Strategies for urban land management in the Free State

[摘要] English: This thesis deals with land management in urban areas and how the presentlegacy of separate towns may be managed and how the ultimate goals ofintegration and mixed land uses in a compatible manner can be attained. Newlegislation to ensure expeditious consideration of applications and the pruning oflogical steps are also discussed and proposed. The new-fangled legislation, theDevelopment Facilitation Act, 1995 (Act 67 of 1995) is also discussed thoroughlyand the uncertainties, deficiencies and advantages regarding this legislation arediscussed at length.The present situation regarding the separate towns and the problems encounteredreceives attention and this moves towards the integrated planning system wherenot only planning should be integrated, but where the entire approach should beintegrated. This means that planning cannot be done in isolation or incompartments, but that a multi-facetted approach is required where all disciplinesthat are directly or indirectly involved in development are incorporated.This means that traffic, infrastructure, services, the economy, social aspects,planning and the environment all need to be addressed. What is emphasized isthat land use and land development influence a whole spectrum of other elementsand these in turn influence planning and land use. The ideal will be to managethe land development and use in such a way that strategic thinking andmanagement take place. In respect of all these elements the backdrop of Agenda21 should not be forgotten.Each town has its own particular and unique circumstances and these have to betaken into account not only in so far as it pertains to planning, but as it willinfluence the environment. Local Agenda 21 plans will have to be compiled andnot with the notion that it will stifle development, but in order to develop in aconsistent manner with the environment and the provisions set out in Agenda 21.It is common knowledge that something will have to be done with the integrationof the towns as well as with the different zoning control measures. The rigidity ofthe town-planning schemes will also have to be addressed, but in order tocommence with this, new tailor-made legislation, administrative procedures andpolicies are required. This thesis aims to satisfy at least the one element and thatis the legislation. However, the research done can be useful for the compilation ofstructure plans, land development objectives and the subsequent town-planningscheme amendments in order to enhance development and have all urban areasincorporated within a single town-planning scheme.Another feature of the thesis is that it thoroughly discusses the administrativeprocesses and procedures regarding the Townships Board and the DevelopmentTribunal as well as all aspects relating to the procedures followed in landdevelopment. Some of the terms such as public interest and zoning for specificuses lend themselves to different interpretations and these have been researchedfrom a town-planning point of view, but more importantly from an administrativepoint of view as these are elements readily used in quasi-judicial tribunals.Numerous court cases have been consulted and clear guidance has been indicatedin this respect.The thesis aims to elucidate possible solutions in land management regarding therapid urbanization process encountered at present, sustainability in respect ofAgenda 21 and new legislation for the Free State.

[发布机构] University of the Free State