As in most countries rail transport was the most important means of conveyance in South Africa. It was a logical step because the country (and the world) was heavily burdened by economic depressions, wars and natural disasters. The motorcar industry was in its infancy and motorcar ownership only allotted for the rich. From 1960 until 1980 private motor vehicle ownership flourished, and rail transport as most important public means of transportation moved to the background. Economic prosperity lead to every middleclass family owning an average of two cars per family, and as result of the socio-political changes in South Africa private car ownership almost doubled overnight. Urban roads can not handle this increase in traffic. Alternative means of transport must, as in the rest of the world, be investigated and implemented. Rail transport is presently the most cost effective alternative and it will likely experience a Renaissance as in the rest of the world. This thesis focuses on facilitating the movement of people. Its aim is not to solve the transport problems, but rather to address the possibilities that would lead to an improved environment within the context of public transport. The idea is that the proposed design for the new Gautrain station and accompanying intermodal exchange would serve as catalyst for urban renewal within Hatfield. / Dissertation (MArch (Prof))--University of Pretoria, 2005. / Architecture / unrestricted

In recent years the composition of urban vegetation has become far more complex than that of the surrounding natural vegetation. This is mainly due to the influence that humans have on the creation of new plant communities and the management of urban green spaces. Green spaces are fundamental to the restoration and maintenance of biodiversity in areas that have been severely impacted by urban development. Green spaces provide various ecosystem services and benefits for the health and well-being of urban residents, and can help to reduce the effects of global climate change. The most understudied green space in the entire urban green infrastructure is homegardens. Homegardens contribute greatly to the species composition of urban and rural settlements and are important in situ conservation sites that help to protect rare and endemic species. They are essential agricultural systems, especially in rural settlements, that provide both sources of additional income generation and food supply. In developing countries such as South Africa, very few studies have been done on homegardens and the benefits they provide to homeowners and to urban ecosystems in general. However, since South Africa become committed to the United Nations Millennium Development Goals in 2000, more research has been done on the potential of homegardens for poverty alleviation. The aim of this study was to determine the patterns of plant diversity in a rural settlement and to determine to what extent the socioeconomic status of the inhabitants influences the plant species composition of the settlement. The settlement of Ganyesa, situated in the Bophirima district in the North-West Province, was chosen for the study. Using GIS techniques, a grid was placed over the settlement and plant surveys were done every 500 m. Different land-use types were identified during the completion of the survey, namely natural areas, fragmented natural areas, fallow fields, road verges, wetlands, home gardens and institutional gardens. The national South African census data from 2001 proved to be too unreliable to accurately determine the SES of the residents in Ganyesa. Consequently, a social survey was completed by means of a questionnaire to determine the socioeconomic status of the owners of the homegardens under study. Clear differences could be observed between the land-use types and the indigenous and alien species composition, which were indicated in kriging maps. In comparison with the natural areas, homegardens contained more alien species than the surrounding natural areas. The vegetation composition for all the homegardens were correlated with the residents socioeconomic status along a socioeconomic gradient, ranging from low, to medium to high. ANCOVA, multiple regressions and basic statistical analyses were performed using all the vegetation and socioeconomic data. Meaningful correlations occur between the socioeconomic status of the homeowners and the plant diversity of their gardens. / Thesis (M. Environmental Science)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2010.

In recent years the composition of urban vegetation has become far more complex than that of the surrounding natural vegetation. This is mainly due to the influence that humans have on the creation of new plant communities and the management of urban green spaces. Green spaces are fundamental to the restoration and maintenance of biodiversity in areas that have been severely impacted by urban development. Green spaces provide various ecosystem services and benefits for the health and well-being of urban residents, and can help to reduce the effects of global climate change. The most understudied green space in the entire urban green infrastructure is homegardens. Homegardens contribute greatly to the species composition of urban and rural settlements and are important in situ conservation sites that help to protect rare and endemic species. They are essential agricultural systems, especially in rural settlements, that provide both sources of additional income generation and food supply. In developing countries such as South Africa, very few studies have been done on homegardens and the benefits they provide to homeowners and to urban ecosystems in general. However, since South Africa become committed to the United Nations Millennium Development Goals in 2000, more research has been done on the potential of homegardens for poverty alleviation. The aim of this study was to determine the patterns of plant diversity in a rural settlement and to determine to what extent the socioeconomic status of the inhabitants influences the plant species composition of the settlement. The settlement of Ganyesa, situated in the Bophirima district in the North-West Province, was chosen for the study. Using GIS techniques, a grid was placed over the settlement and plant surveys were done every 500 m. Different land-use types were identified during the completion of the survey, namely natural areas, fragmented natural areas, fallow fields, road verges, wetlands, home gardens and institutional gardens. The national South African census data from 2001 proved to be too unreliable to accurately determine the SES of the residents in Ganyesa. Consequently, a social survey was completed by means of a questionnaire to determine the socioeconomic status of the owners of the homegardens under study. Clear differences could be observed between the land-use types and the indigenous and alien species composition, which were indicated in kriging maps. In comparison with the natural areas, homegardens contained more alien species than the surrounding natural areas. The vegetation composition for all the homegardens were correlated with the residents socioeconomic status along a socioeconomic gradient, ranging from low, to medium to high. ANCOVA, multiple regressions and basic statistical analyses were performed using all the vegetation and socioeconomic data. Meaningful correlations occur between the socioeconomic status of the homeowners and the plant diversity of their gardens. / Thesis (M. Environmental Science)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2010.

Arterial routes are key structuring components of the urban structure. These routes perform vital functions, including the connectivity of nodes or nodal areas, providing access to urban opportunities, linking metropolitan / municipal areas and providing access to the public transportation system. In order to protect the functionality of these routes, which primarily relates to a mobility function, development along these routes should be controlled. The formulation of policies for development along arterial routes is vital to ensure sustainable, integrated development along these routes without negatively impacting on the urban structure as a whole. A number of challenges are experienced during the formulation–process of these policies, especially since development along these routes is multi–faceted in nature. A case study of Ontdekkers Road, which is a major arterial route located within the City of Johannesburg, is used as the main point of departure. A comparison of the three sections of the route extending from Krugersdorp to Johannesburg (i.e. Voortrekker, Ontdekkers and Main Road) and the applicable development policies provides insight into the key challenges experienced during the policy–formulation process and the implementation of these policies. The study provides key recommendations in response to the challenges experienced along major arterial routes. The recommendations predominantly relate to the multi–faceted nature of development along these routes; the necessity of an interdisciplinary approach to policy–formulation; the importance of comprehensive public participation that involves the relevant stakeholders, professionals and authorities; and the continuous interaction between neighbouring municipalities to identify cross–border issues and co–ordinate planning initiatives. The dynamic nature of development along arterial routes necessitates dynamic policies that consider changing social, economic and physical conditions. To this end, the study recommends the review of development policies on an annual basis and the implementation of contingency–based planning. / Thesis (M.Art. et Scien. (Town and Regional Planning))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

Arterial routes are key structuring components of the urban structure. These routes perform vital functions, including the connectivity of nodes or nodal areas, providing access to urban opportunities, linking metropolitan / municipal areas and providing access to the public transportation system. In order to protect the functionality of these routes, which primarily relates to a mobility function, development along these routes should be controlled. The formulation of policies for development along arterial routes is vital to ensure sustainable, integrated development along these routes without negatively impacting on the urban structure as a whole. A number of challenges are experienced during the formulation–process of these policies, especially since development along these routes is multi–faceted in nature. A case study of Ontdekkers Road, which is a major arterial route located within the City of Johannesburg, is used as the main point of departure. A comparison of the three sections of the route extending from Krugersdorp to Johannesburg (i.e. Voortrekker, Ontdekkers and Main Road) and the applicable development policies provides insight into the key challenges experienced during the policy–formulation process and the implementation of these policies. The study provides key recommendations in response to the challenges experienced along major arterial routes. The recommendations predominantly relate to the multi–faceted nature of development along these routes; the necessity of an interdisciplinary approach to policy–formulation; the importance of comprehensive public participation that involves the relevant stakeholders, professionals and authorities; and the continuous interaction between neighbouring municipalities to identify cross–border issues and co–ordinate planning initiatives. The dynamic nature of development along arterial routes necessitates dynamic policies that consider changing social, economic and physical conditions. To this end, the study recommends the review of development policies on an annual basis and the implementation of contingency–based planning. / Thesis (M.Art. et Scien. (Town and Regional Planning))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

No abstract available.Some pages might not display fully due to a faulty original copy. Copyright / Dissertation (MA)--University of Pretoria, 2011. / Anthropology and Archaeology / unrestricted

Streekontwikkelingsbeleid en differensiële verstedeliking is twee fundamentele temas binne die ruimtelike beplanningsveld. Streekontwikkelingsbeleid is veral sedert die Tweede Wêreldoorlog in Europa geïmplementeer, waar regerings besef het dat die vryemarksisteem nie noodwendig optimale ekonomiese groei op streekvlak verseker nie. Doelwitte Die primêre doelwit van hierdie studie is die integrering van effektiewe en volhoubare streekontwikkelingsbeleid met die konsep van differensiële verstedeliking, ten einde 'n effektiewe stedelike bestuursmeganisme daar te stel. Sekondêre doelwitte sluit in: * om die beginsels en doelwitte van streekontwikkelingsbeleid en streekontwikkelingsinstrumente te bepaal; * die analisering van Suid-Afrikaanse streekontwikkelingsbeleid in terme · van bogenoemde klassifikasie; * ondersoek na die teoretiese en praktiese toepassings van die differensiële verstedelikingsmodel; * om die geldigheid van die differensiële verstedelikingsmodel te bepaal in die Gauteng Funksionele Metropolitaanse Streek; en * om relevante streekontwikkelingsbeleid te integreer met sosio-ekonomiese tendense in 'n stedelike sisteem, met spesifieke verwysing na die Gauteng Funksionele Metropolitaanse Streek. Metodiek Die rasionaal vir die formulering van streekontwikkelingsbeleid word in Hoofstuk Twee beskryf. Regerings en ander streekowerhede formuleer streekontwikkelingsbeleid ten einde spesifieke doelstellings te behaal. Hierdie doelstellings verander met tyd en is gewoonlik streekspesifiek. Die relevante owerheid of instansie neem 'n besluit in terme van bogenoemde fundamentele benaderingswyses, waarna 'n keuse ten opsigte van spesifieke beleidsopsies en -instrumente geneem word. Hoofstuk Drie beskryf laasgenoemde beleidsinstrumente asook meer gedetailleerde beleidselemente soos wat dit op projekvlak geïmplementeer word. In Hoofstuk Vier word die geskiedkundige implementering van streekontwikkelingsbeleid in Suid-Afrika en spesifiek vir die Gauteng- en omliggende streek, ondersoek. Die Gauteng Funksionele Metropolitaanse Streek het reeds 'n gevorderde vlak van stedelike ontwikkeling binne die Suid-Afrikaanse konteks bereik en was histories instrumenteel in die implementering van streekontwikkelingsbeleid. 'n Sentrale tema in hierdie studie, is die beginsel dat stedelike komplekse 'verouder' met tyd. Soos wat hierdie stedelike komplekse ontwikkel, kan verskillende migrasie- en ekonomiese produksiepatrone onderskei word in dieselfde areas, maar die patrone is georiënteer in verskillende rigtings en gebaseer op verskillende motiverings. Hierdie tendense word deur die differensiële verstedelikingsmodel in Hoofstuk Vyf aangespreek. Na die afskaffing van diskriminerende wetgewing, is die verwagting dat die bevolkingsgetalle van groter stedelike komplekse vir 'n aansienlike tydperk steeds sal toeneem. In Hoofstuk Ses word hierdie migrasieprosesse, asook veranderende produksiepatrone in die studiegebied ontleed, gebaseer op die resultate van die mees onlangse sosio-ekonomiese opnames. Bevindings Uit die studie blyk dit duidelik dat streekontwikkelingsbeleid steeds geïmplementeer word in reaksie op bepaalde ongelykhede in 'n streek. Laasgenoemde verwys gewoonlik na hoe vlakke van werkloosheid en kwynende ekonomiese sektore in sekere stede. Die voorstel in die studie is die vroegtydige formulering van streekontwikkelingsbeleid vir al die elemente binne die stedelike sisteem, gegewe die huidige ontwikkelingsvlak in terme van die differensiële verstedelikingsmodel. Hiervolgens kan sentra met toenemende ekonomiese- en bevolkingsgroei vroegtydig geïdentifiseer en ontwikkeling bevorder word. Soortgelyk, kan plekke met kwynende ekonomieë en bevolkingsgetalle ondersteun word in die fase van stedelike groei. Die sosio-ekonomiese profiel van die studiegebied, naamlik die Gauteng Funksionele Metropolitaanse Streek, het in die studie bewys dat dit 'n identifiseerbare ontwikkelings- of 'verouderingsroete' gevolg het sedert die 1960s. Dit is ook duidelik in die studie dat die effektiwiteit van streekontwikkelingsbeleid en die volhoubaarheid daarvan gewoonlik omgekeer eweredig is aanmekaar: soos volhoubaarheid toeneem, neem ekonomiese effektiwiteit af. Die voorgestelde integrering van streekontwikkelingsbeleid en differensiële verstedeliking behoort hierdie negatiewe tendens ten opsigte van effektiwiteit en volhoubaarheid om te keer, ten einde toenemende volhoubaarheid en effektiwiteit te verseker in die stedelike ontwikkelingsproses. / PhD (Town and Regional Planning), Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education, 2001

Streekontwikkelingsbeleid en differensiële verstedeliking is twee fundamentele temas binne die ruimtelike beplanningsveld. Streekontwikkelingsbeleid is veral sedert die Tweede Wêreldoorlog in Europa geïmplementeer, waar regerings besef het dat die vryemarksisteem nie noodwendig optimale ekonomiese groei op streekvlak verseker nie. Doelwitte Die primêre doelwit van hierdie studie is die integrering van effektiewe en volhoubare streekontwikkelingsbeleid met die konsep van differensiële verstedeliking, ten einde 'n effektiewe stedelike bestuursmeganisme daar te stel. Sekondêre doelwitte sluit in: * om die beginsels en doelwitte van streekontwikkelingsbeleid en streekontwikkelingsinstrumente te bepaal; * die analisering van Suid-Afrikaanse streekontwikkelingsbeleid in terme · van bogenoemde klassifikasie; * ondersoek na die teoretiese en praktiese toepassings van die differensiële verstedelikingsmodel; * om die geldigheid van die differensiële verstedelikingsmodel te bepaal in die Gauteng Funksionele Metropolitaanse Streek; en * om relevante streekontwikkelingsbeleid te integreer met sosio-ekonomiese tendense in 'n stedelike sisteem, met spesifieke verwysing na die Gauteng Funksionele Metropolitaanse Streek. Metodiek Die rasionaal vir die formulering van streekontwikkelingsbeleid word in Hoofstuk Twee beskryf. Regerings en ander streekowerhede formuleer streekontwikkelingsbeleid ten einde spesifieke doelstellings te behaal. Hierdie doelstellings verander met tyd en is gewoonlik streekspesifiek. Die relevante owerheid of instansie neem 'n besluit in terme van bogenoemde fundamentele benaderingswyses, waarna 'n keuse ten opsigte van spesifieke beleidsopsies en -instrumente geneem word. Hoofstuk Drie beskryf laasgenoemde beleidsinstrumente asook meer gedetailleerde beleidselemente soos wat dit op projekvlak geïmplementeer word. In Hoofstuk Vier word die geskiedkundige implementering van streekontwikkelingsbeleid in Suid-Afrika en spesifiek vir die Gauteng- en omliggende streek, ondersoek. Die Gauteng Funksionele Metropolitaanse Streek het reeds 'n gevorderde vlak van stedelike ontwikkeling binne die Suid-Afrikaanse konteks bereik en was histories instrumenteel in die implementering van streekontwikkelingsbeleid. 'n Sentrale tema in hierdie studie, is die beginsel dat stedelike komplekse 'verouder' met tyd. Soos wat hierdie stedelike komplekse ontwikkel, kan verskillende migrasie- en ekonomiese produksiepatrone onderskei word in dieselfde areas, maar die patrone is georiënteer in verskillende rigtings en gebaseer op verskillende motiverings. Hierdie tendense word deur die differensiële verstedelikingsmodel in Hoofstuk Vyf aangespreek. Na die afskaffing van diskriminerende wetgewing, is die verwagting dat die bevolkingsgetalle van groter stedelike komplekse vir 'n aansienlike tydperk steeds sal toeneem. In Hoofstuk Ses word hierdie migrasieprosesse, asook veranderende produksiepatrone in die studiegebied ontleed, gebaseer op die resultate van die mees onlangse sosio-ekonomiese opnames. Bevindings Uit die studie blyk dit duidelik dat streekontwikkelingsbeleid steeds geïmplementeer word in reaksie op bepaalde ongelykhede in 'n streek. Laasgenoemde verwys gewoonlik na hoe vlakke van werkloosheid en kwynende ekonomiese sektore in sekere stede. Die voorstel in die studie is die vroegtydige formulering van streekontwikkelingsbeleid vir al die elemente binne die stedelike sisteem, gegewe die huidige ontwikkelingsvlak in terme van die differensiële verstedelikingsmodel. Hiervolgens kan sentra met toenemende ekonomiese- en bevolkingsgroei vroegtydig geïdentifiseer en ontwikkeling bevorder word. Soortgelyk, kan plekke met kwynende ekonomieë en bevolkingsgetalle ondersteun word in die fase van stedelike groei. Die sosio-ekonomiese profiel van die studiegebied, naamlik die Gauteng Funksionele Metropolitaanse Streek, het in die studie bewys dat dit 'n identifiseerbare ontwikkelings- of 'verouderingsroete' gevolg het sedert die 1960s. Dit is ook duidelik in die studie dat die effektiwiteit van streekontwikkelingsbeleid en die volhoubaarheid daarvan gewoonlik omgekeer eweredig is aanmekaar: soos volhoubaarheid toeneem, neem ekonomiese effektiwiteit af. Die voorgestelde integrering van streekontwikkelingsbeleid en differensiële verstedeliking behoort hierdie negatiewe tendens ten opsigte van effektiwiteit en volhoubaarheid om te keer, ten einde toenemende volhoubaarheid en effektiwiteit te verseker in die stedelike ontwikkelingsproses. / PhD (Town and Regional Planning), Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education, 2001

The HIV epidemic does not only affect people living with HIV or AIDS but has a large impact on the children. They are being stigmatised by association. There is paucity in research on HIV stigma interventions. In addition, existing interventions aimed at reducing HIV stigma are not community based and very few are aimed at HIV-affected children. The purpose of this study was to assess the change on psychological well-being of HIV-affected children after a Community based HIV Stigma Reduction and Wellness Enhancement Intervention, and to explore and describe their experiences thereof. This study formed part of a larger Community based HIV Stigma Reduction and Wellness Enhancement Intervention project. A mixed method convergent parallel design involving quantitative and qualitative data collection, analyses and integration of findings was applied. The sample was drawn from populations in the greater Potchefstroom urban area and rural Ganyesa in the North West Province. The children as participants in this study were children of PLHA in the larger study and were recruited using snowball sampling (n=11) and were between the ages 15 and 21 years. The quantitative component utilised a one group pre-test-repetitive-post-test design which was analysed by using IBM SPSS (ver. 20) by comparing t-test scores and F-ratios in ANOVA. The qualitative component of the study employed a holistic multiple case study approach and qualitative interpretive description and data were analysed by using thematic content and document analyses. The results indicated no significant difference between the urban and the rural groups in the subscales and total scores of mental well-being. The results of the total scores projected that the participants’ mental health was in the region of moderately mentally healthy. The in-depth interviews confirmed the three dimensions of the subscales indicating that they have verbalised similar experiences to the itemised subscales of emotional, social and psychological well-being. The intervention was a meaningful experience to the children. They gained knowledge about HIV stigma and how to cope with it; as well how to build relationships amongst themselves and with the PLHA. They gained a better understanding of their parents suffering from HIV and other PLHA as well as support of one another being in this difficult situation. Conducting the project led to them becoming empowered to act as leaders in HIV stigma reduction. The results of the in-depth interviews showed that the children gained a greater awareness of the process of the stigma and experienced a general increase in their knowledge throughout the workshop and the project. They formed meaningful relationships with other children and deepened their relationships with their parents and other PLHA. The children were empowered through these interventions to advocate against HIV stigma despite the challenges they faced. They gained confidence and experienced personal growth through their participation in the project. It is recommended that the findings of the study be applied in education to raise awareness of HIV stigma among psychology students and for training of practicing psychologists on their role in reducing HIV stigma and enhancing well-being of the PLHA and those living close to them. It could also be meaningful if the intervention were to be used for practice purposes where support is given to the newly diagnosed PLHA and those associated with them. Further research can be done to test sustainability of the intervention in a different context and with a bigger sample. / Thesis (MA (Research Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

The HIV epidemic does not only affect people living with HIV or AIDS but has a large impact on the children. They are being stigmatised by association. There is paucity in research on HIV stigma interventions. In addition, existing interventions aimed at reducing HIV stigma are not community based and very few are aimed at HIV-affected children. The purpose of this study was to assess the change on psychological well-being of HIV-affected children after a Community based HIV Stigma Reduction and Wellness Enhancement Intervention, and to explore and describe their experiences thereof. This study formed part of a larger Community based HIV Stigma Reduction and Wellness Enhancement Intervention project. A mixed method convergent parallel design involving quantitative and qualitative data collection, analyses and integration of findings was applied. The sample was drawn from populations in the greater Potchefstroom urban area and rural Ganyesa in the North West Province. The children as participants in this study were children of PLHA in the larger study and were recruited using snowball sampling (n=11) and were between the ages 15 and 21 years. The quantitative component utilised a one group pre-test-repetitive-post-test design which was analysed by using IBM SPSS (ver. 20) by comparing t-test scores and F-ratios in ANOVA. The qualitative component of the study employed a holistic multiple case study approach and qualitative interpretive description and data were analysed by using thematic content and document analyses. The results indicated no significant difference between the urban and the rural groups in the subscales and total scores of mental well-being. The results of the total scores projected that the participants’ mental health was in the region of moderately mentally healthy. The in-depth interviews confirmed the three dimensions of the subscales indicating that they have verbalised similar experiences to the itemised subscales of emotional, social and psychological well-being. The intervention was a meaningful experience to the children. They gained knowledge about HIV stigma and how to cope with it; as well how to build relationships amongst themselves and with the PLHA. They gained a better understanding of their parents suffering from HIV and other PLHA as well as support of one another being in this difficult situation. Conducting the project led to them becoming empowered to act as leaders in HIV stigma reduction. The results of the in-depth interviews showed that the children gained a greater awareness of the process of the stigma and experienced a general increase in their knowledge throughout the workshop and the project. They formed meaningful relationships with other children and deepened their relationships with their parents and other PLHA. The children were empowered through these interventions to advocate against HIV stigma despite the challenges they faced. They gained confidence and experienced personal growth through their participation in the project. It is recommended that the findings of the study be applied in education to raise awareness of HIV stigma among psychology students and for training of practicing psychologists on their role in reducing HIV stigma and enhancing well-being of the PLHA and those living close to them. It could also be meaningful if the intervention were to be used for practice purposes where support is given to the newly diagnosed PLHA and those associated with them. Further research can be done to test sustainability of the intervention in a different context and with a bigger sample. / Thesis (MA (Research Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.