Scientific Research and Essay Vol.4 (11), pp. 1370-1380, November, 2009 Available online at http://www.academicjournals.org/SRE ISSN 1992-2248 © 2009 Academic Journals Full Length Research Paper Environmental services and development in an African port city Mark Jury1* and Sylvain Guyot2 1Environmental Studies Department, University, Zululand, KwaDlangezwa, South Africa. Current affiliation: Physics Department, University Puerto Rico, Mayaguez 00681, USA 2Social Geography Department, University of Grenoble, France. Accepted 30 January, 2009 Environmental services may be guided in the process of urbanization through the actions of local stakeholders. In the evolving cultures of Africa, there are contrasts driven by past colonisation and recent democratization. Stakeholders’ attitudes towards the environment are molded by the problem of pollution in the port city studied, and the industries’ positive effects on the local economy. Environmental activists see a need to maintain ecological integrity through spatial integration. Some recommendations to optimize development and reduce conflict are provided. Key words: African development, environmental conflicts, port city, pollution, beach use, environmental lobby. INTRODUCTION Coastal zones are experiencing increasing environmental Social progress and environmental sustainability can be impacts from growing populations and development associated under certain conditions, but these conditions strategies are needed to ensure sustainability. This paper may be difficult to achieve (Bond, 2002; Eden, 2000). discusses these aspects with particular reference to Diverse groups of stakeholders, in shifting coalitions, Richards Bay, a port city situated on the southeast coast position themselves differently on local environmental of Africa characterised by beaches, dunes, lakes and questions. The environment, as defined above, thus wetlands rich in flora and fauna. Given the warm climate implies that conflicts will arise over the use of space. and scenic landscape, service sector growth is inevitable Since the environment is a spatial dynamic, and conflicts and should be guided through culturally informed between stakeholders cover processes that are not environmental research. spatially defined (coalitions, strategies), one can study The environment is a space altered by humans, whose environmental conflicts in the context of land use and natural (fauna, flora, morphology) and social (residents, stakeholders motives (Dahl, 1993, Collinson, 1996; housing) components, in dynamic interaction, may Wong, 1996; Eden, 2000; Dietz, 2001; Bond, 2002; become imbalanced. The environment can be endan- Clarke, 2002; Dovers et al., 2002; Guyot, 2003). Through gered by human (polluting by industry, clearing a forest) arbitration in the process of development planning, or physical (‘natural’ catastrophe) action: one speaks, decision makers may be compelled to take a stand on thus, of ‘environmental problems’. This dynamic definition problematic environmental questions whilst accomoda- of the environment suggests that the researcher must ting other stakeholders’ viewpoints. Environmental con- take a position on the seriousness and long-term out- flict thus brings to the fore practices and coalitions linked come of development decisions that lead to temporary to the stated problem (Crowfoot and Wondolleck, 1990; imbalances. We recognise that improving social well- Moore, 1998). being should take priority over the strict preservation of Moore (1998) suggests “Looking at the: Involvement of ‘nature’ (Biehl, 1995; Guyot, 2003; Thompson, 2002). multiple and diverse parties - Incompatible interests between or among parties - Differing appraisals of the situation by diverse parties - Contrasting forms of powers and leverage among parties - Lack of relationships *Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]. among involved parties or history of problematic relation- Jury and Guyot 1371 ships - Divergent expectations regarding who should be elites, black people are referred to as tribal or rural). involved in the resolution process - Confusion over the Richards Bay is a spread-out urban ensemble (Folio, appropriate forum for resolving issues - Unequal levels of 2003) with territories formerly separated under earlier knowledge and expertise - Lack of an identified and colonial laws (white city centre, Indian and black respected convenor who can bring parties together.” cityships, black rural chieftainships) now combined in one Whilst Crowfoot and Wondolleck (1990), suggest: “Envi- municipality. The social stake lies in upgrading the ronmental conflicts are rooted in different values of historically disadvantaged areas. natural resources and environmental quality. Some Richards Bay is the largest shipping port by tonnage in individuals perceive an intrinsic value in things that are Africa (90 M T/annum), specialising in coal exports. wild and natural while others do not. Some see societal Imports supply the industrial area near the port - two obligation to protect species and preserve habitats while aluminium smelters, a fertilizer plant, a paper pulp plant, others do not. Some place priority on maintaining a mining smelter - (Figure 2). Most industrial products are biological diversity and environmental integrity for future exported by ship (Lamy, 2003). The large industries and generations while others place priority on harnessing their subcontractors (small to medium-sized businesses) nature’s resources to service the needs of today’s employ about 10,000 people, representing > 50% of the society.” city’s formal jobs. They pay 75% of all local taxes (The The case of Richards Bay, an industrial and port city, municipality depends on the industries for 65% of its pertinently illustrates conflicts over the uses of space and budget in property taxes and fees for city services environment between industrialists, municipal govern- (information provided by the municipal budget service, 25 ment, residents and environmentalists. April 2003). It is a good situation for industrialists, where land for expansion and extension is readily available. With a concern for diversifying its activities and rein- RESEARCH METHODOLOGY AND GEOGRAPHICAL forcing a metropolitan image, the Richards Bay munici- CONTEXT pality has attempted to promote a re-birth of tourism development that includes the construction of numerous This study is based on field-based surveys conducted infrastructures, such as a waterfront (Tourist waterfront between January 1998 and May 2003. Around fifty with restaurants, hotels and yacht club), a marina and a representative stakeholders (industrial stakeholders, casino. However, ‘an industrial port’ remains the lasting environmentalists, politicians, heads of associations, resi- impression most visitors have of the city. dents) were interviewed by means of ‘sociological’-type The city and its residents, the industrial-port area and interviews (Olivier de Sardan, 1998) either as participant the tourist-recreational area co-exist in a problematic or passive observer. All interview recordings were manner. Conflicts over the use of space exist between archived by the author. these different stakeholders: residents complain of air Richards Bay (29S, 32E) serves as a hub for pollution, the beach is dirtied by water pollution. The city’s infrastructure development (Figure 1) and its port handles image is defiled. Environmentalists are mobilised to much of South Africa’s maritime cargo. Although its port address these urban planning issues, but have an uphill is 60 km2, the population is less than 100 000. In the battle: given the national priority for Richards Bay to early 1900s it was a small fishing village, and later in the function as an industrial centre. The necessity of sharing 1950s a coastal resort. During harbour development in natural ammenities across different cultures to create a the 1970s, a number of heavy industries were located multiracial character is gradually emerging (Magi and there to generate revenue, creating environmental Nzama, 2002). consequences (Aniruth 1997, Cubbin 1998). Sea dischar- At Richards Bay, pollution is one of the outward and ges of industrial waste exceed 100 000 T/day, a level negative signs of industrial development. More efficient comparable to some of largest cities in the world. Air environmental regulations would help prevent problems pollution output is 7 000 T/day, 1% of which is directly (On 16 July 2002, the sulfuric acid plant of the fertilizer harmful to health. Unfortunately an earlier city plan put suffered an accidental leak, resulting in 229 people being three industries upwind from the central district, resulting treated for gas poisoning). Yet, the industries generate in health impacts. Thus mitigation strategies and conside-rable revenue and help drive a city budget in informed plan-ning are needed. excess of $ 100 M/annum (Bethlehem and Goldblatt, Richards Bay lies 160 km north of Durban and 230 km 1997). from the Mozambican border. Richards Bay’s coastal The sustainability of environmental services implies spa- population and management is partly Afrikaans (‘Afrikaans’ tial segregation at Richards Bay, e.g keeping polluting refers to conservative white people of Dutch descent who industries away from residential areas. Conflicts occur colonized this part of Africa) (Nicholas, 1997; Guyot et al., over the need to add value to scenic areas, whose 2001; Demarcation Board, 2004). (We use colonial-era recreational potential could benefit the entire population.