published_or_final_version / Public Administration / Master / Master of Public Administration

The master thesis deals with reclamation of brown coal quarries from different perspectives. It focuses on the various options of reclamation of quarries. It evaluates the economic benefits and costs, integration into the way of rehabilitation needs and the future use of this reclamation. It defines a way how to optimise the use of devastated land. This thesis is focused on the reclamation of region Most specifically on the brown coal quarry called Ležáky - Most. It considers if hydrologic variant of reclamation for the quarry is the best. It describes other possibilities of reclamation that have been considered. The master thesis introduces the reasons for the selection of the hydrologic reclamation. It reviews the complexity of the hydrologic reclamation of the quarry Ležáky -- Most, its effect on the environment, social sphere and the further societal use. The main objective is to analyze the total effectiveness of quarry Ležáky - Most, if the mining was profitable taking into account all its costs and revenues.

Alvin Min Che Lin. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2000. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 124-127). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Abstract in English and Chinese --- p.i-ii / Acknowledgements --- p.iii / List of Abbreviations --- p.v / Photo of Tolo Harbour reclamation near Chinese University --- p.vi / Chapter Chapter 1. --- "The Harbour Reclamation Debate: Introduction, Theoretical Framework and Literature Review" --- p.1 / Chapter Chapter 2. --- Govemment as City Planner: How and Why the Government Came to Pursue its Reclamation Plans in Victoria Harbour. Issues in Hong Kong's Town Planning System --- p.29 / Chapter Chapter 3. --- Framing the Debate: the Rise of the Harbour Protection Movement and the Government's Initial Response (October 1994 ´ؤ October1995) --- p.41 / Chapter Chapter 4. --- "The Debate Gets Underway: Organizing, Campaigning, Lawmaking (November 1995 - June1997)" --- p.59 / Chapter Chapter 5. --- "Continuity and Change After the Handover: Escalation, Showdown and Resolution (July 1997 - October 1999 and Beyond)" --- p.82 / Chapter Chapter 6. --- Discussion and Conclusion. What We Learn From the Harbour Debate Significance of the Debate for Hong Kong Politics --- p.118 / Bibliography --- p.124 / Appendix: / The Protection of the Harbour Ordinance and TPB Vision Statement Table of Government Plans and Alternative Plans / Tables: / Chapter 1.1 --- Existing/Committed and Proposed Reclamations in Victoria Harbour in1994 --- p.8 / Chapter 2.1 --- Uses for Existing and Proposed Harbour Reclamations --- p.33 / Figures: / Chapter 1.1 --- Lessig's Four Elements for Regulating Behavior --- p.13 / Chapter 1.2 --- The Framework Applied to the Harbour Reclamation Debate --- p.15 / Chapter 3.1 --- "The Harbour Debate, October 1994-October1995" --- p.40 / Chapter 4.1 --- "The Harbour Debate, November 1995 - June1997" --- p.58 / Chapter 5.1 --- "The Harbour Debate, July 1997 ´ؤ October 1999 and Beyond" --- p.81 / Chapter 6.1 --- How Civil Society Influenced the Government --- p.121 / Miscellaneous: / Blueprint of the reclamations and SPH petition --- p.6b

published_or_final_version / Architecture / Master / Master of Landscape Architecture

published_or_final_version / Urban Planning / Master / Master of Science in Urban Planning

by Tsang Po-yan. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1997. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 173-191). / Abstract --- p.i / Acknowledgements --- p.iii / List of Tables --- p.iv / List of Figures --- p.v / List of Plates --- p.vi / List of Appendices --- p.vii / Chapter CHAPTER 1 --- INTRODUCTION / Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- Conceptual framework --- p.3 / Chapter 1.3 --- Objectives --- p.15 / Chapter 1.4 --- Significance and scope of study --- p.17 / Chapter 1.5 --- Organization of the thesis --- p.18 / Chapter CHAPTER 2 --- STUDY AREA / Chapter 2.1 --- Location --- p.20 / Chapter 2.2 --- Climate --- p.23 / Chapter 2.3 --- Geology --- p.25 / Chapter 2.4 --- Soils --- p.26 / Chapter 2.5 --- Vegetation --- p.27 / Chapter 2.6 --- Restoration and floristic composition of the rehabilitated communities --- p.29 / Chapter 2.7 --- Post-planting maintenance of the rehabilitated communities --- p.31 / Chapter CHAPTER 3 --- RESTORATION OF SOIL CHEMICAL PROPERTIES / Chapter 3.1 --- Introduction --- p.33 / Chapter 3.2 --- Methodology --- p.37 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Sampling --- p.37 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Soil reaction --- p.37 / Chapter 3.2.3 --- Organic carbon --- p.37 / Chapter 3.2.4 --- Total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN) --- p.38 / Chapter 3.2.5 --- Mineral nitrogen (ammonium and nitrate nitrogen) --- p.38 / Chapter 3.2.6 --- Total phosphorus --- p.39 / Chapter 3.2.7 --- Available phosphorus --- p.39 / Chapter 3.2.8 --- Exchangeable cations --- p.39 / Chapter 3.2.9 --- Exchangeable A1 and H --- p.40 / Chapter 3.2.10 --- Carbon : nitrogen ratio --- p.40 / Chapter 3.3 --- Statistical analysis --- p.40 / Chapter 3.4 --- Results --- p.41 / Chapter 3.4.1 --- Chemical properties of the newly excavated soil --- p.41 / Chapter 3.4.2 --- Effect of rehabilitated communities on soil chemical properties --- p.42 / Chapter 3.4.2.1 --- Soil reaction and exchangeable acidity --- p.42 / Chapter 3.4.2.2 --- Organic matter and C:N ratio --- p.43 / Chapter 3.4.2.3 --- Total Kjeldahl N and mineral N --- p.43 / Chapter 3.4.2.4 --- Total and available phosphorus --- p.44 / Chapter 3.4.2.5 --- Nutrient cations --- p.44 / Chapter 3.4.3 --- Intra-layer differences of soil properties --- p.44 / Chapter 3.5 --- Discussion --- p.46 / Chapter 3.5.1 --- Properties of granitic soils awaiting restoration --- p.46 / Chapter 3.5.2 --- Effect of rehabilitated communities on soil acidity --- p.49 / Chapter 3.5.3 --- "Effect of rehabilitated communities on SOM, N and P" --- p.51 / Chapter 3.5.4 --- Changes in cation nutrients after rehabilitation --- p.57 / Chapter 3.5.5 --- Comparison of ecosystem rehabilitation with other studies --- p.60 / Chapter 3.6 --- Conclusion --- p.66 / Chapter CHAPTER 4 --- NITROGEN MINERALIZATION / Chapter 4.1 --- Introduction --- p.68 / Chapter 4.2 --- Methodology --- p.73 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- In situ incubation --- p.73 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- "Determination of N mineralization, uptake and leaching" --- p.75 / Chapter 4.3 --- Statistical analysis --- p.76 / Chapter 4.4 --- Results --- p.76 / Chapter 4.4.1 --- Temporal variations of NH4-N and N03-N in the rehabilitated sites --- p.76 / Chapter 4.4.2 --- "Net ammonification, nitrification and N mineralization in the rehabilitated sites" --- p.78 / Chapter 4.4.3 --- Uptake of mineral N in the rehabilitated sites --- p.80 / Chapter 4.4.4 --- Leaching loss of mineral N in the rehabilitated sites --- p.82 / Chapter 4.5 --- Discussion --- p.84 / Chapter 4.5.1 --- Nitrogen mineralization in the rehabilitated sites --- p.84 / Chapter 4.5.2 --- Uptake of mineral nitrogen in the newly rehabilitated sites --- p.92 / Chapter 4.5.3 --- Leaching loss of and mechanisms to conserve mineral nitrogen in newly rehabilitated sites --- p.96 / Chapter 4.6 --- Conclusion --- p.98 / Chapter CHAPTER 5 --- SOIL RESPIRATION IN NEWLY REHABILITATED BORROW AREA / Chapter 5.1 --- Introduction --- p.100 / Chapter 5.2 --- Methodology --- p.105 / Chapter 5.3 --- Statistical analysis --- p.107 / Chapter 5.4 --- Results --- p.107 / Chapter 5.5 --- Discussion --- p.109 / Chapter 5.5.1 --- Inherent microbial activities of the newly excavated soil --- p.109 / Chapter 5.5.2 --- Effects of young plantations on soil respiration --- p.110 / Chapter 5.5.3 --- Comparison of soil respiration between the rehabilitated sites and secondary Pinus massoniana woodland --- p.114 / Chapter 5.6 --- Conclusion --- p.116 / Chapter CHAPTER 6 --- GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND FOLIAR COMPOSITION OF REHABILITATED VEGETATION / Chapter 6.1 --- Introduction --- p.118 / Chapter 6.2 --- Methodology --- p.122 / Chapter 6.2.1 --- Growth performance measurements --- p.122 / Chapter 6.2.2 --- Chemical analysis --- p.123 / Chapter 6.3 --- Statistical analysis --- p.124 / Chapter 6.4 --- Results --- p.124 / Chapter 6.4.1 --- Growth measurements --- p.124 / Chapter 6.4.1.1 --- Height --- p.124 / Chapter 6.4.1.2 --- Stem basal diameter (SBD) --- p.127 / Chapter 6.4.1.3 --- Crown coverage --- p.130 / Chapter 6.4.2 --- Foliar nutrient composition of rehabilitated vegetation --- p.133 / Chapter 6.4.2.1 --- Total Kjeldahl nitrogen --- p.133 / Chapter 6.4.2.2 --- Total phosphorus --- p.134 / Chapter 6.4.2.3 --- Potassium --- p.136 / Chapter 6.4.2.4 --- Sodium --- p.137 / Chapter 6.4.2.5 --- Calcium --- p.138 / Chapter 6.4.2.6 --- Magnesium --- p.140 / Chapter 6.4.3 --- Element abundance among the rehabilitated species --- p.142 / Chapter 6.5 --- Discussion --- p.142 / Chapter 6.5.1 --- Species growth in the rehabilitated sites --- p.142 / Chapter 6.5.2 --- Role of nitrogen fixers in rehabilitating the borrow area --- p.144 / Chapter 6.5.3 --- Species selection in ecosystem restoration --- p.150 / Chapter 6.6 --- Conclusion --- p.154 / Chapter CHAPTER 7 --- CONCLUSION / Chapter 7.1 --- Summary of findings --- p.156 / Chapter 7.2 --- Implications of the study --- p.161 / Chapter 7.2.1 --- Ecosystem restoration strategy in Hong Kong --- p.161 / Chapter 7.2.2 --- Can native species establish on degraded land? --- p.164 / Chapter 7.2.3 --- Are the present findings transferable to other areas? --- p.167 / Chapter 7.3 --- Limitations of the study --- p.169 / Chapter 7.4 --- Suggestion for future studies --- p.171 / REFERENCES --- p.173 / APPENDICES --- p.192

Thesis (M. Dev.) --University of Limpopo, 2014 / This study aimed to assess the impact of the Land Restitution Programme on the livelihoods of the rural communities of Ga-Makgato village in the Molemole Municipality, Limpopo Province. As a basis of assessment, the primary and secondary data were collected and analysed. Electronic and non-electronic sources were used to collect secondary data while primary data were collected through pre-tested questionnaires. The study found that both males and females who are 38 in number participate in the land restitution programme. Of this number, 8% was found to be the youth, while the elderly and adults population of the beneficiaries of the CPA constitute 92%. Females constitute 47%, while the percentage of their male counterparts stood at 53%. In terms of the level of literacy, 11% of the total number of beneficiaries could not read or write and this is a serious concern of this study. Analysis of number of jobs created was also carried out. It was found in this study that the CPA managed to create on 38 jobs. In as far as income generating ability of the CPA is concerned, R1,5million was generated during the period under review. Of this amount, R710 000-00 came from the sales of Nguni cattle while the Bonsmara generated R650 000- 00. The following challenges were established in this study, i.e., lack of sufficient grazing space, lack of access to adequate funding, lack of technical and financial management skills, lack of sufficient government support, lack of access to adequate water sources, lack of access to markets, high electricity bills and lack of proper record keeping systems. 4 The following recommendations are provided:  The CPA should review the lease agreement;  LEDA should in consultation with other financial institutions assist the CPA in accessing funding;  The Department of Agriculture should provide the CPA with technical assistance;  The Department of Water Affairs and Agriculture should ensure supply of water and infrastructure;  The Department of Agriculture and LEDA should provide the beneficiaries of the CPA with market infrastructure and information;  The Molemole Local Municipality should provide subsidy for electricity bills; and  Policy makers should consider implementation of the job creation model provided in this study. If these policies can be successfully implemented, the land restitution programme in the Capricorn District, particularly at Ga-Makgato and surrounding villages, can become a major strategy for improving the livelihoods of the rural poor.

published_or_final_version / Urban Design / Master / Master of Urban Design

Thesis (MScFor)--Stellenbosch University, 2002. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Namaqualand has a very unusual diversity of plant life, with many endemic plant species. The fundamental question of this thesis is how this system, damaged by strip-mining activities, can be rehabilitated. The aim was to base the rehabilitation methods on ecological processes. In order to answer this question an overview of the relevant literature was needed in order to identify possible research needs and also to evaluate the work that has been done in the field of strip-mine rehabilitation in arid areas. An understanding of community and ecosystem dynamics would help to establish aims and methods for site-specific rehabilitation. In Namaqualand, South Africa, there is also a need for experimentation to establish which of the many factors is most limiting to long-term ecosystem recovery. It is important to have a good knowledge of the successional processes and disturbance history of the land which needs to be rehabilitated. The vegetation on unmined areas and mined areas of different ages and treatments after mining, were sampled. It was shown that some areas could be expected to show a large degree of recovery in the space of a few years, whilst others would show little or no recovery over a period of decades. It is important to recognise rehabilitation as a gradual process that takes place at different rates in different areas and in different years. The planting of Atriplex nummularia and sowing of Atriplex semibaccata did not facilitate the return of indigenous, perennial species, but rather seem to inhibit their return. In view of the importance of topsoil in terms of the fertility of the soil and the seed bank present in the topsoil, the influence of topsoil removal and stockpiling due to strip-mining activities were tested. The soil fertility was tested by means of radish bioassays and soil laboratory analysis, whilst species diversity and richness were tested with seedling emergence trials. As expected a higher plant species diversity was found on the unmined soils and radishes grew larger on these soils. The topsoil deteriorated in terms of plant species richness, diversity and soil fertility whilst it was stockpiled. Direct replacement of topsoil would ensure a planting medium closer to the pre-disturbance level that could lead to fairly rapid and successful recolonization of the mined area. Successful plant recruitment also depends on the microsites to which seeds are dispersed. The effect that different microsites had on seed germination, seedling growth and survival was tested. It was found that micro catchments always yielded the highest numbers. The establishment and survival of seedlings in the other microsite types (under single shrubs, under clumped shrubs and in the open) varied, depending on the amount of rainfall received in the particular year. Lastly, I experimented with the translocation of three local, indigenous, succulent plant species. These plants were transplanted either in clumps of three together or alone, since I hypothesized that planting them together would facilitate their survival. However, it was found that it depended largely on the morphology of the plant and the amount of rainfall received in a particular year, whether these plants will compete with each other for limiting resources or facilitate each other's survival. The thesis contributes to the understanding of vegetation dynamics in the Succulent Karoo after strip-mining has taken place. Guidelines are provided based on ecological processes, for strip-mine rehabilitation in the Succulent Karoo. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Namakwaland is bekend vir sy ongewone diversiteit van plante, met baie endemiese spesies. Die fundamentele vraag wat deur hierdie tesis gevra word is hoe hierdie sisteem, wat beskadig is deur oppervlak mynbou, gerehabiliteer kan word. Die doel is om die rehabilitasie metodes te baseer op ekologiese prosesse. 'n Oorsig van die relevante literatuur was nodig om moontlike areas van verdere navorsing te identifiseer en ook die navorsing wat reeds gedoen is oor rehabilitasie van oppervlak myne in ariede gebiede, te evalueer. 'n Goeie begrip van gemeenskap en ekosisteem dinamika sal help om doelwitte en metodes daar te stel vir die rehabilitasie van spesifieke areas. Dit is ook nodig om in Namakwaland, Suid -Afrika, uit te vind watter van die baie faktore, die lang-termyn herstel van 'n ekosisteem, die meeste verhinder. Dit is baie belangrik om In goeie kennis te hê van die versteurings geskiedenis van die area wat gerehabiliteer moet word, asook die suksessionele prosesse wat werksaam is. Plantegroei van areas wat op verskillende tye gemyn en verskillend behandel is, asook ongemynde areas is ondersoek. Sekere areas het In groot mate van herstel gewys in 'n tydperk van 'n paar jaar, terwyl ander, min of geen hersteloor 'n periode van dekades getoon het nie. Dit is belangrik om rehabilitasie as 'n geleidelike proses te sien, wat teen verskillende tempos plaasvind tydens verskillende jare en in verskillende areas. Daar is bevind dat die plant van Atriplex nummularia asook die saai van Atriplex semibaccata nie die terugkeer van inheemse, meerjarige spesies bevoordeel nie, maar dit eerder inhibeer. Aangesien die bo-grond so belangrik is in terme van die grondvrugbaarheid en ook die saadbank wat teenwoordig is, word die invloed van die verwydering en opberging van die bogrond getoets. Die grondvrugbaarheid was bepaal deur groei-toetse op radyse en laboratorium analise op die grond te doen. Die plant spesie diversiteit en rykheid was bepaal met In saad ontkieming studie. In ooreenstemming met die verwagte uitkoms, was die plant spesie diversiteit hoër op die ongemynde bo-grond en die radyse het groter geword op dieselfde grond. Dit kom voor asof die plant spesie diversiteit en rykheid, asook die grond vrugbaarheid afneem met tyd wat die bo-grond geberg word. Die direkte verspreiding van die bo-grond nadat dit verwyder is, sal In medium vir die plante verseker wat nader is aan die vlak voordat die grond versteur is. Dit sal oak sorg vir redelike vinnige en suksesvolle terugkoms van plante op die gemynde grond. Die suksesvolle vestiging van plante hang ook af van die mikro areas (klein areas in terme van die grootte van 'n saad, wat In eie mikro-klimaat vorm), waarna saad versprei word. Die effek van sulke mikro-gebiede op die ontkieming van saad, die groei van die saailinge en die oorlewing van die saailinge was bepaal. Mikro-water- opvanggebiede het in al drie bogenoemde gevalle die hoogste syfers getoon. Die vestiging en oorlewing van saailinge in die ander mikro-gebiede (die area onder enkel struike, die area onder groepe struike en oop areas) het gevarieer afhangend van die hoeveelheid reënval wat ontvang is in die spesifieke jaar. Laastens, is daar ge-eksperimenteer met die oorplant van drie plaaslike, inheemse, sukkulente spesies. Hierdie plante was alleen geplant of in groepies van drie, bymekaar. Die hipotese was dat huloorlewingskanse beter sal wees as hulle saam geplant word. Dit was egter bevind dat die hoeveelheid reënval in 'n spesifieke jaar en die morfologie van die plant, bepaal of hulle sal kompeteer vir die beperkte bronne en of hulle deur saam te groei huloorlewingskanse sal verhoog. Hierdie tesis dra by tot die verstaan van die plantegroei dinamika in die Sukkulente Karoo nadat oppervlak mynbou plaasgevind het. Riglyne vir die rehabilitasie van oppervlak myne, gebasseer op ekologiese prosesse, word ook voorgestel.

M.Sc. / Coal mining is a mature industry and plays a vital part in the economy and development of South Africa. Coal mining however is a temporary use of land. Historically, when an ore body was exhausted, production ceased and mines were boarded up and abandoned. Today mine closure requires the return of land to a viable and sustainable post-mining land use but a number of challenges are associated with mine reclamation. One of the greatest challenges is the inability of mines in South Africa to return mined land to its pre-mining state or land capability. The minimization of loss of land use capability and equally soil resource is a key part in achieving success in mine reclamation. This study verifies and assesses the replaced soil depth and actual post-mining land capability at a surface coal mine in Mpumalanga province, according to the Chamber of Mines “Guidelines for the rehabilitation of mined land” (2007). Five of the seven reclaimed sites within the study area exceeded the planned land capability proportions determined during the pre-mining stage. A top soil balance done at the end of January 2010 however indicates that the available volume of soil resource at the mine will not suffice the amount needed to achieve the planned land capability in areas not yet reclaimed. It is suggested that the lack of an adequate soil monitoring and management strategy in the past, has led to the shortfall of the available soil resource at the mine. The soil monitoring and reconciliation strategy developed will hopefully assist mine managers and rehabilitation planners to prevent further soil loss at the mine.