Local and sub-regional socio-economic and environmental impact of large-scale resort development
Date
2006-12
Authors
Van der Merwe, Schalk Willem Jacobus
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch
Abstract
The problem addressed in this research is that large-scale estate developments in the
Western Cape generally have, up to now, apparently not fulfilled their potential as primary
economic drivers, thus, failing to contribute in a significant manner to addressing the
primary challenges facing the present-day South Africa, namely poverty, inequality, and
environmental degradation.
This research focused on the recently-formulated project-based Sustainable Development
Initiative (SDI) approach as a strategy to optimally unlock the potential benefits of largescale
development as a primary economic driver. In the research, the potential of the SDI
approach in this regard was tested by comparing the envisaged performance of an SDI to
be implemented in the Hoogekraal area near George in the South Cape with the
performance of five selected large-scale estate developments that have been planned and
developed in terms of the ‘conventional’ approach as it was defined for this research.
The over-arching purpose of the research was to determine whether the project-based SDI
approach, as demonstrated by the pre-development condition of the proposed Hoogekraal
SDI, could make a meaningful contribution to the alleviation of poverty, inequality and
environmental degradation and whether it presents an improvement in this regard on the
‘conventional’ planning, implementation and management approach for large-scale estate
developments.
The SDI approach, in its current, conceptual format, does not profess to be flawless. The
research has left a number of questions unanswered pertaining to, in particular, the
mobilisation, involvement, and required participation capacity of the communities that
would be affected by an SDI. The research has indicated that the proponents of the SDI
approach still have a long way to go to bridge the divergent views and evident opposition
against large-scale estate development of conservation-orientated NGOs and community
groups, and factions within government departments.
However, the research has indicated that the SDI approach holds the promise to be an
innovative strategy through which the benefits of large-scale development could be
optimised for both people and the environment. The SDI approach, at least, represents an honest response to the national goals for sustainable development put forward in, amongst
others, the South African Constitution.
It is therefore concluded that there is merit in the claim of the SDI proponents that the SDI
approach to large-scale development presents, to a larger extent than the ‘conventional’
approach, a mechanism through which this development typology can contribute to the
eradication of poverty, inequality and environmental rehabilitation in partnership with local
communities and other stakeholders.
It is believed that this research can contribute as:
a) an input in the drafting of regional and municipal development policy aimed at
promoting sustainable development, for example, the spatial development
frameworks prepared by municipalities in terms of the Local Government Municipal
Systems Act 32 of 2000 (South Africa 2000);
b) a basis for the planning and implementation of large-scale estate developments in a
manner that would, on balance, improve the state of any given condition in a
sustainable, integrated, holistic and practical manner and in partnership with those
who would be affected by the developments and those who support the ethos of
sustainable development; and
c) a basis for further research pertaining to the implementation and long-term
management of the SDI approach at the project level, the objective being to
promote the continual improvement of the approach.
Description
Thesis (MA (Geography and Environmental Studies))--University of Stellenbosch, 2006.
Keywords
Regional impact, Socio-economic impact, Environmental impact, Resort development, Dissertations -- Geography and environmental studies, Theses -- Geography and environmental studies, Planned unit developments -- Environmental aspects -- South Africa -- Western Cape, Planned unit developments -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Western Cape, Planned unit developments -- Social aspects -- South Africa -- Western Cape, Planned communities -- Environmental aspects -- South Africa -- Western Cape, Planned communities -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Western Cape, Planned communities -- Social aspects -- South Africa -- Western Cape, Estate development -- South Africa -- Western Cape