Masters Degrees (Geography and Environmental Studies)
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Browsing Masters Degrees (Geography and Environmental Studies) by browse.metadata.advisor "De Necker, P. H."
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- ItemAssessment of the practice and potential of industrial solid waste minimisation : case study of Stellenbosch(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2005-04) Semoli, Belemane Petrose; De Necker, P. H.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Geography and Environmental Studies.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: There is increasing pressure on factories and government to practise cleaner technology. The public is becoming more and more environmentally aware and external pressure from international competitors is also forcing companies to adopt environmentally sound production practices. Our natural resources and the environment need environmentally friendly practices. Waste minimisation is not only prudent practice for manufacturing industries, but is also an integral part of environmental regulations in many countries, including South Africa. This research seeks to investigate the extent and potential for industrial waste minimisation in Stellenbosch. The objectives of this thesis are, firstly to establish and evaluate the present range and extent of industrial solid waste minimisation practices; secondly to identify and evaluate potential industrial solid waste minimisation measures that could (if necessary) be instituted in future; and finally to propose a general strategy for the minimisation of industrial solid waste in Stellenbosch. The findings reflect that currently there is little waste minimisation awareness and practice in Stellenbosch. The most common method of waste minimisation currently practised by industries is recycling through the selling of recyclables. The least common method is the equipment-related change method, due to the high costs involved in adopting this method. Based on the findings, a suitable regional waste management strategy was developed and this strategy could possibly be adopted elsewhere in South Africa. Key words: waste minimisation, waste management, re-use, recycling, factory, environment, practice, participation, cleaner technology, awareness, Stellenbosch
- ItemDeveloping the vine : commercialisation and commodification of the wine tourism product in the Stellenbosch Wine Region(Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch, 2004-12) Scott, David, G. (David George); De Necker, P. H.; University of Stellenbosch. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Geography and Environmental Studies.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Wine tourism is emerging as an increasingly significant phenomenon in wine-producing regions throughout the world. The Stellenbosch Wine Region (SWR) is no exception and has experienced dramatic changes in the last decade. However, despite the documented industry development and rapid participant expansion, there has been insufficient systematic study of the extent, development, management and marketing of the wine tourism product provided by wine farms. This study investigates the SWR in terms of the commercial efforts, initiatives, services, facilities and the commodification of resources that occur on wine farms to form the wine tourism product. The aim of the study is to establish the degree of commercialisation and commodification in the SWR. This is achieved through realising three research objectives, namely ���������� compiling a thorough and complete list of manifestations and indicators that describe commercialisation and commodification in the wine tourism product on wine farms; ���������� establishing the degree of commercialisation and commodification at each individual wine farm in the research area; and ���������� portraying and analysing the spatial distribution of the degrees of commercialisation and commodification. A focus group of twelve individuals involved with wine tourism allocated relative importance weightings for each of the 81 identified manifestations and indicators of commercialisation and commodification compiled in the questionnaire that was distributed to the wine farms in the study area. The questionnaire required respondents to indicate the presence or absence of the listed manifestations or indicators on their respective farms. This data, used in conjunction with the importance weightings, facilitated the calculation of a value representing the degree of commercialisation and commodification for each farm, and so too for the SWR. The study results confirmed the importance of commercialisation and commodification with every wine farm having some form of these phenomena and the SWR having a 38 percent average degree of commercialisation and commodification. Of the five wine routes in the SWR, the Stellenbosch Hills route has the highest degree of commercialisation and commodification with 42 percent.
- Item'n GIS ondersoek na die kultuurtoerisme-potenisaal van Mechelen, België en die rol van kulturele toerisme in stedelike hernuwing(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2000-03) McKechnie, Jennifer Joan; De Necker, P. H.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Geography and Environmental Studies.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Tourism is a global growth industry. Large cities are prominent tourist destinations and are therefore the focus of tourism studies. Because cultural tourism can act as a lever for the urban economy, cities are increasingly investigating historical heritage as a resource in developing cultural tourism. Furthermore, many opportunities for development exist as these tourism products are characterised by adaptability, flexibility and a wide-ranging nature. Development of the historical heritage of tourist attractions is especially noted in Europe. The rich historical heritage and unique cultural activities of these cities can be used to attract visitors. This study utilises the geographical information system (GIS) programmes TransCAD, ArcView and ARC/INFO to investigate the cultural tourism potential of Mechelen in Belgium. GIS is particulary well suited for spatial analyses in tourism studies. It was assumed that two factors - location and function - will influence the tourism potential of historical buildings. In investigating the morphological location of buildings, the grouping of buildings around pre-selected marker buildings in Mechelen was considered. Functional analyses considered the current function of historical buildings and the attractiveness of the respective functions to tourists. Concurrent analyses of these two factors resulted in deductions regarding the tourism potential of the individual historical buildings. Furthermore, areas with high development potential were identified. The identification of such areas contributes to effective development planning and sustainable development. By targeting development visitors are attracted which supports optimal utilisation of tourist resources by residents. Well planned, targeted development thus increases the contribution that cultural tourism can make towards the urban economy.
- ItemA household solid waste recycling programme in Stellenbosch : householders' attitudes and willingness to participate(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2006-04) Makau, Mafalla E. (Mafalla Elizabeth); De Necker, P. H.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Geography and Environmental Studies.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Municipal waste presents problems of pollution, health hazards and resource conservation. Household waste forms part of municipal solid waste that is a challenge to control due to its heterogeneity and diversity. The ever-filling landfills for the disposal of solid waste due to rapid population increase and urbanization call for urgent waste management strategies to reduce, reuse and recycle solid waste. In this study householders' attitudes, participation in recycling and willingness to participate in household solid waste recycling are investigated to design and implement a household solid waste recycling programme in Stellenbosch. Questionnaire survey data about the awareness of, attitudes towards, and participation in household waste recycling were analyzed using descriptive statistical methods in the STATISTICA V6 program. Results were displayed in frequency tables, bar charts, maps and pie charts. The same statistical program was used to fmd the relationship between the householders' willingness to participate in the household solid waste recycling programme, namely the Blue Bag Household Waste Recovery Programme (BBHWRP), and their socio-demographic and socio-economic characteristics. The respondents' willingness to sort household waste is compared to their willingness to participate in the BBHWRP in Stellenbosch. The willingness of householders in different residential areas is also compared. The relationships were analyzed by performing cross-tabulations and the chi-square test. The householder's attitudes towards household solid waste recycling were found to be positive, showing pro-recycling and pro-environmental behaviour among the respondents. Participation in recycling was found to be relatively moderate where separation of waste, self-delivery of recyclables to recycling buy-back centres and depots were commonly practised. Composting was least reported to be practised by householders in Stellenbosch. Respondents showed strong willingness to participate in the BBHWRP, however, most of the explanatory factors used, including place of residence, did not relate to respondents' willingness to participate in the BBHWRP. Despite this situation, smaller families and respondents' willingness to sort household waste at home by householders were found to relate directly to willingness to take part in the BBHWRP. There were, however, poor response rates in the study. Although reminders were used to improve response rates, only a 30 per cent response rate could be reached. It is recommended that a household solid waste sorting and recycling scheme in Stellenbosch should be considered in order to minimize and recycle household waste to extend the lifespan of the town's landfill site.
- ItemMarketing of factory shop tourism in greater Cape Town using ArcIMS(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2003-03) Terrapon, Heather; De Necker, P. H.; Van Niekerk, Adriaan; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences. Dept. of Geography and Environmental Studies.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Tourism has, in recent years, become a vital source of foreign currency for South Africa; in addition it provides many South Africans with employment. The process of planning a trip involves locating places of interest to visit. In this age of technological advances, the Internet is one of the most popular methods of sourcing information. This study aims to act as a guideline for the creation of interactive maps for tourism websites using factory shopping as a case study. The locations of all the factory shops in the Cape Metropolitan Area were captured and served over the Internet using ArcIMS. The report begins with a discussion of the geographical aspects of tourism and of the way that geographical information systems (GIS) can be applied to tourism. Global factory shopping trends and the tourism and travel market are briefly investigated. The second chapter continues the discussion of factory shops and tourism, but focuses on Cape Town. The types of shops found in Cape Town are discussed as well as their marketing methods. The possibility of factory shop tourism in Cape Town is examined and compared to factory shop tourism overseas. Chapter Three details the way that the locations of the factory shops were captured. The reasons for the demarcation of the study area are discussed. The database design and factory shop capture methods are explained. The attributes added to the factory shops are qualified and the categories of factory shops explained. Chapter Four introduces Internet mapping and ArcIMS. The website target audience is investigated and the ArcIMS architecture explained. A discussion of the set-up of the website is presented in a step-by-step format, allowing readers to create their own website. Chapters Five and Six detail the final site composition and testing of this site as well as possible website additions and customisations in this research respectively. The feasibility of this website in South Africa is discussed and the need for a fast Internet connection is regarded as a reason for the application’s possible limited success. Keywords: GIS, internet mapping, ArcIMS, tourism, travel, factory shops, internet marketing, retail marketing, South African tourism, tourists
- Itemn Navraagstelsel van tyddeeloorde in Suid-Afrika vir RCI-lede en potensiële kopers van tyddeelbelang(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2001-12) Crafford, Jacobus Marthinus; De Necker, P. H.; Zietsman, H. L.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Geography and Environmental Studies .ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Timesharing is one of the sectors of the tourism industry that has grown at a tremendous rate in the recent past. In South Africa, after adverse publicity and severe internal conflict in the early years, the timeshare industry is growing as this way of holidaying becomes more popular. Much is also expected of the tourism industry as a major contributor towards improving the socio-economic situation in this country. It is therefore essential that geographers and more specifically geographical information system specialists get involved in research on timeshare and related topics. This thesis investigates the potential use of geographical information systems (GIS) in the timeshare industry in South Africa. The main focus of the research is on the development of a timeshare information system (TIS). The TIS was developed by using the ArcView GIS programme and Avenue programming language and it incorporates the points system as the most popular timeshare type in South Africa. The main aim of the TIS is to find possible holiday resort destinations within South Africa that will satisfy the timeshare owner's holiday needs, at the touch of a button. To produce these results the user is asked a series of questions and he/she is expected to make some selections. This information is then processed to make it possible for the scripts that have been compiled to extract the correct results from the destination database. This comprehensive database has been compiled from existing sources. The final results are then shown to the user on regional maps of South Africa. These maps have been compiled beforehand for use during the programming phase, but also for the purpose of doing location and spatial analysis. In conclusion, the results have been tested by means of a case example. The results produced by the TIS have been verified as being correct. Although the TIS is not ready for the timeshare market at this stage it could, with slight adjustments, be of use and is a positive step in the right direction and is in line with modem trends in the industry. Keywords ArcView / Avenue / Exchange companies / Geographical information systems (GIS) / Graphical user interface / Points system / Resort Condominium International (RCI) / South Africa / Timeshare destination database / Timeshare industry / Timeshare owners / Timeshare resort facilities / Timeshare resorts / Timesharing / Tourism geography
- ItemNodal intensification strategy : evaluation of an analytical model in metropolitan Cape Town(Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch, 2005-12) Morojele, N. I.; De Necker, P. H.; University of Stellenbosch. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Geography and Environmental Studies.The morphological form of South African cities is deemed inefficient and fragmented. Much of the current structure has been shaped by i) the political history of the country, with major influences from the colonial and apartheid eras; and ii) suburban sprawl influenced by the use of private vehicles. This presents obstacles to the sustainable and equitable development of our cities. Since the 1990s, efforts have been made to change the development of the country in order to accommodate previously disenfranchised communities through processes of reconstruction and development. Among these efforts are policies and frameworks aimed at guiding the development and growth of cities. Among the many approaches that have been identified are land use strategies, with the central focus of promoting densification and intensification of urban development. Emphasis on densification in certain public transport corridors and decentralised nodes are in general regarded as urban restructuring elements necessary to transform South African cities into efficient and sustainable areas. However, analytical tools that can explore the possibilities and limits of public transport-orientated development are scarce at present. The University of Utrecht in the Netherlands has developed an analytical model referred to as the node-place model, which can be used to profile nodes and to determine their (re)development potential. This study makes a contribution towards efforts to support the densification concept in general and nodal intensification in particular by applying the node-place model to a selection of railway stations in the Cape Town metropolitan area in order to identify appropriate land use developments to enhance their potential. The model was found to be a useful mechanism for comparing nodes within a transport system for purposes of informing decisions regarding how the nodes should be developed. However, the model requires more accurate and disaggregated data than is generally available for the Cape Town area.
- ItemResidential segregation in post-apartheid Vredenburg : the role of racial preference(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2003-04) Janse van Rensburg, Hendrik Stephanus; De Necker, P. H.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences . Dept. of Geography and Environmental Studies .ENGLISH ABSTRACT: South Africa has a long history of divided towns and cities. The grave inefficiencies and inequalities that developed between the racial communities during these periods must now be redressed in post-apartheid South Africa by integrating and unifying the physical and social structures of the country's urban settlements. In spite of the positive general trends in race relations and attitudes towards residential integration, South African towns and cities generally remain hyper-segregated. This could be an indication that White attitudes pertain only to the principles of integration, but that they do not actually want to live in integrated neighbourhoods themselves. The aim of this study is to assess the influence of racial preference in the dismantling or continuation of segregation in the South African town of Vredenburg during the postapartheid era. This is done by determining the influence that the population group composition of a neighbourhood has on the desirability of living in that neighbourhood when accounting for varying levels of crime and neighbourhood deterioration. A factorial survey questionnaire was used to gather the data, which were then analysed by way of multiple regression analyses. The results of the analyses indicate that the sampled residents of Vredenburg are generally not influenced by the population group composition of the neighbourhood. However, the more unsafe the neighbourhood, the more litter that is strewn about, the lower the housing quality and the more unfriendly the neighbours, the less respondents liked the neighbourhood. The results also indicate that members of the upper socio-economic class are more critical of their neighbourhoods and tend to evaluate them according to stricter criteria than the lower socio-economic classes do. The findings suggest that the racial composition of a neighbourhood per se does not significantly affect the attitudes of Vredenburg's residents towards a neighbourhood. Rather, high levels of crime and residential environmental deterioration are the factors that strongly affect both White and non-White people's views of a neighbourhood. Higher levels of crime and environmental deterioration are commonly associated with the lower socio-economic class. In the case of Vredenburg, vast socio-economic differences exist between the White and non- White residents of the town. These differences are not likely to change considerably in the short term. The continuation of these class differences will most likely be the cause of continued segregation in Vredenburg. Keywords: Apartheid city, Centralisation, Concentration, Evenness, Exposure, Factorial survey, Hyper-segregation, Integration, Multiple regression analysis, Neighbourhood characteristics, Racial preference, Segregation, Segregation indices.
- ItemRuimtelike verwantskappe tussen kultuurtoerisme en kleinhandel in Leuven, België : 'n GIS-toepassing(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2000-03) De Witt, Emile Emile Adriaan); De Necker, P. H.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Geography and Environmental Studies .ENGLISH ABSTRACT: European cities offer a variety of attractions, activities and facilities to tourists. One component of tourism in this urban context is cultural tourism which is a high potential growth sector within the tourism industry. Cultural tourists travel to cities mainly to see the most important and well known cultural attractions, to take part in cultural festivities, to view the cultural treasures of the cities and to attend performances and exhibitions. Other functions and activities such as retail functions and types also occur in the vicinity of the important cultural attractions of a city. Amongst these activities and functions are shops, cafés and restaurants. In an area of a city where cultural attractions and retail types coexist, the possibility exits that a spatial relationship between cultural tourism and retailing may occur in the sense that the tourists who visit these attractions may support the retail establishments in the vicinity of cultural attractions. The city of Leuven in Belgium is a typical West European city with a variety of cultural tourist attractions as well as functions which can be supportive of cultural tourism. These functions include shops, cafés and restaurants. An investigation was conducted to establish whether a spatial relationship exists between cultural tourism and retail activities in the part of Leuven known as the Ring. The geographical information systems TransCad, Arc/Info en ArcView were used for the processing and analysis of retail and cultural tourism data gathered in the Ring of Leuven. Three analytical procedures were performed separately for shops, cafés and restaurants. These procedures comprised (a) the determination of the numbers and types of supportive functions around the most important cultural-historical tourist attractions, (b) the determination of the numbers and types of supportive functions along the routes to cultural-historical sites from tourist points of origin, and (c) the determination of the numbers and types of supportive functions along guided-walk routes in the city. The analysis results show that a (spatial) relationship does exist between retail and cultural tourism in the Ring of Leuven. On average 44% of the retail functions (shops, cafés and restaurants) are located within a distance of up to saam from the six most important cultural building attractions in Leuven (procedure 1). Retail functions on guided-walk routes totalled 48% with cafés and restaurants being the most abundant (procedure 3). Only 19% of retail functions are located between points of origin and cultural building attractions (procedure 2). A more detailed study should be conducted to establish the exact nature of the spatial relationship which exists between retail and cultural tourism in the Ring of Leuven.
- ItemSite selection for the Small-Scale Aquaculture Farming Systems in the Western Cape : a GIS application(Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch, 2006-03) Steer, Lorn Adam; De Necker, P. H.; University of Stellenbosch. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Geography and Environmental Studies.The Rural Aquaculture Development Programme (RADP) of the Division of Aquaculture at Stellenbosch University (DASU) has the objective of socio-economic development of farm workers and rural communities from previously disadvantaged communities through the provision of opportunities for sustainable economic development by establishing small-scale fish-farming systems on irrigation dams. The Small-Scale Aquaculture Farming Systems (SSAFS) is an initiative of RADP. DASU intends implementing 20 new projects by the end of 2005, 100 by 2010 and at least 200 by 2020. Thus far, sites which can accommodate 25 projects have been identified. The owners of the land on which these 25 possible projects are located are being contacted to gain permission to use the sites for the SSAFS. It is possible that some of the owners of the sites will not allow them to be used so that not all 25 projects will necessarily be implemented. At present the predominant search method employed by DASU to find new sites involves two steps. Initially knowledge is acquired through word of mouth about dams that may be suitable. Personnel then drive to these dams for further inspection, to see if they are indeed suitable. This method of search is clearly both expensive and time-consuming. Geographical information systems (GIS) have as yet not been considered as an alternative and/or supplementary site selection method for the SSAFS. GIS tools and principles can reduce both expenses and time in locating sites by reducing the number of dams to be visited to only those that are optimal (i.e. they present the least risk of the SSAFS projects failing). A new site selection methodology using GIS was developed which is faster and less expensive than existing site selection methods. The GIS site selection methodology revolves around the isolation and selection of dams in the Berg and Breede River water management areas, based on their ability to fulfil certain parameters of critical variables comprising dam dimensions, environmental issues, distance measures and site security, according to a priority hierarchy, that determine a successful site for trout farming according to methods employed by the SSAFS. Once this methodology was produced, it was presented to five people who are directly involved with the SSAFS as well as four others who are not involved with the SSAFS but who might find the methodology useful, to determine whether they hold that the methodology is indeed better than existing search methodologies. Those who were presented the GIS site selection methodology felt that it is very useful and that it could be employed in future to make more informed choices when locating new sites for the SSAFS as well as other aquacultural enterprises.