This dissertation aims to interpret the environmental factors which will inform land use planning for the Liesbeek-Black River Confluence Area. It is in partial fulfilment of the academic requirements for a Master of Philosophy (M.Phil) in Environmental Science through the Department of Environmental and Geographical Science (ENGEO) at the University of Cape Town (UCT). This document follows on from the Baseline Information Document (BID) produced by the 1994 Masters students and should be read in combination with that document. This dissertation uses the information provided in that document, and with the support of other materials and insights, draws conclusions for the most appropriate land use for the study area. A Statement of the Problem, the Aim, Approach and Philosophy adopted towards the Study Area in this Dissertation. The problem is perceived to be the substantial public objection to recent proposed developments in the study area. These objections have revolved around the method of disposal of State land, the fragmentation of public open space and the apparent disregard of the authorities for the natural historical legacy of the Cape Peninsula. The aim of the study is to demonstrate that the study area holds potential as a public amenity. This could be self-supporting and of benefit to future generations in the region and is therefore worthy of conservation. The approach adopted in this dissertation is that the study area is unsuitable for any use other than as a conservation and recreational reserve. This could prove its value in a substantially more populated and informed future Cape Town. Urban open space, which constitutes wildlife habitat, is required locally to meet increased human population habitation needs. This need is perceived to be global phenomenon. There is concern that the accumulated consequence of these local demands, will result in a profound negative effect on the Biosphere.

This dissertation is the individual analysis and evaluation of the baseline information on the Liesbeeck-Black River Confluence Area (hereinafter referred to as Confluence Area) gathered by the 1993-1994 Environmental and Geographical Science (EN GEO) Master of Philosophy (MPhil) class (see Appendix A). This dissertation is submitted to the examiners for evaluation as a partial requirement for the MPhil degree in Environmental Science. The baseline report (hereinafter BLR) is titled "Environmental Baseline Study for Land-Use Decision-Making in the Liesbeeck and Black River Confluence Area" (ENGEO Master's Class, 1994). It contains a comprehensive description, as well as preliminary analysis, of all the environmental components (socioeconomic and biophysical) that could be of relevance to land-use planning in the area. The overall need for this study, which comprises the group BLR and the individual dissertations, arises out of the fact that the Confluence Area with its river systems, is part of a "green, open space corridor" that is under pressure from development in a city needing to densify and contain urban sprawl. There is thus potential conflict between development and other environmental considerations including that of open space retention for conservation and recreation purposes. The Cape Town City Council (CCC) suggested this study but is not a "client". The study on the Confluence Area is intended to be of use to the CCC to enhance their ability to make sound land-use decisions for the area in the best interests of society at large. The CCC is also involved in numerous planning studies for the proposed redevelopment of a large tract of land adjacent to the study area, called the Culemborg-Black River area (hereinafter C-BR), and this study can feed into the overall planning process. This individual dissertation provides the CCC planning process with recommendations and land-use alternatives for the Confluence Area. Since the BLR forms the basis of this dissertation, they should be read in conjunction with each other.

Bibliography: leaves 69-72. / This study investigated the land-use potential of the Liesbeeck-Black River confluence area . It is intended to serve as a guide to land-use planners and other interested parties concerning the opportunities and constraints proffered by the environment on the confluence area. The collecting of baseline data was undertaken by nine Masters Students in the Department of Environmental and Geographical Science at the University of Cape Town. Each student then analysed the data individually. The study was undertaken in part fulfilment of the academic requirements of the Masters Degree. The Liesbeeck-Black River confluence area (hereafter called the study area) is located approximately 5.5 km east of the CBD of Cape Town. It covers approximately 232 ha and is bounded by the N2 Freeway to the South, Alexandra Road to the East, Liesbeeck Parkway to the West and the Culemborg-Black River Railway Yard to the North. The aim of the study was twofold, firstly to determine a procedure whereby the optimal land- use alternative for an area could be determined, taking into account the effects of significant environmental elements, and secondly to analyse and determine the optimal land-use alternative for the study area specifically. The procedure developed during the research is an adaptation of the Leopold Matrix method of analysis. The environmental elements characteristic of the study area are listed on the horizontal axis, and the land-use options to be analysed on the vertical axis. The magnitude and significance of the effect of an environmental element on a particular type of land-use can then be rated and this rating entered in the corresponding matrix cell. By adding the ratings of all environmental elements on each land-use option, the overall rating of the different land-use options can be obtained. The option with the highest overall (positive) rating is then considered to be the optimal type of land-use. This method was then applied to assess the land-use potential of the study area. The land-use options considered to be appropriate for the study area were determined by considering only those types of land-uses for which a regional need had previously been established.

Bibliography: leaves 87-91. / This dissertation aims to evaluate the environmental factors within the Liesbeeck and Black River Confluence Area (CA) and on that basis present conclusions which will inform a land-use decision for the area. It has been undertaken in partial fulfilment of the academic requirements of the M. Phil (Environmental Science) course offered by the Department of Environmental and Geographical Science of the University of Cape Town (UCT). It also serves as a working document informing the Cape Town City Council's (CCC) land-use planning for the CA, and for that reason aims for a balance between academic rigour and the concise, pragmatic style of a report. It should also be noted that this study is almost wholly contingent on a baseline document prepared between January and March 1994 by the 1993/94 M. Phil class. That document identified the totality of environmental factors which might influence land-use planning in the CA and is the point of departure of this dissertation.