Pressures on City at breaking point
STORY: Ronelle Ramsamy

Rod Bulman of Phelamanga Projects

Can the social and ecological systems within the City of uMhlathuze cope with any further growth? That is the burning question as natural resources in the area are in limited supply and the challenge of trying to meet human needs while staying within safe limits are enormous. So says Rod Bulman of Phelamanga Projects, as progress is made on the Environmental Management Framework (EMF) for the Richards Bay Port Expansion Area and the Industrial Development Zone. Initiated by the City of uMhlathuze in conjunction with the KZN Department of Agriculture, Environmental Affairs and Rural Development, the latest draft of the Status Quo Report will be released before the end of the year. According to Bulman, the report emphasises how Richards Bay’s geographic location and the pressures exerted by economic growth have degraded the natural environment over a short time span. ‘The report emphasises the tremendous progress and rapid economic growth achieved in Richards Bay and its potential as an investment destination. ‘While many believe the economic system can cope with the global economic crisis, there is serious concern the opposite may be true for the social and ecological systems in the face of further growth. ‘The impression is that the existing pressures may have already pushed some subsystems over the ‘thresholds of sustainability’. ‘The current economic growth path is placing unbearable pressures on the social and ecological subsystems,’ explained Bulman.

Migration
With Richards Bay’s population growth-rate higher than the total provincial rate, migration to the city was also expected to continue. This is increasing the demand for housing, which cannot be accommodated within the existing urban area,’ added Bulman. ‘This could mean that the green spaces that buffer the residential areas from the industrial area may have to be sacrificed, with negative consequences. ‘Despite some progress, poverty levels remain very high in the area and there are huge inequities in income distribution. ‘As a consequence, many people in the area are coping with diseases, insecurity of land tenure and high levels of illiteracy. ‘Many are dependent on the local natural resource base for subsistence.’

Pollution
The report has also revealed that the entire population is still vulnerable to air pollution health risks. ‘The report highlights that industrial and related activities in Richards Bay have fully used up its air quality capacity. ‘It is suggested that to stay within ‘air quality limits’, no more air pollution activities should be allowed in the area.’ Referring to water resources, Bulman said, ‘The urban, industrial and mining sectors in Richards Bay are already using the local water supply to the limit of its capacity.’

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