Thesis (doctoral)--Vrije Universiteit te Amsterdam.

Profeschrift--Amsterdam--Vrije universiteit, 2008. / Bibliogr. p. 425-439. Index. Résumé en anglais.

Thesis (doctoral)--Vrije Universiteit te Amsterdam. / Summary in English. Includes bibliographical footnotes.

Strandveld vegetation around the Groen river mouth was sampled using complementary ordination and classification techniques (DCA and TWINSP AN). Four communities can be recognised, although samples are primarily divided into inland and coastal plots. Two inland communities are: Stoebaria utilis-Salvia lanceolata community, characterised by tall vegetation(> 1m), on deep, loose soils; Hermannia spp-Leserlia diffusa community of short (<0.6m) vegetation on shallow soils with a hardpan dorbank layer. Two coastal Strandveld communities are: Vanzylia amulata-Limonium peregrinum community which has short vegetation ( <0.5m) on characteristic shallow soils with a calcrete layer at 50 cm deep; Ruschia hutchensonia-Sasola nolothensis community characterised by deep alkaline soils. Of the environmental variables sampled, soil resistance and the presence of calcium carbonate in the soil best explain the distribution of plots and species in ordination space. Communities classified in this study differ subtly from the Tall, Medium and Short Strandveld communities and Strand communities proposed by le Roux and Boucher, 1989 and 1993.

Like other Bantu languages, Sepedi tends to utilise one basic colour term (tala) to refer to both the colour concepts ‘blue’ and ‘green’. This does not of course imply that the speakers of this language are unable to distinguish between these two categories and/or talk about them. Sepedi employs various other terms in order to designate these concepts. However, to date no in depth study has been undertaken as to precisely how this encoding takes place, exactly which terms are utilised in which contexts, how salient these terms are (i.e. how frequently and widely they are used), and which terms can be regarded as being basic terms. In this mini-dissertation an investigation into the various ways in which Sepedi encodes the concepts ‘blue’ and ‘green’ was undertaken. In order to accomplish this, a review of the literature was undertaken, the electronic Pretoria Sepedi Corpus was utilised and finally fieldwork was also conducted. In this manner, a comprehensive list of terms used to express the colour concepts ‘blue’ and ‘green’ were collected and analysed. Based on statistical comparisons between the collected terms, the findings were that the terms most frequently used to express the concept ‘blue’ are talalerata ‘sky-blue, lit. blue of the sky’, mmala o mo talalerata ‘colour of the blue sky’, tala ‘blue’, talaleratadima ‘blue of the sky’ and leratadima ‘sky, i.e. blue colour of the sky’ and the most frequently used terms when expressing the concept ‘green’ are tala ‘green’ and talamorogo ‘lit. green of vegetables’ Furthermore, it emerged that many of the terms used in Sepedi to express the colour concepts ‘blue’ and ‘green’ are formed by way of loanwords, compounding, phrases and paraphrases. It was concluded that in terms of Berlin&Kay’s (1969) framework for the identification of basic colour terms, only the term tala ‘blue/green’ and perhaps also the term talee (an ideophone signifying ‘green’) could be regarded as basic colour terms. AFRIKAANS : Soos wat dit die geval is in baie van die ander Bantutale, word daar in Sepedi slegs een term (tala) gebruik om na beide die kleurkonsepte ‘blou’ en ‘groen’ te verwys. Dit beteken uiteraard nie dat die sprekers van hierdie taal nie daartoe in staat is om die verskil tussen hierdie twee kleurkategorieë raak te sien en/of daaroor te praat nie. Daar word in Sepedi van ’n veelheid ander terme gebruik gemaak om hierdie konsepte te verwoord. Tot op hede is daar egter nog geen in in-diepte studie onderneem ten einde vas te stel presies hoe hierdie enkodering plaasvind nie, watter terme in watter kontekste gebruik word, hoe dikwels hierdie terme in die alledaagse omgang voorkom en laastens watter terme as basiese terme beskou kan word nie. In hierdie mini-verhandeling word daar ondersoek ingestel na die verskillende maniere waarop Sepedi die konsepte ‘blou’ en ‘groen’ enkodeer/verwoord. Ten einde hierdie doelstelling te bereik, is daar eerstens ’n oorsig van die literatuur onderneem, waarna die elektroniese Pretoria Sepedikorpus geraadpleeg is. Dit is gevolg deur veldwerk. Op hierdie wyse is ’n uitvoerige lys terme met behulp waarvan die kleurkonsepte ‘blou’ en ‘groen’ verwoord word, byeengebring en geanaliseer. Gebaseer op statistiese vergelykings tussen die versamelde terme, is daar tot die slotsom geraak dat die terme talalerata ‘hemelsblou, lett. blou van die hemel’, mmala o mo talalerata ‘kleur van die hemel, hemelsblou kleur, tala ‘blou’, talaleratadima ‘hemelsblou, lett. blou van die hemel’ en leratadima ‘hemel, d.i. blou kleur van die hemel’ die mees gebruiklike terme is in die uitdrukking van die konsep ‘blou’, terwyl die konsep ‘groen’ mees dikwels uitgedruk word met behulp van die terme tala ‘groen’ en talamorogo ‘lett. die groen van groente’. Dit het verder aan die lig gekom dat heelwat Sepediterme wat gebruik word om die kleurkonsepte ‘blou’ en ‘groen’ uit te druk, gevorm word by wyse van ontlening, die maak van samestellings en die gebruik van frases en parafrasering. Daar is tot die slotsom gekom dat, in terme van Berlin&Kay (1969) se raamwerk vir die identifisering van basiese kleurterme, slegs die terme tala ‘blou/groen’ en dalk ook die term talee (’n ideofoon wat ‘groen’ uitdruk) as basiese kleurteme beskou kan word. / Dissertation (MA)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / African Languages / unrestricted

In South Africa, urbanized environments are often studied individually, not taking the surrounding natural environment into account (McConnachie and Shackleton, 2012: 2). Current approaches focussing on the integration of Urban Planning and Urban Ecology seek to address these issues of integrated planning. Urban Ecology practice aims to describe the study of (1) humans in human settlements, of (2) nature in human settlements, and of (3) the joined relationships between humans and nature. Urban Ecology thus forms a major part of Urban and Spatial Planning, with regard to the objectives of sustainable planning and development, green infrastructure planning, and resilience. The role and impact of green spaces to support sustainable human settlements are no new phenomenon (Byrne & Sipe, 2010: 7). This is related to the different benefits which nature provides, referred to in this research as ecosystem services (or environmental benefits) of green spaces. Green spaces, in this sense, are fundamental areas in human settlements, in need of intentional and structured planning approaches to enhance sustainability and said environmental benefits. It is important to realise that the environment in urbanized areas is dependent on the local communities (in terms of conservation and appropriate planning approaches), but that local communities (society) are also dependent on the environment (in terms of certain benefits which are provided by the said green spaces and environment). Rural settlements in South Africa experience various problems and challenges in terms of planning for the environment through green spaces (as well as sustainability), mainly as a result of the fragmentation of these rural areas, the existence of lost spaces, urbanisation, urban sprawl and poverty (Trancik, 1986; Barnett, 1995; IIED, 2000; DEAT, 2006; McMahan et al, 2002). This research attempted to address the challenges of integrated planning and green space provision in a local rural context, by means of: (1) A literature study encompassing research on Urban Ecology; Urban Planning; environmental dimension of planning; provision of ecosystem services; green infrastructure planning; resilience, and relevant policies and legislation; (2) An empirical investigation and comparative evaluation of international case studies, along with a local case study; and (3) drawing conclusions and recommendations for the local case study, based on the international approaches and identified best-practices. This research evaluated the spatial and environmental benefits of green space and enhanced the importance of planning for such benefits in rural South African areas. / MArt et Scien (Urban and Regional Planning), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

In South Africa, urbanized environments are often studied individually, not taking the surrounding natural environment into account (McConnachie and Shackleton, 2012: 2). Current approaches focussing on the integration of Urban Planning and Urban Ecology seek to address these issues of integrated planning. Urban Ecology practice aims to describe the study of (1) humans in human settlements, of (2) nature in human settlements, and of (3) the joined relationships between humans and nature. Urban Ecology thus forms a major part of Urban and Spatial Planning, with regard to the objectives of sustainable planning and development, green infrastructure planning, and resilience. The role and impact of green spaces to support sustainable human settlements are no new phenomenon (Byrne & Sipe, 2010: 7). This is related to the different benefits which nature provides, referred to in this research as ecosystem services (or environmental benefits) of green spaces. Green spaces, in this sense, are fundamental areas in human settlements, in need of intentional and structured planning approaches to enhance sustainability and said environmental benefits. It is important to realise that the environment in urbanized areas is dependent on the local communities (in terms of conservation and appropriate planning approaches), but that local communities (society) are also dependent on the environment (in terms of certain benefits which are provided by the said green spaces and environment). Rural settlements in South Africa experience various problems and challenges in terms of planning for the environment through green spaces (as well as sustainability), mainly as a result of the fragmentation of these rural areas, the existence of lost spaces, urbanisation, urban sprawl and poverty (Trancik, 1986; Barnett, 1995; IIED, 2000; DEAT, 2006; McMahan et al, 2002). This research attempted to address the challenges of integrated planning and green space provision in a local rural context, by means of: (1) A literature study encompassing research on Urban Ecology; Urban Planning; environmental dimension of planning; provision of ecosystem services; green infrastructure planning; resilience, and relevant policies and legislation; (2) An empirical investigation and comparative evaluation of international case studies, along with a local case study; and (3) drawing conclusions and recommendations for the local case study, based on the international approaches and identified best-practices. This research evaluated the spatial and environmental benefits of green space and enhanced the importance of planning for such benefits in rural South African areas. / MArt et Scien (Urban and Regional Planning), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

The accepted scientific opinion is that anthropogenic activities and correlated greenhouse gases are the main cause of climate change, with carbon dioxide releases from fossil fuels being one of the main culprits. In South Africa, the main sources of energy have always been coal and other fossil fuels. Society and the economy alike are heavily reliant on energy consumption. In light of the above, it is clear that drastic steps need to be taken to "clean up" the nation's energy sector and usage patterns. There is an international tendency towards a so-called "green economy," which finds the relation between economic development, social upliftment and conservation of the natural environment. A green economy relies less on carbon inputs, and utilises resources efficiently, whilst taking a "socially inclusive" approach. It therefore makes sense to draw on renewable natural resources in greening the economy. Some of the advantages of renewable energy are that they result in limited or no emissions, the creation of sustainable jobs, improved health of consumers and enhanced energy security. A shift to a green economy cannot take place in a vacuum. The laws and policies regulating the various sectors of the environment; energy generation, distribution and use; investment opportunities and economic factors must stimulate and drive this move, and must create an optimal atmosphere to this end. This study determines how suitable the current South African legal framework is for a shift towards a green economy based on renewable energy, and whether it can successfully catalyse and drive such a shift. / LLM (Environmental Law and Governance), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

The accepted scientific opinion is that anthropogenic activities and correlated greenhouse gases are the main cause of climate change, with carbon dioxide releases from fossil fuels being one of the main culprits. In South Africa, the main sources of energy have always been coal and other fossil fuels. Society and the economy alike are heavily reliant on energy consumption. In light of the above, it is clear that drastic steps need to be taken to "clean up" the nation's energy sector and usage patterns. There is an international tendency towards a so-called "green economy," which finds the relation between economic development, social upliftment and conservation of the natural environment. A green economy relies less on carbon inputs, and utilises resources efficiently, whilst taking a "socially inclusive" approach. It therefore makes sense to draw on renewable natural resources in greening the economy. Some of the advantages of renewable energy are that they result in limited or no emissions, the creation of sustainable jobs, improved health of consumers and enhanced energy security. A shift to a green economy cannot take place in a vacuum. The laws and policies regulating the various sectors of the environment; energy generation, distribution and use; investment opportunities and economic factors must stimulate and drive this move, and must create an optimal atmosphere to this end. This study determines how suitable the current South African legal framework is for a shift towards a green economy based on renewable energy, and whether it can successfully catalyse and drive such a shift. / LLM (Environmental Law and Governance), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Proefschrift--Amsterdam. / "Stellingen": 3 p. inserted.