Land use planning as a tool for balancing the scientific and the social in biodiversity and ecosystem services mainstreaming? The case of Durban, South Africa.

Shih, Wan-Yu; Mabon, Leslie

Abstract

This paper evaluates the role of land use planning, especially open space systems, in mainstreaming biodiversity and ecosystem services (BES) at the urban level. Whilst there is increasing interest in BES mainstreaming to balance environmental protection with socio-economic development, there is also concern that BES thinking deflects attention from underlying social justice questions. Through the case study of Durban, South Africa - often held as an exemplar in BES mainstreaming - we argue open space systems can offer a pathway to BES mainstreaming that is both scientifically effective and socially just. Yet what makes this possible in Durban, we argue, is (a) a robust scientific evidence base deployed reflexively and sensitively; (b) a move towards explicit emphasis on providing benefits of BES to the most vulnerable people; and (c) supportive policy frameworks plus the presence of biodiversity managers able to navigate the political as well as scientific landscape.

Citation

SHIH, W.-Y. and MABON, L. 2018. Land- use planning as a tool for balancing the scientific and the social in biodiversity and ecosystem services mainstreaming? The case of Durban, South Africa. Journal of environmental planning and management [online], 61(13), pages 2338-2357. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1080/09640568.2017.1394277

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Oct 11, 2017
• Online Publication Date: Dec 14, 2017
• Publication Date: Dec 31, 2018
• Deposit Date: Oct 12, 2017
• Publicly Available Date: Dec 15, 2018
• Journal: Journal of environmental planning and management
• Print ISSN: 0964-0568
• Electronic ISSN: 1360-0559
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 61
• Issue: 13
• Pages: 2338-2357
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09640568.2017.1394277
• Keywords: Durban; Environmental mainstreaming; Ecosystem services; Open space system; Urban planning
• Public URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10059/2547