Thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree
Master of Technology in Environmental Management
In the Faculty of Applied Sciences
Department of Environmental and Occupational Studies
At the
Cape Peninsula University of Technology / Rivers, lakes and streams are the only way people encounter water sources in urban
areas. Human endeavours have consequently deteriorated the environmental quality
provided by river systems thus rivers are supporting a fraction of their original
biodiversity and abundance. Urban streams are highly valuable and sensitive
systems which, can be assessed by means of impacts of urban catchment and
pathway influences. Many of the problems associated with environmental quality and
management of urban watercourses are as a result of poor public perception.
Advances in river assessment and management has come about through the
recognition that water resource problems involve biological, physical and chemical
components and more recently the addition of social and economic aspects. Social
public participation is therefore achieved by studying and acting on people’s values,
behaviours and perceptions of environmental quality.
The main aim of this research was to identify whether a difference in socio-economic
status is an influential factor in people’s perception of environmental quality. The
objectives of the research were to determine whether the Elsieskraal River has a
perceived low environmental relevance and quality (health and aesthetics), to
determine what sensitizes people about issues relating to the natural environment
and to identify people’s uses and perceptions of the Elsieskraal River corridor and its
importance to the enjoyment as a recreational space. The study used a qualitative
approach to obtain the data using the focus group technique. The purposive sample
of participants from Pinelands and Thornton were the population that this study
sought to investigate. Two focus group discussions; one in each study area was
conducted. The results of this study found both similarities and differences in
people’s perceptions of the Elsieskraal River between the two different socioeconomic
urban communities. The perceived observation that the Elsieskraal River
was a canal and not a river set the foundation for the envisaged low environmental
quality the river so acquired. The majority overall environmental quality scores for
the attributes of aquatic life, vegetation and water quality were found to be lower than
they were scientifically found to be. Two clear avenues concerning environmental
information sourcing and sensitization to the public was found. Politicians and government officials were unreliable to relay environmental information of a
trustworthy nature. Community newspapers were a useful tool to present theevidence of information concerning the status of the natural environment especially at
a local level. Three themes namely safety, maintenance and facilities and community
attachment emerged on the importance of the Elsieskraal River as a recreational
space. It is recommended that further studies should examine the perceptions of
other similar rivers in the urban environment, both natural and canalised within Cape
Town and the greater South Africa. The findings can assist environmental managers,
planners and educators identify the gaps between the scientific environmental
conditions and what people’s perceived awareness and knowledge about
environmental quality are (factual versus perceived). It is also recommended that
emphasis and support from local authorities must be given to non-governmental
organisations (NGO’s) and adjacent property owners to aid in mobilising people into
“ownership of rivers” within their communities to enhance their value and utilisation.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:cput/oai:localhost:20.500.11838/814 |
| Date | January 2015 |
| Creators | Wilmot, Carolyn Margaret |
| Contributors | Odendaal, J.P., Prof, Schutte, D., Prof |
| Publisher | Cape Peninsula University of Technology |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Rights | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/za/ |
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