Engineering and the Built Environment Departments

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Browsing Engineering and the Built Environment Departments by Author "Chakwizira, James"

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    Access and constraints to commuting in Gauteng Province, South Africa
    (2016-05) Chakwizira, James; Bikam, Peter; Adeboyejo, Aina Thompson
    See the attached abstract below
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    Evaluating the criteria for allocation of development projects in the context of spatial development frameworks in Thulamela Local Municipality
    (2019-05-18) Thiba, M. C.; Bikam, P.; Chakwizira, James
    The study evaluates the criteria for allocation of development projects to communities using key guideline documents from municipalities such as the Spatial Development Frameworks and the Integrated Development Plans. Allocation of development projects in local municipalities must be well informed and must prioritise community needs hence the need for an objective process to the allocation of projects in communities. The study focused on one rural local municipality, Thulamela Local Municipality due to the level of service delivery protests and service delivery dissatisfaction experienced in the municipality that led to the 2016 municipal boundary redefinition process and a request of a new municipality called Collins Chabane. In this study, the name Malamulele which was under Thulamela Local Municipality is used interchangeably with the new name Collins Chabane. The study utilised the Evaluation Survey Approach to determine the allocation of projects in different communities in Thulamela local municipality. Both qualitative and quantitative research techniques, using Evaluation Survey Approach to unpack the implications of misbalanced allocation of development projects in rural communities were used. Data was collected through household questionnaires, key informant interviews and field observations. Key informants were selected through purposive random sampling techniques while household surveys were accomplished through stratified random sampling technique. Collected data on the role of government with respect to service delivery, criteria on the allocation, economic and demographic profiles, infrastructure and community service provision and principles of project allocation are presented, discussed, processed and analysed through thematic content analysis, SPSS and Microsoft Excel Packages. Based on the study’s findings of insufficient public participation, misalignment of SDF/SDBIP/IDP, lack of fund and planning, boundary disputes among others, the researcher then makes recommend the strategy for the allocation of development projects that involves outlining the criterion used to allocate development projects, adequate public participation, improved level of SDF alignment and principles for improved developmental project allocations in rural municipalities.
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    An evaluation of Intelligent Transport System: A case study of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Rea-Vaya in Johannesburg, South Africa
    (2017-09-18) Khwathisi, Ntsieni Colin; Chakwizira, James; Bikam, Peter
    This study focuses on the evaluation of intelligent transport systems making use of the BRT-Rea-vaya in Johannesburg as a case study. This study was motivated by the observation that few studies have been conducted in the study area that tackle explicitly intelligent transport systems evaluation. Intelligent transport systems can assist in improving private and public transportation systems and operations performance. In the public sector where various modes of transport such as the taxi, metro bus, metro rail, Gautrain and the BRT Rea-vaya operates, intelligent transport systems present opportunities for improving Level of Service (LOS) delivery. In Johannesburg, the BRT Rea vaya system was adopted by the Johannesburg metropolitan municipality to provide a safe, reliable, efficient and accessible public transport system. The BRT Rea vaya system is aimed at providing a better public transport, operating systems and service. For the BRT Rea vaya systems to achieve its primary goals and objectives, an intelligent transport system was incorporated to better manage the BRT Rea-vaya systems operations and activities. The study disclosed the status quo, opinions and attitudes of commuters regarding their experiences with the BRT Rea vaya public transport systems in Johannesburg. Furthermore, the study investigated whether the original objectives and aims of intelligent transport system in the BRT Rea-vaya have been meet. A central theme of the investigation is seeking to understand constraints and opportunities regarding BRT Rea-vaya intelligent transport systems‘ operations and activities in Johannesburg. The use of primary and secondary data such as questionnaires, key informant interviews, observation, journals and previous researches related to intelligent transport systems were used to acquire an in-depth understanding of the operational management of BRT Rea-vaya intelligent transport system. Collected data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) with the aid of Microsoft Excel making use of descriptive statistics, regression analysis, cross tabulation and chi-square test. This was presented using tables, graphs, maps etc. Qualitative data was analyzed making use of a thematic approach. The study resonates in the need for rapid public transport systems to provide lessons for improving and adopting intelligent transport systems. As an end product, the research provided a framework of analysis on how to integrate intelligent transport systems in the context of Bus rapid transit systems.
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    Investigation of commuter's perceptions towards the implementation of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) System: A case study of the BRT System in Polokwane Municipality, Limpopo Province, South Africa
    (2018-09-21) Maluleke, Rivoningo Getrude; Chakwizira, James; Bikam, Peter
    The study investigated commuters’ perceptions towards the implementation of bus rapid transport (BRT) system in Polokwane Local Municipality. This was achieved through determining the commuters’ perceptions of the implementation phases of Polokwane BRT. The assessment considered whether the implementation of the Polokwane BRT meets commuters’ travel needs and preferences with respect to the operational characteristics. The study used the stated preference and checklist technique to collect data. Questionnaires were spatially distributed per settlement cluster, targeting the general commuters. Data was also collected through interviews with the company implementing the system and the Polokwane municipal officials. The study was based on a comparison of two scenarios, which are: “protraction of public transport system without BRT and a combination of both public transport and the BRT system”. The collected data was analysed using Scenario-Based Analytical Approach (SBAA), with the aid of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and Microsoft Excel software. The collected data was represented and interpreted using both quantitative and qualitative data presentations formats. The study noted that commuters’ travel needs were limited to comfort, time, fare (affordability), safety and security. The results revealed that the methods used to introduce the implementation of BRT system influenced the perceptions of commuters towards the system. Most of survey respondents (55%) were not aware of BRT system implementation, while (56%) indicated that the methods used were extremely ineffective. Furthermore 43% of the survey respondents were not willing to shift from the public transport to use the BRT system. Therefore, many of the survey respondents (52%) negatively perceived and associated the system with negative transport changes within the Municipality. However, it was also established that the operation of the system within the municipality would attract (77%) commuters towards public transportation such as BRT system, only if the system incorporates commuters’ preferred operational characteristics. On the other hand, the scenarios revealed that without the intervention of BRT system, the municipality is likely to continue experiencing transport problems, although there are also challenges associated with the implementation of BRT system. The use of effective and familiar methods of communication, integrating the system with existing modes of transport, development densification, provision of mixed land use and transit oriented development along BRT corridors and BRT routes extensions to residential and socio-economic areas, are some of the recommendations in support of the BRT system.
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    Spatial (in) justice and street spaces of selected small rural towns in Vhembe District of Limpopo Province, South Africa
    (2021-11-19) Tsoriyo, Wendy; Ingwani, Emaculate; Chakwizira, James; Bikam, Peter
    Street spaces of small rural towns of Thohoyandou, Musina and Louis Trichardt in South Africa are characterised by spatial (in)justices as urban space is produced and reproduced every day through planning and design and management imperatives. In some cases, the spatial (in)justices are also inherited from the towns’ historical past and geographical location. These are perpetuated unwillingly over time to date. This study, therefore, seeks to interrogate the spatial (in)justices flowing from the streets themselves as distributors of (in)justices as street space users interact on street spaces in their everyday activities; and through processes of street planning, design and management. The study developed a framework of analysis that can be used by other researchers, planners and policy makers to redress spatial injustices on streets as important everyday spaces. The study employed a street space spatial justice case study survey design, which utilises the mixed methods approach. The primary data collection methods used include a street space design qualities inventory of forty-three street spaces in the towns' Central Business Districts; street intercept surveys with five hundred non-vehicular users; and structured interviews with eight spatial planners and city planning professionals knowledgeable about street design and management. Secondary data collection was done through reviewing literature sources from books, journals, municipal records, and internet sources. Analysis of data was done both qualitatively and quantitatively. Variables of safety, security, permeability, accessibility, legibility, robustness, and maintenance, and management were interrogated to measure spatial (in)justice on street spaces. The research findings show that thirty- six out of forty-three street spaces had low to least performing spatial justice qualities. Significant differences (p<0.05) exist between the different categories of users' perceptions of each spatial justice attribute, and also between users' satisfaction and expectations on street spaces. The local municipalities in the selected small rural towns provide packaged and controlled forms of justice which are often not context-specific. A significant output from this research is an improved street space spatial (in)justice analytical framework that can ensure spatial justice on street spaces of small rural towns. Multiple-lensed spatial (in)justice analyses and multi-stakeholder collaboration remain imperative for municipalities to ensure just street spaces.
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    Spatio-temporal analysis of Mopane Worm utilisation in South-Western Zimbabwe
    (2025-05-16) Gondo, Tendayi; Adeboyejo, Aina Thompson; Chakwizira, James
    Rural areas of developing countries such as Zimbabwe and other emerging economies have in recent years become a source of several pertinent international concerns. Major areas of concern include extreme poverty and hunger, and rising spatial and interpersonal disparities, challenges that the concerned national governments and the wider international community have failed to make meaningful headway in addressing. With the share of traditional sectors of agriculture, mining and manufacturing declining, many rural households in southwestern district of Matobo District in Zimbabwe Mopane Worms (MWs) have emerged as an alternative resource that can be harnessed for the betterment of their local economies. Such attention have been complement by efforts from international development partners such as the International Labour Organization (ILO), Department for International Development (DFID), Global Environment Fund (GEF) and local development agencies such as Southern Alliance Fore Indigenous Resources (SAFIRE), Institute of Environmental Studies (IES), and local academic institutions among others who have invested their efforts in trying to optimise local gains from MW utilisation. Such efforts have unfortunately missed the fundamental knowledge deficiencies associated with MW utilisation, that makes it currently difficulty to craft a MW oriented LED strategy. There is currently dearth of research scholarship on the spatiotemporal dynamics associated with MW resource dependency. We also lack data on spatio-temporal factors that shape successful territorial dynamics that would lead to situations of growth in the MW industry and the local economy. We lack a complete understanding of resilience dynamics associated with MW territories and how such may limit or enhance capacities of concerned communities when faced with adversity. Finally, no single study has drawn important connections between MW utilisation and the local economy. The present study sought to bridge this knowledge gap by addressing these shortcomings using a case study of five villages drawn to the southwestern rural district of Matobo, in Zimbabwe. Using a combination of household survey data and a series of PRA studies conducted, the study employed a variety of statistical tools and calculation of partial LED indices such as The Gini Coefficient, Successfully Territorial Dynamic Index, Rural access index, Resilience capacity among others to estimate the impact of MW utilisation on the local economy. Logistic regression analysis was employed to understand MW resource dependency. Other approaches such as Data Envelop Analysis (DEA) were also used to assess the contribution of MW use towards addressing territorial imbalances. Our findings reveal that in addition to widely mentioned socio-demographic variables, MW resource dependency is heavily influenced by many special variables including rural access, distance to markets, market efficiency. A combination of results from DEA and use of clustering algorithms revealed that a MW territory’s capabilities in terms of social, economic, institutional, ecological and engineering capability attributes is crucial in determining territorial success. The study also revealed important positive differences between the partial LED indices of communities where the intensity of trade measured by the Household commercialisation Index (HCI) was high. We found out that MW are reducing income inequalities, territorial imbalances, and in enhancing the resilience capacities of communities. We conclude by proposing a MW-oriented LED strategy that strikes a balance between pro-growth and pro-poor interventions. We proposed the implementation of both an input-oriented and output-oriented LED strategy that is place sensitive. A progressive entrepreneurial ecosystem frame is developed that may lead to situations of growth in the