Access to the South African coast: examining the attainment of policy goals post-apartheid
Access to the coast and its resources was denied to most South Africans
on the basis of race during the country’s colonial and apartheid
history. Since 1994, this situation has changed through policies
articulated by the Constitution (1996), Marine Living Resources Act
(1998), a forthcoming Act on Integrated Coastal Management Bill as well
as a suite of land reform polices and laws. Although there are cases
where access to the coast has been enhanced, in many instances coastal
areas have been reconfigured into exclusionary and exclusive spaces
that do not uphold the rights of citizens to use and enjoy this public
land.
Despite supportive policies, access to land and resources remains highly contested in South Africa, particularly along the coast where tourism-led urbanisation is prevalent. However, little research has been done to investigate and understand these trends. This research seeks to describe, analyse and evaluate the way in which access to the South African coast and its resources has been reconfigured and governed since 1994.
Using four case studies in the Western Cape, specific objectives are:
The three year research project began in January 2008.
Research Team:
Dr Rachel Wynberg (EEU, UCT - Project Leader)
Associate Professor Merle Sowman (EEU/ENGEO, UCT)
Ms Samantha Williams (Phd candidate)
Masters Candidate (To be determined)
Reference Group
Dr Rachel Wynberg (EEU, UCT)
Associate Professor Merle Sowman (EEU, UCT)
Professor Ton Dietz (Amsterdam Institute for Metropolitan and International Development Studies (AMIDSt)
Dr Maarten Bavinck (MARE, Netherlands)
Professor Han van Dijk (Wageningen University, Netherlands)
Professor Leontine Visser [Wageningen University, Netherlands]
Funder: South Africa- Netherlands Research Programme on Alternatives in Development
Despite supportive policies, access to land and resources remains highly contested in South Africa, particularly along the coast where tourism-led urbanisation is prevalent. However, little research has been done to investigate and understand these trends. This research seeks to describe, analyse and evaluate the way in which access to the South African coast and its resources has been reconfigured and governed since 1994.
Using four case studies in the Western Cape, specific objectives are:
- To describe how access to the coast and its resources has changed since 1994, and the extent to which access has been restricted or enabled;
- To analyse the factors and drivers responsible for these changing trends;
- To analyse the disjuncture that exists between policy and practice
- To elucidate distinctions between different case studies located in distinct environmental, social, economic and political contexts;
- To evaluate the significance of these findings and their implications for livelihoods, development planning and policy;
- To develop a methodology for assessing changes in access that can be applied along the South African coastline and elsewhere.
The three year research project began in January 2008.
Research Team:
Dr Rachel Wynberg (EEU, UCT - Project Leader)
Associate Professor Merle Sowman (EEU/ENGEO, UCT)
Ms Samantha Williams (Phd candidate)
Masters Candidate (To be determined)
Reference Group
Dr Rachel Wynberg (EEU, UCT)
Associate Professor Merle Sowman (EEU, UCT)
Professor Ton Dietz (Amsterdam Institute for Metropolitan and International Development Studies (AMIDSt)
Dr Maarten Bavinck (MARE, Netherlands)
Professor Han van Dijk (Wageningen University, Netherlands)
Professor Leontine Visser [Wageningen University, Netherlands]
Funder: South Africa- Netherlands Research Programme on Alternatives in Development