Closing the gap between urban planning and urban ecology: A South African perspective

van Zyl, B; Cilliers, EJ; Lategan, LG; Cilliers, SS

Closing the gap between urban planning and urban ecology: A South African perspective

van Zyl, B Cilliers, EJ Lategan, LG Cilliers, SS

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Publisher:: Cogitatio
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Urban Planning, 2021, 6, (4), pp. 122-134
Issue Date:: 2021-01-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	van Zyl, B
dc.contributor.author	Cilliers, EJ
dc.contributor.author	Lategan, LG
dc.contributor.author	Cilliers, SS
dc.date.accessioned	2021-11-30T06:19:13Z
dc.date.available	2021-11-30T06:19:13Z
dc.date.issued	2021-01-01
dc.identifier.citation	Urban Planning, 2021, 6, (4), pp. 122-134
dc.identifier.issn	2183-7635
dc.identifier.issn	2183-7635
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/151931
dc.description.abstract	Ecological considerations should be an integral part of the decision-making processes of urban planners. Specifically, ecological aspects used in urban ecology, such as green infrastructure and ecosystem services, are substantiated by literature as strategies for improving quality of life, human health, and well-being. Studies dealing with such concepts in the Global South recently gained interest; however, these lack empirical evidence on the integration thereof in mainstream South African urban planning practice. This article conducts a preliminary investigation into the knowledge of ecological aspects of a sample of South African urban planners and their willingness to implement ecological aspects in urban planning prac-tice. The new environmental paradigm scale is employed to determine the environmental worldview (ecocentric or anthro-pocentric) among respondents and how this relates to their knowledge of ecological aspects. The initial research sample consisted of a total of 283 questionnaires distributed. Although findings of this article are based on a low response rate (15%) of 42 documented responses, it did not affect the validity of the data collected in this context. The initial findings indicated that the environmental worldview of the sample of planners is only one factor influencing their perspective on incorporating ecological considerations. Low to moderate knowledge and awareness regarding ecological aspects such as ecosystem services, green infrastructure, and multi-functionality are argued to be main factors preventing integration in urban planning practice. Findings emphasize the need for context-based implementation strategies and broad recommen-dations are made for the planning profession as a point of departure to introduce or ingrain ecological considerations.
dc.language	en
dc.publisher	Cogitatio
dc.relation.ispartof	Urban Planning
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.17645/up.v6i4.4456
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.title	Closing the gap between urban planning and urban ecology: A South African perspective
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	6
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Design, Architecture and Building
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Design, Architecture and Building/School of Built Environment
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
dc.date.updated	2021-11-30T06:19:12Z
pubs.issue	4
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	6
utslib.citation.issue	4

Abstract:

Ecological considerations should be an integral part of the decision-making processes of urban planners. Specifically, ecological aspects used in urban ecology, such as green infrastructure and ecosystem services, are substantiated by literature as strategies for improving quality of life, human health, and well-being. Studies dealing with such concepts in the Global South recently gained interest; however, these lack empirical evidence on the integration thereof in mainstream South African urban planning practice. This article conducts a preliminary investigation into the knowledge of ecological aspects of a sample of South African urban planners and their willingness to implement ecological aspects in urban planning prac-tice. The new environmental paradigm scale is employed to determine the environmental worldview (ecocentric or anthro-pocentric) among respondents and how this relates to their knowledge of ecological aspects. The initial research sample consisted of a total of 283 questionnaires distributed. Although findings of this article are based on a low response rate (15%) of 42 documented responses, it did not affect the validity of the data collected in this context. The initial findings indicated that the environmental worldview of the sample of planners is only one factor influencing their perspective on incorporating ecological considerations. Low to moderate knowledge and awareness regarding ecological aspects such as ecosystem services, green infrastructure, and multi-functionality are argued to be main factors preventing integration in urban planning practice. Findings emphasize the need for context-based implementation strategies and broad recommen-dations are made for the planning profession as a point of departure to introduce or ingrain ecological considerations.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/151931