In an effort to protect key environmental assets in the Outer West Region of the eThekwini Municipal area, the Environmental Management Department has embarked on a process to better align environmental concerns into the Consolidated Outer West Town Planning Scheme. The intention is to create sustainable living environments by recognising the importance and value of the environment and its open spaces. Ultimately the research is attempting to understand the difficulties in implementing sustainable development. Sustainable development has been acknowledged at a policy level in the eThekwini Municipality’s Integrated Development Plan; however the translation of sustainable development into implementation is more difficult. Part of the complexity relates to different sectors within the Municipality such as the Environmental Sector and the Economic Sector viewing sustainable development differently. The research focuses on the rapid densification in the Outer West adjacent to environmental resources by private land owners which highlights the lack of understanding by the public on the importance of the environment. Further, the conflicts between the need for economic development and environmental conservation in the context of the Giba Gorge area, show that historical zoning ‘rights’ operate against the protection of bio-diversity. This reinforces the need for better alignment between the environmental protection and land use management. / Thesis (M.T.R.P.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2008.

The field of planning has been defined by conflicts between the three fundamental goals of planning: economic development; social equity; and environmental development. These conflicts have been caused by competition between two worldviews, namely the expansionist and ecological perspectives. The expansionist perspective favours the conventional economic imperative to maximize production. The ecological perspective favours the ecological imperative to protect the ecosphere and the social equity imperative to minimize human suffering. Though these perspectives are in competition, the expansionist perspective is dominant in the planning profession. Despite the perpetuation of the conflicts by the dominance of the expansionist perspective in the planning profession, practitioners continue to use conventional planning to advance economic development over social equity and environmental protection. These conflicts have implications for the sustainability of development. In the South Durban Basin, the competition between the expansionist and the ecological perspectives and the dominance of the former is manifested in the conflict between the scales of need; at the national and local scales. The research discovered that the conflict between the scales of need presented a dilemma for planners because they are obligated to plan for the conservation of the environment, and at the same time plan for the growth of the economy for the benefit of all people in society. Invariably, planners find themselves responding more to needs of those with power; at the national scale, whose interest is economic growth. In order for the planners to respond equally to their multiple obligations, they need to integrate the expansionist and ecological perspectives. The study sought to prove that the integration can only be achieved through collaborative planning, so that sustainable development emerges as the framework policy. Ultimately, as this study actually proved, the South Durban Basin is such a contested landscape to the extent that collaborative planning was found not to be possible. The lack of collaborative planning therefore means that sustainable development cannot be achieved, as the study of South Durban Basin conclusively proved. / Thesis (M.T.R.P.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2010.

Educational institutions are obliged in tenns of the Constitution as well as a number of National Policies to manage their environment in a sustainable manner and to provide a healthy environment for the employees and learners. Michaelhouse is also obliged by the Constitution and National Policies to manage its environment in a holistic manner. Michaelhouse is a private boy's school situated in the Balgowan valley in the Midlands of KwaZulu-Natal. For this reason and for the school's own individual gain, the school's management wishes to fulfill two objectives. First, to produce environmentally sensitive citizens. Second, to acquire the expertise to administer the school in an environmentally sensitive and holistic manner. Although Michaelhouse has had an environmental discussion group since 1996, issues were discussed on an ad hoc basis. Likewise, there have been a number of environmental initiatives in the school, however these initiatives were fragmented. Due to the fragmented initiatives, the management realised the need for environmental management. The school approached the Department of Life and Environmental Sciences at the University of Natal, Durban for assistance in this regard. Two projects were fonnulated to meet the school's set goals. The first was an Environmental Education (EE) project to fulfil the first objective. The second project aimed to fulfil the second objective, that is, to acquire the expertise to administer the school in an environmentally sensitive manner is described in this thesis. An Environmental Management System (EMS) was identified as the best system to ensure sound environmental management perfonnance. The baseline information provided in this thesis is expected to contribute towards the development of this EMS. South African legislation at the national level with regard to environmental management was reviewed in order to ascertain how environmental problems are dealt with. In order to obtain the necessary information, the study involved three distinct tasks. The first was the pilot study to detennine the way the questionnaire would be structured and the type of questions to be asked. The second was development of the school's environmental mission statement. The third, an environmental audit which had two components; administering of questionnaires to the residents and the inspection of the school's environment. The three main problems identified in the school were the management of water, waste and vegetation. The supply of water was found adequate for the entire school and the water quality acceptable. The only problem found was excess use of water due to multiple uses in the school. It is proposed that a water policy be developed which will include the monitoring of water use. Two types of waste were identified, solid waste and low-medium hazardous waste. The former requires proper management which includes reintroducing recycling, but also other methods were recommended to be incorporated in the waste management process such as minimisation and re-use. Low-medium hazardous waste requires disposal in an appropriate manner and the use of a designated landfill was recommended. With regard to vegetation, the study dealt with the significance of exotic and indigenous trees in the school. The main problem found was that exotic tree stumps are undermining the sewage pipes. The researcher was not able to deal with this issue due to lack of expertise in this field, but it was recommended that the assistance of experts be requested to trace the location of these pipes. In order to have control over the environmental concerns and the environment at large, the development of an environmental policy for Michaelhouse School was found necessary. It was considered essential because it is a building block for an EMS. The policy was developed in collaboration with the School's Environmental Committee. This baseline information contained in this thesis will provide a means of assessing the performance of an EMS once it is put in place. It is therefore concluded, that for the EMS to be effective, it should include all sectors of the entire school property and it was recommended that a full audit be conducted of other sectors of the school. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of Natal, Durban, 2002.

The rationale for the adoption and the promotion of Local Economic Development (LED) strategies within rural areas is largely based on the premise that South Africa is a developmental state with a dual economy - where the impacts of the countrys’ historical legacy of inequality and poverty is rife, especially in rural areas. In this regard, the implementation of successful Local Economic Development programmes within the countryside has the potential to remedy the injustices of the past and to help with the upliftment of the lives and socio-economic standards of rural dwellers. Thus, this dissertation has sought to deconstruct the barriers for sustained Local Economic Development within the countryside. It argues that a number of factors hinder this process include; the lack of a clear understanding of Local Economic Development concept, coupled with policy confusion as well as the roles of the different sectors in government, infrastructural backlog, inadequate or shortage in skills and resources, lack of communication and guidance from government and stakeholders that are key role players in Local Economic Development, mal-administration and the duplication of projects. These factors amongst others have been found to be the most profound in preventing the realization of sustained Local Economic Development within Umzumbe-Phungashe Sub-Region located in southern part of the province of KwaZulu-Natal. / Thesis (M.T.R.P.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2013.

The thesis examines the genesis and implementation of integrated conservation development and associated projects in northern Maputaland during the 1980s and 1990s. The premise upon which this study is based is that there has been a worldwide paradigmatic shift in conservation policies and practices during the 1980s and 1990s. The extent to which initiatives in Maputaland reflected these trends is examined. In formulating a conceptual and theoretical framework for the study, the developments within the discipline of geography as well as the paradigmatic shifts within the broader sphere of conservation and development thinking, are discussed. Traditionally geography focuses on the nature of the relationship between human beings and their environment. Working within this tradition, the relationship between geography and conservation policy and practice is identified and applied to South Africa. Analysis of the process of integrating conservation and development in Maputaland is informed by both the broader international debate surrounding conservation and development and by local history and place specific conditions. The key geographical concepts of process and place are viewed as interdependent factors influencing one another. Within this framework and drawing on the concept of sustainable development, the experience of implementing the new conservation paradigm in Maputaland is recorded and analysed. The case study examples are associated with Ndumo Game Reserve. Sources of data and methodologies include primary sources (published books and journals), secondary sources (unpublished reports), participant-as-observer status with conservation liaison committees and the Ndumo Environmental Education Centre, key informant and focus group interviews and Participatory Rural Appraisal with the Ndumo Environmental Education Centre Management Committee. The study indicates that the Maputaland initiative did represent a considerable paradigm shift in the conservation policies guiding the general practice of conservation in Maputaland. The conservation agency did attempt to initiate Integrated Conservation Development Projects (ICDPs) during the 1990s, but this has been a complex process, fraught with tensions and suspicions. The practise fell short of the ideals and there is a long road to be travelled before reconciliation between conservation and community development is reached. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2001.

No abstract available. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2010.

This study presents a framework for assessing settlement patterns and trends to guide sustainable settlement development planning in South Africa. The rationale for the study is the persistence of multi-faceted interrelated, settlement challenges. At the beginning of the post-apartheid period in 1994, the new democratic government in South Africa adopted progressive policies to promote sustainable human settlements that integrate the various facets of human activity such as transportation, housing and socio-economic facilities. However, unsustainable and inefficient patterns of apartheid era planning persist more than 15 years into the post-apartheid settlements. Compounding this situation are new, unsustainable emerging trends such as the peripheral location of mono-functional low income housing developments in cities. This study argues that the main reason for the persistence of settlement challenges is the absence of comprehensive frameworks for the formulation of sustainable development plans that are informed by substantive theory, best practice and also the dialectical relationship among various settlement facets. It therefore develops a new framework and model for assessing settlement patterns and trends to guide sustainable development plans. The operational method is informed by a new synthetic theory of settlement patterns and trends, application of the theory to international and local patterns of policies and dynamics, empirical synthetic techniques for assessing settlement patterns and trends including the deductive formulation of sustainable development plans in localities, based on these interrelated components of the framework and model. Empirical synthetic techniques for the practical assessment of settlement patterns and trends are based on the translation of key theories and concepts of the synthetic theory into measurables. The synthetic empirical techniques use EThekwini Municipality in KwaZulu Natal province, South Africa as the case study since the municipality contains settlement typologies and systems that are typical of the province. The analysis of EThekwini Metropolitan Municipality revealed that prevailing settlement patterns and trends are not sustainable. On the other hand the municipality‟s development plans are not responsive to the heterogeneous socio-economic characteristics of the population in different settlement typologies including Local Economic Development (LED) potentials in the nodes in different functional regions of the municipality. On these grounds, the research study proposes alternative sustainable settlement development plans for EThekwini Municipality. The thesis recommends a dialectical deductive formulation of development plans based on the new framework of assessing settlement patterns and trends developed by this research. As such socio-economic investment priorities must be informed by the potential of economic growth in different town centres and functional regions all the same being responsive to social, economic and physical characteristics of the population. Pro-growth and pro-poor LED strategies should also be adopted, depending on the nature and extent of heterogeneity in the factors of production in the different town centres and settlement typologies they serve. Therefore, sustainable development plans can be achieved in South Africa if this new framework and model is adopted to guide future settlement patterns and trends. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2011

No abstract available. / Thesis (MBA)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, 2011.

Challenges of implementing Integrated Development programmes can be seen in the difficulty in aligning different departmental budgets and processes in the implementation phase of projects. This has had many implications for development. However, the use of conventional and single sector approaches to meet development needs has been more apparent. The need to respond to a lack of basic services and poverty in rural and periurban has been growing. Absence of appropriate rural and peri-urban development approaches, and non-alignment of policy and budgets across government structures have resulted in the use of urban based models. This has culminated in the creation of settlements that are unable sustain themselves over time. The dissertation puts forward the hypothesis that "community development through the housing approach is not an appropriate development mechanism for rural and peri-urban areas". It also highlights problems faced in attempting peri-urban and rural areas. This is illustrated by a case study - Intathakusa Integrated Development Programme. This is a peri-urban and rural development programme located within the boundaries of eThekwini Metropolitan Area and is used to illustrate problems faced by a number of areas of similar nature. This project attempted to deliver integrated programmes within the urban edge and the peripheral parts of the city. Qualitative research methods facilitated an in-depth exploration of relevant issues in this dissertation. Development practitioners and community representatives were interviewed to elicit information on the challenges facing peri-urban and rural development and to explore possible alternatives. The dissertation concludes with suggestions for sustainable livelihoods approaches for rural and peri-urban areas. The research also acknowledges that the housing package is perhaps a basic requirement for rural and peri-urban areas. It acknowledges that housing offers a means through which a bundle of basic services (over and above a house) can be delivered. The research concludes by arguing that if this funding mechanism is to be used in rural and peri-urban areas, it should be repackaged to include bigger site sizes and agriculture. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2004.

Corporate social responsibility is increasingly becoming an important component of the business world. With growing scrutiny of commercial operations, businesses are increasingly being driven to satisfy the expectations of society in order to thrive. In essence, businesses adopting corporate social responsibility believe that by operating ethically and responsibly, they have a better opportunity of success. This thesis examines Lafarge Mining South Africa and its Ridgeview Quarry located in Durban, South Africa, in order to assess the contribution to social sustainability of corporate social responsibility practices in the resource extraction industry. Literature used for this research is compiled from concepts such as sustainable development, social sustainability, social justice, public participation, vulnerability and well-being and furthermore evaluates conventional arguments for corporate social responsibility. The methodology used for this research was based on a qualitative approach, where both secondary and primary data were used. The empirical materials needed for this research was collected through in-depth interviews conducted with stakeholders involved within the social upliftment programmes as well as discussions forums. Furthermore, purposive sampling was used for this study, as the study was concerned with individuals involved with the discussion forum and the social responsibility programmes. The thesis investigates the nature of public participation in the discussion forum with respect to social sustainability. With regards to the discussion forum, meetings were held intermittently, on an ad hoc basis, therefore affecting the degree to which total social sustainability was achieved in the decision-making process. However, it was found that when meetings were convened that the discussion forum was inclusive and in no way discouraged any form of participation from the community, hence contributing to some form of social sustainability. The research encompassed aspects of evaluation research, whereby summative evaluation and impact evaluation was used to summarise information and examine the outcomes of the two corporate social responsibility initiatives, namely; the education-related and the skills-related social upliftment programmes. The research evaluated these two programmes, in order to assess the degree to which social sustain ability was achieved. However these initiatives are a small part of the broader corporate social responsibility agenda. The key findings of the research were that social sustainability was very weak. Minimal difficulties were experienced by participants in the education-related social upliftment programme, where one of the challenges was to uplift learners from grassroots level (primary school level). However, with regards to the skills-related social upliftment programme, individuals participating in the project, experienced more difficulties than compared to those participating within the education-related social upliftment programme. Difficulties that arose with regards to the skills-related social upliftment programme were that Lafarge Mining South Africa reneged on certain material promises and showed no interest in monitoring how the programme was facilitated. Furthermore, participation in the programme did not secure any employment opportunities for the women. Thus corporate social responsibility has become a major focus of interest in society. Corporate social responsibility is not just a buzzword for businesses, it has developed into an invaluable tool for exploring ways to reduce and manage social and bio-physical costs, as well as provide many businesses with the opportunity to be successful. However, achieving corporate sustainability is not an easy task and is accompanied by a number of challenges / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2010.