Urban agriculture as an integral part of urban growth management strategies and the implications on urban form policy: the case of Auckland NZ

Urban agriculture potential is examined in three suburbs of increasing density in Auckland, NZ. A review of the relationship between urban indicators (net density and housing patterns) and potential solar energy available at ground level is done. Since soils are generally fertile and water readily available solar access to ground level becomes an indicator of productivity. Using the subtraction method and satellite photography from Auckland council GIS viewer, potentially productive land is estimated in three residential blocks-Mt Eden, Sandrigham and New Lynn. Based on the results the food energy potential of each site is determined. Preliminary results indicate that low density New Lynn has the highest potential for sustainability with surplus food energy. Medium density Sandrigham could meet 50 per cent of its vegetable dietary requirement while high density Mt Eden is unsustainable in UA. Recommendations are suggested as to how UA maybe integrated in urban growth strategies

Exploring tourist’s attitude towards a greener future: do we really care?

Published ArticleConsumers are constantly reminded of their responsibility towards the environment in a world where words such as global warming, carbon footprint, recycling or going green has become common language. What was previously considered to be accepted practices are in many instances frowned upon today and consumers and corporations are expected to contribute towards a greener mother earth. However in South Africa, unused recycle bins, single travellers in luxury cars, busy airports and vast deforested areas for new developments may tell another story. The question arises whether the tourist takes the responsibility to balance the three pillars of sustainability: the planet, its people and profit. Undeniably tourism activities will impact on the environment where a healthy economy is needed in a fast paced global environment. The situation is further complicated in instances where a tourist is using resources which is already included in the product price. A prime example of this is luxurious large bath tubs, towels and bedding which is replaced daily, inclusive use of electricity and water to name a few. This research evaluates and compares environmentally friendly practices of tourists at home versus practices followed whilst on holiday. Data was collected from tourists in the arrival hall of a local airport. Results reveal that there is a general respect for others and one’s surroundings but re-use, re-cycle or switching off unused lights or appliances is practices which should be deeper engraved into the behaviour of consumers

An analysis of the price competitiveness of South Africa as an international tourist destination

Thesis (M. Tech.) - Central University of Technology, Free State, 2006Since the earliest days, people have travelled. Not only was it time consuming, limited and only for the rich, but it was not necessarily a pleasure. Since those early days, travel and tourism has developed to such an extent that it has become one of the major industries in the world, providing the tourist with amongst others technologically advanced air transportation, luxury resorts and a variety of experiences and attractions at many different destinations. The major developments in air transportation have opened up many opportunities, but it has also placed most destinations within easy reach of the tourist, as most destinations have become more accessible. This automatically led to increased competitiveness between different destinations, both locally and internationally. Competitiveness of the destination may be based on a variety of contributing factors such as its scenic beauty, the variety of attractions offered, natural resources, the accessibility, the host population, availability and quality of infrastructure, diseases, flight availability and frequency, seasons and many other factors. However, a destination will never become the most popular or most visited one if the tourist cannot afford to visit it. Price undoubtedly plays a very important role in the decision-making process of the tourist when choosing a destination. The prices at any destination are influenced by a variety of internal and external factors which, in the end, has a direct influence of the actual travel cost of the tourist. This study focuses on South Africa’s price competitiveness as an international destination. The major travel components or products that an international tourist will spend money on during his/her visit to South Africa are international flights, accommodation, attractions and food and beverages. The prices of these components were compared to similar products of Thailand and Australia, which have previously been identified by SA Tourism as South Africa’s major competitors. The focus of the research is therefore on the expenditure patterns, price perceptions and the tourists’ perception of whether or not they perceived South Africa’s tourism products to be affordable, to offer value for money or not. Perceptions of departing international tourists who have already used these products were tested. Once established, an international travel price index and a hotel price index were formulated for South Africa, which may be used to monitor international tourist expenses. These indices may also be used as indicator of the affordability and price competitiveness of South Africa as a tourist destination. There is not one individual in South Africa that cannot, either by means of direct or indirect revenue, benefit from South Africa being a tourist destination of choice. The opportunities and possibilities created by foreign revenue spent are legio. Hence it comes as no surprise that tourism in South Africa has become the priority of many different role players such as government, commerce, product owners and private industries. As it is difficult for a destination to control the external environment, the destination’s focus should therefore rather be on the factors that it can control or influence to a certain extent. By ensuring that South Africa’s tourism products are competitively priced and offer value for money, one of the major factors that may hamper the growth of South Africa as a destination has been addressed. In economic challenging conditions, the tourist has become more value for money driven than before when choosing a destination. The focus of the research is therefore to establish if South Africa’s tourism product prices are regarded to provide value for money or not to international tourists. The research was divided into two parts: literature and empirical research. The population of this study was foreign tourists to South Africa that have completed their journey and who were questioned in the departure halls of Johannesburg’s Oliver Thambo and Cape Town International airports. An overview of the research results give a general indication that South African tourism products are more expensive than was anticipated by foreign tourists. Seventy five percent of respondents indicated that they paid more for accommodation, air transportation and attractions than they expected to pay. Of the different accommodation types used, the five star luxury hotel accommodations were found to be too expensive whilst other graded accommodation were perceived as being priced fairly, even cheaply. The paid attractions that the respondents visited were, with the exception of the Kruger National Park, all fairly priced. Cape Town was indicated as a city that was perceived to be more expensive that other cities visited by international tourists

Direct filtration of Chlorella and Scenedesmus suspensions for potable water treatment

Algal growth in raw water sources results in two components in the water; a particulate fraction made up of the algal cells, and a soluble fraction made up of algal extracellular organic matter (EOM). During potable water treatment, both these components govern the demand for treatment chemicals, and the subsequent removal of the algal cells;Laboratory monocultures of Chorella and Scenedesmus were cultured under continuous lighting with artificial nutrients. Suspensions were drawn from these concentrated cultures and diluted with tap water for use in laboratory-scale sand filtration experiments. A total of 98 filter runs were performed. Four types of coagulation were used; no coagulants, ferric chloride, aluminum sulfate and cationic polymer. For all coagulation modes, the effects of prechlorination were tested. Filtration runs were supplemented with analyses on the algal EOM to determine molecular weight distribution, electrical charge concentration, chlorine demand and cationic polymer demand;Without any coagulants, algal removal was poor and erratic. The metal coagulants caused removal which was mostly good, but with a very high head loss development rate (HDR). Cationic polymer caused fairly good, but inconsistent removal, with an acceptable HDR. Prolonged rapid mixing after cationic polymer addition led to better initial removal and a lower HDR;Prechlorination caused poorer removal in the absence of coagulants. Together with the metal coagulants, prechlorination caused little effect on removal and on the HDR. With cationic polymers, prechlorination led to substantially better removal, but only if cationic polymer was dosed in excess of that demand by the algal EOM. Prechlorination caused an initial period of filter ripening, a phenomenon not observed in the absence of chlorine

Investigating long haul inbound airline price competitiveness: a study of South African Airways

Published ArticleThe national airline of South Africa (South African Airways), reported major losses for a number of consecutive years due to a significant fall in average fares triggered amongst others by intense global competition. This research compares fares offered on long haul direct inbound routes into South Africa. Neutral Units of Construction and Maximum Permitted Mileage values obtained from the dominant global distribution system used in South Africa were used for fare comparison purposes. Results indicate that in many instances South African Airways (SAA) was found to be highly competitive, offering the cheapest available fares in the market on the routes it served. From the research it is clear that the long haul inbound South African Airways fares are competitively priced. It is suggested that the airline uses this as a marketing tool to enhance inbound sales. As this research eliminates inbound price competitiveness as a major contributing factor to the financial losses of the airline, it is suggested that further research is conducted investigating other internal and external factors and fares that may contribute to airline profitability and sustainability for the future

Bulk water distribution power supply failures

This paper considers the probability of power supply failures at bulk water distribution pump stations. Electrical power supply is important within the bulk water distribution environment, particularly when pumping is required. Reliability of power supply is commonly expressed by means of indices, such as amongst others, the SAIDI and SAIFI indices as defined by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineering (IEEE). These indices are used to calculate the probability of failure associated with power supply. Data was obtained from a number of sources and used to benchmark the reliability of South African power supply against that of other countries. The reliability of power supply from seven South African Water Board (Rand Water) pump stations is also analysed. Limited data seems to be available that allows one to quantify the reliability of pump systems, taking into account the reliability of the various system components

The failure probability of welded steel pipelines in dolomitic areas

This paper considers aspects related to the nature of dolomite, sinkholes, the risk classification of dolomite land, as well as factors affecting the failure of pipelines in dolomitic areas. The information and data presented are used to derive equations that may be used to predict the probability of failure of steel pipelines in dolomitic areas subject to sinkhole formation. Consideration is also given to other factors that may influence the failure of pipeline in dolomitic areas

Developing sustainable (eco)tourism training and research plans for Ethiopian universities

Published ArticleThe economic value of tourism makes it an attractive sector for commerce. Ethiopia has experienced rapid changes during the last decade and can be regarded the leading economic stimulator of the Horn of Africa. The challenge is therefore not only to develop tourism in a sustainable way so that a growing population can be fed, but simultaneously to create better livelihoods for millions of people. The primary objective is to develop an overall education, training and multi-disciplinary research plan for Ethiopian universities with an integrated gender perspective in the field of (eco) tourism, taking into account the professional and/or educational needs of the labour market and the demand-driven research needs of relevant external stakeholders in Ethiopia. Specific plans for universities with regard to training courses, study programmes and demand-driven research programmes will be developed, while explicitly avoiding overlap and overprovision of the afore-mentioned courses and programmes at national level

Urban Growth, Liveability and Quality Urban Design: Questions about the efficacy of urban planning systems in Auckland, New Zealand

Preventing sprawl and concentrating future urban growth at transit centres, typifies many urban planning strategies in a number of Australian, New Zealand and North America cities. Newer iterations of these strategies also argue that compact development delivers public benefits by enhancing urban ‘liveability’ through good urban design outcomes. Where neoliberal economic conditions prevail, achieving these aims is largely dependent on market-driven development actions requiring the appropriate urban planning responses to ensure these outcomes. However, there are growing concerns that urban planning approaches currently used are not effectively delivering the quality urban design outcomes expected and enhancing residents’ liveability. This paper reports on an evaluation of three medium density housing developments located in areas designated for intensification in Auckland, New Zealand. Examined is the extent to which the development outcomes are aligned with the statutory urban planning requirements for quality urban design. The results indicated contradictions and points to limitations of the statutory planning system to positively influence quality outcomes, leading to enhanced residents’ experiences