Modelling urban spatial change: a review of international and South African modelling initiatives


Book Description

Urban growth and land use change models have the potential to become important tools for urban spatial planning and management. Before embarking on any modelling, however, GCRO felt it was important to take note of, and critically assess lessons to be learnt from international experience and scholarship on spatial modelling, as well as a number of South African experiments that model future urban development. In 2012, GCRO initiated preliminary research into current international and South African modelling trends through a desktop study and telephone, email and personal interviews. This Occasional paper sets out to investigate what urban spatial change modelling research is currently being undertaken internationally and within South Africa. At the international level, urban modelling research since 2000 is reviewed according to five main categories: land use transportation (LUT), cellular automata, urban system dynamics, agent-based models (ABMs) and spatial economics/econometric models (SE/EMs). Within South Africa, urban modelling initiatives are categorised differently and include a broader range of urban modelling techniques. Typologies used include: provincial government modelling initiatives in Gauteng; municipal government modelling initiatives; other government-funded modelling research; and academic modelling research. The various modelling initiatives described are by no means a comprehensive review of all urban spatial change modelling projects in South Africa, but provide a broad indication of the types of urban spatial change modelling underway. Importantly, the models may form the basis for more accurate and sophisticated urban modelling projects in the future. The paper concludes by identifying key urban modelling opportunities and challenges for short- to long-term planning in the GCR and South Africa.




The Urban Ecologies of Divided Cities


Book Description

The book discusses how division affect the fabric of cities, and people’s sense of identity and agency, and are reflected in physical features, architecture, and urban planning. The question of divided cities represents a complex and multistranded urban Ecology—at once both social and spatial; it cannot be limited to a single science or discipline, such as social or spatial fields. This suggests integrated and cross- disciplinary understandings, as well as integrated or parallel approaches and solutions. Urban ecologies of division manifest in multiple forms. One of their most palpable expressions is conflict, with parallels around the world, and often with correlations in the spatial fabric. Violence in such contexts is often a surface expression of deeper socio-economic or ideological differences. Whether as a result of intervention by authority or by dissent between groups, a divided city inevitably becomes a place of conflict in various forms and intensity, eroding the joy of living and sense of collective belonging to the detriment of all. In effect, it erodes the collective advantage of being part of a more unified society. A city exists in collections of social structures which mutually form a society. A divided city implies divided social structures and, in consequence, a divided society. The papers compiled in this book present many case studies of divided cities, discussing the different causes of divisions and their effects on societies. Some of the causes can be linked to conflicts, wars, colonialism, or legislative political systems. In response to the serious challenges resulting from these divisions, the book aims to provide opportunities for new approaches and possibilities for new interventions and solutions, making it significant to urban planners, architects, and policymakers.




Transportation, Land Use and Integration


Book Description

For many years the integration of the location of land use and activities in spatial systems, as well as the provision of transport in movement of goods, services and people, has been recognized as a challenge amongst various specialists, including: engineers, transportation planners, economists, environmentalists, urban and regional planners and developers. The purpose of this book is to address transportation modelling in terms of technology, techniques and methodology application in context to the interface between transportation systems, land use planning, and environmental challenges and application. The methodology of transportation modelling is applied to international practices and application based on specific case studies, inclusive of public transportation projects; transportation modelling techniques in practice; international research agenda; network design and channel strategies; strategic planning; application of technology in traffic surveys and interpretation; emissions from transportation systems; application of mathematical models and the interface between environment, land use and development in terms of location in space and the resulting activities. Of value to both theorists and practitioners, this book references the integration of transportation modelling techniques within an interdisciplinary environment inside all spatial systems.




Urban Transport XXI


Book Description

Urban Transport XXI contains the proceedings of the 21st International Conference on Urban Transport and the Environment. The series of annual conferences organised by the Wessex Institute was first held in 1995. Transportation in urban areas, with its related environmental and social impacts, is a topic of significant concern for policymakers in both municipal and central government and for the urban citizens who need effective and efficient transport systems. Urban transport systems require considerable studies to devise and then safeguard their operational use, maintenance and safety. Transportation systems produce significant environmental impacts and can enhance or degrade the quality of life in urban centres. Clearly the challenge of providing effective and efficient transport systems in urban settings remains an acute concern, with financial, political and environmental constraints limiting the ability of transport system planners and operators to deliver the high quality outcomes expected by the public. Papers cover such topics as: Urban Transport Planning and Management; Urban Transport Strategies; Public Transport Systems; Environmental Aspects; Economic and Social Impact; Safety and Security; Travel Behaviour Studies; Customer Satisfaction; Transportation Modelling and Simulation; Infrastructure Development; Intelligent and Advanced Transport Systems; Transportation Integration; City Logistics; Resilience and Inter-modal Transport Systems; Mass Transport Strategies; Social Impacts; Freight Transport; Railway Systems; Transport Governance and Administration; Port and City; Mobility and Public Space; Life Cycle Management.




Economic Incentives in Sub-Saharan African Urban Planning


Book Description

This book explores incentives capable of enhancing the effectiveness of urban planning systems in Sub-Saharan Africa using economic theory as a framework. It argues that urban planning is fundamental to the achievement of sustainable and resilient cities, but against the backdrop of rising levels of urbanisation and growth, poverty, informal development, and climate change, such systems are failing to be promoted and successfully maintained in the region. Across ten chapters, it analyses the connection between urban planning and socio-economic development, indicators of effective urban planning systems, and the role and influence of incentives with real-world evidence. It develops quantitative models to estimate the costs and benefits of urban planning systems, focussing on the developing world where organised data is less accessible. Using Ghana as a case study, it demonstrates a step-by-step approach on how to implement the quantitative models discussed. Economic Incentives in Sub-Saharan African Urban Planning will be useful reading for researchers, policy-makers, development agencies, and students in urban planning, sustainable development, and economics.




Culture and Rural–Urban Revitalisation in South Africa


Book Description

This book captures ground-breaking attempts to utilise culture in territorial development and regeneration processes in the context of South Africa and our 'new normal' brought by COVID-19, the fourth industrial revolution, and climate change the world over. The importance of culture in rural-urban revitalisation has been underestimated in South Africa and the African continent at large. Despite some cultural initiatives that are still at developmental stages in big cities, such as Johannesburg, eThekwini and Cape Town, there is concern about the absence of sustainable policies and plans to support culture, creativity, and indigenous knowledge at national and municipal levels. Showcasing alternative strategies for making culture central to development, this book discusses opportunities to shift culture and indigenous knowledge from the peripheries and place them at the epicentre of sustainable development and the mainstream of cultural planning, which can then be applied in the contexts of Africa and the Global South. Governmental institutions, research councils, civil society organisations, private sector, and higher education institutions come together in a joint effort to explain the nexus between culture, economic development, rural-urban linkages, grassroots and technological innovations. Culture and Rural-Urban Revitalization in South Africa is an ideal read for those interested in rural and urban planning, cultural policy, indigenous knowledge and smart rural village model.




Integrated Productivity in Urban Africa


Book Description

This book introduces readers to neo-mercantile planning theory in the context of spatial regional integration in Africa. It proposes a new approach that rethinks neo-liberalism as the meta-theory of planning in Africa, and pioneers an original school of thought that presents a general theory of planning for Africa in the twenty-first century. Research to substantiate the new theory was conducted over the period November 2010 to May 2015 and is presented here in four sections with more than 500 references. The book offers comprehensive coverage, from the theoretical foundations and framework, through application and empirical research, to analysis, conclusions and recommendations.




Future is Urban: Livability, Resilience & Resource Conservation


Book Description

Cities have played an important role in our lives since the dawn of civilization. However, cities are slowly becoming overwhelmed and therefore intervention is desirable towards green, blue and egalitarian nature. Even with current urban issues, we must rise to the occasion as professionals to create cities that are social, cities that take care of the environment, and cities that are digital. Increased citizen participation is indispensable in this process. The ‘International Conference on Future is Urban (IFCU’ 21) Dec 16-18, 2021, Ahmedabad, India’, takes into account Livability, Resilience & Resource Conservation for planning Future and cities in future.




Climate Change 2022 – Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability


Book Description

The Working Group II contribution to the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) provides a comprehensive assessment of the scientific literature relevant to climate change impacts, adaptation and vulnerability. The report recognizes the interactions of climate, ecosystems and biodiversity, and human societies, and integrates across the natural, ecological, social and economic sciences. It emphasizes how efforts in adaptation and in reducing greenhouse gas emissions can come together in a process called climate resilient development, which enables a liveable future for biodiversity and humankind. The IPCC is the leading body for assessing climate change science. IPCC reports are produced in comprehensive, objective and transparent ways, ensuring they reflect the full range of views in the scientific literature. Novel elements include focused topical assessments, and an atlas presenting observed climate change impacts and future risks from global to regional scales. Available as Open Access on Cambridge Core.