Climate change adaptation mainstreaming in the planning instruments of two South African local municipalities. Issue 4 (4th July 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pieterse, Amy; du Toit, Jacques; van Niekerk, Willemien
• Is Part Of: Development Southern Africa. Volume 38:Issue 4(2021)
• Page Start: 493
• Page End: 508
• Publication Date: 2021-07-04
• Subjects: Climate change adaptation -- mainstreaming -- planning -- spatial planning -- integrated development planning; Economic development -- Africa, Southern -- Periodicals; Africa, Southern -- Economic conditions -- Periodicals; 338.90096805
• DOI: 10.1080/0376835X.2020.1760790
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0376-835X

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This article reflects on the role of urban planning in climate change adaptation and the role of planning instruments in facilitating the mainstreaming of climate change adaptation. An analytical framework is introduced to analyse primary spatial and integrated planning instruments in the City of Cape Town and Thulamela Local Municipality in South Africa, as comparative cases with core similarities and contextual differences. The findings are discussed in terms of where adaptation should be included throughout the planning process and the extent to which the cases have been able to mainstream climate change adaptation within their planning instruments. The findings show that local municipal plans and policies are recognising the impact of climate change on settlements and the role of planning in responding to these impacts. However, there is little evidence of addressing these long-term impacts through programmatic and coherent approaches using short- to medium-term planning instruments.