Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
more easily move and recover from problems like extreme weather
events, and are better geographically and politically connected to struc-
tures of power and social capital in the city.
Municipal Policies and Sociospatial Inequities
Last, the IDP emphasizes the need for policymakers in Durban to promote
economic growth and poverty alleviation (Plan 2), implement good
governance policies (Plan 7), and ensure quality living environments
through adequate services such as housing, water, electricity, and sanitation
(Plan 3). However, in Durban, climate change may have negative reper-
cussions for policies of economic development such as infrastructure and
tourism expansion, as well as participatory governance. In the mid-term,
climatic impacts, coupled with fi nancial resource scarcity in Southern cities,
will likely affect the capacity of municipal authorities to achieve their
objective of poverty reduction, economic growth, and good governance.
Climate Impacts on Economic Development
Durban's IDP identifi es a
range of strategic interventions essential to achieving long-term economic
development. In the IDP, economic development and job creation involve
“developing the economic wealth of the Durban region for the material
well-being of all its citizens” through “strong economic growth, sustain-
able job creation and poverty alleviation” (EThekwini Municipality 2008,
23). Durban is basing its development plans on already existing strengths
and opportunities: an extensive coastline, the busiest port in Africa, the
second largest business hub in South Africa, a large tourism center,
and a center for international events such as the 2010 Soccer World Cup
and its buildup events (EThekwini Municipality 2008). The city is
also the second largest manufacturing base in the country and is well
poised to boost nonmanufacturing industries such as agriculture and
agriprocessing, service industries (i.e., ICT), Business Process Outsourcing
or “offshoring,” and creative industries (EThekwini Municipality 2008).
A critical component of the city's current and future economic strategy
is the tourism sector. In 2004, 1.1 million foreign tourists visited Durban,
resulting in a foreign tourism market worth approximately $270 million
(Economic Development Unit 2008). However, climatic changes are
likely to decrease the potential for tourism in the city. This is a particu-
larly signifi cant impact given the importance assigned to tourism as a
sector capable of providing signifi cant employment opportunities through
accelerated growth and broad-based economic empowerment for black
residents (Economic Development Unit 2008). Climate change likely
