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Design and construction of sustainable climate resilient rural access road infrastructures
(Alive2green, 2021-12) Komba, Julius J; Langa, R; Paige-Green, P; Verhaeghe, Benoit MJA; Mokoena, Refiloe; De Jager, Peta
The chapter is organized and structured as follows; the introduction section is followed by an overview of climate change-related challenges affecting Mozambique. The study methodology (approach) is then described, followed by a discussion of findings and quality control test results. This is followed by a brief discussion of the preliminary performance of completed construction works. Conclusions and way forward a presented at the end of the chapter.
Moving to a smart blue economy
(Vernon Press, 2021-01) Smith, Simone; Onditi, F; Yates, D
The chapter is centred around the core of Blue Economy and the disciplines that may support the Blue Economy activities as an attempt to indicate the direct and indirect impacts the Blue Economy activities and the disciplines that supports it, may have. A background is crafted of the current Blue Economy status, the topic is introduced and an overview is given of the Blue Economy. The challenges of the Blue Economy are highlighted and how to strategically position for participation in the Blue Economy activities is analysed. The activities of Blue Economy are provided for and addressed in a manner that allows for the activities to be pitted against the three global problems; namely 1) the carbon footprint, 2) food security and lastly 3) energy. It is at the same time also being pitted against the three challenges the World Bank indicated, as 1) the current economic trends which have been rapidly degrading oceans resources, 2) the lack of investment in human capital for employment and development in innovative blue economy sectors and 3) inadequate care for marine resources and ecosystems of the oceans. The role and importance of marine spatial development is defined, highlighted and emphasized. Options for funding the Blue Economy activities as well as its disciplines are provided, by discussing the current funding availability, the opportunities existing in the Blue Economy, the challenges of it and lastly some strategies on how to go about funding the Blue Economy activities and disciplines. The disciplines are discussed very broadly and serves as an indicator of how Blue Economy activities, supported by disciplines may create a ripple effect in job creation. All the disciplines may be used collectively in all Blue Economy activities.
Project management as an enabler of doctoral completion
(African Minds, 2024-12) Meyer, Isabella A; Botha, Jan; Frick, Liezel; Tshuma, Nompilo
South Africa has a population of 62 million. The country has 26 public universities with a total enrolment of 1.1 million students. Doctoral enrolments in South Africa have increased from 9 994 in 2008 to 23 588 in 2020 (CHE, Vitalstats). During the period 2000-2018, a total of 32 025 doctoral students graduated at South African universities. Annual doctoral graduates increased from 972 in 2000 to 3 339 in 2019 (SciSTIP, Tracer Study). Stellenbosch University became an independent university in 1918, tracing its origins to the Theological Seminary of the Dutch Reformed Church (est. 1859) and Stellenbosch College (est. 1880). The university has ten faculties located on four campuses (in Stellenbosch, Bellville, Cape Town and Saldanha). In 2021 it had 1 400 academic staff members and 32 471 students, including 1 611 doctoral candidates, and 310 doctoral degrees were awarded. The first doctoral degree was awarded by Stellenbosch University in 1923, in physics. The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is a national research and development organisation in South Africa, established in 1945. The CSIR undertakes directed, multidisciplinary research and technological innovation that contributes to the improved quality of life of South Africans. The CSIR’s shareholder is the South African Parliament, held in proxy by the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation.
Quantifying the environmental impacts of a sustainable concrete mix for a block paving system
(Cape Town: Alive2Green, 2024-01) Dumani, Nozonke; Mokoena, Refiloe; Mgangira, Martin B
A sustainable concrete mix design, incorporating industrial by-products: fly ash and recycled plastic pellets, was developed, and optimized through laboratory performance-based testing trials. The primary objective of this investigation was to offer environmentally sustainable alternatives to conventional concrete mixes that can be used for concrete block paving and aligns with circular economy principles and fosters enhanced employment opportunities and poverty reduction. Following a laboratory investigation to optimise the quantities of fly ash and plastic pellets in the concrete mix, paving blocks were produced in the laboratory using the optimised mix. The blocks were also tested to ensure compliance with performance criteria stipulated in national specifications for concrete block paving. This chapter focusses on the comprehensive life cycle assessment (LCA) conducted to investigate the environmental impacts associated with the production of the optimised concrete mix design in comparison with two references mixes. All three mixes comprised varying quantities of cement, fly ash as a partial cement replacement, and plastic pellets as a partial substitute for sand. The analysis included concrete with 100% Portland limestone cement, concrete with 50% Portland limestone cement and 50% fly ash, and concrete with 50% Portland limestone cement, 50% fly ash, and plastic pellets. The study, limited to a cradle-to-gate analysis, utilized the life cycle assessment software tool SimaPro 8.1 with the Ecoinvent Database version 3. The life cycle inventory dataset for each material was compiled, and the CML-IA Baseline World 2000 method was employed to generate and report the results. The LCA study results demonstrated that adding fly ash as a cement substitution significantly reduced the environmental impacts of concrete mixes. However, the extent of this reduction depended on the type of allocation method used. Under no allocation and economic allocation scenarios, concrete mixes with fly ash exhibited lower environmental impacts than those without fly ash. Conversely, mass allocation scenarios indicated higher environmental impacts for concrete with added fly ash more than 35%. Additionally, it was noted that environmental impacts for fly ash concrete mixes with plastic pellets as a partial substitute for sand were marginally higher than those with fly ash concrete mixes using only sand.
Sustainable pavement construction: Use of non-potable water and smart techniques for compaction
(Alive2Green, 2021-12) Rampersad, Ashiel; Mvelase, Gculisile M; De Jager, Peta
The western cape government reported an annual mean near-surface (2m) temperature (°C) change from the median and the 10% and 90% percentiles projected for 2036 – 2065 and 2066 – 2095. Across most of the country, model-simulated rainfall is slightly lower than observed, although the east-west gradient in rainfall is adequately represented. Autumn, which is the transition period between summer and winter, denotes slightly higher rainfall in the observed east and Western Cape region. Winter rainfall is higher in the Cape Town region in the observations, compared to the model simulations. The temperature and rainfall variations have a direct impact on the restriction of available potable water required. Due to the limited peer-reviewed research and use of non-potable water in road construction, this chapter will investigate preliminary laboratory research into the area as well as smart compaction techniques.
The use of plastic waste in road construction
(Alive2green, 2021-12) Mturi, George AJ; O’Connell, Johan S; Akhalwaya, Imraan; Ojijo, Vincent O; Mofokeng, Tladi G; Ncolosi, Nonzwakazi; Smit, Michelle A; De Jager, Peta
Recycled plastics are being investigated worldwide not only as a green investment, but also for improved pavement durability (Milad et al., 2020). The objectives of the study were to screen, evaluate and implement existing international technologies in line with South African design standards and specifications for materials in road construction. The main research question was whether low value waste plastics can be optimised as alternative road construction materials in South Africa.
Using systems dynamics modelling to facilitate sustainable decision making and improved planning and implementation of integrated public transport networks (IPTN) as effective spatial transformation instruments in South African cities
(Alive2Green, 2022-12) Rathogwa, Mashudu; Mokonyama, Mathetha T
Integrated Public Transport Networks (IPTNs) can contribute positively towards spatial transformation. The rate at which this is feasible is contingent upon the nature of decisions made by planning agencies, households, and businesses. The paper demonstrates the use of a systems dynamics modelling platform to simulate the dynamic fusion of decisions (and non-decisions) by the various role players who influence the performance of IPTNs, as well as the effect of their decisions on the performance trajectory of IPTNs as spatial transformation instruments in South African cities. The research demonstrates that underestimating and mismanaging the inherent interdependencies of the decisions made by the actors in the development and execution of IPTNs can have a substantial impact on the rate of spatial transformation. In order to turnaround the sustainability trajectory, a city will need to investigate various interventions while turning an eye out for any unintended consequences of decisions and the prospective repercussions of the interventions. In this sense, the model turns into a tool for facilitating discussions among stakeholders who are interested in the results.

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