Marine protected areas (MPAs) cannot be managed outside the context of human societies that are dependent on their associated ecosystems and resources. This means that local people’s perceptions need to be considered in the establishment of MPAs as well as their subsequent management, planning and decision making processes. Accordingly, this study investigated respondents’ perceptions of the Ponta do Ouro – Kosi Bay MPA. The MPA is part of the now proclaimed Lubombo Trans-frontier Conservation Area (TFCA). An interviewer - administered questionnaire was used to obtain primary data from 35 respondents, all resident in the study area and who are involved in various activities based on the coastal area and its marine resources. The focus of the study was on awareness regarding the establishment, impacts of the MPA, the setting of priorities for the MPA and lastly, respondents’ roles and responsibilities The findings from the study reveal low levels of awareness of the establishment of the MPA among respondents, although there was acknowledgement of its potential contribution to biodiversity conservation. Various types of impacts of the establishment of the MPA were noted. The establishment of the MPA was perceived to negatively impact on the access to, and use of, marine resources. It was also felt that the MPA would impact on the exercise of traditional authority. Concerning the setting of future priorities for the MPA, socio-economic considerations, particularly job creation rated highest. Biodiversity conservation ranked highest in terms of factors that should shape the current priorities of the MPA. Overall, tourism and related job creation and biodiversity conservation were identified as the main opportunities associated with the establishment of the MPA. Controlling access to the area, curbing inappropriate resource use, controlling development and ensuring that local people benefit were highlighted as major opportunity benefits. Constraints were mainly considered in relation to the exercise of traditional leadership, access to the area and restrictions in selling of harvested marine resources. Regarding how to collaborate in the MPA, various skills among the respondents were mentioned, with respect to the following areas: enforcement (control, patrols and security) and community relations and awareness (including communication and the translation of documents). Lastly, while the respondents displayed both supportive and unsupportive attitudes as results of perceptions of the intended MPA, in an overall sense, the MPA was considered as a positive development. This was in spite of the perceived weak communications that exist at present between the authorities and local people. Enhanced, communication between authorities in charge of the MPA and local people could help to provide a more positive sentiment towards the MPA. This is particularly true of the local people who, if they understood the rationale for the MPA more fully and how it would impact on their use of the resources of the MPA, would be more likely to support its establishment and existence. / Thesis (M.Env.Dev.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2008.

Apartheid housing policies of the pre-1994 South African government, and the low-cost highdensity housing programmes of the post-1994 government, has given rise to numerous urban environmental problems, some of which could be addressed in a cost-effective and sustainable manner through urban greening, while simultaneously promoting biodiversity. Public participation in the planning of urban greening has been identified as being of vital importance, without which urban greening projects run a high, and expensive, risk of failure. Previous studies indicate that the greening priorities of residents in low-cost high-density housing settlements may differ considerably from those of managers and experts tasked with the protection and extension of the natural environment resource base. A system of participatory decision support is therefore required to reconcile the greening requirements of the community, and the ecological benefits of biodiversity. If language, literacy, map literacy and numeracy difficulties are to be avoided, and a sense of place or belonging is to be invoked, such a participatory decision support system should, ideally, be visually based, and capable of generating realistic eye-level depictions of the urban landscape. New computer-based landscape visualisation applications, which can directly utilise GIS, CAD and DEM data to produce detailed photo-realistic viewsheds, were deemed better suited to the task of visualising urban greening than existing GIS based mapping systems, CAD and traditional landscape visualisation methods. This dissertation examines the process of constructing a 3D computer model of the Mount Royal low-cost high-density housing settlement, situated in the eThekwini Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Visualisations including terrain, natural features, indigenous vegetation, houses and roads were produced and submitted, with a questionnaire, to experts from different disciplines, Mount Royal residents and neighbors. Results from the expert survey indicate moderate support for visualisation in professional decision-making. However, both experts and residents expressed strong support for the accuracy and credibility ofthe visualisations, as well as for their potential in a participatory decision support system. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2005.

The importance of managing and conserving cultural heritage can not be overemphasised. It is this realisation that has prompted the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) to declare identified sites of cultural importance as World Heritage Sites. The uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park (UDP) was declared such a site in 2000, with its natural properties and cultural heritage as the criteria for inscription. The cultural heritage centres on the vast quantity of rock art that is renowned for its quality and diversity of subject. It is an important consideration for future generations to have the opportunity to view and understand this rich history and culture. There are increasing human and natural impacts on this non-renewable resource and to minimise these impacts and thus ensure the longevity of the resource it is necessary to develop a multi faceted selection of management and conservation tools. This realisation led the Programme of Geornatics, University of KwaZulu-Natal to conceptualise a project to develop a web-based Geographical Information System (GIS) specifically aimed at assisting in the management and conservation of rock art sites for the Valley of Pools in the Cathedral Peak Conservation Area of the UDP. Data for the project was captured in the field using Global Positioning System (GPS), digital camera and video camera as well as conventional hardcopy documentation. Existing digital spatial data and descriptive data were also collected from relevant stakeholders and a commercial organization. A pilot spatial database was then developed using ArcGIS@9 and Microsoft Access@, and later tested using a set of integrated simulated queries reflective of routine questions that users may request. Upon obtaining satisfactory responses to the queries, the integrated database was migrated and authored in ArcIMS®9 where it was further tested, and subsequently access was given to selected external professionals, both nationally and internationally, from various backgrounds, for evaluation purposes. Feedback from this process was favourably obtained. / Thesis (M.Env.Dev.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2005.

This study investigates factors that influence environmental teaching in rural schools in the Ngqeleni District, Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Focusgroup interviews at selected schools for Grade 4 to 6 teachers were held between 7th and 22nd November 2005. The study shows that the environmental curriculum, teacher qualifications and training, resources, attitudes of teachers and learners, governance and the context, influence the implementation of environmental teaching. The study reflects that teacher qualifications and training are the most limiting factors and need to be addressed immediately because environmental curriculum is not effectively delivered. Recommendations provided entail that teachers need to be included during the curriculum planning process together with curriculum experts from the Department of Education. The Department of Education also needs to effectively plan teacher training and extend the training period for teachers. Intersectoral collaboration within government in terms of how teachers are trained might also be helpful for better environmental teaching. A buddy system in which schools form environmental support groups might be helpful to keep on building local experience and capacity at the local level. Teachers are supposed to be part of the pUblishing process of resource materials to ensure relevance of resource materials to their contexts. A traveling resource centre with DVD's, for example, for shOWing different contexts beyond local level might also be helpful. Further training of teaching staff and the use of study trips for the best classes of pupils might also motivate learners and teachers. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2005.

High-income households are important for advancing energy efficiency in South Africa and yet little is known about how to encourage lower energy use behaviour in this group. This paper sets out the case for wide-scale research into how to encourage high-income earners to be more energy efficient behaviour in the home and presents the results of a prototype study. Behaviour change research offers no one framework for investigating behaviour in this group. However, the Theory of Planned Behaviour is a model, which has been successfully employed to understand and formulate behaviour interventions across a wide range of subject, including household energy use. In order to understand the potential of this model as a way of investigating how to encourage energy efficient household behaviour of high-income earners, a study investigating the model's practical and theoretical issues and benefits was undertaken . Component A sets the case for the important role high-income earners can play in achieving energy efficiency targets, summarises the history of relevant psychological research and establishes a methodology for the study. Component B summarises the case for the study and presents the research results and lessons learned in the style of a journal paper. The results suggest that the model has promise. Attitudes, Subjective Norms and Perceived Behavioural Controls accounted for 63.7% of the variance in intention of the sample to be energy efficient in the home. However, the study indicates that the model, although useful, is not sufficient for understanding actual behaviour and informing appropriate practica l interventions. Consequently a number of suggestions are made as to how to design a future research approach. / Thesis (M.Env.Dev.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2005.

The issue of land recording and keeping in the Communal Area of Namibia has been a severe dilemma to the Government. Various types of land disputes are on increase and continue to be predominant despite various Acts, Policies and other related Legislations on the Land Administration and Management passed by Namibian Parliament. Since the establishment of the Oshana Communal Land Board, effort was made to keep conventional records of information pertaining to land parcels in communal areas of Oshana Region. However, spatial information about the land ownership records is still not available in a well-designed and organised system. The non-existence of Land Information Management (LIM) System using Land Information Systems (LIS) application as management tool contributed to this problem. However, Oshana Communal Land Board used manual based system with incomplete coverage and less comprehensive information. In most cases decision makers have to make critical decisions based on little or no information. Therefore, LIM System and data sharing are the major features of the OSHCLB and in order to facilitate these processes there is a need for the introduction of LIS application. Adequate land information is crucial to sustainable development and sound information systems are of vital importance to land management systems. This is also been expressed in the various reports including the Operational Manual for Communal Land Board in Namibia. The user needs and requirements were carefully considered during the data collection stage. The system was designed using proven methodologies, which were explained and reasons for the choice is discussed. However, the detailed LIS applications can be pursued by other researchers or consultants in the future to make the system complete. / Thesis (M.Env.Dev.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2005.

Water-related disease is a problem faced by many communities in the Mngeru and Msunduzi River valleys, both those living in a rural setting, and those within thedty bounds. Treatment and management of water-related diseases such as SchistosorrUasis and Hepatitis are, however, overshadowed by the priority management of more serious illnesses such as HIV/ AIDS, and are therefore at risk of spreading unchecked. These diseases, while not often fatal, have a high morbidity and place unnecessary burden on communities and individuals that could otherwise make a positive contribution to the social and economic structure of the country. The impacts of water-related disease are felt by all water-users, including those recreational users such as fishermen, swimmers and canoeists. Following a discussion of the issues and impacts of water-related disease at both a global and local scale, the research formulated a survey of the impact of water-related disease on canoeists training and racing on the Mngeni and Msunduzi Rivers as a starting point in determining the impacts on all communities using the resource. The methods employed were twofold, a Schistosoma haematobium infection- survey was conducted using urine samples; and a questionnaire-type survey of participants in the 2006 Dusi Canoe Marathon was conducted. The results of the Schistosomiasis survey revealed that 4.07% (20/491) of the respondents were positive in this survey. Analysis of the questionnaire filled in by all participants further revealed that 73% of respondents tested positive for Schistosomiasis infection at some point in their canoeing career. The post Dusi Marathon questionnaire survey was answered by 941 (54 %) participants. A total of 588 (63 %) reported experiencing illness as a result of taking part in the 2006 event. A further 362 individuals reported having experienced water-related illness on previous Dusi Marathons, indicating that 77% of the respondents have been ill on the Dusi in this and previous years' events. In addition, water quality samples were taken during the race and were shown to be significantly higher than the guidelines for safe recreational use of water resources. The results also showed a radical overnight change in the E.coli levels following a heavy rain event on the evening before the start of the race. The research revealed that there is a serious problem of water contamination and resultant spread of disease among canoeists using the rivers for recreational and professional sport. Contamination resulting from failure of sewage processing facilities during high rainfall events and industrial discharge into the river system results in excessive and unacceptable levels of E.coli and other water-related pathogens that are a severe health risk not only to canoeists but to all communities utilising this water resource. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2006.

Informal settlement areas (often referred to as squatter settlements or squatter camps) exist in all provinces of South Africa. These areas are characterized by rapid and unplanned development. The result of these is that property boundaries in most of these areas are not surveyed. Since the plots do not have boundary beacons, the land parcel is not properly defined and therefore, the property cannot be registered in the user or owner's name. Consequently, ownership is not guaranteed. Thus there are no legal documents to prove the relationship between an individual and the property. This paper discusses the problems in the land reform process that can be attributed to the existence of informal settlements. The paper is based on a research carried out to assess the effect of informal settlements on the success of the land reform programme in South Africa. A review of literature on the land reform programme and its implementation plan was carried out. The research also included a literature review on informal settlements in relation to property ownership, cadastral surveying and land registration. Three informal settlements in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa were identified for study. These included Cato Manor and Umlazi section CC in Durban and Peace Valley 2 in Pietermaritzburg. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2005.

The problem of informal settlement is well established in many urban areas of South Africa and in many other developing countries. Efforts to upgrade urban informal settlements have largely failed due to lack of effective participation in the planning processes which are conventionally driven by professional land use planners. This study was carried with the objectives to determine the causes of failure of conventional land use planning in upgrading informal settlements and the resulting spatial implications. There also sought to investigate current best practices of in-situ upgrading of informal settlements and to use these in formulating a proposed approach that would include community-driven planning into the local integrated development planning. In a case study of the Hanipark Informal Settlement in Matjhabeng Local Municipality, Free State Province key informants identified from the various stakeholders involved in the upgrade process were interviewed in order to establish the causes of failure of the planning processes. Ortho-rectified imagery of 2000 and 2003 were also analysed to establish the spatial trends of the informal settlement during the informal settlement upgrade of the study area. The results showed that the in-situ upgrade of the Hanipark Informal Settlement was largely driven by the Matjhabeng Local Municipality planners using the conventional technical approach with minimum participation of the beneficiary informal settlement dwellers. It was revealed that while the upgrade planning was in progress, new informal dwellers continued to settle. Over a three-year period between 2000 and 2003, the number of informal settlement dwellers increased by more than 1,000 households, increasing settlement density and expanding the area extent of the informal settlement by more than 10 ha. The study results suggest that an adaptation of the current practices centred on the UN_HABITAT procedure could be more successful in informal settlement upgrading. A three-phase approach is proposed to include as the first phase, the formation of a Stakeholders Forum which conducts a land audit, identifies policy instruments and accessible resources and establishes a partnership with the private sector; as the second phase, a land zoning procedure and the establishing of a suitable land tenure framework and carrying out detailed planning and implementation as the third phase. / Thesis (M.Env.Dev.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2007.

Since the establishment of the first protected area in 1872, the Yellowstone National Park, the concept of protected areas and their management have witnessed several controversies and conflicts. Generally, ownership and management of most of these protected areas has in the past been restricted to state -governments. Other stakeholders and particularly local communities neighbouring these areas were excluded from their management and ownership. Since the last three decades, however, conservation bodies have been trying to encourage various other protected area governance (management) approaches to address failures in the existing management approach (in which state governments almost solely managed and owned these protected areas ) to achieve the conservation goals. Some of these include co-management and private protected area management approaches. In Component A of this study, "Co-management as an option for private protected areas: A case study of the Shongweni Resource Reserve", attempts were made to explore a selection of literature in order to gain an in-depth understanding of the concepts of private protected areas and co-management. Through this documentary review of literature from various sources (internet, libraries, personal communication, etc) the study identified, examined and documented various issues associated with the concepts. It also explored and documented the historical and current perspectives as well as the legal and policy context of these concepts in South Africa. In addition, the study examined the study area and the methods explored in the study. The study concludes in this Component that: 1. Protected area co-management is a pluralistic approach to the management of protected areas. It recognises a variety of stakeholders that are conducive to the achievement of sustainable conservation goals. 2. Private protected areas have tremendously increased in South Africa, with a total of 13% of the land surface under private protected area management. This is more than double the land surface under public protected area management. 3. South Africa has adequate legal and policy framework provisions that encourage comanagement as well as private protected area management. / Thesis (M.Env.Dev.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2006.