Western Cape IDP Toolkit

Photo: DEAT

While the policy and legislation in South Africa address integration of environmental sustainability into local planning, development and service provision, many municipalities were having difficulty incorporating environmental concerns into development planning to the same level as economic and social factors. In 2003, the National Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT) developed a National Framework Document entitled ‘Strengthening Environmental Sustainability in the Integrated Development Planning Process’. This aimed to provide direction for the incorporation of environmental issues in Integrated Development Plans (IDPs) and related processes. Towards this objective, DEAT funded the development of “Environmental Toolkits” in various provinces.

The broad aim of the IDP Environmental Toolkit project is to assist municipalities to integrate and include environmental considerations and enhance sustainability in the drafting and implementation of IDPs. Consideration of the environment in IDPs goes beyond having ‘green projects’ such as nature reserves and eco-tourism. Real consideration of the environment requires recognition that the environment will influence development options and that the development options will in turn impact on the environment.

The Toolkit Handbook identifies the links between the wise use of resources, such as clean air, water bodies and vegetation, and improved quality of life for citizens. It provides practical planning and management tools that aim to help IDP managers and other municipal officers to fulfil their mandate to reduce poverty, provide services in an environmentally sustainable manner, and promote local economic development. The Toolkits use case studies of plans and projects from the province to illustrate the identification of environmental issues and potential impacts, and the seeking of sustainable solutions and actions. For each phase of the IDP process from planning and analysis through to implementation and monitoring, environmental Tools are suggested to inform decision-making, such as Strategic Environmental Assessment, Public Participation, or Social Impact Assessment.