LEAP Urban Green Spaces
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Makana Municipality Local Environmental Action Plan Comprehensive Audit Report: Urban Green Spaces, Recreational Facilities and Botanical Gardens November 2004 Edited by J. Gambiza and T. Palmer Table of Contents 1. URBAN GREEN SPACES AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES IN MAKANA .... 1 1.1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY........................................................................................ 1 1.2 INTRODUCTION...................................................................................................... 1 1.2.1 Urban recreational planning.................................................................................. 2 1.2.2 Problems with urban recreational planning .......................................................... 2 1.3 METHODS................................................................................................................. 3 1.4 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION ................................................................................ 3 1.5 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMMENDATIONS................................................. 4 1.6 REFERENCES........................................................................................................... 4 2 THE IMPORTANCE OF MULTIPLE HABITATS TO OVERALL BIODIVERSITY IN THE GRAHAMSTOWN BOTANICAL GARDENS.............................................. 5 2.1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY........................................................................................ 5 2.2 INTRODUCTION...................................................................................................... 6 2.2.1 Biodiversity........................................................................................................... 6 2.2.2 Multiple habitats and their importance. ................................................................ 7 2.3 METHODS................................................................................................................. 7 2.3.1 Habitat selection and vegetation analysis ............................................................. 7 2.3.2 Insect collection .................................................................................................... 7 2.4 RESULTS................................................................................................................... 8 2.4.1 Habitats and vegetation types ............................................................................... 8 2.4.2 Insect collection .................................................................................................... 8 2.5 DISCUSSION ............................................................................................................ 9 2.5.1 Habitat and vegetation types................................................................................. 9 2.5.2 Insect collection .................................................................................................... 9 2.6 RECOMMENDATIONS......................................................................................... 10 2.7 REFERENCES......................................................................................................... 10 ii 1. URBAN GREEN SPACES AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES IN MAKANA Catto, AM, Chauke, I, Flint, J, Laing, S, Law M and Trautman KD 1.1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Urban green spaces include buildings as well as hard-surfaced areas. However, the term is usually applied to areas that are permeable and green, and have soil, grass, trees and shrubs. Included within urban green spaces are parks, play areas and other green spaces intended for recreational use. Urban green spaces can thus be defined as those spaces associated with human settlement where wildlife can flourish. They are the collection of habitats that are found within urban areas. Urban green spaces include those that are privately owned and managed (private golf courses, business parks, company premises, and gardens), as well as those that are publicly owned and managed. Publicly managed green spaces are those owned by the municipality and include public parks, squares, parks in residential areas and school grounds. Public green spaces are primarily used by members of the public and are of considerable local importance for education and recreational purposes. These spaces and facilities are referred to as ‘green infrastructure’. Urban recreational planning is prompted by the need for energy conservation. Urban recreational planning can be defined as the structural and functional planning of the city, including provisions for sporting and recreational facilities and amenities, as well as green corridors that facilitate transportation and urban conservation. Our study investigated the problems experienced by the communities, predominantly those of Grahamstown East, with regards to the provision, location and condition of green recreational facilities. In this context, research was undertaken to identify existing green recreational infrastructure, as well as the needs and requirements of the public. We used a questionnaire survey and key informant interviews to obtain data on people’s views on urban green spaces and recreational facilities. Due to time constraints and guidance from Mr Kevin Bates of Makana’s Department of Parks and Recreation, we focused on the Grahamstown area. Our results showed big differences in the availability and condition of recreational facilities between the different socio-economic zones. High income zones had better facilities as well as better accessibility to a wider range of facilities than low income zones. Most people in higher income brackets viewed the existing facilities to be adequate and of sufficient quality. However, lower income zones felt that there was a greater need for recreational facilities in their communities. As green spaces and recreational facilities are viewed very highly amongst both socio-economic classes, there is a need for further developments in the future as well as the constant refurbishing of existing facilities. These facilities will not only improve the aesthetic quality of the communities but will also create the necessary spin off of job creation, and the provision of basic needs. 1.2 INTRODUCTION Urban green spaces include buildings as well as hard-surfaced areas. The term is, however, usually applied to areas that are permeable and green, and have soil, grass, trees and shrubs. Included within urban green spaces parks, play areas and other green spaces intended for recreational use. Urban green spaces can thus be defined as those spaces associated with human settlement where wildlife can flourish. They are the collection of habitats that are 1 found within urban areas. Urban green spaces include those that are privately owned and managed (private golf courses; business parks, company premises; and gardens), as well as those that are publicly owned and managed. Publicly managed green spaces are owned by the municipality and include public parks, squares, parks in residential areas, and school grounds. Public green spaces are primarily used for recreation by members of the public and are of considerable local importance for educational and recreational purposes. These spaces and facilities are referred to as ‘green infrastructure’. According to Wolf (2003), green infrastructure delivers many social and environmental benefits which include the following: • storm water management ; • air and water quality improvement; • enrich habitat and biodiversity; • improve health, and • increase education, transportation and recreational opportunities. Well planned green spaces may increase property values and decrease the costs of public infrastructure and public services. Furthermore, urban green infrastructure has both social and ecological benefits where the functioning of ecosystems is maintained and avenues for future economic development are provided. However, there are other motivations for urban conservation which include primarily urban planning for biodiversity conservation and recreational activities. Essentially, in an urban planning context, land use types are determined by the expected benefits that will accrue to urban communities, and land and business owners. Key determinants of urban planning include economic growth as well as social well being and environmental sustainability. According to Gatrell and Jensen (2002), communities can capitalize on the benefits of urban greening which include economic development, aesthetic value and ecological benefits. 1.2.1 Urban recreational planning Urban recreational planning is prompted by the need for energy (fuel) conservation (Gold, 1997). In this context, lack of local public parks and recreation facilities in most cities prompts people to travel long distances to non-urban recreational areas. In addition, Bach (1993) reaffirms the need for green recreational areas and facilities in urban areas. This need is said to be precipitated by people engaging in recreational activities such as skateboarding and cycling in inappropriate and dangerous areas such as parking lots and streets. Urban recreational planning can thus be defined as the structural and functional planning of the city, including provisions for sporting and recreational facilities and amenities, as well as green corridors that facilitate transportation and urban conservation. 1.2.2 Problems with urban recreational planning There has been a general movement towards leading a health conscious lifestyle all over the world. This has proved to be a problem for people living in urban environments. According to