they found to be memorable. In their responses, they most recurrently mentioned social interactions (19), for example: What I find memorable/meaningful in terms of my learning: "The contact with potential users of the space helped me better understand who I would be designing for. "…”

“…In so doing, they often disregard the welfare of the poor and the fragmentation of ecological areas [18]. While planners in general show a low to moderate knowledge and awareness of ecological aspects [19], the public sector is additionally tested by a lack of capacity and governance [20]. Due to competing interests and a shortage of funds, green areas and conservation plans that are included in open space planning frameworks do not always influence site development plan decisions on the ground [3].…”

“…Furthermore, in the Global South, design challenges are more complex, involving poor communities located in ecologically vulnerable areas such as flood plains and steep slopes [3]. Case study evidence of UGI integration in mainstream African urban planning and design practice exist [33,34], yet empirical evidence in the literature remains scarce [19]. Education, training, and professional development initiatives must help forge a common language of risk-conscious, greener alternatives for future spatial planners and designers [6,35,36].…”

Economic Valuation of Urban Green Spaces across a Socioeconomic Gradient: A South African Case Study

“…The bulk of academic investigation has historically focused on the Global North, but interest has also increasingly turned to the Global South, highlighting the need to consider local scale, context and dynamics when developing principles and frameworks to understand the role green uses fulfil in the urban environment [1]. Such themes, once rooted in the biological sciences, have now permeated multiple fields, including disciplines such as urban planning and design and urban ecology [2,3]. Multiple research themes have emerged, initially focused on issues related to environmental degradation and protection, but also increasingly investigating social and economic considerations, often framed by the concept of environmental justice.…”

“…The relationship between SES and planning for UGSs has also received limited attention to date [18,42]. There is a need for urban planners and authorities, who have often been shown to acknowledge the importance of UGSs to some extent [2,34,43], to be further sensitized to the value of these spaces based on research from and focused on the Global South related to the improved planning, development and management of UGSs across the socioeconomic gradient [3,33]. Evidence of the economic savings and contributions related to UGSs may prove fundamental to help justify the human and financial capital required to prioritize the equitable development and maintenance of UGSs to realize more sustainable human settlements [44].…”