Municipalities are faced with the major task of providing water services to their local residents. Dissatisfaction regarding water services in South Africa has been manifested in protests staged by communities. However, service delivery is still reflecting a backlog. This study aims to describe the current situation and challenges facing Greater Tubatse Local Municipality and the roles of the major players regarding water services. The study indicated that the residents of Praktiseer have no sustainable potable water. The critical part of this inquiry is to establish whether the local municipality has strategies in place to deal with the identified problems. Access to clean water and sanitation is essential to health. The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa mandates the local governments to ensure the provision of water services to their communities in a sustainable manner. This study also defined the roles of the local municipality within the context of the existing legislative framework. / Thesis (M. Development and Management)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

MENVSC / Department of Geography and Geo-Information Sciences / Department of Geography and Geo-Information Sciences

Philosophiae Doctor - PhD / Local government in South Africa is an autonomous policy implementation arm of the government system. The purpose of this study was to examine the institutional, organisational, and human resource capacity challenges the Saldanha Bay and Swellendam Municipalities in the Western Cape faced in their policy implementation especially on poverty alleviation. The objectives of the study were to develop a theoretical framework for examining institutional, organisational and human resource capacity in the Saldanha Bay and Swellendam Municipalities; to discuss the local government constitutional, legislative and policy framework within which the Saldanha Bay and Swellendam Municipalities delivered services to communities; to examine the capacity challenges in the service delivery of the Saldanha Bay and Swellendam Municipalities and, thereby, highlight operational problem areas; and to make general policy recommendations on the basis of the research findings of the study. The methodology used was the case-study approach. It allowed an in-depth understanding of the dynamics present within Saldanha Bay and Swellendam municipality. The methodology enabled the researcher to answer the research question: In what ways, and with what results has institutional, organisational and human resource capacity affected service delivery in the Saldanha Bay and Swellendam Municipalities in the Western Cape? The major findings of the study were that local government capacity for policy implementation is directly influenced by the presence or otherwise of institutional, organisational and human resource capacity. These dimensions of capacity are mutually inclusive, independent and interrelated in practice. The study makes several policy recommendations. In the area of institutional capacity the recommendations were that floor-crossing legislation and practices must be done away with; that weak capacitated municipalities ought to be alleviated by public - private partnerships as a mechanism to enhance a municipality's ability to develop and implement policy; and that instead of solely setting standards and monitoring performance, the provincial treasury should assist municipalities to acquire financial competencies. In the area of organisational capacity it was recommended that the community ought to participate in the recruitment and selection committee of the Municipal Manager. It was also recommended that municipalities should establish district-wide forums for financial heads whose purpose would be to create a platform for collaboration, and for the exchange of ideas. And in the area of human resource capacity it was recommended that district municipalities ought to assume a more prominent role in building the capacity of the local authorities with which they share legislative and administrative powers. It was also recommended that both the administrative and political leadership ought to participate in compulsory executive and/or leadership training programmes SALGA implements through some tertiary educational institutions and/or through private service providers.

Klimatförändringar medför nya utmaningar som både ställer krav och sätter prov på det svenska samhällets förmåga att kunna anpassa sig efter nya förutsättningar. Översvämningar, skyfall, erosion och förhöjda havsnivåer orsakar redan idag allvarliga problem inom många delar av landet. Idag finns det kunskap kring klimatförändringar samt vad som behövs för att skapa hållbara och robusta samhällen, däremot kan vägen dit se annorlunda ut. Syftet med arbetet grundar sig därför i att belysa de svårigheter som uppstår under det kommunala klimatanpassningsarbetet, det genom att fokusera på två svenska kommuner, Karlstad och Ystad. Genom kvalitativa intervjuer och granskning översiktsplanerna har empirin insamlats och därefter analyserats tematiskt. Studiens teoretiska ansats utgår från institutionell kapacitet och tillsammans med empiri har det svenska klimatanpassningsarbetets utmaningar studerats. Brister i kunskap, resurser, samverkansförmåga samt mobilisering av dessa medel framträder som huvudsakliga svårigheter. Det finns däremot ingen universell modell för att förbättra klimatanpassningsarbetet, då kommunernas förutsättningar varierar. / Climate change poses new challenges that both demand and test the adaptability of the Swedish society. Floods, heavy rainfall, erosion, and rising sea levels already cause serious problems in many parts of the country. While there is knowledge about climate change and what is needed to create sustainable and resilient communities, the path may vary. This study aims to illuminate the difficulties in municipal climate adaptation, focusing on two Swedish municipalities, Karlstad and Ystad. Through qualitative interviews and reviewing the municipalities strategic plans, empirical data was collected and thematically analyzed. The study's theoretical framework is based on institutional capacity, examining the challenges of Swedish climate adaptation efforts. Primary difficulties include knowledge gaps, resource limitations, collaboration issues, and mobilization of these resources. However, due to the variety in municipal conditions, there is no universal model to improve climate adaptation.

Denna uppsats utforskar effektiviteten av klimatanpassningsåtgärder i Norrköpings kommun, med särskilt fokus på hanteringen av ökad klimatpåverkan. Genom en detaljerad genomgång av klimatförändringarnas påverkan på den urbana infrastrukturen identifierar studien centrala utmaningar och strategiska val som har implementerats mellan åren 2010 och 2024. Med användning av tematisk analys som både metod och teoretiskt ramverk, analyseras data insamlat från djupgående intervjuer och omfattande dokumentstudier för att ge en systematisk överblick av de anpassningsstrategier som tillämpats. Resultatet i denna uppsats utforska och analysera de utmaningar som svenska kommuner står inför i sin strävan att anpassa sig till det ökande behovet av klimatanpassningsåtgärder. Resultaten diskuteras i ljuset av tidigare forskning om institutionell kapacitet, styrningsmekanismer och samverkan mellan olika sektorer. Denna forskning bidrar till en djupare förståelse för de politiska, tekniska och administrativa aspekterna av klimatanpassning. / This thesis explores the effectiveness of climate adaptation measures in Norrköping Municipality, with a particular focus on managing increased precipitation levels and stormwater. Through a detailed examination of the impact of climate change on urban infrastructure, the study identifies key challenges and strategic choices implemented between the years 2010 and 2024. Using thematic analysis as a method and theoretical framework, data collected from in-depth interviews and extensive document studies are analyzed to provide a systematic overview of the adaptation strategies employed. The study's findings reveal a range of adaptive measures that have been utilized to mitigate the effects of climate change. The results are discussed in light of previous research on institutional capacity, governance mechanisms, and collaboration between different sectors. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of the political, technical, and administrative aspects of climate adaptation.

This study investigates the institutional learning from attempts at securing affordable housing inclusion within Transit-Oriented Developments (TOD) through institutional change in Reykjavík, Iceland. As Reykjavík embarks on the ambitious City Line project, a bus-rapid transit network aimed at sustainably shaping urban growth, ensuring affordable housing near transit stations has become critical. Past attempts to achieve housing affordability have fallen short since Reykjavík still, to this day, experiences a great lack of affordable housing. Thus, this research employs an institutional learning framework to explore the barriers to and opportunities for ensuring affordable housing in TODs. Through expert interviews and document analysis, the study’s findings highlight the institutional challenges hindering the realisation of affordable housing goals within TODs. These include the vagueness of upper-level policies and terminology, the influence of land ownership, and implementation gaps in planning. Additionally, the research identifies opportunities for institutional change, such as strengthening standardisation from state-level policies, including principles of transit-accessible development in the extensions and re-evaluation of the City Line network, and addressing issues of timescale alignment between the implementation of TODs and the City Line. The study contributes to the limited Icelandic literature on institutional analysis in urban planning and offers ideas for enhancing social inclusivity and housing accessibility for Reykjavík’s future transit communities.

The research undertaken involves a quasi-experimental approach in determining the impact of the Competency and Placement (CAP) test in the Further Education and Training (FET) colleges. The evaluation became necessary because poor learner performance within the National Certification Vocational (NCV) programme has persisted amid the implementation of a country-wide roll-out of the CAP test; and a recapitalisation injection of R1.9m. Learner performance data relating to the NCV programme and CAP was obtained in order to undertake an accurate analysis of the poor performance within the FET college sector. In addition to the above, qualitative data was obtained through semi-structured interviews with CAP participating colleges in the country. Recommendations included the restructuring of the NCV programme; the introduction of an alternative learner placement methodology that was in line with international best practices; and improving quality assurance aspects pertaining to the capacity at colleges to deliver the NCV programme effectively. / Human Resources Development / M. Tech. (Human Resource Development)

The research undertaken involves a quasi-experimental approach in determining the impact of the Competency and Placement (CAP) test in the Further Education and Training (FET) colleges. The evaluation became necessary because poor learner performance within the National Certification Vocational (NCV) programme has persisted amid the implementation of a country-wide roll-out of the CAP test; and a recapitalisation injection of R1.9m. Learner performance data relating to the NCV programme and CAP was obtained in order to undertake an accurate analysis of the poor performance within the FET college sector. In addition to the above, qualitative data was obtained through semi-structured interviews with CAP participating colleges in the country. Recommendations included the restructuring of the NCV programme; the introduction of an alternative learner placement methodology that was in line with international best practices; and improving quality assurance aspects pertaining to the capacity at colleges to deliver the NCV programme effectively. / Human Resources Development / M. Tech. (Human Resource Development)

Industriers samverkan med varandra och andra sektorer i samhället genom industriell symbios spelar en viktig roll för omställningen till cirkulära kretslopp och en hållbar framtid. Genom att företag, industrier och kommuner verkar tillsammans genom bland annat resurs- och kunskapsutbyten fås en ökad energioch resurseffektivitet med ekonomiska, miljömässiga och sociala vinster. De områden med industriell symbios som finns idag har ofta uppkommit genom spontant utvecklade projekt, på grund av exempelvis lönsamheten i att tillvarata restflöden eller krav på slutna flöden. Att symbiosnätverk inte uppkommer vid fler områden kan bero på bristfällig kommunikation och företags fokus på den egna kärnverksamheten, att de inte ser till det större systemet de är en del av och vilka nyttor som kan fås genom samverkan. Ett första steg i att aktivt utveckla industriell symbios är att kartlägga potentiella synergier inom ett område. Kartläggningssteget är ett av de inom litteraturen mest undersökta stegen av utvecklingsprocessen för industriell symbios. Det innehåller en mängd framtagna dataverktyg som syftar till att matcha verksamheters in- och utflöden. Identifierade dataverktyg missar dock ofta aspekten att involvera och engagera medarbetare samt ytterligare mervärden som utöver möjliga resursutbyten är viktiga för att industriell symbios ska uppkomma och fortsätta verka. Det saknas även ett arbetssätt för hur en kartläggning kan struktureras, där detta examensarbete är ett värdefullt bidrag inom ämnet. Detta examensarbete undersöker hur en kartläggning av befintliga och potentiella värdehöjande synergier kan struktureras. Synergier är exempelvis utbyten av material- och resursflöden, gemensam infrastruktur och kunskapsnätverk. Synergier syftar till att vara värdehöjande i form av att ge ekonomiska fördelar, minskad miljöpåverkan eller stärkta sociala band mellan olika aktörer. En fallstudie genomfördes för att kartlägga synergier vid Händelö Eco Industrial Park i Norrköping. Datainsamlingen för kartläggningen genomfördes externt av rapportförfattarna genom genomgång av dokument, telefonsamtal och möten med medarbetare vid Händelö. En workshop med representanter från sju aktörer genomfördes som intern kartläggning, som ämnar till att samla aktörer och låta dem gemensamt identifiera synergimöjligheter mellan varandra. Genom fallstudien identifierades ett 50-tal olika synergier och ett flertal mervärden vid Händelöområdet. Som en avslutande del i kartläggningen bedömdes identifierade synergiers implementeringspotential. Examensarbetet presenterar ett arbetssätt för hur en kartläggning av befintliga och potentiella värdehöjande synergier inom ett område kan struktureras. Arbetssättet består av fyra steg; identifiering av startgrupp av aktörer, kartläggning av synergier, inkludering av ytterligare aktörer och bedömning av implementeringspotentialen. Diskussion förs gällande hur arbetssättet kan anpassas utifrån kartläggarens och områdets förutsättningar samt vikten av olika mervärden. Genom att formulera ett arbetssätt som utöver identifierade värdehöjande synergier även resulterar i mervärden som stärker den institutionella kapaciteten för industriell symbios, ökar möjligheterna för industriell symbios och mer hållbar hushållning av resurser inom fler områden. I slutsatserna rekommenderas att en kartläggning av synergier bör genomföras både externt och internt. En intern kartläggning, när aktörer samlas och interagerar med varandra, kan utöver synergimöjligheter även resultera i viktiga mervärden som främjar implementering av synergier. Exempel på mervärden är engagemang och ökad kommunikation, vilket stärker den institutionella kapaciteten för industriell symbios och möjliggör långsiktiga industriella samarbeten. För att ta arbetet vidare är kontinuerliga möten iv och att koordinera aktörer viktigt, för att ta tillvara på identifierade synergier och de anställdas engagemang, därmed fortsätta utveckla den industriella symbiosen vid Händelö. / Industries cooperating with each other and other sectors of society through industrial symbiosis which plays an important role for a sustainable development and the conversion to circular economy. Industries, municipalities and organizations collaborating through, among other things, sharing resources and knowledge leads to energy and resource efficiency with economic, environmental and social benefits. Areas with existing industrial symbiosis have often emerged through spontaneously developed projects, due to regulations or the profitability of utilizing residual flows. Why industrial symbiosis network doesn’t emerge in more areas may be due to lack of communication and coordination as well as companies focusing on their core business and not seeking the benefits that collaborations can provide. A first step in developing industrial symbiosis is to find synergetic opportunities within an area. This step contains a variety of data tools for process input–output stream-based matching. These types of data tools, however, often misses the aspect of involving and engaging employees which is important for the process of industrial symbiosis to emerge and proceed. There is also no clear workflow for how identifying synergy opportunities can be done, where this thesis is a valuable contribution within the subject. This master thesis examines how a mapping of existing and potential value-adding synergies can be structured. Synergies include, for example, exchanges of material and resource flows, shared infrastructure and knowledge networks. Synergies aim to added value of economic benefits, reduced environmental impact or strengthened social links between different actors. A case study was conducted to find synergetic opportunities at Händelö Eco Industrial Park in Norrköping. The data collection was carried out externally by the authors through a review of documents and meetings with employees at Händelö. A workshop with representatives from seven actors was held as internal mapping, which aimed to help them to identify mutual synergy opportunities between each other together. The case study identifies about 50 different synergies and several added values in the Händelö area. As a final part of the mapping, the potential for the identified synergies’ feasibility were assessed. This master thesis presents a workflow for a mapping of existing and potential value-adding synergies within an area. The process consists of four steps; identification of actors, mapping of synergies, incorporation of further actors and feasibility assessment. Discussion is conducted on how the workflow can be adapted based on the surveyor and the area of the symbiosis, as well as the importance of various added values. Formulating a workflow that, in addition to identifying value-added synergies increases the opportunities for industrial symbiosis and more sustainable management of resources in further areas. The conclusions include a recommendation that a mapping of synergies should be done both externally and internally. An internal survey, where actors gather and interact with each other, can result in important added values which facilitates the feasibility of identified synergies. Examples of added value are engagement and increased communication, which strengthens the institutional capacity for industrial symbiosis and enables long-term industrial collaborations. In order to continue the development of the Händelö area, recurrent meetings and coordination of actors are important, taking advantage of identified synergies and employee engagement, thus continuing to develop the industrial symbiosis.

Momentous choices and opportunities have opened up in South Africa since a settlement was successfully negotiated and a new political and constitutional dispensation was created. Events such as the constitutional negotiations and the establishment of reconstruction and development initiatives have placed a renewed emphasis on development management, process facilitation and the development of policy. This study provides an overview of the broad field of policy studies and specifically focuses on policy process models. In particular, this study centres on the further development of the generic process model and provides an overview of the application thereof to the operational environment. From this, simulation exercises and case study material have been developed as policy learning methodologies. Institutional arrangements for policy processes and the institutionalisation of policy and related support capacities at intergovernmental and organisational level receive particular attention. The study demonstrates the application of the generic process model by applying the framework to a case study based on the provincial demarcation exercise. This study concludes that policy management, as a cross-cutting, lateral methodology, in conjunction with similar methodologies, such as strategic planning, research methodology and project management, should be regarded as a critical tool, by the academic community and development practitioners alike, for improving the decision-making capacity of government, the private sector and civil society. / D.Litt. et Phil. (Development Administration)