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  • ItemOpen Access
    An urban planning perspective on the readiness of Thohoyandou CBD public spaces in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic: a case study of Thohoyandou CBD
    (2023-10-05) Ratshilingana, Mudanalwo Maryline; Gondo, T.; Bikam, P.
    Thohoyandou CBD public spaces need to be ready in the future to urgently react to pandemics. This study aims to introduce urban planning measures that must be taken into consideration to improve the current performance of public spaces in reducing the spread of COVID-19. The study is guided by four research objectives which are as follows, (i) To analyse urban planning and urban management attributes that are critical in limiting the spread of COVID-19 in public spaces. (ii) To identify and categorize public spaces that are likely to pose a threat to limiting the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in Thohoyandou CBD. (iii)To determine urban management factors that are significant to COVID- 19 in public spaces of Thohoyandou CBD and (iv) To come up with an urban planning-based resilience framework that will boost the ability of public spaces to respond to the challenges of a pandemic. Twenty-five public spaces were analysed based using five study constructs, which included waste management attributes, water provision attributes, ecological/environmental attributes, demographic attributes, and public space management and behaviours. Data was analysed using Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA), Multiple regression Analysis (MRA) and analysis of standardised mean score z-values. Data screening procedures were employed using normality test measures of skewness and kurtosis. Results revealed that there are five critical issues that need to be addressed if we are to limit the spread of COVID-19 in public spaces. These include waste management, water provision, public space user demographics, public space management behaviors and environment integrity issues. HCA results revealed two unique categories of public spaces based on their responsiveness to the spread of COVID -19. Cluster 1(one) is made up of 10 public spaces accounting for 40 % of the total and Cluster 2 is made up of 15 public spaces accounting for 60 %. Cluster 2 type of public spaces are generally performing relatively well in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic as evidenced by positive and high standardized mean score z values when compared to cluster 1 (one) type of public spaces. MRA results revealed that the most significant (P value <0.05) attribute capable of reducing the spread of COVID-19 is water provision. The study concluded by recommending a resilience framework aimed at reducing the risk and exposure to COVID- 19 as well as building public pace capacity to withstand challenges posed by future pandemics. Critical interventions for building resilience should focus on such issues as building functional waste management and water facilities, redesigning of some public spaces, deployment of smart technologies, improved infrastructure maintenance and public space monitoring as well as rolling out of education campaigns. More intervention efforts should be directed to 40 % of public spaces belonging to cluster 1 as they were found to be severely compromised.
  • ItemOpen Access
    Application of smart value chain logistics for the small-medium brick manufacturing enterprises of Thohoyandou Town, South Africa
    (2023-10-05) Mawelewele, Lutendo; Chakwizira, J.; Ingwani, E.
    The study investigated the smart value chain logistics system application within the domain of the brick-making sector of Thohoyandou town, South Africa. The investigation has revealed new ways of re-imagining the operation of process inventory for produced and finished brick products from the supply chain to the distribution centers within rural towns through the utilization of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) platforms applied within the Small-Medium Brick Logistics enterprises. The Small-Medium Brick Enterprises (SMBEs) of Thohoyandou town consist of unlicensed small-scale enterprises and medium-scale enterprises. Little formal documented information was known about these enterprises in terms of the operational mode, production procedures, transportation, and socio-economic impacts on the host communities. The study aimed to demonstrate the application of the Smart Value Chain Logistics approach that could be applied to improve the transportation process in Small-Medium Brick Manufacturing Enterprises in Thohoyandou Town. The main objective was to recommend a smart value chain logistics framework. To analyze the value chain system that seeks to support the Small-Medium Brick Manufacturing Enterprises’ development in the brick-making sector of Thohoyandou town. The study analysis was conducted, where the sample size of the brick manufacturing enterprises in Thohoyandou town was 7 with (100%) responses. The sample size of the key informants from the local municipality and district municipality within the transport and housing departments was 5 with (100%) responses that were analyzed using the SPSS spatial analytical tool. The total sample size of all key respondents was 12. The research methodology selected for the study was the mixed method approach using qualitative and quantitative analysis approaches. The results revealed that the application of the smart value chain logistics framework approach could be adopted to improve the brick-making enterprise’s transport logistics in terms of operational efficiency, and effectiveness of the manufacturing activities.
  • ItemOpen Access
    Exploring access to basic services to support local economic development: a case study of Mahwelereng, Mogalakwena Local Municipality
    (2023-05-19) Nemakhavhani, Tshilidzi; Chakwizira, J.; Bikam, P.
    The study focuses on exploring access to basic services to support local economic development in Mahwelereng area, Mogalakwena Local Municipality. Provision of basic services has been a challenge in most of the local municipalities in South Africa. In most of these municipalities, the basic service delivery challenges have resulted in public protests. It is in this context that several regions within South Africa have experienced service delivery protests since 1994, which are characterised by increased violence and local governance system inefficiency debates. The Mogalakwena Local Municipality as part of local government is mandated to fulfil constitutional obligations to ensure that provision of sustainable, effective, and efficient basic services (such as water, sanitation, electricity, refuse removal and roads networks) to the communities, while promoting social and local economic development in the area that they serve. The supply of basic services in Mokgalakwena Local Municipality has over the years experienced severe infrastructural and delivery challenges which involve poor capacity, electricity blackouts and disruptions, poor sanitation, rapid loss of water supply due to leaks, and service provision management challenges. A qualitative research approach was employed in this study because the study was explanatory and descriptive in nature. This approach assisted in investigating the study problem, its nature, magnitude, and severity within the specific social and or geographic settings rather than broader populations. The primary data source were interviews, while the secondary sources was documents reviews, Integrated Development Plan (IDP), Spatial Development Framework (SDF) and Integrated Transport Plan (ITP), which included books, journals, dissertations, and reports. The sampled key informant population or target groups in the study area included community members, ward committee members or councillors, managers, and technicians of the Mogalakwena municipal area. The findings are expressed by means of discussing the extent of the provision of basic services to support local economic development in communities. Furthermore, they were determined by the impacts of poor service delivery on supporting local economic development and challenges experienced by the local municipalities in terms of basic service delivery. Based on the findings and analyses, the study recommended a raft of strategies that can be used by the Municipalities in improving basic service delivery to the residents; those strategies include Performance Measurement, Motivation, Capacity building within municipalities. Strengthening V I | P a g e and better aligning the IDP, SDF and ITP is one way through which the systems of planning at local government level can be improved to better support sustainable access to basic services, local economic growth and development. However, implementing these study findings must be done in adherence and compliance to existing legislative and policy frameworks. Furthermore, the study concluded that Mogalakwena Municipality should further streamline and strengthen the effective and efficient legislative and policy framework that underpin the adequate provision of basic services to the residents of Mahwelereng. In addition, the implementation and updating of local economic growth and development policies, strategies and ancillary programmatic action coupled with implementing new and amending existing by-laws that support satisfactory basic service delivery to the residents of Mahwelereng should be a top development priority in local government areas such as typified by the study area.
  • ItemOpen Access
    Urban Households' Vulnerability and Adaptation to Climate Change in Mopani District, Limpopo Province, South Africa
    (2023-05-19) Yusuf, Jimoh Musa; Bikam, Peter; Chikoore, Hector.; Chikoore, Hector.
    The surreptitious impact of climate change on human society is a recurrent issue among scholars and policy makers in the 21st century. While the literature is replete with theoretical discussion and empirical analysis, particularly studies focusing on the major cities of developed economies, there is dearth of empirical studies on the cities of developing economies generally, and South Africa in particular where current dimension of human vulnerability, adaptation and response pattern are very abnormal and pathetically problematic. This thesis therefore examines Urban Households' Vulnerability, adaptation and response to Climate Change in Mopani District, Limpopo Province, South Africa. It assesses the households', communities‘ and spatial planning coping strategies in response to extreme climate change events in both spatial planning policies and households' practices. Purposive method was used to select six towns (Giyani, Hoedspruit, ModjadjisKloof, Nkowankowa, Phalaborwa, and Tzaneen) in the Mopani District as case studies. Using Multistage sampling techniques, 500 respondents, proportionally distributed among the selected towns were randomly chosen for the purpose of questionnaire administration to elicit information on socioeconomic characteristics and adaptation strategies. 60 years records (1958 to 2017) of rainfall and Temperature were obtained from monthly gridded and high-resolution satellite dataset from the global data to detect climatic trends and cycles in annual and monthly Temperatures and Rainfall during the period. Google earth pro and ‗gps visualizer‘ are used to conduct topographical analysis to assess the influence of terrain on the occurrence of climate related disasters. The use of geospatial analysis of available LandSat imageries was adopted for the examination of Land use and Land Cover Changes to monitor the trend in land and land resources consumption as an influencer of exposure to rainfall and temperature. Household Vulnerability Index (HVI) developed by United Nations (UN) Habitat was used to examine Households‘ and communities‘ degrees of exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity. Ordered Logit Regression Model was used to examine the contributions of factors to HVI and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was employed in weight assignments. Pearson‘s Correlation Coefficient was used to measure the strength of association that exists between the Households vulnerability Index and some selected socioeconomic attributes (such as age, gender, income, highest qualification) in the selected towns. Livelihood Diversification Index (LDI) was calculated, using the Herfindahl index of diversification to scrutinise the influence of diversification of households‘ Livelihood on their overall vulnerability level in Mopani. A mobile x application and web-based technology and tools are employed to design and develop the Disaster Hotspot Reporting and Monitoring System, for timely reporting and record keeping of climate related incidences. The results reveal that the selected towns across the Mopani District have exhibited increasing warm Temperature (with varying heat waves) throughout the period under examination. Upward correlations that imply increase in the variations in both mean minimum and mean maximum Temperatures are observed over the period, with seasonal variations recorded from year to year. However, the trend in rainfall shows a reducing trend during the same period with yearly seasonal variations in precipitation. Most towns are characterised by gentle slopes, thus flash floods occur in varying intensities and frequencies across the selected towns. Developments (buildings, roads, asphalts, floor tiles etc) consistently invade vegetation, water bodies and bare land. Household exposure and adaptive capacity are observed to be high in the district with about 92% households in exposed category; Nkowankowa town claims the highest proportion (96.58%), while ModjadjisKloof town accounted for 60%, being the least. The HVI is equally high in these towns with Tzaneen being the town with the highest (over 78%) Community Vulnerability Index (CVI), while Hoedspruit town is the most resilient, with the least CVI of 55.56%. The high vulnerability levels observed in these towns were attributed to poor housing conditions, lack of access to essential services, and lack of insurance cover (of any form) among the households, among other factors. However, a point increase in LDI instigates a reduction of HVI by 0.729 points. A point increase in household age has increased HVI by 0.333, while that of educational qualifications significantly decreases the impacts on HVI by -0.0706. Other factors such as physical, statutory, and system failures contributed to high HVI in the study area. The result further reveals that tree planting and fans/air conditioners were the most popular with adoption by 100% respondents as coping strategies to deal with increasing Temperature in the District. In contrast, water treatment and storage tanks in homes were the most commonly embraced adaptation strategies for changes in water levels by 100% and 81% respondents respectively. The findings further show that, local municipalities' plans and policies recognised the impacts of climate change on urban households and the roles urban planning plays a central role in responding to climate change impacts. However, there is little evidence to indicate substantial efforts to pragmatically and coherently address the problems; the municipalities still rely on the national government for urban-related and climate change disaster response policies and strategies. While emphasising greening (in homes and at the city centres) to reduce heat waves and curtail surface runoff, the study led to the development of a framework with an incorporated disaster hotspot reporting and monitoring system for sustainable adaptation planning in the district.
  • ItemOpen Access
    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.
  • ItemOpen Access
    Spatial transformation in the City of Polokwane, South Africa (1996-2016)
    (2021-06-23) Moffat, Frank; Chakwizira, J.; Ingwani, E.; Bikam, P.
    The World urban population is increasing rapidly, in a context in which small, intermediate towns and cities have been found to be inadequately prepared to manage such pressures. One area in which cities have been underperforming is tracking spatial transformation. This study explores spatial transformation in the City of Polokwane from 1996 to 2016. The problem in the study area is that City of Polokwane lacks an integrated framework for tracking spatial transformation. The objectives of the study were to, (i) analyse the legislative and policy framework directions for spatial transformation in the City of Polokwane (ii) map spatial transformation in Polokwane City using spatial indicators, (iii) analyse the drivers of spatial transformation in the City of Polokwane (iii) establish the implications of spatial transformation in the City of Polokwane and (iv) develop an integrated framework for tracking spatial transformation in small and intermediate cities in South Africa. A pragmatic paradigm philosophical approach underpins the study, supplemented by mixed methods research approach and case study strategy. The sample size for the study comprised of 588 households, it was calculated using the Raosoft online sample size calculator. The sampling procedures adopted in this study include purposive sampling, snow ball sampling and stratified random sampling method, resulting in the proportional distribution of the sample in the following nodal areas; Polokwane (327), Seshego (184) and Mankweng (77). The primary data sources for this study included; household spatial transformation questionnaire survey, key expert interviews, observations, and mapping. Secondary data sources included institutional documents and records, key spatial transformation textbooks, geospatial data sets, internet and library datasets where the researcher accessed relevant information on spatial transformation in the City of Polokwane. Data analysis on the 116 mesozones polygons that are linked to the GIS databases containing 1996, 2001, 2011, 2016 census data was guided by the dimensions of spatial transformation mapping triad linked to relevant spatial indicators. The spatial indicators employed agglomerative hierarchical cluster analysis, to generate choropleth thematic maps using ArcGIS depicting empirical spatial transformation in the City of Polokwane from 1996 to 2016. Quantitative data analysis was aided with Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS) for descriptive statistics and exploratory factor analysis (EFA), to determine the drivers and implication of spatial transformation in the City of Polokwane. Qualitative data analysis in this study employed content analysis to gain an in depth understanding of spatial transformation and guide development of an integrated framework for tracking spatial transformation in small and intermediate cities. This was augmented with the use of Atlas.ti, for generating word cloud guided by deductive reasoning approach, and research questions from the study within the purview of critical discourse theoretical framework. The findings for the study provide the following contributions to knowledge on spatial transformation; (i) legislative and policy directions on spatial transformation in the City of Polokwane (ii) maps showing empirical evidence on spatial transformations in the City of Polokwane (1996-2016) (iii) drivers of spatial transformation in the City of Polokwane (iv) social, environmental, economic, government/policy and spatial planning implications of spatial transformation in the City of Polokwane (v) an integrated framework for tracking spatial transformation in small and intermediate cities in South Africa.
  • ItemOpen Access
    Disaster risk reduction strategies for informal settlements: A case of Hlophekane in Giyani, Limpopo Province, South Africa
    (2020-06) Ramunenyiwa, Vhahangwele Charlene; Ingwani, Emaculate; Nyamwanza, Shylet
    The frequency of natural disasters in informal settlements has been on the increase globally, Yet approximately 1 billion people still live in informal settlements world-wide. In South Africa, about 1.2 million people live in informal settlements characterised by inadequate infrastructure, lack of effective land use and spatial planning, high densities and are highly exposed to the risk of disasters. In general, there is a close link between informal settlements as spaces of habitation and exposure to disaster risks. Reflecting on disaster risk reduction strategies for informal settlements is therefore imperative particularly from an urban and regional planning perspective. Therefore, this work uses a case study of Hlophekane an informal settlement located in Greater Giyani Local Municipality under the Limpopo Province's Mopani District in South Africa to illustrate these concerns. The main purpose of this study is to develop disaster risk reduction strategies for Hlophekane Informal Settlement. The study sought to identify and characterize the nature of disasters in Hlophekane Informal Settlement. Data was collected from 90 households that live in Hlophekane Informal Settlement through a questionnaire survey and 3 key informant interviews were conducted. Furthermore, the study mapped disaster risk zones in Hlophekane Informal Settlement using GIS. Collected data was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) making use of a thematic analysis and descriptive statistics. Microsoft computer software packages and Geographical Information System (GIS) were used to map disaster hotspots zones. Data was presented through the use of tables, graphs, and maps. Qualitative data was analysed making use of a range of processes and procedures to generate explanations, understanding or interpretation of the experiences of people and situations in the disaster context. The study findings in disaster risk reduction strategies are expected to provide lessons for reducing disasters in the area from an urban and regional planning perspective. Disaster Risk Reduction strategies suitable for informal settlements such as Hlophekane must be sustainable, cost effective and involve the community. A combination of the multi-sectoral and multi-displinary approaches is one of the disaster risk reduction strategies that can be implemented. This strategy integrates different sectors, government departments, NGO’s and the affected communities. Out of this strategy, several projects were identified such as in situ upgrading, roll over upgrading and complete relocation. From those projects, in situ upgrading is the most suitable, convenient and cost-effective strategy that can be implemented.
  • ItemOpen Access
    Investigating prospects of integrating spatial planning with disaster risk reduction in flood prone settlements of Greater Tzaneen Municipality of Limpopo Province in South Africa
    (2019-05-18) Tladi, Mazwi Thapelo; Gondo, T.; Bikam, P.
    Disaster is posing serious threats to both human lives, infrastructure and the environment at large. Greater Tzaneen Municipality (GTM) is one of the many municipalities that suffer from flood related disasters. Lack of integration between Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and spatial planning has compounded the disaster risk situation in the municipality. This study sought to investigate the prospects of integrating spatial planning with disaster risk reduction in flood prone areas of GTM. The study is guided by three research objectives. First, the study sought to analyse spatial planning attributes that can be valorised for DRR in flood prone areas; Secondly, it sought to analyse spatial planning factors that define vulnerability attributes of households occupying flood prone areas. Finally, the study sought to perform a cluster analytical creation of a typology of households whose resilience to flooding could be enhanced through spatial planning. Twenty-five flood prone areas were analysed on the basis of four main flood vulnerability attributes. In order to identify such vulnerability attributes, the study borrowed critical insights from literatures on flood vulnerability, spatial planning and DRR. Such a critical review of literature was complemented by the use of pattern matching as a qualitative research instrument. Quantitative that was gathered using a structured observation checklist. Quantitative data generated was first subjected to various statistical tests that included Normality and Reliability Tests. Common measures of Normality test used included measures of skewness, kurtosis and the use of Normal Q-Q plots. To assess flood vulnerability, Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA) was used. HCA was used to identify clusters of flood prone areas which had common characteristics in terms of the four main study constructs proposed by the study which included the physical/engineering, socio-economic, ecological/natural and political or governance conditions characterizing each area. HCA was then used to identify main clusters exhibiting similar characteristics and the associated level of vulnerability of such of communities occupying such clusters. Study results revealed 2 main clusters of flood prone areas whose differences lay in interactions that existed between the physical/engineering, socio-economic, ecological/natural and political or governance conditions characterizing each area. Such clusters depicted 2 levels of vulnerability that is high, and moderate. A number of opportunities and constraints were generated using the SWOT matrix strategy with the main results showing that spatial planning elements characterizing flood prone areas could be transformed into critical urban risk management options for DRR. This is because a spatial planning elements were found to have a direct influences on critical factors of DRR such as location of activities. The study concluded by recommending a number of spatial planning strategies that can be vaporized for DRR. Such strategies are systematically aligned to the unique vulnerability context conditions associated with the two flood vulnerability solution arrived at using HCA.
  • ItemOpen Access
    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.
  • ItemOpen Access
    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.
  • ItemOpen Access
    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.
  • ItemOpen Access
    Access and constraints to commuting in Gauteng Province, South Africa
    (2016-05) Chakwizira, James; Bikam, Peter; Adeboyejo, Aina Thompson
    See the attached abstract below
  • ItemOpen Access
    Exploring town-gown developmental paradigms : A case of University of Venda's 'Univen Town concept'
    (2017-05-18) Moffat, Frank; Anyumba, G.; Ingwani, E.; Gondo, T.
    University towns or town gown relationships are increasingly becoming an accepted developmental narrative between institutions of higher learning and their host communities. The University of Venda was mandated by the Honourable Minister of Higher Education and Training Dr. Blade Nzimande, in October 2014, to devise a university town strategy aimed at developing Thohoyandou and its rural environs to become a university town. The University of Venda in its approach towards the development of a university town has adopted the new governance approach of formulating innovative collaborative partnerships with its surrounding stakeholders that include Limpopo Premier’s Office, Vhembe District Municipality, Thulamela Local Municipality, VBS Mutual Bank, Madzivhandila Agricultural College and Traditional leaders. The study approach adopted quantitative research method. Its centre piece was the Optimal College Town Assessment (OCTA) a quantitative tool which was utilized to gather data from the representatives of the university and Thohoyandou town stakeholders. To test the town and gown developmental paradigm, this study explored student housing development possibilities as a manifestation of university-community partnerships. The study findings highlight that existing town-gown relationships between the University of Venda and its stakeholders are categorized as traditional relationship type which is characterized by low effort and higher comfort level. Institutional context roles that the University of Venda should play in the successful development of town-gown partnerships were also established. The study identified the factors essential for the development of viable and functional innovative collaborative university-stakeholder’s partnerships for the University of Venda and the town of Thohoyandou and its stakeholders. The study findings also show that there is potential for student housing development when there are positive town-gown relationships. This is in line with the calls from South Africa’s Ministry of Higher Education and Training expectations to resolve student housing backlogs facing public universities. This study recommends the improvement of town-gown relationships and it provides a conceptual model indicating the building blocks that the university should adopt to develop successful, innovative, viable and functional town-gown partnerships.
  • ItemOpen Access
    Outcomes of Trans-border Spatial Development Cooperation: Insights from Musina and Beitbridge Twinning Agreement
    (2017-05-18) Nyamwanza, Shylet A.; Bikam, P.; Chakwizira, J.
    Current studies reveal that adjacent municipalities can achieve more if they plan and share resources collaboratively. The study assessed the impact of trans-border spatial development cooperation with respect to a twinning agreement signed between the Musina local municipality, South Africa, and the Beitbridge Rural District Council, Zimbabwe in October 2004. It unpacks to the extent to which the twinning agreement objectives were achieved in terms of spatial development. The assessment revolved around six specific objectives using a trans- border twinning performance evaluation survey approach. The assessment of the implementation of the agreement focused on desirable outcomes, inputs in terms of resources, the implementation process involved in terms of effectiveness and efficiency, outputs in terms of targets achieved, impact with respect to where they are now, who needs to do what and when and whether the planning and implementation process was effective. Research questions were investigated using 14 key informant interviews, 347 questionnaires and direct field observations with the aid of an impact evaluation survey approach. The study showed that the challenges faced in municipal twinning agreements range from institutional, structural to financial. It was evident that the Musina-Beitbridge twinning agreement did not have a concrete implementation plan from 2004 to 2016. The spatial planning goals indicated in the twinning document were not achieved. The Joint coordination meetings were no longer being conducted, benchmarking exercises were not conducted, the goals were not time-bound, there was no standalone budget, no central secretariat and lastly, the majority of the local residents were not aware of the twinning’s existence. The study recommended a strategic trans-border implementation framework which addresses initial planning provisions, resource allocation, stakeholder participation and ensuring that targets are achieved as well as mitigating risks.