Land use planning as a tool for balancing the scientific and the social in biodiversity and ecosystem services mainstreaming? The case of Durban, South Africa.

Shih, Wan-Yu; Mabon, Leslie

doi:10.1080/09640568.2017.1394277

Land use planning as a tool for balancing the scientific and the social in biodiversity and ecosystem services mainstreaming? The case of Durban, South Africa.

Shih, Wan-Yu; Mabon, Leslie

Authors

Wan-Yu Shih

Leslie Mabon

Abstract

This paper evaluates the role of land use planning, especially open space systems, in mainstreaming biodiversity and ecosystem services (BES) at the urban level. Whilst there is increasing interest in BES mainstreaming to balance environmental protection with socio-economic development, there is also concern that BES thinking deflects attention from underlying social justice questions. Through the case study of Durban, South Africa - often held as an exemplar in BES mainstreaming - we argue open space systems can offer a pathway to BES mainstreaming that is both scientifically effective and socially just. Yet what makes this possible in Durban, we argue, is (a) a robust scientific evidence base deployed reflexively and sensitively; (b) a move towards explicit emphasis on providing benefits of BES to the most vulnerable people; and (c) supportive policy frameworks plus the presence of biodiversity managers able to navigate the political as well as scientific landscape.

Citation

SHIH, W.-Y. and MABON, L. 2018. Land- use planning as a tool for balancing the scientific and the social in biodiversity and ecosystem services mainstreaming? The case of Durban, South Africa. Journal of environmental planning and management [online], 61(13), pages 2338-2357. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1080/09640568.2017.1394277

Journal Article Type	Article
Acceptance Date	Oct 11, 2017
Online Publication Date	Dec 14, 2017
Publication Date	Dec 31, 2018
Deposit Date	Oct 12, 2017
Publicly Available Date	Dec 15, 2018
Journal	Journal of environmental planning and management
Print ISSN	0964-0568
Electronic ISSN	1360-0559
Publisher	Taylor and Francis
Peer Reviewed	Peer Reviewed
Volume	61
Issue	13
Pages	2338-2357
DOI	https://doi.org/10.1080/09640568.2017.1394277
Keywords	Durban; Environmental mainstreaming; Ecosystem services; Open space system; Urban planning
Public URL	http://hdl.handle.net/10059/2547