Reflecting on Green Infrastructure and Spatial Planning in Africa: The Complexities, Perceptions, and Way Forward

Elizelle Cilliers

doi:10.3390/su11020455

Abstract

Spatial planning decision-making is progressively acknowledging that nature-based solutions are substantially beneficial to urban communities and their host cities. This paper is a meta-study of the current state of spatial planning practice in South Africa, with special focus on nature-based solutions and green infrastructure planning. The complexities and perceptions relating to green infrastructure planning in South Africa is presented, based on the findings of nine independent studies conducted between 2014 and 2018. The collective interpretation of these findings are thematically reported on in terms of (i) the concept of Green Infrastructure as perceived from a local perspective, ii2) the functionality of green infrastructure in local (urban and rural) context, (iii) the benefits (and value) of green infrastructure in local context which probe to be contradicting international accepted theory, and (iv) long term planning strategies and opportunities relating to green infrastructure provision in South Africa and Africa. The paper emphasizes the importance of context-based planning based on the unique considerations illustrated in the (South) African case studies which amongst others disproved the green compensation hypothesis and disproved the green proximity principle. As a result, the paper calls on long-term strategies to align green infrastructure as part of mainstream spatial planning approaches, along with value capturing approaches to sensitize decision-makers to prioritize green infrastructure within broader land-use planning approaches.

Highlights

Land was once plenteous and resources were abundant
Sustainability manifested as a universal ambition, imbedded in global spatial planning approaches aligned to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, calling for amongst others, inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable cities and human settlements [3]
As a point of departure, this paper aimed to capture the status quo of planning practice in South Africa, based on a meta-study conducted on the concept, functionality, benefits, and long-term planning strategies relating to green infrastructure and the interpretation thereof in local context

Summary

Introduction

Land was once plenteous and resources were abundant. The 21st century depicts a different picture as increased populations, urbanization, and climate change challenges brought along uncontrolled and unsustainable practices. The academic discourse on urban sustainability [2,11,12] introduced the notion of green infrastructure as a nature-based solution to complex urban problems, contextualizing green infrastructure as “spatially and functionally integrated systems in aid of sustainability” [13]. Within this understanding, green infrastructure is defined as “society’s natural life system” [14,15]

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion