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Namibia, like most developing countries, lacks complete and comprehensive sustainable land use plans. This has a negative impact on a range of land use activities. Although Geographical Information System (GIS) is used as a planning tool in Namibia in an ad hoc manner, there is no broader comprehensive framework to guide applications of GIS as a planning tool specifically for land use planning (LUP). The purpose of this study is to demonstrate how integration of participatory mapping and GIS can be used to enhance land use planning in the Hardap Region, Namibia. The study seeks to point out lack of local communities’ engagement in LUP process; lack of policy frameworks and guidelines for Integrated Land Use Planning (ILUP); and poor data management. The study adapted quantitative and qualitative approaches to collect relevant data and information related to LUP. Data collected using participatory approaches such as Focus Group Discussion (FGD), Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) and Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) analysis were applied in an integrated manner in various contexts. FGDs were used to evaluate participants’ knowledge of LUP in the Hardap region. Besides participating in the FGDs, PRA and SWOT analysis, the participants also expressed opinions concerning desirable and undesired land uses in the region. Sketch and photo- mapping methods were found to be suitable approaches to capture local knowledge. GIS was found to be effective in integrating participatory maps produced by the local communities and existing spatial land use data. The results shows that local communities are eager to learn about participatory approaches and are willing to share their views and knowledge on land use in their respective areas. A user-friendly comprehensive georeferenced digital database was created for the Hardap region. This database is used for spatial data management, analyses, maintenance and production of maps. Maps of new development initiatives in the region were produced. The frameworks and guidelines suggested in this study has the potential to guide participatory techniques aided by GIS technology involving local communities in sustainable LUP processes in Namibia. The digital database incorporates experts’ knowledge on the users and implementation aspects, making it a LUP benchmark tool of Namibia. Key recommendations include incorporation of GIS technology in the ILUP, implementation of comprehensive participatory LUP, adoption of guidelines for future LUP, skills training and capacity development, and result-based monitoring. / Geography / D. Litt. et Phil. (Geography)

Namibia, like most developing countries, lacks complete and comprehensive sustainable land use plans. This has a negative impact on a range of land use activities. Although Geographical Information System (GIS) is used as a planning tool in Namibia in an ad hoc manner, there is no broader comprehensive framework to guide applications of GIS as a planning tool specifically for land use planning (LUP). The purpose of this study is to demonstrate how integration of participatory mapping and GIS can be used to enhance land use planning in the Hardap Region, Namibia. The study seeks to point out lack of local communities’ engagement in LUP process; lack of policy frameworks and guidelines for Integrated Land Use Planning (ILUP); and poor data management. The study adapted quantitative and qualitative approaches to collect relevant data and information related to LUP. Data collected using participatory approaches such as Focus Group Discussion (FGD), Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) and Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) analysis were applied in an integrated manner in various contexts. FGDs were used to evaluate participants’ knowledge of LUP in the Hardap region. Besides participating in the FGDs, PRA and SWOT analysis, the participants also expressed opinions concerning desirable and undesired land uses in the region. Sketch and photo- mapping methods were found to be suitable approaches to capture local knowledge. GIS was found to be effective in integrating participatory maps produced by the local communities and existing spatial land use data. The results shows that local communities are eager to learn about participatory approaches and are willing to share their views and knowledge on land use in their respective areas. A user-friendly comprehensive georeferenced digital database was created for the Hardap region. This database is used for spatial data management, analyses, maintenance and production of maps. Maps of new development initiatives in the region were produced. The frameworks and guidelines suggested in this study has the potential to guide participatory techniques aided by GIS technology involving local communities in sustainable LUP processes in Namibia. The digital database incorporates experts’ knowledge on the users and implementation aspects, making it a LUP benchmark tool of Namibia. Key recommendations include incorporation of GIS technology in the ILUP, implementation of comprehensive participatory LUP, adoption of guidelines for future LUP, skills training and capacity development, and result-based monitoring. / Geography / D. Litt. et Phil. (Geography)

This interdisciplinary thesis studies the diverse multi-stakeholder networks that are constitutive of contemporary water governance. It examines collaborative governance networks from a relational perspective in two case study watersheds in Tanzania and Ethiopia. Collaborative and networked governance approaches are increasingly promoted to address complex water challenges, but relatively little is known about how the everyday collaborative relationships (i.e. collaboration practices) among the multiple actors involved in the development, management and use of water, shape contemporary water governance processes. In this thesis, I advance, based on intensive fieldwork data collection, a conceptual and methodological framework for studying collaboration networks pertaining to watershed management. I examine local collaborative governance networks in two watersheds, in Ethiopia and Tanzania, from a relational perspective, using complementary qualitative and quantitative social network research methods. The thesis explores the opportunities and limitations of such collaborative governance networks in their concrete functioning, thereby contributing to a more context-sensitive, and nuanced, understanding of the role of governance networks and collaborative governance approaches in the management of water and related resources.