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Positioning Planning: Faculty Placement and Curricular Divergence in South African Planning Schools
Full text linkThe effectiveness of urban and regional planning education hinges on a comprehensive understanding of the
complex and interconnected challenges facing contemporary cities. The institutional context within which
planning programmes are situated significantly influences the perspectives and knowledge emphasized in the
curriculum. This study investigates the diverse institutional placements of urban and regional planning
programmes within South African universities, examining how their location within different faculties (e.g.,
Engineering, Humanities, Natural Sciences) shapes their curricular focus and ultimately impacts the skills
and knowledge acquired by graduating planners. By analysing the relationship between institutional
positioning and curriculum design, this research aims to contribute to a deeper understanding of the factors
that influence the quality and relevance of planning education in South Africa. A qualitative research
methodology is applied to determine possible differences between the programmes of schools in different
faculties. Secondary data sources include institutional online resources and available programme overviews
of respective programmes. This enables the grouping of planning schools per faculty and a curricula analysis
in relation to themes inherent to SACPLAN competencies. After the application of specified criteria, four
planning schools form part of the sample, two situated in the Engineering and Built Environment faculties of
their institutions, and two in the faculties associated with Natural Sciences and Agriculture. The findings of
the comparative analysis indicate intra- and inter-group differences and similarities in programme focus,
technical emphasis, consideration of urban and rural contexts, and integration of themes like sustainability.
However, factors other that faculty position may also influence said differences between planning schools,
including the institutional history and spatial context. Recommendations include the implementation of a
more flexible approach to programme formulation and accreditation, considering the unique institutional,
historical, and spatial contexts of planning schools in South Africa. This may enable the development of
competitive advantages in respective planning schools to catalyze ongoing growth and improvement in the
sector
Spatialisation of Women Street Traders in Cities: Lessons of Newcastle
Full text linkGender remains an underexplored dimension in urban development, with dominant “right to the city”
frameworks often failing to account for gendered experiences. Women street traders play a vital role in urban
economies by fostering job creation, enhancing economic activity, and strengthening social networks that
contribute to urban vibrancy. Their presence in public spaces enriches social interactions and improves the
overall urban environment. However, their spatial practices also expose significant barriers, including
regulatory constraints, inadequate infrastructure, accessibility challenges, and insufficient essential services.
The allocation of designated market spaces underscores the necessity of creating environments that cater to
their unique needs while promoting inclusivity. Analyzing the spatial distribution of women street traders
provides key insights into the extent to which cities are inclusive and accessible, aligning with the objectives
of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This study examines the intersection of gender, urban
planning, and spatial rights, highlighting the need for more gender-responsive and accessible urban spaces.
Using qualitative methods – including interviews with women street traders and municipal officials,
alongside observational data from various cities – the research argues that existing urban planning
approaches frequently overlook women’s specific needs, resulting in their marginalisation in public spaces.
The paper concludes by offering policy recommendations and urban design strategies to create equitable and
supportive environments for women street traders, contributing to the broader discourse on the “right to the
city” and advocating for urban planning that accommodates diverse populations
Investigating the Barriers to Successful Rural Development Projects: Bibliometric Analysis of Trends and Insights from South Africa (2014-2024)
Full text linkRural development projects are crucial for improving the livelihoods of rural populations and enhancing overall economic growth, serving as a potential solution to socio-economic challenges in these areas. Previous studies suggest that targeted investments and policies can address rural issues effectively. However, many rural development initiatives, particularly in developing countries like South Africa, often fail to achieve their intended outcomes. This paper conducts a bibliometric review to identify and analyze the key factors hindering the success of rural development projects. This paper conducts a bibliometric review to identify and analyze the key factors hindering the success of rural development projects. A comprehensive bibliometric analysis was conducted using the Web of Science database. The search strategy focused on keywords such as “rural development” “project failure”, “success factors” and “barriers”. The exported data was then analysed using Vos Viewer software to illustrate the main keywords around the study area through network maps. Articles published between 2014 and 2024 were included to capture recent trends and insights. The analysis involved identifying publication counts, citation analysis, and keyword frequency in the literature. The findings highlight the need for a multi-faceted approach in project planning and implementation to overcome these barriers and enhance the efficacy of rural development initiatives
Grünraum als Schlüssel: Anpassungsplanung für Gemeinden im Zeichen des Klimawandels
Full text linkMit der fortschreitenden (Sub-)Urbanisierung gehen eine zunehmende Flächeninanspruchnahme und Versiegelung durch die Erweiterung und Verdichtung von Städten und Ortschaften einher. Der Rückgang unversiegelter Flächen zusammen mit den Auswirkungen des Klimawandels, wie vermehrten Hitzewellen und zunehmenden Starkregenereignissen, führt zu problematischen Effekten, wie Überschwemmungen und Hitzeinselbildungen. Entsprechende gesundheitliche und wirtschaftliche Schäden für die Betroffenen sind die Folge. Daher spielen die Begrünung und der Erhalt natürlicher Grünflächen eine zentrale Rolle um den Auswirkungen des Klimawandels entsprechend entgegenzuwirken. Für die konkrete Umsetzung von Klimaanpassungsmaßnahmen ist es dabei wichtig auf Ebene der örtlichen Raumplanung anzusetzen.
Die F&E Dienstleistung „RaumGrün & Gemeinden“ erforscht innovative Ansätze zur Verankerung von Klimaanpassungsmaßnahmen in der österreichischen Raumplanung. Aufbauend auf der Vorstudie “Raum & Grün” entwickelt das Projekt konkrete Strategien und Handlungsoptionen, um begrünungsassoziierte Maßnahmen als integralen Bestandteil der örtlichen Raumplanung zu etablieren. Ziel ist es, Gemeinden bei der Bewältigung von Klimarisiken, wie Hitze, Hochwasser, Erosion und Stürmen, zu unterstützen und nachhaltige Lösungen zur Förderung lebenswerter Siedlungsräume zu schaffen bzw. zu erhalten. Neben der technischen Entwicklung liegt der Schwerpunkt auf der engen Einbindung der zuständigen politischen und fachlichen Vertreterinnen und Vertretern von drei Pilotgemeinden sowie weiterer Stakeholder auf Gemeinde- und Bundesländer-Ebene, um die Praxistauglichkeit der Ergebnisse zu gewährleisten.
Für die drei raumtypologisch unterschiedlich ausgewählten Pilotgemeinden Fels am Wagram (Niederösterreich), Weiz (Steiermark) und Zwischenwasser (Vorarlberg) wurde im Rahmen des Projektes eine datenbasierte WebGIS-Applikation entwickelt, über die gebündelt auf aktuelle Daten zu lokalen Klimarisiken inklusive der ÖKS 15 Klimaprognosen und der HORA-Risikodaten zugegriffen werden kann. Darüber hinaus wurde eine neue Methode zur grundstücksscharfen Berechnung eines Risikofaktors für die lokale Überhitzung auf der Basis von Flächennutzungen vorgeschlagen und eine Solarstrahlungs-Analysekarte auf Fußgängerinnen- und Fußgänger-Ebene erstellt. Die Datenplattform ermöglicht die Identifikation von Klimarisikozonen als Entscheidungsgrundlage für gemeindespezifischer Maßnahmen zur Klimawandelanpassung. Auf dieser Grundlage wurde ein Prototyp für ein örtliches Planungsinstrumentarium sowie ein Maßnahmenkatalog mit Handlungsempfehlungen erarbeitet, die sich auf unterschiedlichen Planungsebenen (Örtliches Entwicklungskonzept, Flächenwidmungsplan, Bebauungsplan, Vertragsraumordnung) anwenden lassen. Die Ergebnisse dienen einerseits als Werkzeuge für die lokale Planung und andererseits auch als Grundlage für strategische Überlegungen zur langfristigen und verbindlichen Integration von Klimaanpassungsmaßnahmen auf Gemeindeebene.
Die Studie „RaumGrün & Gemeinden“ bietet zudem eine Roadmap zur Verankerung von Maßnahmen in übergeordneten Rechtsmaterien und Programme sowie Indikatoren zur Evaluierung. Die Ergebnisse des Projekts sind für verschiedene Zielgruppen der Raum- und Landschaftsplanung relevant, um standortspezifische Klimawandelanpassungsmaßnahmen verbindlich zu verankern. Die Pilottests in den drei Gemeinden dienen als Praxisbeispiele, die ein Leitbild für andere Gemeinden bzw. Bundesländer mit ähnlichen Raumtypen und Herausforderungen darstellen können. Mit dem FFG-Folgeprojekt „GreenGEO“ wird die Arbeit an datengestützter Klimawandelanpassungsplanung fortgeführt und weiter vertieft
Utilisation of Digital Marketing Platforms for Customer Engagement in Sustainability in the Net Zero Energy Transition in the German Building Sector
Full text linkAchieving a net zero energy future in the German building sector is an extraordinary societal endeavour that requires – besides the adoption of sustainable practices – intensified consumer engagement. However, shifting from consumer awareness to consumer commitment needs a deeper understanding of the social drivers. Until recently, scientific research focused on technical and economic aspects of energy transition, while the contribution of social science in this field is still in a fledgling state (Komendantova, 2021). Consumer engagement is suggested a promising route to follow to integrate social science approaches into this research stream. In achieving enhanced consumer commitment, digital marketing platforms are seen as a powerful tool, as they allow for better consumer targeting, measurability and monitoring as well as establishing a long-term relationship with them. This study validates the applicability of digital marketing platforms for consumer engagement and investigates the impact of perceived consumer value on engagement behaviours in sustainability in the net zero energy transition of the German building sector. To achieve this, the study pursued a qualitative research approach applying a process of planning, designing, preparing, collecting and sharing data (Yin, 2003). Using purposive sampling and snowballing techniques, seven respondents with experience in marketing and business development in construction and architectural firms were interviewed. The qualitative analysis resulted in categories and the establishment of a coding framework via the Maxqda software. The results show that awareness and research in the context of sustainable buildings are the most important stages of the consumer experience influenced by digital marketing platforms. The research suggests a model of digital consumer experience strategy that emphasises simplicity, reachability, transparency, and personalization. In addition, the research found that mainly utilitarian values, environmental values, safety and self-expression are values ranking top of mind of consumers or citizens that influence engagement behavior when acquiring sustainable buildings with social values not to be neglected. This research should enable construction companies to develop relevant and effective propositions for their consumer engagement strategies
Insulation and Packaging with Natural Fibres: Contribution to the Smart City and Waste Reduction
Full text linkThe current discussion in the literature on urban development raises the provocative question: are Smart Cities really sufficiently ecologically sustainable? Literature implies the need to re-define the Smart City concept in this context: A synthesis of the two terms ‘Smart or Intelligent Cities’ and ‘Sustainable Cities as ‘Sustainable Smart Cities’ is suggested(Ahvenniemi et al. 2017). This paper agrees to put the synergy between the smart and intelligent ICT Smart city driven concept and the ecologically sustainable city framework higher on national and urban planning agendas. In this context, based on an experiment on ‘Insulation and packaging with natural fibers’, the authors of this paper suggest an innovative ecologically sustainable solution in the context of reducing plastic waste. The work aims to better establish natural materials in the technical foam sector, which is mainly dominated by plastic foams.The experiment is driven bynatural insulation materials instead of conventional materials such as EPS management with a potential high ecological impact for smart city ecosystems and corporate supply chains. The experiment,based on an innovative foaming process,strongly implies that it is possible to find ecological substitutes for current insulation and packaging materials that leave a significantly lower carbon footprint without compromising on quality. Suggestions for startup, ecosystem and marketing implications are provided
Levee Effect and Urban Development under Climate Change: Land-Use Strategies for Managing Residual Flood Risk in Taiwan
Full text linkUrban flooding has become an increasingly severe challenge due to rapid urbanization and climate change, particularly in regions like Taiwan. The combination of steep rivers, mountainous terrain, and frequent typhoons heightens the risk of flooding. Traditional flood control measures, such as levees and drainage systems, have provided protection, but they have also led to unintended consequences. One notable consequence is the Levee Effect, where flood protection infrastructure encourages urban expansion into flood-prone areas, ultimately increasing long-term exposure to extreme flood events.This issue underscores the importance of addressing Residual Flood Risk, which remains even with existing flood control measures, especially regarding land-use dynamics.In this study, we integrated CA-Markov and SOBEK 1D-2D models to evaluate land-use changes and flood risk under different levee heights (6 meters and 10 meters) in Wugu District, Taiwan. Preliminary results indicate that land-use change is closely linked to flood inundation. While flood protection measures reduce inundation areas, urban expansion driven by these measures can still lead to increased flood risk under extreme rainfall events due to changes in land use patterns.In the event of a 650 mm rainfall over 24 hours, unrestricted development significantly raised flood risk and potential economic damages. Conversely, imposing development restrictions effectively reduced potential damages. These findings emphasize the necessity of land-use controls in managing residual flood risk.While levees can lessen flooding under typical conditions, they also promote land development that increases vulnerability to extreme events.This study highlights the need for a hybrid flood risk management strategy that balances structural defences with spatial planning and adaptive policies to improve climate resilience and support sustainable urban development
Exploring the Intersection of Gender Equality, Urban Planning, and Sustainability: A Systematic Review
Full text linkGender equality is a critical yet often overlooked aspect of urban planning and sustainability. Urban environments significantly shape social, economic, and environmental dynamics but frequently fail to account for the distinct needs, experiences, and challenges faced by women. This systematic review examines the intersection of gender equality, urban planning, and sustainability, highlighting how traditional urban planning practices, when developed without a gendered perspective, perpetuate existing inequalities, particularly in areas such as access to public spaces, safety, and essential services. The study aims to fill a gap in the literature by exploring the integration of gender-sensitive approaches into urban sustainability practices. Bibliometric analysis will be conducted using VOSviewer to map and analyse research trends in gender equality, urbanism, and sustainability. The PRISMA protocol for systematic reviews will be followed to ensure a rigorous and transparent methodology in selecting and analysing relevant publications. This review provides an overview of the current state of research and offers insights for future studies and policy development aimed at integrating gender-sensitive approaches into urban planning to promote sustainability and social equity
An Interplay of Aesthetically-Urban, Aesthetically-Spiritual and Social Responsibility Aspects in Urban Regeneration
Full text linkThe focal point of this analysis would be an attempt to evaluate the role of beauty in architecture, for example, how and to what extent it could be related to a feeling of happiness during the urban regeneration process.
One of the hypotheses concerns the importance of beauty in architecture through its significance and influence in a spiritual way. Beauty, it seems, encompasses, as an indivisible part, the notions of happiness, fulfilment, and pleasure in the widest possible sense.
Some important historical sources approach the otherwise insufficiently researched question of beauty in a spiritual way.
It started with Thomas Aquinas, back in the 13th Century. His preliminary ideas of spiritual beauty are recomposed and transposed for our modern times by the unsurpassed author Umberto Eco. They both presented an emotional and intellectual journey towards a better understanding of a model of beauty. We could say, those references should represent a role model for all of us, thoughtful architects, advanced-thinking urbanists, and city planners. Those who need primarily to think and observe to analyze, synthesize, and find a final model through harmonizing different inputs.
We are mostly exhilarated and touched by the so-called model of moral beauty (or the opposite: shaken by moral ugliness). The public could be petrified of assertive designers and architects all the way to corrupted regime(s). They could spoil one’s view, happiness, etc. through their bad models: facades without proportion or even complexes without any sense, spoil the environment, but also spoil entire streets, area and therefore destroy an image, a setting of the whole city.
Moral ugliness is somehow connected not only to general poverty but also to corrupted society. Meddling with planning rules and regulations could put decent architects out of the system and unscrupulous ones push forward.
One can speculate that Investors in societies without rules (or rules and regulations are there but not being followed) have enormous greediness for profit and will do anything to achieve their goals.
Therefore, to battle moral ugliness, or to reach happiness under the frame of beauty, or moral beauty, we have to follow important steps
Gesundheitsversorgung im Wandel – Entscheidungsunterstützung für die Planung in einer alternden Gesellschaft
Full text linkDas Thema Gesundheit ist in den letzten Jahren u. a. aufgrund der COVID-19-Pandemie sowie des im Zuge des demografischen Wandels zunehmenden Fachkräftemangels wieder verstärkt in den Diskurs der Raumwissenschaft und Raumplanung gerückt (siehe u.a. ARL 2023, S.14). Dabei geht es längst nicht mehr nur um den präventiven Gesundheitsschutz (Stichwort gesundheitsbezogene Resilienz) und die Schaffung gesundheitsförderlicher Strukturen im Sinne der Strategie „Health in all Policies“ (HiAP). Diese zielt auf die Verankerung von Gesundheit als gesamtgesellschaftliche Aufgabe in allen Politikfeldern und umfasst u. a. auch die Bereitstellung von Gesundheitsinfrastrukturen als Grundlage für die öffentliche Gesundheit und die gesundheitsbezogene Gleichwertigkeit der Lebensverhältnisse. Wenngleich dieser Ansatz in Deutschland noch am Anfang steht (Köckler und Geene 2022), geht es zunehmend um die wohnortnahe, bedarfsgerechte Versorgung der Bevölkerung mit Gesundheitsinfrastrukturen als Aufgabe der öffentlichen Daseinsvorsorge (ARL 2023, S.14). Deutlich wird dies u. a. auch durch das zuletzt im Referentenentwurf eingebrachte Gesetz zur Stärkung der Gesundheitsversorgung in der Kommune (GVSG), welches in dieser Fassung eine stärkere Beteiligung der Kommune an der ambulanten Gesundheitsversorgung vorsah. Zwar wurde das Gesetz im weiteren Verfahren deutlich gestrafft, dennoch kommt die Frage nach einer stärkeren Rolle der Kommunen in der Gesundheitsversorgung auf: Wie können Kommunen aktiv an der Gestaltung derer vor Ort mitwirken?
Der vorliegende Beitrag stellt vor diesem Hintergrund die Entwicklung und den Stand eines digitalen Decision-Support-Systems (DSS) für politische Entscheidungsträgerinnen und Entscheidungsträger auf kommunaler und überörtlicher Ebene für die ambulante Gesundheitsversorgung vor, welches als Teil eines komplexeren DSS im Rahmen des von der Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung geförderten Projekts „Ageing Smart – Räume intelligent gestalten“ entwickelt wurde (siehe www.ageing-smart.de).
Das DSS umfasst dazu (1) eine datengestützte Analyse der aktuellen Ausgangssituation (Entwicklung und Struktur der Bevölkerung einschließlich der Haushaltsstruktur, Ausstattung mit Einrichtungen der Gesundheitsversorgung sowie jeweils entsprechende Prognosen), (2) eine dynamische, intermodale Erreichbarkeitsanalyse von Gesundheitseinrichtungen (Stiewing et al. 2022, S. 131-141), (3) eine Befragung der betroffenen Bevölkerung zur Versorgungssituation (am Beispiel der Kohorte der Babyboomer in vier Modellkommunen) (Stiewing und Mangels, 2023, S. 404-413) sowie (4) eine strukturierte Sammlung möglicher kommunaler Handlungsoptionen zur aktiven Gestaltung der Gesundheitsversorgung. Perspektivisch soll in dem System zudem die Möglichkeit bestehen, die Auswirkungen der Handlungsoptionen zu visualisieren, um verschiedene Handlungsszenarien diskutieren und bewerten zu können.
Das vorgestellte Instrument ermöglicht damit den Kommunen eine bedarfsgerechte Planung für eine zunehmend älter werdende Gesellschaft und damit eine Möglichkeit zur aktiven Gestaltung des demografischen Wandels. Darüber hinaus wird der Ansatz dem Anspruch Raumplanung gerecht, stärker in die Bereitstellung von Gesundheitsinfrastrukturen steuernd einzugreifen (ARL 2023, S.14)