A spatial assessment of coastal development and land use change in the Eastern Cape, South Africa

Abstract

This paper considers development and land use change in the coastal zone of the Ngqushwa and Ndlambe municipalities in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. The two municipalities portray similar physical geographies, but have distinctly different socio-economic characteristics, which result in notable differences in development and land use patterns. Land use units were mapped from monochromatic aerial photographs at three time epochs for the period 1940–2004. The resultant land use maps illustrate a mosaic of development and land use change in the two municipalities with unique trends; the Ndlambe Municipality has experienced rapid formal urban development, with limited informal development. In contrast, the Ngqushwa Municipality has experienced low-density informal development, with a very low increase in formal development. Differences in the two areas can largely be attributed to their differing political and socio-economic histories as well as current municipal capacities. The study concludes that to ensure future sustainability in the coastal environment in these municipalities, management practices need to be holistic and all spheres of government need to work together. The municipalities have the opportunity to develop strategies that will allow for conservation and sound management of the coastal zone, within existing legislative frameworks, particularly the Integrated Coastal Management Act.