Thesis (MA (Geography and Environmental Studies))--University of Stellenbosch, 2005. / The pressure of urbanisation causes an increasing decline in public open space. The intrinsic potential of a system of public open spaces to create a city where inhabitants’ living, working and recreational environments are enhanced is often undervalued. Irrespective of the pressure of urbanisation and the amount of land currently being earmarked for open spaces, there is a growing need for more open spaces in the urban areas of South Africa. It is important to gauge the scope of open spaces in order to monitor their development. This thesis investigates the usefulness of parks in the Bellville municipal area to its inhabitants. This study identified existing parks in Bellville. Open spaces in Bellville make up 15,3% of the total area and since 1996 1,1% of the open space in Bellville has been lost to development. Parks are distributed unevenly throughout the municipal area with the eastern area having the bulk of the open space area percentage and the southern area the smallest proportion. As a result of field studies conducted in Bellville, conforming to guidelines specified by a preceding literature study, a classification system was developed on the basis of area, function and the level of upkeep. Four park types were identified by the classification process, namely neighbourhood, ecological, aesthetical and recreational parks. Following the classification of open spaces the study focuses on the neighbourhood park to gauge the needs of and utilisation by inhabitants. The neighbourhood park was selected as study focus owing to the heterogeneous appearance of this park type and because it is the most common type found (84,5% of all parks) in Bellville. Subclassification into eight subclasses guarantees homogeneous park classes. The presence of recreational structures forms the basis for the classification of neighbourhood parks. Upkeep of neighbourhood parks occurs frequently and approximately 60% of the neighbourhood parks have recreational structures. A stratified random sample selected one park out of each of the eight subclasses for case study. In each case study a simple random sample of park users was made. The population is defined as all households in a 300m radius of the park. Questionnaires were distributed to the selected households. Irrespective of their busy schedules during the week, the inhabitants still have ample free time over weekends. Free time is generally spent at home though a significant percentage of inhabitants take excursions to enjoy walks in nature. Children and pensioners most frequently make use of parks. Parks are generally visited on a weekly basis. Neighbourhood parks are visited over weekends for walks and for use as playgrounds. Most of the inhabitants are satisfied with the appearance of the neighbourhood parks, though they feel security at the parks is insufficient and parks are inadequate for the playing needs of children. Awareness of parks forms an integral part in park use. Being unaware of parks or having to travel far have a significant effect on non-usage of parks. In order to encourage park use it is essential to create multifunctional parks catering to the inhabitants’ varying needs and utilisation of parks. Single functional parks can be transformed into multifunctional parks by adding additional attractions thereby addressing inhabitants’ needs and extending the existing function of the park. Effective management of parks is essential in preserving them as continuing assets in the Bellville municipal area.

Thesis (MA (Geography and Environmental Studies))--University of Stellenbosch, 2006. / The Rural Aquaculture Development Programme (RADP) of the Division of Aquaculture at Stellenbosch University (DASU) has the objective of socio-economic development of farm workers and rural communities from previously disadvantaged communities through the provision of opportunities for sustainable economic development by establishing small-scale fish-farming systems on irrigation dams. The Small-Scale Aquaculture Farming Systems (SSAFS) is an initiative of RADP. DASU intends implementing 20 new projects by the end of 2005, 100 by 2010 and at least 200 by 2020. Thus far, sites which can accommodate 25 projects have been identified. The owners of the land on which these 25 possible projects are located are being contacted to gain permission to use the sites for the SSAFS. It is possible that some of the owners of the sites will not allow them to be used so that not all 25 projects will necessarily be implemented. At present the predominant search method employed by DASU to find new sites involves two steps. Initially knowledge is acquired through word of mouth about dams that may be suitable. Personnel then drive to these dams for further inspection, to see if they are indeed suitable. This method of search is clearly both expensive and time-consuming. Geographical information systems (GIS) have as yet not been considered as an alternative and/or supplementary site selection method for the SSAFS. GIS tools and principles can reduce both expenses and time in locating sites by reducing the number of dams to be visited to only those that are optimal (i.e. they present the least risk of the SSAFS projects failing). A new site selection methodology using GIS was developed which is faster and less expensive than existing site selection methods. The GIS site selection methodology revolves around the isolation and selection of dams in the Berg and Breede River water management areas, based on their ability to fulfil certain parameters of critical variables comprising dam dimensions, environmental issues, distance measures and site security, according to a priority hierarchy, that determine a successful site for trout farming according to methods employed by the SSAFS. Once this methodology was produced, it was presented to five people who are directly involved with the SSAFS as well as four others who are not involved with the SSAFS but who might find the methodology useful, to determine whether they hold that the methodology is indeed better than existing search methodologies. Those who were presented the GIS site selection methodology felt that it is very useful and that it could be employed in future to make more informed choices when locating new sites for the SSAFS as well as other aquacultural enterprises.

Thesis (MSc (Geography and Environmental Studies))--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / The climate of southern Africa varies greatly spatially and temporally. Tyson‟s (1987) examination of long-term rainfall records has shown an 18-year cyclical pattern of wet spells alternating with dry spells. Recurrent droughts are thus a feature of southern Africa‟s climate. Although climate change resulting from global warming could intensify future droughts, current predictions of regional climate change are unreliable. This study evaluates the nature, adequacy and effectiveness of Zimbabwe‟s drought policy in reducing the vulnerability of rural communities to the impact of drought. The objectives of the study are to explore the different meanings of the concept of drought; to explain the relevant concepts and frameworks of the hazard assessment and management discipline; to describe the current status of disaster management in general and drought in particular; to identify the mechanisms used by small-scale farmers in Sontala ward for coping with drought; and to evaluate the adequacy and effectiveness of Zimbabwe‟s drought policy in reducing the vulnerability of rural communities to drought impacts. A qualitative approach was used which involved analysis of government documents and academic literature. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with government officials at provincial level and small-scale farmers at ward level in Matabeleland South province. The data collection exercise was, however, constrained by the current political instability in the country. The study established that the Civil Protection Act No 10:06 of 1989, complemented by relevant sections of other laws, provides a legal framework for disaster management. The Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and Urban Development has a coordinating role. Coordinating committees at national, provincial and district level formulate disasterresponse plans to be activated when a disaster occurs. The Civil Protection System uses existing government, private and non-governmental organizations whose regular activities contain elements of disaster risk prevention and community development. The enactment of the Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Management Act will remove some of the shortcomings of the Civil Protection System.

Thesis (MA (Geography and Environmental Studies))--University of Stellenbosch, 2005. / River basins have long been attracting human settlement and development, promising water and fertile lands (Newson 1992). The Bot River Catchment on the southern coast of South Africa is no exception. However, much of the development in this catchment has not been controlled and its land and water resources are being abused. This is affecting the water quality and quantity of the river system and estuary at an alarming rate. In this thesis, the ‘reference’ land cover in the Bot River Catchment is recreated. This term is used to describe “the hydrological state of the catchment as it was when completely covered in natural vegetation, thus before it was impacted by humans” (Jacobs & Bruwer 2002:12). A rainfall-runoff model is employed to investigate the effects of various land covers on the catchment’s runoff quantity, by comparing the simulation results of the catchment’s reference and current state. The results of the model point to a large reduction in runoff since the reference state of the catchment. As the rainfall-runoff model applied did not allow for modelling of the annual agriculture that dominates the catchment, the runoff reduction was attributed to the smaller areas of perennial agriculture, forestry and alien vegetation infestation. The simulation results confirmed the threat of current land use practices on the environmental integrity of the Bot River Catchment. A transition to agricultural practices that are more suited to the climate is suggested and the eradication of alien vegetation should be seen as a priority. Most importantly, a holistic approach should be taken towards the management of the Bot River Catchment. The altered hydrodynamic regime of the Bot River Estuary is symptomatic of misuse of the entire catchment. As ongoing demographic and land use pressures create a new generation of water management problems (Department of Water Affairs & Forestry 1993), a deeper understanding of the relationships between the different components in the Bot River Catchment becomes increasingly urgent.

Thesis (MA (Geography and Environmental Studies))--University of Stellenbosch, 2006. / The Garden Route is located along the southern Cape coast of South Africa, between the Outeniqua Mountain Range and the coast, stretching from Gourits River in the west to Bloukranz River in the east. This region is recognised as a holiday destination and the centre of the southern Cape’s tourism industry. It has also gained popularity as a golfing destination set to proliferate in terms of new golfcourse developments (Golf Digest 2004; Gould 2004; Granger 2003). No known complete academic or public record is however available for the study area in which all the golf development types, namely short courses, public-municipal golf-courses and residential golf estates, are recorded. This leaves a gap in the understanding of the Garden Route as a golfing destination, as well as opening the floor for public speculation about the status of the Garden Route golfscape. This situation emphasises the need for a description of the Garden Route golfscape in order to achieve a better understanding of it and of the Garden Route as an emerging golfing destination. The research aspires to describe the Garden Route golfscape in terms of the geographic spatial distribution and characteristics of all the golf development types mentioned. It also aims to analyse how the public and developers of golf developments perceive the Garden Route golfscape. The research has shown that amongst the four identified intra-regional golfscapes of the Garden Route, namely the Mossel Bay, George, Knysna and Plettenberg Bay intra-regional golfscapes, the George intra-regional golfscape has been affected the most by golf developments. This intra-regional golfscape has the greatest number of existing golf developments, as well as the highest number of new golf development applications followed by Mossel Bay, Knysna and Plettenberg Bay. It is also clear from the research that the press, through publishing factually incorrect and biased information, plays a significant role in negatively affecting the public’s perception about the Garden Route golfscape. The literature, as well as the results of the public opinion poll, identifies residential private golf estate developments as the development type responsible for controversial golf debates. The survey indicated that there is less concern and objection to public-municipal golf-courses and short courses. The lack of public support for golf developments is as a result of the fact that the public is not convinced that either the natural environment or tourism, will benefit from the Garden Route developing into an international golfing destination. At the time of research, the Garden Route hosted 22 approved golf developments of which nine are short courses, another nine are golf estates and the remaining four are public municipal courses. A total of eight new golf estates are proposed for the Garden Route. There are no proposals for new public-municipal golf-courses or short courses. The research has highlighted that existing challenges associated with Garden Route golf developments must be quantified through future research in order to compare the impacts (economic, social and environmental impacts) with that of other land uses in the study area. Results from such future exercises, combined with future in-depth environmental and human resource audits of the area, will help determine the carrying capacity of the study area for golf developments, which will in turn contribute to an even better understanding of the Garden Route golfscape.

Thesis (MSc (Geography and Environmental Studies))--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / The Agulhas Plain, an area rich in fynbos, was monitored within six months after the February 2006 fire. The potential of using medium resolution imagery, specifically from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) in determining the re-growth rates of indigenous and alien vegetation types after fire was explored. Pixels representing dense areas of each vegetation type were selected. There was a significant difference in the pixels selected for each vegetation type. A time series of Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) data was derived and fitted to functions, such as Double Logistics and Asymmetric Gaussian as implemented in the TIMESAT software. The results show that alien vegetation grows faster after a fire occurrence than in its absence. Within the specified months of monitoring, it was observed that fynbos grew faster than the alien vegetation. Also, the re-growth rates of vegetation on the coastal soils were higher than those of vegetation on the inland soils. The determination of the re-growth rate was necessary to assist resource managers determine the appropriate time for follow-up of clearing invaded sites after fire.

Thesis (MA (Geography and Environmental Studies))--University of Stellenbosch, 2005. / The West Coast Fossil Park near Langebaanweg in the Western Cape, South Africa, is known for its abundance of marine, freshwater and terrestrial fossils of Mio-Pliocene age. The fossil bearing deposits reflect the complex and varied depositional environments, which were influenced by the change in course of the Berg River and regressions and transgressions of sealevel. The fossil deposits at this site are world-renowned for their species richness and uniqueness and there was a need to gain an in-depth understanding of the events that gave rise to this situation. To understand these complexities, it was necessary to construct a composite model of the pre-history of the West Coast Fossil Park, incorporating topological, geological and palaeontological data. GIS provided the ideal platform to integrate data from such varied sources, using spatial correlation to interpret commonalities. Subsequently, a spatially explicit database of the present-day study area, from Dwarskersbos in the north to just north of Yzerfontein in the south, was constructed. The oldest geological formation, the basement layer, as well as three successive formations was reconstructed on a regional scale using borehole data. Interpolation of point data to regional surfaces was a dual process incorporating expert opinion and purpose-built tools within ESRI’s ArcInfo and ArcMap 8.3. A similar reconstruction at a finer scale was done for the West Coast Fossil Park area using kriging as an interpolation method. These reconstructed geological layers can be used to predict the depth and location of fossil-bearing deposits. There is scope for further study and analysis to compare the accuracy of alternative interpolation methods, and combining it with field-based validation of modelled outputs.

Thesis (MSc (Geography and Environmental Studies))--University of Stellenbosch, 2005. / In the past, development was allowed in agricultural areas which would not be acceptable under current planning policy. There is a growing need to develop and maintain highly productive and ecologically stable agricultural systems. One approach to encourage better land management and utilisation is the international certification of a farm’s production practices.

Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2003. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This thesis investigates the use of GIS (Geographical Information Systems) to develop an infrastructure management support system for the Western Cape Nature Conservation Board (WCNCB). The primary goal was to design a system to help the managers with their task of managing the infrastructure of a reserve. It involved the development and description, of a system in ArcView with the programming language Avenue in conjunction with an Access application developed in Visual Basic for Applications. The end result was a system that can create maps of all the different infrastructure features with ArcView and use an open-ended Access application to input data. The data are stored in an Access database. The thesis describes the user functionality of the system. Basic reporting facilities are provided and the data and system have the potential to provide essential reporting in future development. The conclusion of this thesis is that GIS could fulfil the role of an Infrastructure Management Support System for WCNCB. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die tesis ondersoek die gebruik van GIS (Geografiese Inligting Stelsels) in die ontwikkeling van 'n infrastruktuur bestuurshulpmiddel VIT Wes-Kaap Natuurbewaringsraad. Die primêre doel van hierdie studie is om 'n sisteem te ontwikkel wat die bestuurders van die verskillende natuurreservate kan bystaan in die bestuur van hul reservate. Die tesis beskryf die ontwikkeling van 'n infrastruktuur bestuurshulpmiddel met ArcView se programmeringstaal Avenue. Tesame hiermee is 'n Access applikasie wat in Visual Basic for Applications ontwikkel is geïntegreer. Die eind-resultaat is 'n sisteem wat kaarte met ArcView vanaf gestoorde data in 'n Access databasis kan produseer en ook datainvordering kan hanteer. Die tesis beskryf die ontwikkeling en funksionaliteit van die sisteem. Daar word voorsiening gemaak vir basiese verslaglewerende funksies en vir toekomstige meer gevorderde analises in die data samestelling. Die gevolgtrekking wat in die tesis gemaak word is dat GIS die rol van 'n infrastruktuur bestuurshulpmiddel kan vervul VIT Wes-Kaap Natuurbewaringsraad.

Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2005. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Water resources in South Africa are limited and groundwater plays an important role in supporting basic human needs, sustaining ecosystems and enabling industrial and agricultural development. Sound management practices are necessary to ensure sustainable development of water resources. All groundwater usage must be licensed in compliance with the National Water Act of 1998. A Spatial Decision Support System (SDSS) can be used to assist in the groundwater usage licensing process of the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF). The main aim of this study was to develop a SDSS, named Groundwater Abstraction & Licence Evaluation Tool (GALET), that could assist in the process of allocating water use licences and determining the local impact of abstraction, based on existing theory and data. The development was done within ArcView 3.2 using the scripting language Avenue. The Sandveld, an arid stretch of land along the west coast of South Africa that is heavily impacted by groundwater abstraction, was the chosen study area. The data collected for this study included existing borehole, recharge, rainfall and geological information. GALET proved to be capable of calculating essential information needed to evaluate groundwater abstraction, which included drawdown in the water table, zone of influence and the possible effects on features such as rivers and wetlands. Targeted potential users regarded GALET as a useful tool in the process of licensing and groundwater abstraction impact assessment and plans are under way to implement GALET or a derivative thereof at the DWAF regional offices. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Waterhulpbronne in Suid-Afrika is beperk en grondwater speel 'n belangrike rol in die ondersteuning van basiese menslike behoeftes, volhouding van ekosisteme asook industriële en landbou-ontwikkeling. Betroubare bestuurspraktyke is noodsaaklik om die volhoubare ontwikkeling van waterhulpbronne te verseker. Alle grondwatergebruik moet volgens die Nasionale Waterwet van 1998 gelisensieer word. 'n Ruimtelike Besluitnemings Ondersteuning Stelsel (RBOS) kan as 'n hulpmiddel gebruik word in die lisensiëringsproses van die Departement van Waterwese en Bosbou. Die hoofdoel van hierdie studie was om 'n RBOS, genoem Groundwater Abstraction & Licence Evaluation Tool (GALET), te ontwikkel wat as hulpmiddel gebruik kan word in die allokeringsproses van watergebruiklisensies en die bepaling van die impak van grondwateronttrekking op die omgewing, gebaseer op bestaande teorie en data. Die ontwikkeling is in ArcView 3.2 met die programmeringstaal Avenue gedoen. Die Sandveld, 'n ariede streek aan die weskus van Suid-Afrika wat onderhewig is aan grootskaalse grondwateronttrekking, is gekies as die studie area. Die data wat vir hierdie studie ingesamel is sluit bestaande boorgat, grondwateraanvulling, reënval en geologiese inligting in. GALET was in staat om belangrike inligting aangaande die evaluering van grondwateronttrekking te bereken, o.a. die daling van die grondwatervlak, die impaksone en die moontlike effekte op landvorms soos riviere en vleilande. Die teikengroep potensiële gebruikers het GALET as 'n nuttige hulpmiddel in die proses van lisensiëring en grondwateronttrekking impakbepaling beskou en planne is onderweg om dit of 'n aangepaste program by die streekskantore van die Departement van Waterwese en Bosbou te implementeer.