Thesis (MS en S)--Stellenbosch University, 2002. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The urban designer works within an environment characterized by constraints. Control mechanisms are part of these constraints. They were created out of necessity because the control of the urban environment became strained as cities grew in size. In the beginning control mechanisms regulated the urban environment to create better public safety. This objective evolved to include aesthetics and sustainability of the environment. Controls, however, tended to become standardized and were often blindly applied irrespective of changed circumstances and contexts. Control mechanisms include inter alia height, density, bulk, and aesthetic controls, which can be applied to regulate form, space and behavioural or activity patterns. These control mechanisms generally embrace a system of codes embodied in legislation enforceable in law. Urban designers should realize and take full advantage of the potential of the law as an urban design control element. This study examines the nature of control mechanisms as applied to town planning in general and urban design in particular and their efficacy in achieving and maintaining a range of human and social objectives. To this end, attention is paid to examining historical precedent, examples reflecting different cultures and approaches and resultant urban forms. On the basis of the aforementioned this study aims to identify a range of urban design principles and to propose suggestions as to how control mechanisms as part of a system of law can best be applied. A case study of central business district sites in Durbanville, Western Cape is researched. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die stadsontwerper funksioneer binne 'n omgewing wat gekenmerk word deur beperkings. Beheermeganismes maak deel uit van hierdie beperkings. Dit het ontwikkel uit noodsaak, want die beheer van die stedelike omgewing het onder druk gekom soos stede in grootte toegeneem het. Aanvanklik het die beheer-maatreëls die stedelike omgewing gereguleer om sodoende openbare veiligheid te verseker. Hierdie doel het egter ontwikkel om estetiese ontwerp en volhouding van die omgewing in te sluit. Maatreëls het egter geneig om gestandardiseer te raak en is dikwels blindelings toegepas ongeag die omstandighede en konteks. Beheermeganismes sluit inter alia hoogte, volume en estetiese kontrole in wat aangewend kan word om vorm, ruimte en gedrags- of aktiwiteitspatrone te reguleer. Hierdie beheermeganismes omsluit gewoonlik 'n stelsel van kodes wat vervat is in wetgewing, afdwingbaar deur die wet. Stadsontwerpers behoort die potensiaal van sodanige wetgewing te besef en tot hul voordeel te benut as 'n beheer element in stedelike ontwerp. Hierdie studie ondersoek die aard van beheermeganismes soos aangewend in stadsbeplanning oor die algemeen en stedelike ontwerp in die besonder en hul doeltreffendheid in die bereiking en handhawing van 'n reeks menslike en sosiale doelstellings. Aandag word in die studie gegee aan die ondersoek van historiese voorbeelde, voorbeelde wat verskillende kulture weerspieël en verskillende benaderingswyses en gevolglike stadsvorme. Gebaseer op die voorafgaande, wil hierdie studie 'n reeks van stedelike ontwerp beginsels identifiseer en voorstelle aan die hand doen hoe beheermeganismes as deel van die wetgewingstelsel, op die mees doeltreffende wyse aangewend kan word. Persele in die sakekern van Durbanville, Wes- Kaap word as gevallestudie nagevors.

Thesis (MS en S)--Stellenbosch University, 2002. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Gated communities are a rapidly growing global residential occurrence and the long-term impact of this phenomenon on the urban landscape is of great importance to planners, local and provincial governments, urban decisionmakers, and legislation policies. The assignment is a comprehensive literature study, because in South Africa only the CSIR (BOUTEK) recently attempted to explain this fairly new development type. Internationally extensive studies have been conducted in the USA and Europe, although only in the last decade. In the study the term "gated community" is conceptualised, the general characteristics of gated communities, the pros and cons of the enclosed communities are discussed. The discussion focuses on the postmodern theory movement and how it relates to gated communities, with examples from the USA, especially Los Angeles. Additionally, the history of gated communities is discussed from Greek times to modern times and an overview is given of the international debate on gated communities. The debate emphasises important issues such as safety and security, exclusion, privacy, urban fragmentation and other issues. The last chapter looks at the current situation of gated communities in South Africa and the effect that apartheid had on the urban structure. Gated communities in South Africa are unique compared to other countries and a summary is given on the positive and negative features of gated communities in South Africa. The fear of crime is growing in South Africa, and the number of gated communities or enclosed neighbourhoods are growing daily, and calls for in-depth studies of this phenomenon in South Africa. Although there seems to be an increasing trend in larger cities to enclose areas, requests for neighbourhood enclosures have also been received by smaller cities and towns. Most of the metropolitan areas tend to have policies in place, or are in the process of compiling policies to regulate road closures and gated communities. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Geslote gemeenskappe is 'n vinnig groeiende globale residensiële gebeurtenis en die langtermyn impak wat hierdie fenomeen het op stedelike landskap is baie belangrik vir beplanners, plaaslike en provinsiale regerings, stedelike besluitnemers, en wetgewende beleide. Die werkstuk is 'n omslagtige literatuurstudie, omdat in Suid-Afrika het die WNNR (BOUTEK) onlangs probeer om die taamlik nuwe ontwikkelingstipe te verklaar. Internasionale uitgebreide studies is al gedoen deur die VSA en Europa, alhoewel net in die laaste dekade. In hierdie studie word die term "geslote gemeenskappe" gekonseptualiseer, die algemene kenmerke van geslote gemeenskappe, die positiewe en negatiewe eienskappe van geslote gemeenskappe bepreek. Die bespreking fokus op die postmoderne teorie beweging en hoe dit verwant is aan geslote gemeensakppe, met voorbeelde van die VSA, veral Los Angeles. Gevolglik word daar gekyk na die geskiedenis van geslote gemeenskappe vanaf die Griekse tye tot die moderne tye en 'n oorsig word gegee van die internasionale debat op geslote gemeenskappe. Die debat beklemtoon belangrike kwessies soos veiligheid en sekuriteit, uitsluiting, privaatheid, stedelike opbreking en baie meer. Die laaste hoofstuk kyk na die huidige toestand van geslote gemeenskappe in Suid-Afrika en die effek wat apartheid gehad het op die stedelike struktuur. Geslote gemeenskappe in Suid-Afrika is uniek in vergelyking met ander lande en 'n opsomming word gegee op die positiewe en negatiewe eienskappe van geslote gemeenskappe in Suid-Afrika. Die angs vir geweld groei in Suid-Afrika en die hoeveelheid geslote gemeendskappe groei ook daagliks, en dus styg die noodsaaklikheid vir in-diepte studies van hierdie verskynsel in Suid-Afrika. Alhoewel dit wil voorkom dat daar 'n stygende tendens in groter stede is om areas te omsluit, is die aanvrae vir geslote gemeenskappe ook gekry van kleiner stede en dorpe. Meeste van die metropolitaanse areas neig om beleide in plek te hê, of is in die proses om beleide te struktureer vir die beheer van padsluitings en geslote gemeenskappe.

No abstract available. / Thesis (M.T.R.P.)-University of Natal, 1999.

In response to South Africa's idiosyncratic past, integrated development planning has emerged as a policy and practical instrument for reconstruction and development of a new society. This form of planning seeks to weave the different cut pieces of the fragmented past through a common tread resulting in a rich tapestry of human society. This complex process is not without conflict, tension, uncertainties, ambiguities and confusion. This dissertation seeks to explore the evolution, logic and character of this planning model. Such an exploration will help unpack the confluence of forces that gave rise to this planning as well as how it unfolds in contemporary times. The role of key players within the context of integrated development planning, namely officials and councillors, will be examined in an effort to come to terms with how the manifestations of power relations between these actors help bring colour to this process. / Thesis (M.T.R.P.)-University of Natal, 1998.

No abstract available. / Thesis (M.T.R.P.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2008.

The study is concerned with economic restructuring and its effects on small towns. A small town, Pongola, has been chosen to illustrate how economic change affects small agriculturally based settlements. Local economic development (LED) is then suggested as one approach to address some of the problems that exist in places like Pongola. What motivated me to undertake this study is that many of the problems that exist in South Africa's big cities and large towns emanated from the fact that small towns and rural areas are generally neglected by national government. One problem that needs to be mentioned here is that of hyperurbanisation. This problem has been caused by the neglect of rural areas leading to overly rapid rural-urban migration. Whilst urbanisation per se is not a problem, urbanisation in excess of the absorption capacity of cities. Rural areas account for 40% of the total population of South Africa yet the pattern of rural settlement, for a variety of historical reasons, has been distorted. There is massive rural overcrowding in some areas, to the point where ecological collapse is imminent (Dewar 1994). In other areas, the essential social and service infrastructure necessary to support a vibrant local agrarian economy is declining steadily. The result is an ongoing contribution to hyperurbanisation: people who are involuntarily displaced from the countryside move to towns and cities that are growing at rates that outstrip the ability of the urban systems to deliver jobs and services. A main challenge in the new political and social dispensation is to target these areas that have been disadvantaged in the past and which are now the source of major problems for the country as a whole. As many urban areas are experiencing major plant closings and more retrenchments in the context of global economic competition, it becomes imperative to consider developing small towns and their rural hinterlands. Planning analysts like Dewar, McCarthy, Rogerson and Nel, have all commented that rural areas have a potential, that of available land, which could be used to address some of the problems. They also call for the social, economic and urban reconstruction of small towns. This study does not intend seeking a solution to all agricultural and rural problems. However, after looking at the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of this particular case study, I will suggest that local economic development (LED) is an alternative planning strategy that could be used to address some of the problems of small town development. Although LED has its own short-comings, it has the advantage of using local comparative advantage of a particular locality to create jobs and achieve economic growth. It therefore avoids trying to resolve problems of small towns by diverting growth from other areas as it happened for example, with the old Regional Industrial Development Programme. This dissertation will look first at global economic restructuring and its effects on localities. Secondly this study will discuss the restructuring of commercial agricultural production, looking specifically at the implications of this restructuring process for workers in agriculture, and will also look at some processes that have brought about this transformation and the phenomenon of declining small towns. Thirdly, this study seeks to explore in the literature that is available what other South African small towns, have done to address problems that exist in their localities. Stutterheim will be used as an example of a local development initiative with apparent considerate success, although a recent study disputes this. Finally, this study seeks to use alternative interpretations of local economic development (both locally and internationally) as a bases for draWing policy recommendations for Pongola. Another general concern is to explore how Pongola is responding to problems of decline. / Thesis (M.T.R.P.)-University of Natal, 1998.

Town and regional planning in South Africa is challenged by global-and local-economic, social and political changes; the weight of its history in the apartheid past; a poor image; and ultimately, a functional change in the traditional role of planners. South African planning schools have to more and more deal with under-prepared students and cope with competition from other disciplines. The crucial question is: does planning education prepare graduates adequately to make a contribution to the profession within this context? This thesis examines the relevance of planning education at South African universities. This is done firstly by comparing South African trends in planning to international trends, and secondly, by assessing practitioners' views on the relevance of planning programmes, and whether their skill requirements match the skills seen as important by planning educators and those offered by graduates. The empirical research was done by assessing four universities' planning programmes, interviewing senior staff at these universities, and surveying 40 planning practitioners in the corresponding four metropolitan areas. The main issues under enquiry were: the relevance of planning curricula; students' practical experience during training; specialist versus generalist education; undergraduate and/or postgraduate education; life-long learning, and the core skills and competency requirements upon entering the planning profession. The world needs planning, and planning education is the key to the survival of the profession. With certain reservations, it is concluded that planning education, through the teaching of appropriate skills, is relevant for planning practice. To a large extent, planning education at South African universities follows international trends. / Thesis (M.Sc.U.R.P.)-University of Natal, 2002.

No abstract available. / Thesis (M.T.R.P.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2006.

No abstract available. / Thesis (M.T.R.P.)-University of Natal, 1998.

South Africa and Kwazulu are essentially becoming a society attempting to reinvent itself. Attempts are underway to create the inner workings of this diverse, multi-cultural and multiracial society. The mechanism depends on strategic planning, the crafting of new legislation and regulatory processes and new methods of participatory and representative governments. Societies create and enforce land use controls or landuse guidelines to achieve several objectives. According to Schwenke(1997), while fundamental concepts of land ownership, tenure and basic property are rights enshrined in the law, the practical aspects of how one makes use of the land and all human activities that take place on the land are beyond the scope of rigid declarations. Deciding on responsible and just land use is a planning function and must reflect complexity, interactions between land users, land owners, the land itself and the environment. Planning must take due cognizance of the aspirations, needs and capacities of the people on the land (Schwenke; 1997).At the end of this process there must be a set of land use controls or guidelines to enable final decisions to be omplemented. Previous studies have largely ignored the perceptions of people on the grpund who are forced to live daily with the harsh, restrictive decisions of higher authorities without being consulted.This dissertation hopes to eliminate this particular problem by conducting research with community groups. The intention ofthis dissertation is to set in place policy guidelines for an appropriate land use management system that is appropriate for residential areas, in previously disadvantaged Townships using Inanda as an example. / Thesis (M.T.R.P.)-University of Natal, Durban, 1998.