CHAPTER 6: LOCAL CASE STUDIES OF GREEN SPACE PLANNING AND APPROACHES TO LIVELY
6.2 Local lively place planning: Approach analysis
This section aims to evaluate the successes of the local case studies and will use the same measurements as discussed and identified in Chapter 5, Section 5.2 and listed in Table 23 (international evaluation). The different case studies with their accompanied approaches (discussed in detail in Chapter 3) will be evaluated in terms of these objectives. Local approaches will be described briefly and measured, based on the success of their empirical approach aimed at making the theory realize in practice, from which best practices will also conclusively be derived.
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The same steps used and identified in Chapter 5, subsection 5.2.1 for evaluating international lively place planning approaches and green space planning case studies, also apply to the evaluations to be done in this chapter for local lively place planning approaches and green space planning case studies.
It therefore entails the identification of a number of key theoretical measurements. The case studies and lively planning approaches will be evaluated or measured in terms of whether or not these key measurements are present or included in the case studies and approaches (if successfully present, the associated measurement will be marked with an ‗X‘). The number of ‗X‘s will then be accumulated to present a score (number of ‗X‘s out of the number of identified measurements) which will determine the overall success or failure of the approach or case study (50% or higher to be regarded as successful and used for further comparisons and case study analysis to be done in Chapter 7).
6.2.1 Point of departure: Planning lively public places locally
As mentioned above, the same tool for analysis as used in Chapter 5 subsection 5.2.1 will be used in the local evaluation, based on the objectives needed to create and plan for successful lively places.
The local approaches of the case studies will be evaluated in order to determine which of the theoretical objectives are present within these cases, thus determining their success in terms of implementing theoretical objectives. The aspect of safety and security is included as an integral part of the evaluation, focusing on the visibility and accessibility (i.e. improving access to policing services and improving visibility of house numbers, streets, etc. to ensure services can arrive without restraint within efficient time) as well as in ‗meeting the needs of people‘ to provide for a safe environment for all genders and ages.
For any further definitions and clearance regarding what is included in the forthcoming measurements, refer to the discussions and descriptions of each measuring aspect as is stated in the bullets i – iii in subsection 5.2.1 of the previous chapter.
6.2.2 Local case studies: Lively place planning and place-making
The following table indicates and briefly summarizes the main focuses of the local approaches to lively place planning and place making as discussed in Chapter 3. This table aims to analyse whether or not these local case studies and approaches successfully address and plan for lively places based on the theory regarding lively place planning (Chapter 3) according to the three main theoretical concepts and the corresponding measurements as identified, namely public, place and lively.
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Table 29: Approach analysis: Success and failure in terms of local lively place planning APPROACH TO
LIVELY PLACE PLANNING
SUCCESS OR FAILURE IN TERMS OF MEASUREMENTS
- Checklist
DISCUSSION
- Overall approach successes and failures regarding local lively place planning SOUTH AFRICAN APPROACHES
INTEGRATED PLANNING
Cross reference to theoretical introduction and discussion of following approaches:
Chapter 3, subsection 3.2.2.2 (a)
Enhancing accessibility to policing services, improving service delivery and creating safe and secure rural environments through integrating different social aspects and coordinating role players involved in rural safety.
Checklist PUBLIC
People/ Inhabitants included
X Lived experience/
Interaction
„PLACE‟
Accessible X
Unique identity Visibility
Maintenance and Management Attractions LIVELY Meet the needs of
people
X
Integrative X
Diverse activities Versatile functions
Addressing specific lively place planning issues (poverty, unemployment - as identified in chapter 2) is the main focus of South African planning legislation and therefore the provision adheres to governmental structures, excluding the direct involvement of the community themselves. These South African strategies focus on the development of an integrated and multidisciplinary approach which includes relationship building with communities and key stakeholders. Even though the strategy is successful in including the
community‘s insets and needs, the inhabitants themselves are not necessarily included in the creation or development of public places.
The promotion of safer communities includes inhabitants as part of
‗surveillance groups‘, but overall these policies aim at an overall lively place development framework with little or no direct initiatives, approaches or projects GENDER EMPOWERMENT
Cross reference: Chapter 3, subsection 3.2.2.2 (b) Improve basic living
conditions, quality of life and employment opportunities in order to
PUBLIC
People/
Inhabitants included
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improve safety and independence of women and children.
Lived experience/
Interaction
„PLACE‟
Accessible Unique identity Visibility
Maintenance and Management
X Attractions
LIVELY Meet the needs of people
X Integrative X Diverse activities Versatile
functions
enabling communities to create places they want to live in.
COMMUNITY CRIME PREVENTION
Cross reference: Chapter 3, subsection 3.2.2.2 (c) Community oriented
initiatives supported by police (e.g. Patrol groups, block watchers and street committees).
Also environmental redesign prohibiting the environment to act as catalyst for crime i.e.
dense vegetation, lack of natural surveillance, illegibility, etc (refer to table 9).
PUBLIC
People/
Inhabitants included
X
Lived experience/
Interaction
„PLACE‟
Accessible X
Unique identity
Visibility X
Maintenance and Management
X Attractions
LIVELY Meet the needs of X
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people Integrative Diverse activities Versatile
functions RURAL PLANNING LEGISLATION
Cross reference: Chapter 3, subsection 3.2.2.2 (d) Agrarian reform, food
security and targeted renewal of rural towns – aspects falling under the umbrella approach indirectly contributing to lively safety and security planning by alleviating poverty and creating more vibrant communities.
PUBLIC
People/
Inhabitants included
X
Lived experience/
Interaction
„PLACE‟
Accessible Unique identity Visibility
Maintenance and Management Attractions LIVELY Meet the needs of
people
X Integrative X Diverse activities X Versatile
functions Source: Own creation (2013).
The table analyses the approaches discussed in previous chapters. It identifies which of these local approaches were successful (or failed) in terms of the issues of measurement, obtained from the theoretical investigations (Chapter 3) as identified and discussed in Chapter 5 regarding the planning and provision of lively places.
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