Research Doctorate - Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) / The thesis is partly a response to the increasing numbers of people expressing concerns over a number of environmental issues (i.e. impact of climate change; greenhouse gas emissions; and, depleting natural resources). Governments, in response, are trying to develop a more sustainable approach to urban development. The thesis proposes a sustainable area planning (SAP) framework to incorporate sustainability principles (social/cultural, environmental, and economic) in urban planning within different sized areas, including: local; district; local government; and, region. The thesis examines current urban planning schools (land use planning, natural resource planning and sustainable urban planning). The research focuses on the extent that these schools incorporate principles of sustainability within urban planning frameworks. The research aims to condense and build on these frameworks to develop a more coordinated and holistic framework. The proposed SAP framework is a five (5) step process with templates developed to accompany each step. The thesis acknowledges the wide range of sustainability data sources available, and shows how these sources can be utilized within the framework. Both qualitative (i.e. SAP survey step) and quantitative (i.e. SAP sustainability scorecard step) methods are used within the framework. A case study urban growth area of North Wyong District (in the Greater Metropolitan Region of Sydney) is nominated to test the framework. As the framework is developed, questions posed on how best to measure the environment leads to the development of indicators of sustainability. Sustainability scorecards are also developed to record these indicators of sustainability. A system of sustainability ratings (using green, amber and red) is proposed. The thesis then tests aggregating (scaling up) these ratings to larger areas. The final research aim is to test whether the scorecard results can form the basis of a sustainability report (with actions and monitoring components) for a subject area. The thesis draws a conclusion that the SAP framework does work and can be used as a tool to incorporate principles of sustainability into urban planning. Finally, suggested future research directions are outlined, including: 1. adopting a systems program for the SAP framework application; 2. using the framework for environmental performance monitoring; and, 3. broadening the framework to accommodate the social and economic components of sustainability.

Research Doctorate - Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) / The thesis is partly a response to the increasing numbers of people expressing concerns over a number of environmental issues (i.e. impact of climate change; greenhouse gas emissions; and, depleting natural resources). Governments, in response, are trying to develop a more sustainable approach to urban development. The thesis proposes a sustainable area planning (SAP) framework to incorporate sustainability principles (social/cultural, environmental, and economic) in urban planning within different sized areas, including: local; district; local government; and, region. The thesis examines current urban planning schools (land use planning, natural resource planning and sustainable urban planning). The research focuses on the extent that these schools incorporate principles of sustainability within urban planning frameworks. The research aims to condense and build on these frameworks to develop a more coordinated and holistic framework. The proposed SAP framework is a five (5) step process with templates developed to accompany each step. The thesis acknowledges the wide range of sustainability data sources available, and shows how these sources can be utilized within the framework. Both qualitative (i.e. SAP survey step) and quantitative (i.e. SAP sustainability scorecard step) methods are used within the framework. A case study urban growth area of North Wyong District (in the Greater Metropolitan Region of Sydney) is nominated to test the framework. As the framework is developed, questions posed on how best to measure the environment leads to the development of indicators of sustainability. Sustainability scorecards are also developed to record these indicators of sustainability. A system of sustainability ratings (using green, amber and red) is proposed. The thesis then tests aggregating (scaling up) these ratings to larger areas. The final research aim is to test whether the scorecard results can form the basis of a sustainability report (with actions and monitoring components) for a subject area. The thesis draws a conclusion that the SAP framework does work and can be used as a tool to incorporate principles of sustainability into urban planning. Finally, suggested future research directions are outlined, including: 1. adopting a systems program for the SAP framework application; 2. using the framework for environmental performance monitoring; and, 3. broadening the framework to accommodate the social and economic components of sustainability.

Thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Master of Technology: Town and Regional Planning in the Faculty of Informatics and Design at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology / Political independence for Zimbabwe in 1980 brought about fundamental socio-conomic changes which impacted on urbanisation trends in the country. For instance the removal of colonial influx control laws and regulations which had previously served to curtail ruralurban migration marked the beginning of a new developmental era characterised by rapid urbanisation. Political and economic downturns later experienced in the country in the last decade of the twentieth century and after resulted in massive de-industrialisation, company closures and high unemployment. These changes impacted significantly on the spatial structure of cities which had to firstly adapt to socio-political integration, and had to later focus on the basic challenges of providing shelter and alternative means of employment in a depressed economy. The physical and spatial manifestations of such changes included the rapid growth of informality, the collapse of urban infrastructure and the apparent disregard for the colonially styled urban development management frameworks. This research consequently evaluates the performance of current urban planning frameworks and practices in the face of such changing circumstances. This is against a backdrop of the apparent failure by urban planning to transform in line such development trends. The study explores the theoretical framework of rapid urbanisation, urban planning, and technological innovation in urban development management systems. The main focus of the study is on the transformation of planning practices and frameworks. Geo-spatial technology (GST) is mainly used as a demonstration and methodological tool for analysis and evaluation. The methodology is made up of two contrasting case studies based in the CBD of Harare (Zimbabwe‟s capital city) and Epworth (an informal settlement on the outskirts of Harare). The CBD case study measures the performance of planning frameworks within a formally planned set up whilst the Epworth case study demonstrates the (in)effectiveness of current planning practices to contemporary urban development challenges. The main findings of the research support the need to have mobile planning frameworks and tools that have the capacity to promptly respond to fast changing developmental trends. The other main finding highlights the positive relationship between impartial participation in planning and high level of success in achieving planning objectives.