No abstract available. / Thesis (M.T.R.P.)-University of Natal, Durban, 2002.

This dissertation revolves around the topic of office decentralisation. The literature review chapter first discusses a systems approach to planning, and how it is the relationships between the objects within a system that makes the system as a whole useful. This chapter also discusses theories relating to city planning with reference to Kevin Lynch in terms of city elements as well as city planning typologies. Edmund Bacon’s theory of how movement systems of cities become powerful forces in terms of how the city is used and viewed is also discussed. Ebenezer Howard’s Garden City concept is discussed due to its intentional decentralisation but also for the manner in which nodes are linked. New Urbanism is touched on because many sprawling cities are turning this type of development in attempt to reduce the outward push of low density developments. Seeing that Apartheid city planning was informed by Modernist city planning, both of these concepts are looked at critically in relation to one another. This is to form the background on what impact office decentralisation has had on South African cities, and whether the locations of such decentralised office nodes have been in the correct locations in order to provide access to jobs to those who were marginalised during the years of Apartheid. With this background, office decentralisation is discussed in general, touching on office building typologies, the effect transportation technologies had on city planning, what causes office decentralisation, and the issue of office decentralisation in South African cities. Examples of how office decentralisation has been used as urban renewal projects have been discussed because it is of the opinion of the author that this needs to occur more often, especially in South Africa. Precedent studies of three cities which have undergone office decentralisation have been discussed in the next chapter. One is a South African city; one is another African city; and one an international city. This chapter discusses briefly their past, and the issues decentralisation is causing for the cities, as well as their solutions to the issues. Durban is used as a case study in the next chapter where decentralised office nodes have been identified and analysed. The challenges this decentralisation brings to the city are then discussed and possible solutions drawn from the abovementioned precedent studies have been suggested. These solutions were tested in a questionnaire which was sent to a selected group of working people. The results of which are discussed and analysed in chapters 5. / Thesis (M.Arch.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2011.

Worldwide the experiences of refugees on place and their integration into host countries are understood differently. This study seeks to understand how asylum seekers and refugees found a place and settled in South Africa cities. The study focuses on asylum seekers and refugees, not on economic immigrants. By using a qualitative case study approach, the research has been able to explore how Great Lakes region refugees, living in the eThekwini Metropolitan Area, negotiate their place in the city and to what extent they are and they can be integrated into the eThekwini municipal IDP (Integrated Development Planning). The study explores their life experiences of place, social exclusion, social networks and views on their integration. Refugees and key stakeholders in Durban Metropolitan were interviewed and conclusions are drawn from their responses and the literature consulted. The eThekwini Metropolitan inner-city area was chosen as the focus of the research because the majority of Great Lake region refugees are living and working in this area (personal life experience - the researcher, 2010). Nineteen refugees (including three community leaders), and ten stakeholders were chosen and interviewed by using purposive and snowball sampling methods. Interviews were conducted by using in-depth interviews while data was analyzed using the interpretative-descriptive research approach. A multicultural theory is used as the main approach to understand and to guide this study. Therefore some of the findings emanating from this study will add to the understanding of how to deal with the complexity of our urban spaces and provide challenges and opportunities which planning needs to understand and engage within the response of refugee communities in South African cities. This includes installation of refugee reception centres at the point of entry, refugees' integration of municipal policies, and efficient implementation of the existing South African refugee policies. / Thesis (M.T.R.P.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2011.

During the Apartheid period township areas were excluded from development. Townships only contained residential land uses, and limited social services of poor quality. Such areas lacked economic activities people had to travel to the city for employment opportunities and access to better services. As a result of apartheid planning, the country was left with cities and towns that are racially divided, lack access to business and other services and have sprawling informal settlements and spread out residential areas that make cheap service delivery difficult. All the above mentioned outcomes require a new approach to address the development challenges in South Africa. This led to the formulation of Integrated development planning processes, which were adopted to contribute towards eradicating the legacy of the past by providing a framework for economic, social development, environment protection and to deal with spatial and infrastructure issues in all the municipal areas. This study presents findings on the extent in which integrated development planning initiative in eThekwini Municipality has transformed and integrated the Inanda, Ntuzuma and KwaMashu (INK) areas. Based on the findings of this research it has been revealed that integrated development planning approach has played a major role in transforming and integrating the INK area, hence there has been improvement in the social, economic and the spatial aspects of development. However it is recommended that the municipality also consider development of light industries and skills development initiatives to address social and economic issues that are a challenge for INK areas / M.T.R.P. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 2013.

No abstract available. / Thesis (M.T.R.P.)-University of Natal, Durban, 1996.

No abstract available. / Thesis (M.T.R.P.)-University of Natal, Durban, 1996.

Across the globe, both developed and developing countries strive to continuously increase economic growth. Many strategies have been developed to guide these countries towards achieving growth and development in a sustainable manner. For many of these countries, cites have become the hubs with regards to the various socio-economic activities taking place within countries. This has in turn subjected cities to tremendous growth. The increased growth of cities has been characterized by radial expansion, wherein development spreads out from the city center to the fringes. The radial expansion of cities has not always been under control or properly managed by government or the private sector as well as the relevant role playing stakeholders. Many socio-economic and environmental challenges have been associated with the rapid urban development that spreads into urban fringes. This dissertation focuses on assessing the sustainability of urban fringes and their developments. It presents a conceptual framework that tackles multiple urban fringe challenges and their various causes as well as the possible solutions thereof. It also focuses on empirically assessing the sustainability of the Cato Ridge urban fringe development in eThekwini Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal Province. The study discovers that the challenges of urban fringe development are economic, social and environmental. It concludes with recommendations for addressing policies of urban fringe developments in order to ensure sustainability. / M.T.R.P. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 2013.

This research sought to examines how Integrated Development Planning has been used as an approach for improving infrastructure service delivery in historically disadvantaged communities. It examines the extent to which integrated development planning has been used to facilitate infrastructure provision in KwaNyuswa. It identifies key development challenges that are currently faced by the eThekwini Municipality in its attempts to accelerate infrastructure service delivery in KwaNyuswa. Both secondary and primary sources of data were used to source information. Key experts and community members were interviewed to supplement data from secondary sources. It was found that KwaNyuswa has a large proportion of Durban Metro Open Space, riverines and steep divided topography which constraint infrastructure provision in the area. Nevertheless, EThekwini Municipality has to a large extent managed to provide affordable services such as water and electricity in KwaNyuswa. Despite this success, roads and transportation networks have not been upgraded especially in sub-settlements called “Izigodi” and no Reconstruction and Development Programme Houses have been constructed since 1994. The study has identified a rural planning scheme, the affordable service delivery strategy, human capital development programme and nodal development strategies as solutions to enhance infrastructure provision in KwaNyuswa. Lessons learnt were identified jointly with recommendations to make Integrated Development Planning work in KwaNyuswa. / M.T.R.P. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 2013.

This research study addresses the issues associated with lost and wasted urban spaces. Lost and wasted spaces refer to areas which have no human activity or proper human interaction. They are the leftover unstructured landscape at the base of buildings. They also include abandoned buildings, waterfronts, train yards, vacated military sites, and industrial complexes. The research outlines the causes of lost and wasted urban spaces which occur within the eThekwini Municipality and urbanised spaces in general. Through the use of case studies and precedent studies, the research study investigates the various techniques, technological advances and approaches that could alleviate wasted spaces in the city. The Durban Esplanade and Point Waterfront development constitute the main case study areas; however, to fully understand how and why lost and wasted spaces occur within the urban environment, various other spaces which make up the cityscape were also investigated. For example, the city transport infrastructure and green spaces do not form part of the case studies, but have been included as part of the research into lost and wasted spaces. The research study seeks to take the issue of lost and wasted urban spaces a step further by combining it with issues related to sustainability. Through the use of the case studies, various possible solutions and alternatives to the alleviation of lost and wasted urban spaces are outlined and investigated. Examples of how lost and wasted urban spaces could be transformed from problem areas to spaces of opportunity are also explored. This was achieved by making use of computer-aided design and graphic illustrations to indicate the possible solutions that could form part of a holistic approach to the issues surrounding lost and wasted spaces in the built environment. The current planning legislation is outlined in order to provide a thorough understanding of the interconnection between environmental and sustainability issues which relate directly to the cause of lost and wasted spaces. Furthermore, the research study highlights the involvement of various built environment disciplines, including planners, architects and urban designers and investigates their role in the alleviation of lost and wasted urban space. / M.T.R.P. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2012.