A critical examination of the relationship between urban greenness and sustainable development of urban spaces in UMhlathuze, Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa
Date
2016
Authors
Chihambakwe, Fidelis
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Abstract
Globally, urban areas are the fastest growing land cover with significant numbers of
people residing within these urban spaces. The continuous growth and expansion of
urban settlements continue to exert unprecedented negative pressure on the natural
environment, and green spaces are increasingly disappearing. In most intermediate
and secondary cities of developing countries, loss of urban green spaces is partly due
to the knowledge gap in urban planning as well as the lack of comprehensive
assessment of the challenges and factors contributing to the deteriorations of urban
spaces in these cities.
In any given urban environment, green spaces of all types are acknowledged for
creating valuable economic, social and environmental services. Urban green spaces
are fast becoming means to sustainable development due to their extensive
multifunctional roles and benefits to different users. This research focusses on
critically assessing the relationship that exists between urban greenness and
sustainable development in the city of UMhlathuze, KZN, South Africa. It also
explores how urban greening is increasingly tied to urban planning and the
challenges that urban greening faces in the context of rapidly increasing
urbanisation. Results of this study show that there is increasing need to improve
green spaces especially for low income groups who cannot afford to travel out of
town to experience natural environments. Urban development therefore calls for
stakeholders to follow the principles of sustainable development with reference to
ecological systems in urban areas, including community green spaces, gardens,
biodiversity, native species and urban green infrastructure. If urban greening is
properly planned and integrated into urban development and planning policies, it
can brings economic, social and environmental benefits to developing world cities.
Description
A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in fulfilment of requirements for the degree of Master of Science. Johannesburg, May 2016.