Identifying and managing the social, economic and environmental effects of gated developments in Jamestown, Stellenbosch

[摘要] ENGLISH SUMMARY: As urbanisation increases, crime and the feeling of insecurity are becoming more prevalent inSouth African towns. As a consequence, exclusionary developments have become an important form of development. Gated developments are dramatically altering the way in which towns function. Gated developments do not only have social and economic effects, but also affects the natural environment in many ways. For these reasons, gated developments do not promote sustainable evelopment and are mostly undesirable. Although there are several fields of study that aim to address these effects, there is no single body of literature that looks at a combination of effects and ways to manage or address these effects.This study aims to fill this gap by assisting to (i) provide a theoretical base and historical perspective of gated developments in South Africa; (ii) provide insight regarding the factors that have driven the popularity of these developments; (iii) identify the social, economic andenvironmental effects that arise as a consequence of the presence of gated development in the Western Cape, and more specifically Jamestown, Stellenbosch; (iv) provide practical examples of these effects by looking at case studies of gated developments in Jamestown; (v) identifycurrent management tools with which to address these effects; and (vi) explore the best use of the management tools identified in this study to the identified effects of gated developments in Jamestown. This study makes use of a literature review, as well as an empirical study whereexisting documents (such as environmental impactssessments and spatial development frameworks) are analysed and qualitative and quantitative data are used to explore a number of case studies.From the case studies and additional research it was evident that there is an overlap betweenlaws, policies and plans at the various spheres of government, together with an overall absenceof policies with which to manage several of the effects of gated developments. It was further found that in some cases such developments should not be approved, rather than simply trying to manage the effects after these developments have been approved. During the planning stage, more coordination between stakeholders are required and this needs to be converted into better implementation of the laws, policies and plans at ground level. Existing management tools have the ability to address several of the social, economic and environmental effects; however, some management tools must be amended to more effectively address case specific effects. Only if the above mentioned aspects are addressed, can sustainable development be integrated into development in South Africa.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University