Research Into 7 Pillars for The Development of a National Spatial Development Framework (NSDF)
The main objective of the project was to deepen and consolidate research in seven (7) thematic areas that have been identified as the key pillars that will support the development of a National Spatial Development Framework (NSDF) for South Africa. The Client was the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform (DRDLR), Department of Planning Monitoring and Evaluation (DPME), and Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) The seven themes were:
- Natural Environment & Resources
- Unemployment, Labour, Education & Skills
- Movement & Transport
- Basic Services Infrastructure
- Spatial Demographics & Migration
- Human Settlements
- Tenure & Land Restitution
- Spatial Economy & Growth
A Framework for Measuring Spatial Planning Outcomes for South Africa
KENA Consult in partnership with GTRD undertook a project to generate a framework for measuring spatial planning outcomes for South Africa complete with a selection of appropriate indicators. The project was in recognition of the fact that the South African space economy – at both macro and micro levels – is characterized by an unequal and incoherent spatial structure that often stifles economic endeavour and development, and perpetuates the inherent inequalities wrought by the apartheid-based planning philosophy. Dismantling and transforming these spatial distortions and constructing new spatial forms, arrangements and relations that are conducive to the constitutional imperatives of nation-building and socio-economic inclusion, is a pressing preoccupation of development policies in the country.
In order to realise these aims, three key objectives were formulated for the project:
- Formulation of desired planning outcomes: The first important part of the framework is in the formulation and adoption of the desired spatial planning outcomes for South Africa. This consists of a clearly articulated vision of the socio-economic and environmental impacts of the planning system on a national scale in a way that is consistent with national spatial planning objectives as contemplated in SPLUMA.
- A results measurement framework: A performance or results measurement framework is a mechanism that uses objective criteria / indicators to monitor the logical structure of actions and inputs to ensure that they individually and collectively contribute to the desired spatial planning outcomes and impacts.
- An institutional mechanism for managing results delivery: In elaborating the importance of a strong institutional framework for spatial planning outcomes delivery, the lessons from the history of spatial planning in South Africa suggests that spatial planning impacts are highly dependent on a very strong political drive accompanied by the necessary human, technical and financial resources.