2.5. SPATIAL PLANNING
2.5.1. Spatial planning as an adaptive tool
42 SECTION TWO: CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK
43 govern urban transformation as it has been focussed on maintaining and keeping the existing spatial planning stable, when it should have instead tried to transform it (Okeke, 2015).
The study determined to preview what is and what should be in terms of spatial planning. It looks at new innovative interpretations of the ways to deal with spatial issues within contemporary cities and urban regions internationally. The study argues that the process of spatial planning should change and be more strategic. Planners must be aware of the relevant procedures within development and be proficient in their role of planning.
Advocating and initiating change for those affected by the current spatial planning is a role for planners in decision making. This factor acknowledges that South African spatial planning must provide a strategic forum for spatial planning and planners and must know the direction required for development, and incorporate new strategic and innovative ways to alter the negatives into opportunities for growth. At an international level this form must embrace the principle of blending in with the customs of different countries on different levels, so as not to impose but rather to improve the planning procedures (Albrechts, 2017).
This speaks to the diversity of national, provincial and local bodies in respect to social and economic policies, partnerships, networks, resources, skills and knowledge, and stakeholders involved in the development of South Africa.
a) Elements of spatial planning: Theory
Planning is a multifunctional instrumental process that involves the satisfaction of human needs via the altering of boundaries, whether of natural or artificial decent. The act of planning is driven by the imbalances found between human and environmental needs. And the inclusion of initiative intended to manage the conflict and resolve various issues is important (Arlinghaus, 1995). One elementary principle concerned with planning is space.
The use of space and when to use it is an essential protocol for the success of planning acts. The protocols involve spatial planning resolutions which involve scale and temporal planning which entails the concept of order. The goal of spatial planning is to determine whether land-use proposals are consistent with the image and character of the region or spatial location (Arlinghaus, 1995). Spatial planning is also defined by management characteristics, and these management characteristics facilitate the control of identified functionality of that spatial location.
Planning consists of various guiding principles designed to ensure efficiency and prevent damages to nature and human livelihoods. As much as human life is important, the preservation of natural elements is also a vital act. The difficulty of planning and balancing the two spheres needs proper consideration and prolific design to create spaces which are
44 intertwined. This principle of balance within planning is also used to categorise and balance spatial classification and the order of economic and social spheres of human livelihood. The preservation of natural space (topography) is an element that needs careful elucidation and planning, and falls under the principle of ‘watershed’ which speaks to space being limited to beneficial activities (e.g. an individual beneficial activity affecting neighbours negatively) (Hoffmann, 2005). The idea behind the principle is to facilitate a strategic mechanism that is designed to control each sectorial activity and prevent it from damaging other sectors negatively, whilst increasing the beneficial attributes for every sector and creating a fluent interrelationship that will exist outside of exploitative and abusive measures.
The spatial planning approach is a concept that requires strategic formulation in its protocols. Its operational perspective is argued by Calvaresi (1997) to be an autonomous instrument within planning theory. Planning has various meanings as the core of the concept is built on borrowed and absorbed principles from other disciplines (Sartorio, 2005). Planning is a strategic instrument and its intention is to develop a long term plan with the ultimate goal of achieving sustainability. The planning process should be capable of rationally guiding actors and giving roles to the various role-players for the objective of achieving sustainable goals whilst encountering any potential risks which may occur (Sartorio, 2005). In addition, the nature of the planning must facilitate interaction with the processes of other institutions, as without this interaction the ultimate goals may not be achieved. To attain the spatial planning objectives within the economic and social demographical mandate a framework for spatial configuration and transformation is a necessity for practice.
The practice of spatial planning is a complex and difficult procedure that requires coordination and tactfulness. This is due to the nature of inconsistent elements in the developing world, as things constantly change. Considering social and economic pillars, spatial planning is a process where the community is involved in data collection and decision making by responding to internal and external communal issues related to local and regional governance (Salet and Faludi, 2000). The production of a documented spatial planning framework is achieved by means of voluntary and open participatory processes with the various actors involved and depending on the complexities of the numerous issues at hand, the strategic spatial plan produced will differ in various categories. These differences will arise due to the fact that the spatial plan will favour different action areas with various different aspects. This includes the formulation of policies and action plans which consist of dimensions of plan making, the various levels of planning, features specific to that particular project, major role players and intervention initiatives (Sartorio, 2005). Spatial planning within the urban context can be perceived to be a prolific maintenance and activation of efficient and proactive decision making systems, interlinked with the political side of planning, In fact,
45 some researchers describe the politics of the area as the main driver of any planning initiatives.