Putting Spatial Resilience into Practice

Abstract

There is a growing awareness of the need to develop the resilience of settlements to potential risks and hazards. There are numerous definitions of resilience reflecting diverse applications of the concept in different disciplines. These conceptualisations include the ability to ‘spring back’ after being stressed and the ability of a social-ecological system to maintain its functions by absorbing or adapting to change despite stresses and pressures placed on it. Although initially research was focussed on ecosystems, the resilience of socio-ecological systems is now receiving attention. The South African Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act includes ‘spatial resilience’ among the five principles intended to promote more just, sustainable and efficient settlements. According to this Act, the principle of spatial resilience refers to ‘flexibility in spatial plans, policies and land use management systems are accommodated to ensure sustainable livelihoods in communities most likely to suffer the impacts of economic and environmental shocksʼ. While the concept of resilience is widely understood, does the same apply to that of spatial resilience as defined by SPLUMA? This paper describes a study conducted to determine how practicing and development professionals in the Western Cape Province (South Africa) interpret the concept of spatial resilience. The results indicate that while the concept of resilience was generally understood, there were diverse interpretations of the development principle contained in the Act. Among the implications hereof are contradictory or counterproductive policy or plans. Thus, a more uniform understanding of the concept is required.