The nature, extent and impact of multiple land uses on the agricultural landscape in Stellenbosch as manifestation of a post-productivist mode of agricultural change

Date
2013-12
Authors
Cloete, Gert Johannes Abraham
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to investigate the nature, extent and impact of multiple land uses on the agricultural landscape in Stellenbosch as manifestation of a post-productivist mode of agricultural change. The research objectives included the provision of a thorough literature review of post-productivism; mapping the spatial distribution of farm-based activities on wine farms within the Stellenbosch area; the compilation of a land-use map of the area that will investigate the extent of multiple land-use diversification; an analysis of the locational relationship between farm-based activities and a range of land-use changes in GIS; mapping the municipal properties and land use on each; the provision of a typology of post-productivist, non-agricultural land consumption practices; and conducting a representatively sampled survey among farm owners/managers who have not followed the trend of multiple land-use practices. Data were collected from questionnaires completed by the owners of wine farms within the Stellenbosch area; by differentiating each land cover type by the changes that took place over the period 1993 to 2010; and from long-term lease agreements of Stellenbosch municipal properties and the land use of each property. An overall increase in the presentation of alternative features/facilities can be observed in the Stellenbosch area. According to the information obtained from the questionnaires, conferences and weddings seems to be the most popular alternatives to primary farming. The research findings indicate that tourism-related functions/facilities on farms lead to a much needed alternative source of income for farmers. The changes in land cover observed over time can be linked to the process of post-productivism, which is aimed primarily at minimising the harmful effects of intensive farming techniques on the environment. In cases where land cover has decreased drastically, especially plantations, these areas have been transformed into natural vegetation. The Stellenbosch Municipality is strict on compliance with policies, as failure to do so can have harmful effects on the environment. These policies include the Land Use Planning Ordinance 15 of 1985 (Western Cape, 1985); the Municipal Asset Transfer Regulations of 2008 (Western Cape, 2008); the Western Cape Provincial Spatial Development Framework of 2009 (Western Cape, 2009); the Provincial Urban Edge Guidelines of 2005; and the policy on the management of Stellenbosch Municipality’s immovable property of 2012. The municipality also is strict on the fact that the property may only be used for the purpose for which it was zoned. Failure to comply with these rules can lead to the termination of the contract between the municipality and the farmer, without any compensation from the municipality. Recommendations for future research include some development opportunities and marketing strategies for farm-based tourism; suggestions regarding the municipal responsibilities towards the commonages; as well as suggestions regarding the management of changes in rural land use change.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van hierdie studie was om ondersoek in te stel na die aard, omvang en impak van veelvoudige grondgebruike op die landbou-landskap van Stellenbosch as ’n manifestasie van die postproduktivistiese modus van landbouverandering. Die navorsingsdoelwitte het die volgende ingesluit: die voorsiening van 'n deeglike literatuuroorsig oor postproduktivisme; kartering van die ruimtelike verspreiding van plaas-gebaseerde aktiwiteite op wynplase in die Stellenbosch-omgewing; samestelling van 'n grondgebruikskaart van die gebied wat die omvang van die diversifisering van veelvuldige grondgebruike ondersoek; analise van die liggingsverhouding tussen plaas-gebaseerde aktiwiteite en 'n verskeidenheid van grondgebruikveranderinge in GIS; kartering van die munisipale eiendomme en grondgebruik op elke eiendom; verskaffing van 'n tipologie van die postproduktivistiese, nie-landbou verbruikspraktyke; en die uitvoering van 'n verteenwoordigende opname onder plaaseienaars/bestuurders wat nie die tendens van meervoudige grondgebruike volg nie. Data is ingesamel deur middel van vraelyste wat deur eienaars van wynplase in die Stellenbosch-omgewing voltooi is; deur onderskeid te tref tussen verskillende soorte grondbedekking deur te fokus op die veranderinge wat van 1993 tot 2010 plaasgevind het; asook ’n ondersoek van langtermyn huurkontrakte van munisipale eiendomme op Stellenbosch en die grondgebruik van elke eiendom. In die Stellenbosch-omgewing was daar 'n algehele toename in die aanbieding van alternatiewe funksies/fasiliteite. Volgens die vraelyste blyk konferensies en troues die gewildste alternatief tot primêre boerdery te wees. Die navorsingsbevindinge dui daarop dat toerisme en verwante funksies/fasiliteite op plase 'n noodsaaklike alternatiewe bron van inkomste vir die boere verskaf. Die veranderinge in die grondbedekking wat oor tyd waargeneem is, kan gekoppel word aan die proses van postproduktivisme, aangesien die proses daarop fokus om die skadelike uitwerking van intensiewe boerderytegnieke op die omgewing te verminder. In gevalle waar grondbedekking drasties afgeneem het, veral van plantasies, is hierdie gebiede gewoonlik in natuurlike plantegroei omskep. Die Munisipaliteit van Stellenbosch is streng oor die nakoming van beleide, aangesien versuim ʼn skadelike uitwerking op die omgewing kan hê. Hierdie beleide sluit in die Grondgebruikbeplanning Ordonnansie 15 van 1985; Munisipale Bate Oordrag Regulasies van 2008; die Wes-Kaapse Provinsiale Ruimtelike Ontwikkelings Raamwerk van 2009; die Provinsiale ‘Stedelike Randgebied’ Riglyne van 2005; asook die beleid op die bestuur van die Stellenbosch Munisipaliteit se vaste eiendom van 2012. Die munisipaliteit is ook streng oor die feit dat eiendomme slegs gebruik mag word vir die doel waarvoor dit gesoneer is. Versuim om hieraan te voldoen kan lei tot die beëindiging van die kontrak tussen die Munisipaliteit en die boer, sonder enige vergoeding vanaf die munisipaliteit. Voorstelle vir toekomstige navorsing sluit in 'n paar ontwikkelingsgeleenthede en bemarkingstrategieë vir plaas-gebaseerde toerisme, voorstelle ten opsigte van die munisipale verantwoordelikhede teenoor meentgronde, asook voorstelle gerig op die bestuur van verandering in landelike grondgebruik.
Description
Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2013.
Keywords
Land use, Rural -- South Africa -- Stellenbosch, Farms -- South Africa -- Stellenbosch, Land use diversification -- South Africa -- Stellenbosch, Post-productivism -- South Africa -- Stellenbosch, Dissertations -- Geography and environmental studies, Theses -- Geography and environmental studies
Citation