Electronic Theses and Dissertations (Masters)
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Browsing Electronic Theses and Dissertations (Masters) by SDG "SDG-11: Sustainable cities and communities"
Item A Geospatial Approach to Mapping Jacaranda Tree Distribution in Johannesburg, South Africa(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023-11) Reddy, Rohini Chelsea; Fitchett, JenniferAccurate mapping of the spatial distribution of invasive species is vital for the implementation of effective monitoring and management strategies. In countries where resources are scarce and costly, citizen science provides a cost-effective and accurate alternative for large-scale data collection. Citizen’s familiarity with their environment contributes to aspects such as accurate identification of features on the landscape. Advances in a geographic information system (GIS) together with open-sourced photography from Google Street View, provide accurate methods for in-field and remote validation of citizen science data for invasive mapping and assists with the creation and compilation of maps to visualize the spatial distribution of invasive plants upon the landscape. In this study, the first spatial distribution maps for invasive tree species, Jacaranda mimosofolia (common name: Jacaranda), are created for the City of Johannesburg (CoJ). Jacaranda trees are well-known by citizens in the CoJ for their district purple flowers which blanket the landscape during springtime. A combination approach using citizen science, GIS, and Google Street View for data collection, analysis, and creation of the first spatial distribution map of exact location and prevalence of Jacaranda trees within certain suburbs of the CoJ, is produced. A total of 8,931 ground-truthing geopoints together with extensive Google Street View validation for Jacaranda tree presence, formed the basis of accurate spatial distribution maps. The first research question of this study focused on the spatial distribution of Jacaranda trees in the CoJ and was answered as a total of 54 suburbs were confirmed as having a large presence of Jacaranda trees in the CoJ. Citizen science data collected a total of 488 geotags for possible Jacaranda tree presence in the CoJ, over a 75-day online survey collection period. Although citizen science data provided a lower spatial resolution compared to successful fieldwork and Google Street View approaches, citizen science data provided very high accuracy for the identification and geolocation of Jacaranda tree presence in the CoJ which answers the second research question based on the effectiveness of the geospatial approach towards citizen science, ground-truthing and Google Street View as data collection methods. Since the accuracy of citizen science resulted in 66% of collected geotags within the categories of ‘very high’, ‘high’ and ‘moderate’ accuracy ranges of between <7-24m from a confirmed Jacaranda tree, together with the accuracy of 8,931 in-field collected geolocation of Jacaranda trees and Google Street View’s accuracy and capability of collecting street view imagery – it is concluded that the combined approach of ground-truthing, citizen science and Google Street View contribute not only to effective data collection, but also towards the successful mapping of Jacaranda tree presence in the CoJ.Item Assessment of the impact of load shedding on the households of Alexandra, Johannesburg, South Africa(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023) Mbatha, Cebolethu; Kubanza, Nzalalemba SergeIn South Africa, persistent challenges in the electricity sector have been noted. This study emphasizes that having access to electricity is insufficient; the reliability of its supply is crucial,especially given prolonged power outages faced by a significant portion of the population. In Alexandra Township at two residential areas, 16th Avenue and East Bank, the research used a mixed-method approach, involving questionnaires for 100 households and 20 local businesses, and semi-structured interviews with representatives from the local city authority. Results indicated substantial disruptions to daily lives and operations. These disruptions adversely affected critical social services, hindering operations in essential infrastructures like water supply systems, hospitals, education institutions, and telecommunication systems. The study identifies illegal electricity connections, infrastructure loss, and political interference as perceived major causes of successive power outages in Alexandra. It highlights the worsening nature of load shedding, making it a significant political issue in South Africa, reflecting hardships households and businesses face. The paper recommends governmental subsidies for alternative energy appliances and more favorable electricity tariff rates for households and small businesses to alleviate demand during peak periods. The findings offer valuable insights for policymakers and the South African electricity utility in analyzing trade-offs between negative welfare effects and costs of reducing power outagesItem Does public participation facilitate the development of a comprehensive social impact assessment process in South Africa? a study of the Carolina town community in Mpumalanga(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Gilfillan, John; Simatele, Mulala DannyThe inadequate integration of social and economic dimensions within impact assessments, particularly in the context of mining activities is particularly worrisome. The lack of a standardized and inclusive model, coupled with insufficient consideration of local knowledge, contributes to conflicts and dissatisfaction in mining communities. Public participation, crucial for a holistic assessment, faces hurdles like awareness gaps, language barriers, and inadequate community representation. These challenges hinder the achievement of sustainable outcomes in mining development projects. This study assesses the current state of public participation in Social Impact Assessment (SIA) processes within mining communities in Carolina. This study employed a qualitative approach. Purposive and snowball sampling techniques were used to identify the relevant participants for this study. Drawing on diverse perspectives from technocrats, community members, homeowners, and stakeholders, the research unveils insights into the effectiveness of public engagement between the Carolina community and mining operatives. After engaging with the participants ultimately a total of 45 participants were identified. Data collection tools were the use of the focused group interviews and semi- structured questionnaires. The findings reveal a predominant dissatisfaction among participants, with 70% expressing the ineffectiveness of public participation in SIA. The study identifies a lack of inclusivity, transparency, and communication in the current approach, as community members feel excluded from decision making processes. Motivations for engagement centre on the crucial need for job opportunities provided by mining operations, reflecting the community's economic aspirations. However, expectations extend beyond employment to include broader community development aspects, indicating a desire for positive impacts resulting from mining activities. Further exploration into the role of public participation in identifying community challenges highlights a significant lack of awareness and understanding among participants. The study underscores language barriers, geographical distance to meeting venues, and a perceived absence of tangible outcomes as significant challenges. Participants express frustration with the current state of public participation, emphasizing the need for transparency, genuine commitment, and accountability from mining companies. The research concludes with recommendations for a more inclusive, accessible, and communicative public participation process to address community challenges effectively. It calls for improved education, language inclusivity, and enhanced communication channels to foster meaningful engagement and ensure a more equitable and sustainable future for the Carolina community affected by mining activitiesItem Examining the remaining Rock Art at Linton, Eastern Cape, and its relationship with the Linton Panel at the Iziko South African Museum in Cape Town(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023) Oster, Sandee Michelle; Pearce, DavidThe Linton panel has been the subject of great awe for many decades. It has been displayed in various exhibits worldwide and the subject of multiple research publications. However, its history and origin are not nearly as well understood as once believed, as a large part of its past has been omitted or forgotten. In this dissertation the images of not only the Linton panel are discussed, but those that remain in the shelter from whence it came are brought out of obscurity. How the panel came to be where it is today and the images’ relationship with the shelter and the remaining paintings are examined. Lastly, a forgotten piece of the shelter, a second panel, will be examined in greater detail than ever before: how it fell into relative obscurity and what its images tell us about the Linton shelter and its artists’ beliefs and purposes.Item Traditional Custodians, Sacred Heritage Sites and Tourism Development: A Case Study ofthe Phiphidi Falls in the Limpopo Province of South Africa(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023-09) Mabehle, Nhlaluko; Russell, ThembiweThe way in which intangible heritage should be preserved is a debatable subject, and the question about who should have authority over what happens at sites associated with spiritual values is often a contentious issue. While local communities frequently hold traditional custodianship of the sites, they usually do not have any legal custody. When tourism developments are suggested in impoverished rural communities, whose basic rights could be met by allowing tourism developments to happen, conflicts frequently arise. Traditional custodians tend to want to keep their places of worship sacred while tourism developers would rather promote such sites as touristic products and potential source of income for the community. Fractions can occur within the communities as well. This project investigated community attitudes towards cultural heritage in Limpopo, using the case of Phiphidi Waterfalls, a site earmarked for tourism development, to analyse traditional management systems and to develop a framework for the effective management and preservation of sacred sites. Comparative studies were used to analyse traditional management systems in southern Africa. The main objective is to attain sustainable preservation of intangible heritage without any conflicts between traditional custodians and tourism authorities, and so this project contributes to the larger debate about who should have authority over sacred sites.