This research is based on reflections of various practitioners and their views on how public participation processes may or may not contribute to effective EIA decisions. It is therefore grounded in what is described as practitioner-based research. To study comparative development activities effectively, one must draw on many disciplines and construct a balanced understanding of historical and contemporary development processes. No single conventional disciplinary area of research is able to integrate the issues of public participation, EIA and decision-making in the context of the current development debate. The emergence of Trans-disciplinary areas of research allows for such integration. The Africa Earth Observatory Network (AEON) institute creates the space for this study to achieve an integrated response to the question of the effectiveness of public participation in EIA and decision-making. This further creates the opportunity to contribute and expand the growing body of knowledge and literature of public participation in the earth stewardship science discipline. Making use of triangulation, this study fulfils four major tasks: firstly, an assessment is made on the historical and theoretical importance, process and outcome of both EIA and public participation internationally and in South Africa. Secondly, three prominent case studies (i) the Coega IDZ, (ii) the Pondoland N2 Toll Road, and (iii) the anticipated Hydraulic Fracturing in the Karoo each focusses on concerns of an environmental, socio-economic, and political nature to assess if the public participation process has had influence, if any, on the final decisions for these projects to go-ahead. Thirdly, a survey was conducted to establish the views and perceptions of practitioners in the EIA and public participation domain on the effectiveness of public participation in EIA processes. Lastly, face-to-face interviews were conducted with various ‘pracademics’, i.e. consultants, practitioners, government, and non-governmental officials to establish their views on how public participation may or may not influence EIA decisions. Utilising the International Association for Public Participation’s (IAP2) participation spectrum as an evaluation tool, this research explores thirteen key criteria normally attributed to effective public participation. This provides a scale (inform, involve, consult, collaborate) to assess whether public participation in EIA in South Africa is least effective (inform) or most effective (collaborate). My research confirms that in South Africa an enabling environment to address impacts on our environment is emerging. One of the main challenges remains putting in place robust, clear and effective regulations, models or approaches that provide for effective public participation and decision-making in EIAs. My research also suggests that the legislation on which EIA is based cannot by itself guarantee the effectiveness of public participation processes. In practice, EIA is an institutional process of power division between different actors, and the practitioner or ‘pracademic’ has to play a more fundamental role to ensure effectiveness and fairness in the public participation process. Academic commentators should therefore call for new approaches that emphasise collaborative interaction between decision-makers and the public as well as deliberation amongst participants.

The South African government cannot in isolation deliver all the community needs as expected. Therefore, the involvement of all the sectors becomes crucial in the fight against poverty, largely due to the fact that the delivery of services (community needs) by the public sector does not balance with the amount of the resources allocated. This implies that government cannot successfully manage to deliver the community needs in isolation. A shared service delivery strategy to support the socio-economic development initiatives towards sustainable shared growth is therefore essential. The Public-Private Partnerships and Public-Public Partnership have emerged as alternative measures or important public policy tools in addressing the ‘shared delivery’ of services to the general public of South Africa. As a result of high levels of poverty experienced by the people of the Eastern Cape, in fact by the larger South African population, major interventions by NGOs, CBOs and other civil organisation are gaining momentum. Likewise, the establishment of the National Development Agency as mandated is also a public policy tool that looks into improving the socio-economic development of the local communities. Such interventions and partnerships therefore have a big role to play in support of the ANC led government to effectively deliver on its mandate, thus ensuring improved citizen’s welfare. Importantly, what triggered the undertaking of this study are the high levels of poverty, poor local economic developments and poor monitoring and evaluation of the funded projects in the Eastern Cape. In this study community and poverty in developing South Africa is well discussed. Attention is drawn to the whole idea of socio-economic development - simultaneously touching on the socio-economic shift in SA. Local Economic Development is also discussed with its LED dimensions, including business developments within the two said districts. The main aim of this study is to establish the extent to which the interventions by National Development Agency ‘Public Entity’ have improved the socio-economic development of the rural local communities in the Amathole and OR Tambo Districts towards sustainable and shared growth. The study includes a conceptual meaning of the public sector in general with its key service delivery role players. The study also includes the conceptual theoretical basis of the socio-economic development with specific reference to South Africa then cascades down to the study areas. Under the same note, a detailed explanation is also given on the nature of Public-Private Partnership (PPP) as a model for improved socio-economic development. Conceptual presentation of the Public-Public Partnership (PPP) for shared service delivery is also alluded to.

The aim of the study was to understand whether family businesses and non-family business differ from one another regarding green business and environmental issues. Green business issues are of global importance for the continued existence of business within the world. Businesses do not exist in isolation but within the context of the environment within which they function. Business has an impact on the environment and the environment has an impact on business. Furthermore, family businesses constitute a large part of the world economy and estimates range from 60-90 percent of GDP contributed by family businesses. In the South African context family businesses also form a significant part of the business environment. A literature study was conducted. The study identified five factors and considered each of these factors in the study. The five factors are: Green Business; Values; Stewardship; Succession; and, Stakeholders. In addition to a literature, primary research was conducted and data were collected by means of a questionnaire that collected data on the factors identified as well as some biographical information, including race, age and the sectors in which the respondents operated. The study’s findings correspond with the literature study, although no clear difference was found between family business and non-family business relating to green business and environmental issues. Family businesses do however believe that they are stewards of the environment and need to care for the environment.

This thesis refers to the Evidence Based Policy and Regulatory Impact Analysis. Both of them are important instruments for creating the economic policy. Evidence based policy is based on the collection and evaluation of the relevant data concerning the realization of either government or non-government programs. There are different methods for evaluating. Methods for the evaluation and the process of the evaluation are contained in the first part of this thesis. The second part is related to Regulatory Impact Analysis, which is linked to the production of the better regulation. Evolution of the RIA in the European union and Great Britain, analysis of the quality of the RIA and assessment of the implementation of the RIA into the legislative procedure is the main body of this thesis. The third part is dedicated to the RIA in the Czech Republic. The integration of the RIA into the legislation and the rules for the assessment of the impacts caused by the regulation are described in this part. This part also includes several RIAs analysis. The weak side of the RIA is described as well in the last part.

During the 1960s, residents of isolated Kwakiutl Indian communities, located near the northern tip of Vancouver Island in Johnstone Straight, were encouraged by representatives of the Department of Indian Affairs (DIA) to relocate to regional urban centers. The majority of families from various Kwakiutl bands were, as a result, assimilated into non-native centers throughout the province. This thesis examines the planning processes that contributed to the death of the Johnstone Straight communities; identifies the impacts of relocation on members of one Kwakiutl band, the Tanakteuk; and evaluates various alternatives for Indian development in the future, including an assessment of the desirability of reinhabitation of Kwakiutl homelands. A literature review of international regional planning theory and development approaches points to the popularity of growth center development theory for two decades after World War Two. This theory continued to guide Canadian planning initiatives during the 1960s, resulting in the decline of rural communities, both native and non-native. Interviews with Kwakiutl band members and former DIA personnel, and an examination of DIA documents, contribute to a profile of events leading to the relocation of Kwakiutl bands in the region. Consistent with the proponents of the growth center theory, DIA suspected that the costs of providing services and facilities could be minimized in urban centers as a result, of achieving economies of scale not possible with scattered villages, and that employment opportunities in industry would be greater. The department acted on this belief by reducing the provision of crucial services to the Johnstone Straight communities, without consulting those Indians directly affected. An examination of documentation suggests that the relocation of Indians to urban centers was further advocated by DIA personnel for an additional reason: such a move would encourage Indians to abandon traditional lifestyles, and promote their assimilation into modern Canadian society. According to the assumptions on which orthodox development theory and DIA planning processes are based, Indians must adopt the values and lifestyles of participants in modern society for their development to proceed. A questionnaire was administered to Tanakteuk Band members to investigate the impacts of relocation and the level of support for re-establishing the community of New Vancouver in their traditional homeland. Results of the survey demonstrate that the socio-economic conditions of the Tanakteuk families have not significantly improved as a result of being incorporated into mainstream Canadian society. In retrospect, growth center doctrine proved to be an inappropriate guide for the planning process for natives. While relocation may have increased access to services and facilities, it did not result in increased employment opportunities. Moreover, by promoting assimilation into non-native societies, relocation threatened the cultural survival of the Tanakteuk. Having evaluated several options, the re-establishment of a community in New Vancouver has been identified by five Tanakteuk heads of households as the most rational means to strengthen their culture and further the long-term development of the Band. An alternative theory of development based on a synthesis of a territorial development approach and systems theory supports this planning option. The case study of the Tanakteuk provides strong justification of the need for major changes to the planning processes used by the Department of Indian Affairs. An orthodox approach to development must be replaced by an alternative that aims to strengthen Indian society through the development of Indian economies within Indian cultural frameworks under the control of Indian political institutions. Planning processes must account for cultural differences of clientele. / Applied Science, Faculty of / Community and Regional Planning (SCARP), School of / Graduate

M.Sc. / The establishment of conservancies and collaborative nature reserves is often promoted without understanding the impact that such initiatives have on the environment, the wildlife and landowners. This tack of knowledge has resulted in the landowners' non-awareness of the advantages and disadvantages of establishing such entities and often leads to disillusionment. A conservancy is established by informal agreement between various landowners to enhance the conservation status of a specific area without affecting the owners' individual rights. A collaborative nature reserve is established as a result of a format agreement between landowners to manage and administer their collective land as a single unit. The agreement typically addresses issues such as the management systems, the methods to be utilised for income generation, the distribution of surpluses amongst landowners and the rights and privileges applicable to the landowners. The scope of this study has been limited to the establishment of conservancies and collaborative nature reserves between game ranchers and existing game ranches. A literature study was undertaken to determine the advantages and disadvantages of establishing collaborative nature reserves, including a comparative analysis of large versus small conservation areas. Practical research was done to determine the implications, advantages, disadvantages and landowners' perceptions pertaining to the establishment of collaborative nature reserves. The practical research was done by personal observation methods as well as the use of questionnaires. An existing and successful collaborative nature reserve was studied intensively to meet these objectives. This reserve includes the land of twelve individual landowners and also forms part of a greater conservancy. The establishment of collaborative nature reserves can solve the problems created by separate game ranches, especially that of the compartmentalisation of grazing areas for game. Careful pre-planning can surmount the negative aspects of establishing collaborative !lature reserves and the advantages can be maximally utilised.

M.A. / Natural phenomenon such as droughts have a definite influence on the availability of water sources, soil profiles and vegetation of an area. Man should adapt his activities, such as farming, to the current climatic elements of the area to ensure his existence. Intermittent rainfall and the occurrence of droughts caused symptoms such as desertification. Desertification has reached an alarming level in South Africa, so much so that the level of environmental degradation in the Northern Cape Province caused great distress. This caused many questions into the activities of man in this area. The problem that arose out of this is, does man cause a negative impact on the environment with his farming activities? The specific area of concern is the Southern Kalahari-dunefield, with its unique ecosystems. This area can be described as an semi-arid desert with very sensitive ecosystems. Any form of interference can cause a long term ecological disruption. This area contains several hidden resources which are optimally used by man and animals to live a decent life. The development of these resources (e.g. water) over the past decades lead to the advantage for all concerned. However, the real danger of over-utilisation and exploitation do exist. Questionnaires were used to gather data concerning stock farming activities in this area. Information was obtained regarding water resources, vegetation cover, endemic animals, type of farming, ground cover and other economic activities such as tourism. Man is an additional determinant who causes an impact on his environment in the Southern Kalahari-dunefield. Although a change can be observed over the past decades in the activities of man to enhance sustainable development, continuous strive to the implementation of new methods to preserve resources in the long term, must be encouraged.

Mrs. D.C. Schoeman

Includes bibliographies. / This study resulted from a perception held by the author that more attention is afforded to complying with the procedural elements of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) in South Africa, than to ensuring the validity of its technical content. The routing of high voltage overhead transmission lines provides a relevant field of study in which to address this perception. An initial literature review to contextualise the perceived problem showed that the questionable validity of the technical content of EIA was one of six shortcomings identified. To address the problem, an inductive approach was adopted to focus on the interpretation and prediction activities of EIA and two propositions, stated as research questions for discussion, were developed. These referred to the theoretical question of whether methods are specified for high voltage overhead transmission line EIAs, and to the practical question of whether the environmental impacts that are known to result from transmission line projects are effectively addressed in such EIAs in South Africa. Investigating these questions provides insights into whether the technical content of transmission line EIA is sufficiently rigorous in South Africa. The method of study takes the form of a sequentially more focused examination of the literature on EIA, from the strategic level, to the sectoral level and culminating at the project level. EIA methods specified for linear developments were identified at the sectoral level, while at the project level the known environmental impacts that result from high voltage overhead transmission lines were determined. A theoretical background was compiled in this way, which allowed for comparison with the practice as determined from benchmark and case study Environmental Impact Reports (EIRs).

Please read the abstract in the section 00front of this document / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2001. / Geography, Geoinformatics and Meteorology / MSc / Unrestricted