Browsing by Author "Du Plessis, Danie"

Now showing 1 - 4 of 4
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    Coping with drought : the experience of water sensitive urban design (WSUD) in the George Municipality
    (Water Research Commission, 2015) Lottering, Naomey; Du Plessis, Danie; Donaldson, Ronnie
    This study investigated the extent of Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) activities in the George Municipality in the Western Cape Province, South Africa, and its impact on water consumption. The WSUD approach aims to influence design and planning from the moment rainwater is captured in dams, to when it is treated, and reticulated to consumers, and extending to the point of wastewater re-use, as well as stormwater use. The study identified 8 WSUD sub-activities stemming from 4 main WSUD activities, implemented by the George Local Municipality. Water debtors’ data were sourced in order to measure the effect of 3 of the 8 WSUD sub-activities on water consumption in selected areas. The analysis confirmed that the three WSUD sub-activities had a short-term impact on reducing water consumption in the suburbs where they were implemented. It is recommended that the municipality focus on improved planning and implementation of a diverse range of WSUD activities and implementing information and monitoring systems to evaluate the impact of these measures.
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    A critical evaluation of the operational application of various settlement typologies in South Africa
    (University of the Free State, 2013) Schmidt, Isabel; Du Plessis, Danie
    This article critically evaluates the definition and operational application of various settlement typologies across selected government departments for the purposes of the planning, implementation and monitoring of development programmes. Both quantitative and qualitative research methods are applied and informant and group interviews are conducted with 21 different government departments or entities. Nine different typologies are identified and compared on the basis of the requirements highlighted during the group interviews and international best practice. Discussions with the various interest groups highlight the need for a functional typology that consists of a number of categories or classes that can be combined as needed and not be restricted to a simple urban-rural dichotomy. A more dynamic and accessible linkage between the spatial units of analysis of the various typologies is also required. It is found that the South African City Network/ Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) settlement typology meets most of the criteria set by the literature as well as the groups interviewed. In view of the widespread use of the Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) data and typologies, it is recommended that the South African City Network/CSIR typologies should dovetail as much as possible with the 2011-census data and classification system.
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    Economic and demographic performance of municipalities in South Africa : an application of Zipf's rule
    (University of the Free State, 2013) Morudu, Hlabi; Du Plessis, Danie
    There are vast differences among South African local municipalities, with a limited number of large municipalities (both in terms of population size and economic activity) and a seemingly disproportionate number of intermediate-sized and small municipalities. No clear systematic national approach has yet been adopted to assess the distribution of core variables at municipal level in South Africa. Zipf’s rule, which postulates a consistent regularity in the size and rank of cities, is applied to disaggregate the performance of South African local municipalities in terms of three variables (population, Gross Value Added and municipal income) within the overall national settlement pattern. The results indicate that the Zipf rank size rule distribution is applicable to municipal level population data in South Africa, but less so for Gross Value Added and municipal income. The position and relative changes of municipalities along the Zipf curve between 2001 and 2011 also provide plausible indications of potential future trajectories of the three variables classified according to the dominant settlement typology within each municipality. The results also emphasise the significant conceptual limitations when using only legally defined administrative municipal boundaries for analysis purposes without also considering economically functional boundaries.
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    Growth potential study 2014
    (Western Cape Government, 2014-03) Van Niekerk, Adriaan; Du Plessis, Danie; Spocter, Manfred; Ferreira, Sanette; Dondaldson, Ronnie; Loots, Lieb; Boonzaaier, Ilze; Janeke, Dudley; Terhoven, Quinton
    This study determined the growth potential and socio-economic needs of settlements in the Western Cape outside of the Cape Town metropolitan area using quantitative data (e.g. factors relating to socio-economic, economic, physical-environmental, infrastructure and institutional aspects). The results of the quantitative analyses were combined with qualitative information (e.g. stakeholder engagements) to identify potential interventions that might unlock latent potential within settlements and regions.