The deterioration of the Central Business Distict (CBD) cities worldwide is a problem which has been extensively documented. As upmarket shops and offices have located to more attractive shopping centres and office parks in decentralised locations, the economic turnover of central city areas has decreased. This has resulted in impaired maintenance and a subsequent deterioration of the visual quality of these areas. Various approaches towards improving the public infrastructure, pedestrian environment, visual appeal and economic value of Central Business Districts (CBD's) have been taken in different countries. They include full pedestrianisation of CBD streets, traffic calming measures, general physical improvements to the public realm such as new street furniture and street surfacing, new public transportation systems and new municipal by-laws, to regulate the behaviour of CBD users. The CBD's of cities in South Africa have suffered a similar fate to a greater or lesser extent. Of particular significance in the South African context, is the increasing presence of informal traders along street sidewalks in the CBD. The CBD is also used by an increasing number of pedestrians. In the case of Durban, a combination of uncontrolled street trading and increased pedestrian movement has lead to a situation of congestion on many CBD street sidewalks. In addition, ill-disciplined taxi and bus drivers have contributed to traffic congestion. This is detrimental for registered street traders, formal retailers, pedestrians, motorists and future investors in the CBD. The aim of this dissertation is to examine and evaluate the West Street Pilot Project in Durban, as a means of revitalising a section of its CBD, and solving the above mentioned problems. The West Street Pilot Project (WSPP) has attempted to ease pedestrian flow by widening the sidewalks and creating nibs or "nodes" for the purpose of street trading. Certain of these nodes have been formed at pedestrian crossings, shortening the crossing distance. It has attempted to improve the aesthetic appeal of the street, by introducing new planting and street furniture and making this part of the CBD hard core more "user-friendly". / Thesis (M.T.R.P.)-University of Natal, 2003.

No abstract available. / Thesis (M.Housing)-University of Natal, 2003.

Land use management and development control play an important role in achieving integration and sustainability in developing societies such as South Africa today. Town Planning Schemes are generally used as a tool for achieving this by making provision for land uses that are freely permitted, permitted by special consent or prohibited, thereby ensuring that incompatible land uses are not allowed. However, these town planning schemes are interpreted by different officials, with different levels of planning experience and qualification, as well as different opinions in the interpretation, which can result in inconsistency in decision-making and subsequent development patterns. The aim of this dissertation is therefore to investigate a range of special consent applications, the decision-making process applied to them and the applicability of any conditions attached thereto. The spatial focus of this dissertation is the South Municipal Planning Region of the Ethekwini Municipality which was established during the 2000 demarcation process. Inherent is this amalgamation is the fact that there are now thirty eight different town planning schemes in the Municipal area, with nine of them found in the South Municipal Planning Region. / Thesis (M.T.R.P.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2008.

This research aims at evaluating the level at which GIS is currently performing as a Decision Support Tool in Land Use Management Systems in KwaZulu Natal. Research was conducted amongst all ofthe district municipalities (in survey format, with a seventy percent response rate), as well as amongst representatives of three local municipalities, and representatives of the only Metropolitan municipality (all in the form of in-depth inten1iews). The results of the research were certainly revealing, and at points, significantly concerning. This research illustrates that despite the fact that the municipal LUMS should be in place, in most instances, the local municipalities have not completed their LUMS, and many districts have not finalised their specific components of the LUMS (namely the Land Use Framework, or LUF). Reasons for the difficulties experienced in developing the municipal LUMS were mainly capacity related, although there were a few additional impediments worth noting. Due to this, it was difficult to successfully evaluate the role that GIS is playing in LUMS as a Decision Support Tool. Despite this difficulty, it was still possible to evaluate the current use of GIS in the development of LUMS, as well as its perceived use in the future. Furthermore, the general perceptions regarding GIS as a Decision Support Tool were open for examination, along with how it will be used as such in LUMS This research confirms that GIS has been used to some extent in the development of the municipal LUMS, and that it will be used extensively in the future, particularly in Decision Support. This research concludes by offering various solutions or recommendations to the problems being experienced by the municipalities. These solutions originate both from points mentioned in the literature review, as well as from the responses to the questionnaires and interviews; and could assist in resolving the noteworthy problems revealed during the research. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2006.

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

Not available. / Thesis (M.T.R.P.)-University of Natal, 2000.

Abstract not available. / Thesis (M.T.R.P.)-University of Natal, 2000.

This study is an investigation of the constraints and opportunities in the implementation of the Slums Clearance Programme in the Ethekwini Metropolitan Area (EMA). It embraces a case study method and, as such, uses Quarry Road West Informal Settlement, Welbadagt West and Urnzomuhle Parkgate Relocation Areas. Furthermore, the study has an endeavour to uncover the factors that influence the formation and increase of informal settlements within the city. To realise this fundamental objective, questionnaire surveys (including socioeconomic information) of the beneficiaries and interviews with the Metro Council Officials and others were employed in areas used as case studies to gather as much data as possible regarding the constraints and opportunities of this programme. It has become explicitly clear, moreover, that the majority of people living in the three case studies came from areas outside Durban for employment opportunities. Due to the fact that they were unemployed at the time of this research project and were still looking for jobs, they stated that they had no option but to live in the informal settlements closer to the city to minimise travelling costs. Apparently, some of these informal settlements are located closer to high-risk areas such as flood lines, dumping sites and so on, as a consequence of this, the National Department of Housing in conjunction with the Ethekwini Municipality (Metro Housing Department), are in the process of implementing the Slums Clearance Programme in order, according these bodies to respond to such situation. The Slums Clearance Programme, which basically involves upgrading and relocating the affected informal settlements, is analysed in the light of the past and contemporary experiences within the context of developing countries to broaden the horizons of this project. A relevant theoretical framework and literature review is presented as a support for the study and to put it in a relevant perspective. The results based on the hypothesis indicate that although the Slums Clearance Programme is in deed, at face value, an appropriate response to dealing with the affected informal settlements, it fails to meet the basic needs of the beneficiaries. Such basic needs include, among other things, access to employment opportunities, access to public facilities such as health care, education and others. One of the recommendations highlighted in this study is that holistic development approach should be emphasised to avoid the marginalisation of the project beneficiaries. In conclusion, some of the major challenges when implementing the programme have been mentioned, which include among other things, beneficiaries high unemployment rate, excessive distances between areas of economic opportunities and places of residence and lack of holistic development approach in the implementation of the programme. / Thesis (M.T.R.P.)-University of Natal, 2003.

Planning has evolved from being viewed as a discipline that can be quite technical toone of humanistic and social reproach. Collaborative planning within this same reference claims to be all-inclusive with collaborative planning theorists believing that community forms of planning offer a progressive way forward since they incorporate public participation in the planning issues they face. Public participation is defined by the World Bank as an active process by which beneficiary groups influence the direction and execution of a development project, with a view to enhance their well-being in terms of income, personal growth, self reliance and other values they cherish. Duncan Village is one of the largest and most dense shack settlements' in the Eastern Cape. An Urban Renewal Programme that later became known as the Duncan Village Redevelopment Initiative (DVRI), was designated for the area with the aim of upgrading and were necessary redeveloping section of the township that were hazardous to human settlement. The Flood Line Pilot Project is a sub-section to the overall DVRI with the aim of moving resident living along the Umzonyana River banks within the 1:100 year flood line and experiencing major flood and fire disasters and relocating them while at the same time redeveloping the area as open, green and environmentally friendly space. Public participation models and approaches are being assessed within the flood line pilot to illustrate whether within the planning phase, were one would initially argue for public participation, residents became participants and owners ofthe projects or merely passive receivers of information concerning their areas. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2007.

No abstract available. / Thesis (M.T.R.P.)-University of Natal, 2000.