FUTURE DIRECTIONS IN URBAN PLANNING AND SPACE USAGE COMPENSATING URBAN GREEN SPACES

Abstract

‘Green’ issues might be very attractive, but where are the economic benefits? What
difference will they make to jobs, health and the economic strength of areas struggling with
deprivation and social problems? (Natural economy Northwest, 2007:2). What value do nature and
landscape have for us? These typical questions enhance the importance of the value of nature and
landscape, and the fact that it has to be considered from a different perspective for future directions
in Urban Planning and space usage. The reality, however, is that urban development often takes
place at the expense of green spaces. This is also the case in South Africa. Apart from this, there is a
lack of planned green areas in South Africa due to various factors. ‘Green planning’ and the ‘value
of green spaces’ are current buzz words in the international arena. The economic added value of a
green space brings a whole new dimension to green planning – especially for third world countries
like South Africa, where open spaces are taken for granted, and where qualitative green spaces are
neglected because of the perception that green is a luxury and not a necessity. This paper evaluates
the current perspective of Green Planning, the current constrains that third world countries face in
terms of Green Planning and the green compensation concept – a possible way to ensure that green
spaces are preserved and enhanced within the greater urban totality, guiding the future directions in
Urban Planning and qualitative space use. The structure of the article is illustrated in Figure 1.
KEYWORDS: Green compensation, integrated planning, sustainable development.