During the past two centuries, land cover has been changing at an alarming rate in space and time and it is humans who have emerged as the dominant driver of change in the environment, resulting in changes of extraordinary magnitudes. Most of these changes occur due to demands placed on the land by the ever-increasing human population and their need for more land for both settlement and food production. Many researchers underscore the importance of recognizing and studying past land-use and land cover changes as the legacies of these changes continue to play a major role in ecosystem structure and function. The objectives of this study were to determine the extent of land cover changes between 1992 and 2008 in the study areas, Esikhawini and Dube located in the uMhlathuze municipality, KwaZulu-Natal, and to both predict and address the implications of the extent of future changes likely to occur in the area by 2016. Three Landsat satellite images of the study area were acquired for the years, 1992, 2000 and 2008. These images were classified into nine classes representing the dominant land covers in the area. An image differencing change detection method was used to determine the extent of the changes which took place during the specified period. Thereafter, a Markov chain model was used to determine the likely distribution of the land cover classes by 2016. The results revealed that aside from Waterbodies and Settlements, the rest of the classes exhibited a great degree of change between 1992 and 2008, having class change values greater than 50%. With regards to the predicted change in the land cover classes, the future land cover change pattern appears to be similar to that observed between 1992 and 2008. The Settlements class will most likely emerge as the dominant land cover in the study area as many of the other classes are increasingly being replaced by this particular class. The overall accuracy of the classification method employed for this study was 79.58% and the results have provided a good overview of the location and extent of land cover changes in the area. It is therefore plausible to conclude that these techniques could be used at both local and regional scales to better inform land management practices and policies. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, 2012.

This study determines and predicts multi-temporal Land-Use-Land-Cover Change (LULC) in a peripheral urban landscape over a 22 year period in relation to the study area‘s greenery. A change detection analysis using post classification Maximum Likelihood algorithm on three multispectral SPOT-4 images was used to determine land-cover transformation. To predict future land coverage, a Land-Cover Change Modeler (LCM) and a Markov Chain were used. Results show that between the year 2000-2006, 2006-2011 and 2000-2011 the study area experienced varied changes in the different LULCs. Built-up areas increased by 10.08%, 3.15% and 13.23% in 2000-2006, 2006-2011, and 2000-2011 respectively. Areas covered by thicket decreased by 0.59% in 2000-2006 but increased by 0.56%, 0.07% in 2006-2011 and 2000-2011 respectively. Forest land-cover increased by 2.59% in 2000-2006, 2.82% in 2006-2011, and 5.41% in 2000-2011. Grassland declined by 8.46% and 2.64% in 2000-2006 and 2000-2011 respectively while degraded grassland declined by 3.62%, 12.45% and 16.07% in 2000-2006, 2006-2011, and 2000-2011 respectively. Projection results indicate a consistent pattern of growth or decline to those experienced between 2000-2011. This study provides insight into LULC patterns within the eThekwini metro area and offers invaluable understanding of the transformation of the urban green spaces. Key words: Land-Use-Land-Cover Change, Change detection, Land-Cover Change Modeler, Markov Chain Process, Land-Cover Change Prediction. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2013.

Urban agriculture in South Africa has been historically labelled as an illegal activity. This has been compounded by the traditional planning system in South Africa that did not recognise urban agriculture as part of the land use in the urban landscape. However despite its illegality, current evidence shows that it is commonly practised by many poor households in developing countries. There is growing evidence that most countries are gradually seeing the value of urban agriculture among poor households and to this end, they are beginning to realise the importance of incorporating it in their urban policy packages. Despite this recognition and acceptance of urban agriculture as a livelihood and food security strategy among the urban poor, little attention is paid to it. This research examines urban agriculture from a purely spatial planning perspective by way of elaborating on the spatial allocation of land for urban agriculture. The focus of the research is on identifying the factors that explain the unresponsiveness of the town planning system and challenges that confront urban farmers with the intention to suggest alternatives. At the core of the town planning system, are legislations and policies. Despite these irresponsive legislations such as NEMA and Health Act which hinder the practice of urban agriculture along sensitive areas such as river banks and road reserves urban agriculture continues to flourish. Regardless of minimal support from local authority the research findings show that the practise of agriculture is a common phenomenon among urban poor. The onus is therefore on the local authorities to promote it by putting in place mechanisms that should promote its growth and integrate it into mainstream development plans. / Thesis (M.T.R.P.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2009.

Global declines in amphibian species have directed research towards investigating why this is happening. One of the major causes of these declines is the fragmentation and loss of habitat. This study examined the effect of land use on the species composition of frogs within North Eastern KwaZulu-Natal, and the use of buffer zones to facilitate the protection of these species. Three land use types were investigated: sugar cane (Saccharum officinarum), gum (Eucalyptus sp.) plantations and conservation areas. The average number of frog species differed between areas: conservation 13.2 ± 6.6; plantations 3.8 ± 1.3; and sugar cane 2.8 ± 1.4. Sugar and gum plantation were found to be lacking the wetland and grassland/woodland habitats. In addition to this, the frog species that were not present on these land use types were those that are totally dependent on water as well as those that are not dependent on a water source. Two species were highlighted as possible indicator species of land use: Amietophrynus gutturalis and Hyperolius marmoratus. To mitigate the effect of these land use types, the use of buffer zones was explored in a desktop study. A range of buffer zones were applied to wetlands in a sample study area, using a range of distances including the distances of 290 m and 159 m recommended by Semlitsch and Bodie (2003), and the recommended distances for wetlands in South Africa of 10-20 m. The application of a 290 m and 159 m buffer zone on a conglomerate of wetlands connected by a 100m buffer was the most feasible as it incorporated a percentage of the total study (6.4% and 4.3%) area similar to the percentage occupied by the recommended 20m buffer zone (5.5%) around all wetlands, and still incorporated the range under protection put forward by Semlitsch and Bodie (2003). Management implications of these findings are discussed. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2010.

The objective of this study is to research how the slow process of land redistribution in South Africa can be accelerated, given the urgency of land resettlement. A subprogramme of redistribution, Land Redistribution for Agricultural Development (LRAD), was launched by the Minister of Agriculture and Land Affairs in A1.}gust 2001. A redistribution project goes through five phases (refer Appendix A for LRAD project cycle). Each phase has different steps, which is an LRAD project cycle. Firstly, the thesis analyses the project cycle - the aim was to establish how long it would take a farmer to obtain ownership of land and how the process can be expedited to settle more farmers. Secondly, it studies the role and views of stakeholders involved in the programme (such as NGOs, financial (nstitutions, design agents and governmental departments). Thirdly, it examines the performance and progress made since the implementation of the programme In KwaZulu-Natal. Lastly, the study focuses on problems and general concerns regarding the policy. Some policy recommendations on the need and performance of land redistribution in South Africa are made. The LRAD project cycle could take at least nine months or more. During this period beneficiaries cannot buy land from auctions, while some landowners are reluctant to go through with this long process, because it may not result in a land sale. Engaging property owners in the process can accelerate land delivery. In addition, government must try to streamline its policies and procedures, so that landowners who wish to sell do not perceive it to be such a serious disadvantage to engage in selling to redistribution applicants. The LRAD programme started slowly in KwaZulu-Natal and by the end of 11 April 2002, the DLA had received only 105 applications for the grant. By May 2003, out of 1 300 applications only 169 had been transferred since LRAD started. According to experience by Ithala Bank, many projects are delayed and sales collapse. Long delays are a major problem, because many projects are approved but few transferred. A recommendation is that commercial banks be given a chance to approve LRAD grants, contingent on loan approval. Extending approval powers to commercial banks has the advantage of identifying creditworthy projects quickly and accurately, as private lenders are putting their own resources at risk. Some of the problems and concerns identified around LRAD are: disposal of state land and unresolved land-claims. The Department of Land Affairs (DLA) needs to integrate the new programme with other programmes of land reform, especially in cases where different communities are competing for the same land, but through different programmes. Another problem is that the programme has missed market opportunities because landowners are reluctant to sell due to delays and uncertainty. The DLA has consistently been under-spending their budget, leading to their budget being cut. Financial assistance to farmers with no own collateral is insufficient. The farmers are not being placed in a financial position to purchase a viable farm and they will experience serious cash flow problems if maximum loans from the Land Bank are accessed. The Department of Agriculture (DoA) has postponed the training programme several times and to date it is not yet implemented. It is highly recommended that the issue of mentorship be addressed, as a matter of urgency. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2004.

This project was conducted with the view of extending the Durban Municipal Open Space System into surrounding municipalities. It was aimed at adopting a holistic approach to nature conservation by providing for the needs of the current human population whilst ensuring the long term survival of representative natural biota of the area. A preliminary study was conducted to: provide a basis for a more detailed vegetation survey; to assess the current public open space areas and to determine the land use history of the area. The vegetation was categorised into 14 community types and mapped to provide the basis for more detailed sampling. A survey of public open spaces revealed that most of the public parks were not providing for the needs of the local residents and that nature reserves and sports fields were more popular than conventional public parks. The land use history study revealed that the study area has been utilised for: cultivation; grazing; market gardening and more recently residential and industrial development purposes. A vegetation survey using phytosociological methods revealed that the vegetation in Queensburgh was dominated by alien invasive plant species although pockets of indigenous vegetation did occur. Drawing from the principles of reticular biogeography an open space system was designed using the information gained from the vegetation survey and preliminary study. The design included: 4 core areas where conservation was a priority; 3 corridors linking the core areas and a number of buffer areas. A general management plan was subsequently developed for the system. Management suggestions were concerned with: ecological; economical and sociological aspects. The open space system offers Queensburgh the opportunity to contribute to the national reconstruction and development program (RDP) by upgrading the current standard of living of the local residents without compromising the natural resources available to future generations. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of Natal, 1994.

The aim of this study was to detect spatio-temporal changes in sugarcane land use using satellite imagery for 1991–2006 in Umbumbulu, South Africa. This change detection study will enable quantification of change and the changes between different land use and land cover that has occurred over the study period 1991–2006. This work embarked on a change detection analysis using image-processing software namely ERDAS, IDRISI and ArcGIS to complete the study. Three Landsat TM images from 1991, 2001, and 2006 were used. The images were geometrically corrected to a common map projection, followed by image processing operations namely: radiometric correction, supervised image classification, accuracy assessment and post classification comparison change detection. Each image was separately classified into land cover categories of water, grassland, mix bush/shrub, forestry, sugarcane and built-up land using the supervised classification maximum likelihood algorithm in ERDAS. Final classification accuracy was determined to be ‘satisfactory’ or ‘good’ by means of employing standardized accuracy assessment measures, the error matrix. The post-classification comparison technique was applied to compare the classified images to assess for changes in sugarcane land use over time using IDRISI software. The classified images produced were exported into ArcMap GIS software for additional change analysis. The results are displayed as change maps. Change analysis has been executed based on digital interpretation of classification results. / Thesis (M.Env.Dev.) - University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2009.

This research project examines the Land Redistribution for Agricultural Development Programme (LRAD) in the province of KwaZulu-Natal in terms of a public policy framework, which includes policy implementation. In analyzing the nature of the LRAD Programme the project investigates the issues of governance, development, the policy agendas, policy actors and policy subsystems in South Africa (the executive; the legislature; the appointed officials; research organizations; the labour; civic organizations; the mass media; and the electorate). The relationship between the national government and provincial government has also been discussed. The reasons for adopting the land reform policy have also been examined which include the need to address the past legacies of apartheid; to demonstrate democracy and good governance as a way of upholding the human rights principles; to develop the previously disadvantaged poor communities through acquisition of land as property; to address the unemployment problem. through agricultural development; and to broaden the base of agricultural industry in South Africa. The project further investigates the history of land in South Africa. The author has given an analysis of the new Government's LRAD policy; the systems of land acquisition in South Africa; the beneficiaries and their contribution; and the problems encountered in the implementation of the Land Redistribution for Agricultural Development Programme. In understanding the progress of the LRAD Programme an area of Moshesh in Loteni (in KwaZulu-Natal) which has a Communal Association Project known as Sibonginhlanhla Communal Project has been studied. Issues such as the objectives, the financing, the nature, the management of the project, and the project evaluation and monitoring systems have been considered. The project critically analyzes the LRAD Programme in KwaZulu-Natal where some issues of good governance and development have been looked at including elements of good governance in South Africa, such as being a responsive government, coordination and network, transparency, efficiency and accountability, the exercise of discretion, and the challenge of policy implementation. The writer has also looked at elements of development in South Africa, namely, women empowerment, youth participation, the collaboration of national and provincial government. Finally, the project proposes areas of further research. These are: effective and efficient implementation of the LRAD Programme to ensure that more people are engaged in agricultural development; transparency in the allocation of land to project participants to ensure that the programme benefits more people; and training programmes in various areas of need should be established for the benefit of upcoming farmers. The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Department of Agriculture and Land Affairs should coordinate and implement the training programmes before the projects start. There is need to encourage cooperation between government and some NGOs that are involved in land reform and farmer support programmes, especially in the area of training, to drive and to give priority to the youth in agricultural development programmes, and to empower women. Finally, there is a need for capacity development through institutional reforms, human resource development and organization strengthening. / Thesis (M.Soc.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2004.

The growing urban population in South Africa has challenged the government's ability to provide adequate housing for the urban poor. In order to respond to the challenges, the government embarked on the initiative of providing Low - Income Housing (L1H). There is, however, a growing concern that these L1H developments may not be sustainable due to a number of reasons, including issues relating to land use and sub- standard construction of houses. There is need to make these L1H areas more sustainable. This can be done by employing the concept of the sustainable city. The concept in recent times has been considered by many people as an ideal to which cities should aspire. The main thrust of this study is to evaluate the concept of the sustainable city in the context of L1H in Ambleton, a settlement constructed by the government to relocate people from illegal, informal settlements within the inner city especially those found adjacent to the industrial areas. The study focuses on the issues of land use in L1H. This focus on land use is underpinned by the fundamental views that land use contributes to urban sustainability. As a result, it is necessary to examine ways in which land is being used in L1H areas and see if the current land use in Ambleton contributes to sustainability. The study shows that some people are satisfied with the amount of open spaces around their houses. Many others, however, are not satisfied because they considered open spaces in .their yard inadequate. Furthermore, public open spaces are not properly managed because there are no services to manage it. In the same vein, people have to travel long distances to get to their places of work and town for economic and leisure activities. Similarly, the provision of waste services and medical services in the study area is grossly inadequate. The study argues on that basis that the above scenario is not in accordance with the concept of sustainable city and can not therefore contribute to, the sustainability of the area of study. / Thesis (M.Env.Dev.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2006.

The spatial and temporal variations in water quality of selected rivers in the Durban Metropolitan Area were investigated using a Geographical Information System. Dissolved oxygen (DO), turbidity, pH, phosphorus and Escherichia coli (E.coli) were selected as water quality parameters for the study. The study reflects a pattern of water quality deterioration due to the numerous land use practices that have had an adverse impact on the receiving waters. In addition, the communities that use this water for various purposes have been impacted on. Spatially, an impoverishment of water quality conditions were observed by the increase of phosphorus, turbidity, DO and E.coli. The parameter of E.coli represented the worst water quality status in all the catchments of the study area. These were attributable to land use factors such as informal settlements and urban formal settlements. For the parameter of pH, no adverse water quality was present. Temporal evaluation of the data indicated that although there were no distinct trends that could be directly related to rainfall, some of the parameters showed some influence by rainfall, through runoff. Selected rivers of the Durban Metropolitan Area reflect poor water quality. There is an urgent need for the implementation of a strategy for improvement. The evaluation of water quality forms the basis for integrated catchment management (ICM), which has been advocated as the only holistic way to manage water resources. Due cognisance must be taken of the various land use practices, which have a great impact on water quality. There should be concerted efforts to reduce the input of pollutants that may have adverse effects on water quality, e.g., by provisions of sanitation facilities in informal settlements. It is hence recommended that for any improvement of water quality to occur, there needs to be an implementation of ICM for all the catchments. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2002.