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Different types of public urban green spaces (PUGS) contain various natural (such as trees, pools, flowerbeds) and artificial elements (such as benches, play equipment, fountains) which contribute to the enjoyment and experience of users. However, which elements users most require, appreciate or notice has rarely been examined as the basis of their choice for specific PUGS, especially in poorer neighbourhoods and countries, where formal PUGS may be limited. The study was carried out in two towns in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa, both characterized by high poverty and unemployment levels, low literacy rates and many people living without basic infrastructure and services. To understand the meanings people, have for specific PUGS elements, formal and informal PUGS and peri-urban municipal commonages were assessed with respect to the natural and artificial elements present. A survey of 360 households was conducted across two towns by targeting PUGS users and households within 100 m from the designated PUGS. Approximately 63% of the respondents visited PUGS, with informal PUGS being the most frequented. However, they were strong negative feelings towards some natural elements because of their unkempt nature. Issues of safety, cultural restrictions and lack of recreational facilities were mentioned as some of the specific deterrents against visiting the closest PUGS among different user and age groups. Most respondents emphasized the need for PUGS that are well laid out with maintained lawns, recreational facilities and open vegetation. Thus, the current design and available features within the studied PUGS do not meet local preferences and needs and thus do not contribute to enjoyment as much as they could. Attention needs to be given to understand and incorporate the elements that invoke positive attitudes among urban residents.
A. Manyani; C.M. Shackleton; M.L. Cocks. Attitudes and preferences towards elements of formal and informal public green spaces in two South African towns. Landscape and Urban Planning 2021, 214, 104147 .
AMA StyleA. Manyani, C.M. Shackleton, M.L. Cocks. Attitudes and preferences towards elements of formal and informal public green spaces in two South African towns. Landscape and Urban Planning. 2021; 214 ():104147.
Chicago/Turabian StyleA. Manyani; C.M. Shackleton; M.L. Cocks. 2021. "Attitudes and preferences towards elements of formal and informal public green spaces in two South African towns." Landscape and Urban Planning 214, no. : 104147.
This article focuses on drought risk reduction and climate change adaptation strategies adopted by rural households to sustain their livelihood activities. The overall objective was to understand the local household’s responses to the changing climate especially drought. The study was carried out in Chirumhanzu district in Zimbabwe and used a mixed methods approach combining 217 household surveys, targeted focus group discussions, participatory learning actions methods, key informant interviews and a document review. Household data were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences and thematic content analysis was used for the qualitative data. We found that the majority of households showed awareness of several risk reduction and adaptation strategies to implement during and/or when drought was predicted, with 56% of the respondents stating stocking of grain as initial strategy. Other strategies adopted at household level included early planting (at first rains), conservation farming, planting small grains and dry planting. Indigenous and traditional knowledge systems and practices, including local people’s holistic view of the community and environment, were a major resource for adapting to climate change and drought risks. However, these indigenous knowledge systems and practices had not been consistently used in the existing adaptation and risk-reduction efforts. Indigenous knowledge was not sufficiently acknowledged and integrated into formal risk reduction and adaptation strategies, which resulted in limited success for external interventions. There is need for integration of local and indigenous knowledge systems and external interventions to build household livelihoods that are resilient to climate risks.
Mashoko S. Grey; Current Masunungure; Amanda Manyani. Integrating local indigenous knowledge to enhance risk reduction and adaptation strategies to drought and climate variability: The plight of smallholder farmers in Chirumhanzu district, Zimbabwe. Jàmbá: Journal of Disaster Risk Studies 2020, 12, 10 .
AMA StyleMashoko S. Grey, Current Masunungure, Amanda Manyani. Integrating local indigenous knowledge to enhance risk reduction and adaptation strategies to drought and climate variability: The plight of smallholder farmers in Chirumhanzu district, Zimbabwe. Jàmbá: Journal of Disaster Risk Studies. 2020; 12 (1):10.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMashoko S. Grey; Current Masunungure; Amanda Manyani. 2020. "Integrating local indigenous knowledge to enhance risk reduction and adaptation strategies to drought and climate variability: The plight of smallholder farmers in Chirumhanzu district, Zimbabwe." Jàmbá: Journal of Disaster Risk Studies 12, no. 1: 10.
Plastic pollution is a major global issue and its impacts on ecosystems and socioeconomic sectors lack comprehensive understanding. The integration of plastics issues into the educational system of both primary and secondary schools has often been overlooked, especially in Africa, presenting a major challenge to environmental awareness. Owing to the importance of early age awareness, this study aims to investigate whether plastic pollution issues are being integrated into South African primary and secondary education school curriculums. Using face-to-face interviews with senior educators, we address this research problem by investigating (i) the extent to which teachers cover components of plastic pollution, and (ii) educator understandings of plastic pollution within terrestrial and aquatic environments. The results indicate that plastic pollution has been integrated into the school curriculum in technology, natural science, geography, life science, life skills and life orientation subjects. However, there was a lack of integration of management practices for plastics littering, especially in secondary schools, and understanding of dangers among different habitat types. This highlights the need for better educational awareness on the plastic pollution problem at both primary and secondary school level, with increased environmental programs needed to educate schools on management practices and impacts.
Mwazvita Dalu; Ross Cuthbert; Hulisani Muhali; Lenin Chari; Amanda Manyani; Current Masunungure; Tatenda Dalu. Is Awareness on Plastic Pollution Being Raised in Schools? Understanding Perceptions of Primary and Secondary School Educators. Sustainability 2020, 12, 6775 .
AMA StyleMwazvita Dalu, Ross Cuthbert, Hulisani Muhali, Lenin Chari, Amanda Manyani, Current Masunungure, Tatenda Dalu. Is Awareness on Plastic Pollution Being Raised in Schools? Understanding Perceptions of Primary and Secondary School Educators. Sustainability. 2020; 12 (17):6775.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMwazvita Dalu; Ross Cuthbert; Hulisani Muhali; Lenin Chari; Amanda Manyani; Current Masunungure; Tatenda Dalu. 2020. "Is Awareness on Plastic Pollution Being Raised in Schools? Understanding Perceptions of Primary and Secondary School Educators." Sustainability 12, no. 17: 6775.
Many who venture into the city, especially in the global South, come into fulfil their developmental needs, find employment, and earn a liveable income. Many who arrive in these urban areas must contend with a heightened concern over crime and violence. Inequalities exist in the fear of personal safety across different genders, different socio-economic classes, and racial groupings. The South African government has been criticised for being unable to engage effectively in the primary prevention of violence against women, whilst instead concentrating efforts on the development of service responses to violence against women. There are recurring issues in urban development and redevelopment including bad lighting, poor sanitation, and a lack of safe public space that pose a significant threat to the safety of women, and increases the risk of gender-based violence. This Chapter shows how the current state and use of urban design (physical and natural city infrastructure) accommodates productive, reproductive and community roles as they attempt to use urban space (e.g. to access education and work) and relate this to vulnerability to gender-based violence. It finds that progress has been slow at best in addressing the safety and developmental needs of women within the urban space and concludes that much more needs to be done to address gender-based violence and that more research is needed in areas such as transport and its relationship to gender, which was found to be an under researched area.
Mwazvita T. B. Dalu; Amanda Manyani; Current Masunungure. Gender Inclusivity and Development in South African Public Urban Spaces. Representing Place and Territorial Identities in Europe 2019, 239 -250.
AMA StyleMwazvita T. B. Dalu, Amanda Manyani, Current Masunungure. Gender Inclusivity and Development in South African Public Urban Spaces. Representing Place and Territorial Identities in Europe. 2019; ():239-250.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMwazvita T. B. Dalu; Amanda Manyani; Current Masunungure. 2019. "Gender Inclusivity and Development in South African Public Urban Spaces." Representing Place and Territorial Identities in Europe , no. : 239-250.