No abstract available. / Thesis (M.T.R.P.)-University of Natal, 1999.

In response to South Africa's idiosyncratic past, integrated development planning has emerged as a policy and practical instrument for reconstruction and development of a new society. This form of planning seeks to weave the different cut pieces of the fragmented past through a common tread resulting in a rich tapestry of human society. This complex process is not without conflict, tension, uncertainties, ambiguities and confusion. This dissertation seeks to explore the evolution, logic and character of this planning model. Such an exploration will help unpack the confluence of forces that gave rise to this planning as well as how it unfolds in contemporary times. The role of key players within the context of integrated development planning, namely officials and councillors, will be examined in an effort to come to terms with how the manifestations of power relations between these actors help bring colour to this process. / Thesis (M.T.R.P.)-University of Natal, 1998.

No abstract available. / Thesis (M.T.R.P.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2008.

The study is concerned with economic restructuring and its effects on small towns. A small town, Pongola, has been chosen to illustrate how economic change affects small agriculturally based settlements. Local economic development (LED) is then suggested as one approach to address some of the problems that exist in places like Pongola. What motivated me to undertake this study is that many of the problems that exist in South Africa's big cities and large towns emanated from the fact that small towns and rural areas are generally neglected by national government. One problem that needs to be mentioned here is that of hyperurbanisation. This problem has been caused by the neglect of rural areas leading to overly rapid rural-urban migration. Whilst urbanisation per se is not a problem, urbanisation in excess of the absorption capacity of cities. Rural areas account for 40% of the total population of South Africa yet the pattern of rural settlement, for a variety of historical reasons, has been distorted. There is massive rural overcrowding in some areas, to the point where ecological collapse is imminent (Dewar 1994). In other areas, the essential social and service infrastructure necessary to support a vibrant local agrarian economy is declining steadily. The result is an ongoing contribution to hyperurbanisation: people who are involuntarily displaced from the countryside move to towns and cities that are growing at rates that outstrip the ability of the urban systems to deliver jobs and services. A main challenge in the new political and social dispensation is to target these areas that have been disadvantaged in the past and which are now the source of major problems for the country as a whole. As many urban areas are experiencing major plant closings and more retrenchments in the context of global economic competition, it becomes imperative to consider developing small towns and their rural hinterlands. Planning analysts like Dewar, McCarthy, Rogerson and Nel, have all commented that rural areas have a potential, that of available land, which could be used to address some of the problems. They also call for the social, economic and urban reconstruction of small towns. This study does not intend seeking a solution to all agricultural and rural problems. However, after looking at the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of this particular case study, I will suggest that local economic development (LED) is an alternative planning strategy that could be used to address some of the problems of small town development. Although LED has its own short-comings, it has the advantage of using local comparative advantage of a particular locality to create jobs and achieve economic growth. It therefore avoids trying to resolve problems of small towns by diverting growth from other areas as it happened for example, with the old Regional Industrial Development Programme. This dissertation will look first at global economic restructuring and its effects on localities. Secondly this study will discuss the restructuring of commercial agricultural production, looking specifically at the implications of this restructuring process for workers in agriculture, and will also look at some processes that have brought about this transformation and the phenomenon of declining small towns. Thirdly, this study seeks to explore in the literature that is available what other South African small towns, have done to address problems that exist in their localities. Stutterheim will be used as an example of a local development initiative with apparent considerate success, although a recent study disputes this. Finally, this study seeks to use alternative interpretations of local economic development (both locally and internationally) as a bases for draWing policy recommendations for Pongola. Another general concern is to explore how Pongola is responding to problems of decline. / Thesis (M.T.R.P.)-University of Natal, 1998.

Town and regional planning in South Africa is challenged by global-and local-economic, social and political changes; the weight of its history in the apartheid past; a poor image; and ultimately, a functional change in the traditional role of planners. South African planning schools have to more and more deal with under-prepared students and cope with competition from other disciplines. The crucial question is: does planning education prepare graduates adequately to make a contribution to the profession within this context? This thesis examines the relevance of planning education at South African universities. This is done firstly by comparing South African trends in planning to international trends, and secondly, by assessing practitioners' views on the relevance of planning programmes, and whether their skill requirements match the skills seen as important by planning educators and those offered by graduates. The empirical research was done by assessing four universities' planning programmes, interviewing senior staff at these universities, and surveying 40 planning practitioners in the corresponding four metropolitan areas. The main issues under enquiry were: the relevance of planning curricula; students' practical experience during training; specialist versus generalist education; undergraduate and/or postgraduate education; life-long learning, and the core skills and competency requirements upon entering the planning profession. The world needs planning, and planning education is the key to the survival of the profession. With certain reservations, it is concluded that planning education, through the teaching of appropriate skills, is relevant for planning practice. To a large extent, planning education at South African universities follows international trends. / Thesis (M.Sc.U.R.P.)-University of Natal, 2002.

No abstract available. / Thesis (M.T.R.P.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2006.

No abstract available. / Thesis (M.T.R.P.)-University of Natal, 1998.

South Africa and Kwazulu are essentially becoming a society attempting to reinvent itself. Attempts are underway to create the inner workings of this diverse, multi-cultural and multiracial society. The mechanism depends on strategic planning, the crafting of new legislation and regulatory processes and new methods of participatory and representative governments. Societies create and enforce land use controls or landuse guidelines to achieve several objectives. According to Schwenke(1997), while fundamental concepts of land ownership, tenure and basic property are rights enshrined in the law, the practical aspects of how one makes use of the land and all human activities that take place on the land are beyond the scope of rigid declarations. Deciding on responsible and just land use is a planning function and must reflect complexity, interactions between land users, land owners, the land itself and the environment. Planning must take due cognizance of the aspirations, needs and capacities of the people on the land (Schwenke; 1997).At the end of this process there must be a set of land use controls or guidelines to enable final decisions to be omplemented. Previous studies have largely ignored the perceptions of people on the grpund who are forced to live daily with the harsh, restrictive decisions of higher authorities without being consulted.This dissertation hopes to eliminate this particular problem by conducting research with community groups. The intention ofthis dissertation is to set in place policy guidelines for an appropriate land use management system that is appropriate for residential areas, in previously disadvantaged Townships using Inanda as an example. / Thesis (M.T.R.P.)-University of Natal, Durban, 1998.

No abstract available. / Thesis (M.T.R.P.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2004.

Savings Schemes have assisted club members to improve their housing conditions. The study argues that funds from savings clubs for housing can make a tremendous contribution in assisting club members to improve their housing. The study established that club members experienced a problem of being unable to complete their housing improvement. This was due to the fact that funds from their savings were insufficient to allow them to complete their housing improvements and consequently club members had to obtain small loans from Agishana Credit Company in order to buy roofing material. The study therefore assumes that funds from savings clubs can work better when supplemented by small loans. The study uses three core-housing approaches, namely self-help housing approach, enabling approach and incremental approach. All these approaches call for housing beneficiaries to mobilize their financial resources to improve their housing conditions. According to these approaches the principal role of the state is limited to provision of basic services and infrastructure and necessary support. The study established that in order for housing group savings schemes to be more effective they need to supported by municipalities, nongovernment organization and other relevant housing role players. In the two case studies for an example, the withdrawal of municipality at BESG from supporting savings clubs for housing crippled the small functioning of savings clubs. / Thesis (M.T.R.P.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2005.