The Case of Water in the Langkloof, South Africa
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2015 Scale Framing in a Landscape Restoration Process: The Case of Water in the Langkloof, South Africa Student Number: 841007-590-020 James Mulkerrins Thesis Supervisor: prof.dr.ir. C (Cees) Leeuwis March 2015 Thesis 2nd Reader: dr. R (Rico) Lie Acknowledgements The completion of this thesis would not be possible without the support and efforts of a great many people who I will be forever grateful to. Chief among these are the people in and around the Langkloof who I interviewed and who shared their experiences and time with me, discussing what for them is a very important and personal topic. The warm welcome, honest and frank discussions and chats about rugby among other things made my time in South Africa unforgettable and I can only hope that this work in some way serves a purpose for them in the future. And although he may not read this, I want to thank George Ferreira for putting us up when we needed it. I want to thank my supervisor, Cees Leeuwis. Your guidance and input on this thesis was invaluable. Without it, I’d still be in front of my computer with 10 principles in one hand and a pile of frames in the other. A great many thanks also to Cora van Oosten for trusting me with your network and providing the encouragement and support to make all of this happen. Of course, the staff of Living Lands made this work possible. In particular, I want to thank Maura Talbot for devoting your time to give advice, guidance and perspective, without which I would be lost. And also to the other staff of Living Lands and The Four Returns Development Company; your knowledge and insight came during what was an especially busy and important time for you all; I appreciate it a lot and wish you all the best in your work. And last, but most definitely not least; Stephie and Justin. The dedication you showed in guiding and supporting us students’ work was incredible. Your feedback and ideas in the group meetings, little tips here and there, your local knowledge and your enthusiasm to overcome any challenges were all priceless. Not to mention the warmth with which you welcome us; the beers, braais (one of you, and I won’t say who, makes the best steak I’ve had in ages) and the trip to Addo were all great and made sure that I’m looking for any excuse to get back there. 1 Contents Acknowledgements ................................................................................................................................................. 1 Abstract ................................................................................................................................................................... 5 Chapter 1 - Introduction ......................................................................................................................................... 6 1.1 Personal Motivation and Starting Point ........................................................................................................ 7 1.2 Landscapes Under Threat ............................................................................................................................. 9 1.3 Problem Statement ..................................................................................................................................... 11 1.4 Research Objective ..................................................................................................................................... 12 1.5 Research question ...................................................................................................................................... 13 1.6: Research Context - The Water Issue in the Langkloof, Eastern Cape, South Africa .................................. 13 Addressing the challenge: The Four Returns Project ................................................................................... 17 Specific Research Assignment in the Area.................................................................................................... 19 Chapter 2 Conceptual Framework ........................................................................................................................ 21 2.1 Defining landscapes and landscape restoration ......................................................................................... 21 2.2 Scale and Scale Dynamics ........................................................................................................................... 23 2.3 Framing and Scale Framing ......................................................................................................................... 25 2.3.1 Scale Framing ...................................................................................................................................... 27 Chapter 3 - Research Design and Methods ........................................................................................................... 30 3.1 Research Design .......................................................................................................................................... 30 3.2 Methods of Data Collection ........................................................................................................................ 31 Interview Design ........................................................................................................................................... 31 Sampling and Completion of Interviews ...................................................................................................... 34 3.3 Methods of Data Analysis ........................................................................................................................... 40 3.4 Online Discussion: GPFLR Learning Network .............................................................................................. 43 3.5 Ethical Considerations ................................................................................................................................ 46 Chapter 4: Stakeholder Frames on the Water Issue ............................................................................................. 47 4.1 Stakeholder Issue Frames on the Water Issue ....................................................................................... 47 4.2 Framing Identities: Enemies, Victims and the Relationships Between “Us and Them” ......................... 54 4.3 Framing the Process of Addressing the Water Issue: The Struggle for Efficiency, Cooperation and Water Security .............................................................................................................................................. 60 4.4 Framing Solutions and Future Visions .................................................................................................... 65 Chapter 5: Scaling Stakeholder Frames: Mismatches and Disconnects ................................................................ 71 5.1 Overview and Explication of Scale Frames ................................................................................................. 71 5.1.1 Spatial Scale: Mismatching Frames on the Area of Priority ................................................................ 73 5.1.2 Administrative Scale: View on the Various Levels of Administration .................................................. 74 5.1.3 Temporal Scale: Framing Developments to Differing Histories .......................................................... 74 5.1.4 Institutional Scale: Framing Legislative Interplay with Local Operations ............................................ 76 5.1.5 Management Scale: Divergent Local Activities from Higher Level Strategies ..................................... 77 5.1.6 Network Scale: Connections To and Role of Networks Across Levels ................................................. 77 5.1.7 Knowledge Scale: Cross-Level Disconnect in Knowledge Sharing ....................................................... 79 5.2 Mismatching Scale Frames Contributing to Miscommunication and Strained Relationships .................... 81 2 5.2.1 Spatial Priority and Administrative Level Mismatches ........................................................................ 81 5.2.2 Spatial Mismatch on the Area of Priority ............................................................................................ 82 5.2.3 Mismatching Scale Frames on Progress Over time ............................................................................. 82 5.2.4 Mismatches on Administrative Functioning ........................................................................................ 83 5.2.5 Mismatches on the Framing of Control ............................................................................................... 83 5.2.6 Scale 8 and the Differences Therein: Suspicion and Trust .................................................................. 84 Chapter 6: Conclusions on Scale Frame Analysis for Understanding Actor Perspectives and Scale Dynamics .... 87 6.1 Current Practitioner Approaches to Actor Frames and Scale Dynamics: SRQ 2 ......................................... 87 6.1.1 In addition: Theory U ........................................................................................................................... 89 6.2 Scale Framing Analysis to Understand Scale Dynamics for Landscape Restoration Processes: SRQ 1 ....... 91 6.2.1 Scale Frame Analysis to Understand Langkloof Scale Dynamics ......................................................... 91 6.2.2 Conclusion: Contribution of Understanding Scale Dynamics to