Planning for the protection of the natural resource base within an urban biodiversity hotspot (Durban, South Africa)

Abstract

This thesis responds to the global call for local government to play an active role in responding to the global biodiversity crisis. The study focused on Durban, South Africa, which has four decades of experience in biodiversity conservation. The purpose of the thesis was to determine, using Durban as a case study, the role a local government can play in contributing towards improved biodiversity outcomes. Through new case-study research, in the context of biodiversity conservation, the thesis aimed to contribute to addressing the global policy to local implementation gap, research-implementation gap, and the Global South research gap. Using analytical frameworks, spatial analyses, and local spatial data, the thesis investigated three key areas. Chapter two analysed Durban’s evolution in open space planning, identifying crucial elements in advancing biodiversity mainstreaming. Evidence was provided in the mainstreaming of biodiversity concerns within local government processes, institutional functions, and land-use decision-making. This has been achieved through effective and sustained leadership; the use of science and scientific information in advancing the policy and legislative environment; and building political support by responding to shifting governance contexts; investment in institutional scientific capacity; and generating scale-appropriate biodiversity information. The third chapter examined the effectiveness of local government tools in protecting, managing, and restoring biodiversity. Successes included town planning tools contributing to avoided biodiversity loss and protection of key sites, and effective land management and restoration efforts with socio-economic co-benefits. Challenges persisted that hampered progress, including unequal protection and investment based on socio-economic status; cross sectorial barriers and governance fragmentation; and inappropriate incentives to promote conservation. Future priorities include scaling successful models, improving incentives for landowners, and adopting a more community-centred approach. The fourth chapter explored opportunities to increase terrestrial area-based biodiversity conservation in Durban. Traditional authority areas and private landholdings harbour most biodiversity features outside existing conservation areas. Inclusion of complementary land-use zones and unrealised conservation servitudes represent short-term interventions to increase the conservation estate. Aligning critical biodiversity areas with biophysically contained areas offers significant potential conservation and sustainable development co-benefits. Developing tools and incentives for area-based conservation in traditional authority areas, and targeted rezoning to protect threatened vegetation, represent important required interventions. Building on the learnings from the previous chapter, these opportunities were assessed in terms of feasibility, effectiveness, and co-benefits for climate change resilience. This thesis demonstrated the important role that a local government can play in contributing towards broader biodiversity goals, identifying investment areas that may shorten the time required for effective mainstreaming; challenges and opportunities to advance biodiversity outcomes; and provided innovative mechanisms to advance biodiversity and urban sustainability outcomes.