Conference Publications

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Browsing Conference Publications by browse.metadata.type "Book Chapter"

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    Climate change and the Knysna Estuary
    (Knysna Basin Project, 2023) James, J; Van Niekerk, Lara; Lamberth, S; Whitfield, A; Breen, C; Read, R
    Estuaries are shallow coastal environments that are influenced by both tidal action and freshwater inflow. As a result of the mixing of marine and fresh waters, estuaries are naturally dynamic, unstable environments with physico-chemical conditions oscillating on hourly, daily, seasonal, yearly and decadal scales1. Climate change is expected to modify the physical structure and biological functioning of estuaries, by changing the magnitude of these oscillations, as well as changing long-term average physico-chemical conditions (such as average temperature, salinity and dissolved oxygen levels). In addition to rising temperatures, climate change in the coastal and estuarine environment also incorporates changes in temperature variability (land and sea), winds and ocean currents, freshwater flow (rainfall), extreme weather events, sea level and ocean acidification; all of which will have profound consequences for species living in estuaries. In this chapter these different drivers of change, such as temperature, rainfall and hydrology, floods and droughts, sea level rise, storm surges and ocean acidification are reviewed with a focus on the effects of these drivers of change on the Knysna Estuary.
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    An investigation of waste management practice in a South African township: A case study of Ekuphumleni township, Ndlambe municipality
    (IntechOpen Limited, 2022) Adeniran, A; Motsatsi, Lorato L; Mbanga, S; Ayesu-Koranteng, E; Shakantu, W; Raimi, MO; Sunday, OA; Sawyerr, HO; Adias, CT
    Solid waste is a global challenge that is more pronounced in developing countries such as South Africa, where its management is a major concern. The government has recently made a concerted effort to engage the public in sustainable waste management practices to resolve the crisis occasioned by the challenge. This chapter investigates waste management practices in the South African Township of Ekuphumleni and relied on a sample of 353 households to obtain some primary data with a questionnaire on the subject matter. The data collected was analyzed using “R,” and the results were presented using charts, tables, and figures. Data collected revealed that waste paper, cans, used plastics, and bottles were major waste components generated by the respondents and these wastes were generally stored unseparated domestically in plastic bags and home garbage can. Furthermore, the respondent indicated that the municipality does a door-to-door collection of their waste and they were unwilling to pay for waste collection services. While the waste management practice is in tandem with the municipal system, the study recommends that the respondents must be educated on circularity, which will ensure reducing, reusing, recycling, and recovering waste and further aid economic empowerment.
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    Social and economic sustainability targets in construction
    (Alive2Green, 2022-09) Gibberd, Jeremy T
    Sustainable development is based on approaches that reduce negative environmental impacts while creating beneficial social and economic impacts. While there has been extensive research on the negative environmental impacts of construction, less work has been done on the social and economic benefits that can be generated. In countries with high levels of unemployment and inequality, like South Africa, it is important to understand how beneficial impacts can be created to respond to local challenges. This chapter reviews the economic and social benefits that can be created through construction. It outlines how targets can be set and achieved through structured processes that include increased awareness, capacity development, proactive planning, target setting, procurement and support. Approaches are illustrated through examples and discussed. The chapter will be of interest to government officials, developers, contractors, researchers and built environment professionals wishing to understand how beneficial social and economic impacts can be created through construction.
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    Transforming urban residential sites for improved sustainability, developing and assessing alternative configurations
    (Alive2Green, 2021-07) Gibberd, Jeremy T; De Jager, Peta
    Africa is urbanizing rapidly. In 1960, 20% of the population lived in urban areas. By 2010, 40% of the population lived in urban areas and annual urban growth rates of 4 to 5% are projected (United Nations Environment Programme, 1999; United Nations Centre for Human Settlements, 2002). Housing programmes have not been able to keep up with this growth, resulting in large informal settlements, which are estimated to accommodate 62% of the urban population (UNHabitat, 2014).Rapid urbanisation is evident in South Africa where housing backlogs are estimated to be 2.2 million households (Department of Human Settlements,2019). Projections indicate that demand for housing in cities will continue to grow and that there is a particular need for affordable rental accommodation close to work (Department of Human Settlements, 2019).South Africa has committed to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. The SDGs consist of 17 developmental goals covering areas such as climate change, water, energy, housing, health and education. South Africa¿s progress in terms of the Sustainable Development Goals is being tracked by Statistics South Africa (Statistics South Africa, 2019). A selection of the SDG targets and progress relevant to urban and built environments are presented in Table 1. Table 1 shows that South Africa experiences high levels of poverty and youth unemployment and a significant proportion of the population live in informal settlements. It also indicates that while the provision of water, electricity and sanitation has improved, backlogs still exist and that the use of renewable energy is low.