TRP 2014 Volume 64

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http://hdl.handle.net/11660/2543

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Browsing TRP 2014 Volume 64 by Author "Meiklejohn, Cathy"

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    A living laboratory approach in the design of the user requirements of a spatial information platform
    (Department of Urban and Regional Planning, University of the Free State, 2014) Coetzee, Maria; Goss, Helga; Meiklejohn, Cathy; Mlangeni, Patrick
    English: The purpose of this article is to introduce the development of the Regional Spatial Profiler – a spatial information and modelling platform – for the Department of Science and Technology. Based on the steps set out in action research, this platform is aimed at strengthening spatial planning at a regional scale by providing accessible and comparable spatial information (of current and past trends) to planning practitioners in government. To ensure that the Profiler met the requirements and expectations of users, and would be used by practitioners, its user-interface and future content requirements were developed using four living laboratories (living labs): the Cape Winelands, Ugu and Amatole District Municipalities, and Mangaung Local (now Metro) Municipality. Municipal participants and project team members believed that a living-lab process was the appropriate way to develop the Profiler and experienced the living-lab Profiler as a positive initiative; however, due to time, budget and technical constraints, it was a temporally – specific and fragmented project initiative. What would be required in future project phases would be a longer time frame and continued user involvement in multiple project phases.
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    Spatial policy, planning and infrastructure investment: lessons from urban simulations in three South African cities
    (Department of Urban and Regional Planning, University of the Free State, 2014) Coetzee, Maria; Waldeck, Louis; Le Roux, Alize; Meiklejohn, Cathy; Van Niekerk, Willemien; Leuta, Tsepang
    English: This article is based on the assumption that more spatially efficient investment choices in both economic and basic infrastructure spending can make a significant impact on the equity, efficiency and sustainability of human settlements. Emerging from work conducted as part of a Department of Science and Technology (DST)- funded Integrated Planning and Development Modelling (IPDM) project, the article argues that decisions about infrastructure investment in South African metropolitan areas ought to be grounded in robust and rigorous analysis and scenario evaluation. More evidence, and better evidence, an understanding of spatial trends and the underlying forces that shape them, are needed to support planning and infrastructure investment. Urban simulation platforms offer valuable tools in this regard. Findings of simulation work in three metropolitan areas (eThekwini, Nelson Mandela Bay and Johannesburg) are presented to demonstrate this, and some implications for spatial policy, planning and infrastructure investment are highlighted.