UN Earth Summit+5 Success Stories - Local Agenda 21 - Durban Metropolitan Open Space System (D'MOSS)

EARTH SUMMIT+5
Special Session of the General Assembly to Review and Appraise
the Implementation of Agenda 21
New York, 23-27 June 1997
SUCCESS STORIES FROM AFRICA

Durban Metropolitan Open Space System (D'MOSS) This and other Local Agenda 21 succes story are provided by the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI).

Location Durban, South Africa

Responsible organization Municipality of Durban

Description D'MOSS employs a holistic approach to park design and management as part of Durban's long-term strategic land use planning. The planning framework for the park system incorporates both ecological and social considerations to address problems of urban development in the city core as well as under-development in the townships on the urban periphery. Ecological criteria have been incorporated into park design to enhance the conservation of natural areas and native flora and fauna. When completed, the parks will form a corridor for plants and animals to move between larger conservation reserves. A particularly innovative aspect of the D'MOSS is the way in which it will be managed to meet the needs of economically and socially disadvantaged citizens living in informal settlements. A key park function will be the provision of some basic municipal services to these communities. Park planners have developed a community participation process designed to get input from these communities and will attempt to meet some of their most urgent needs by utilizing the park to site health, waste water treatment, and food production facilities, and in turn create employment opportunities.

Issues addressed Extend basic municipal services such as solid waste and waste water management, education, health care, and recreation to the large informal settlements on its urban periphery. The effective use of open spaces can contribute to the scale and diversity of urban food production and to employment opportunities for economically disadvantaged citizens.

Objectives The overall goal of D'MOSS is the establishment and maintenance of a comprehensive public open space system which enhances Durban's economy by fulfilling a number of different functions. These functions include the protection of endangered species and their habitats, water catchment management to prevent flooding and soil erosion, and air and water pollution remediation, as well as using the park to meet the recreational, educational, health, and economic needs of diverse groups of citizens, especially underprivileged groups.

Results achieved A positive impact is expected from this example of integrated-systems approach to park management.

Lessons learned The broadening of the planning framework to accomplish the program objectives required detailed data to ensure effective natural resource planning and management and appropriate social condition investigation. Essential aspects of operating the programme itself include land acquisition, commitment of city authorities, a revision of open space system design criteria, effective community participation, and the coordination of disparate municipal departments.

Financing In terms of land acquisition, the parks will be self-financing. Parkland that is not required to support park management objectives will be sold and the funds generated will be used to acquire land essential to the system. Operating costs will be generated through rate revenues and savings on disposed land.

Contact Dr. Debra Roberts, Manager: Environment, Urban Development Dept., Physical Services Unit, Municipality of Durban, P.O. Box 6809, Durban 4000, South Africa; Tel: +27-31/3002527, Fax: +27-31/3002225

Copyright © United Nations
Department of Economic and Social Affairs
Comments and suggestions: esa@un.org
1 November 1997

	Durban Metropolitan Open Space System (D'MOSS) This and other Local Agenda 21 succes story are provided by the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI).
	Location	Durban, South Africa
	Responsible organization	Municipality of Durban
	Description	D'MOSS employs a holistic approach to park design and management as part of Durban's long-term strategic land use planning. The planning framework for the park system incorporates both ecological and social considerations to address problems of urban development in the city core as well as under-development in the townships on the urban periphery. Ecological criteria have been incorporated into park design to enhance the conservation of natural areas and native flora and fauna. When completed, the parks will form a corridor for plants and animals to move between larger conservation reserves. A particularly innovative aspect of the D'MOSS is the way in which it will be managed to meet the needs of economically and socially disadvantaged citizens living in informal settlements. A key park function will be the provision of some basic municipal services to these communities. Park planners have developed a community participation process designed to get input from these communities and will attempt to meet some of their most urgent needs by utilizing the park to site health, waste water treatment, and food production facilities, and in turn create employment opportunities.
	Issues addressed	Extend basic municipal services such as solid waste and waste water management, education, health care, and recreation to the large informal settlements on its urban periphery. The effective use of open spaces can contribute to the scale and diversity of urban food production and to employment opportunities for economically disadvantaged citizens.
	Objectives	The overall goal of D'MOSS is the establishment and maintenance of a comprehensive public open space system which enhances Durban's economy by fulfilling a number of different functions. These functions include the protection of endangered species and their habitats, water catchment management to prevent flooding and soil erosion, and air and water pollution remediation, as well as using the park to meet the recreational, educational, health, and economic needs of diverse groups of citizens, especially underprivileged groups.
	Results achieved	A positive impact is expected from this example of integrated-systems approach to park management.
	Lessons learned	The broadening of the planning framework to accomplish the program objectives required detailed data to ensure effective natural resource planning and management and appropriate social condition investigation. Essential aspects of operating the programme itself include land acquisition, commitment of city authorities, a revision of open space system design criteria, effective community participation, and the coordination of disparate municipal departments.
	Financing	In terms of land acquisition, the parks will be self-financing. Parkland that is not required to support park management objectives will be sold and the funds generated will be used to acquire land essential to the system. Operating costs will be generated through rate revenues and savings on disposed land.
	Contact	Dr. Debra Roberts, Manager: Environment, Urban Development Dept., Physical Services Unit, Municipality of Durban, P.O. Box 6809, Durban 4000, South Africa; Tel: +27-31/3002527, Fax: +27-31/3002225