WHAT IS THE KAROO RSDF?

The Karoo Region

The Karoo Region is a unique and awe-inspiring ecological, physical, social, cultural, and economic phenomenon stretching over four provinces in the South African landscape. The Karoo Regional Spatial Development Framework (RSDF) aims to apply regional scale thinking, conceptualisation and planning to the region in order to (1) harness the full development potential of the region in a sustainable and transformative way, and (2) address the shared, large scale regional challenges, such as climate change, poverty, inequality, and unequal access to, and participation in the economy.

List of Participating Municipalities

The Karoo RSDF will focus on regional attributes, characteristics, dynamics, flows and processes:

Regional development drivers and threats

Regional spatial economics, interactions, and flows

Regional settlement histories and futures

Regional institutional alignment and cooperation

BACKGROUND

In 2013 the Small-Town Regeneration (STR) programme was commissioned by SALGA, aiming to regenerate, restore and fulfil the economic potential of underperforming small towns. The STR initiative evolved towards a regional approach and in 2015 the first Karoo STR came about, calling for a regional outlook where there is a shift away from administrative regions to economic and functional regions. The Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act (2013) allows for the creation of a regional spatial development framework for a circumscribed geographical area characterised by distinctive economic, social or natural features which may not correspond to the administrative boundaries of provinces or municipalities. During the period of 2013 and 2017 the support of Premiers and municipal councils situated in the Western Cape, Free-State, Northern Cape and Eastern Cape were solicited and the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development was approach to develop a regional spatial development framework for the area.

PROJECT PHASES

PHASE 1: PROJECT INCEPTION

Phase 1 aims to set out in the Inception Report and Project Engagement Plan how the project will be executed, and the modes, forms and frequency of meetings and engagements.

PHASE 2: STATUS QUO ANALYSIS

Phase 2 is dedicated to an analysis of the institutional, legal, policy and implementation environment of the Karoo Region. It focusses on: (1) an analysis of current legislation, policy and institutional structures and arrangements, (2) the compilation and mapping of existing and planned strategies and interventions, and (3) a synthesis of regional scale issues.

PHASE 3: REGIONAL SITUATIONAL ANALYSIS

Phase 3 will focus on regional spatial analysis and sense-making, with the aim of drawing conclusions and identifying trends, opportunities, and challenges to inform regional scale proposals. At a minimum the the analysis will include the following themes: (1) the regional bio-physical environment, (2) regional socio-economic trends, (3) regional economy, (4) regional land use trends, (5) regional engineering services, (6) regional movement network, and (7) regional social infrastructure.

PHASE 4: SPATIAL PROPOSALS AND IMPLEMENTATION FRAMEWORK

Phase 4 focusses on the development of (1) a regional development vision, (2) regional development concepts, (3) development objectives and strategies, and (4) the overall RSDF map. The Implementation Framework tied to the Spatial Proposals will focus on (1) investment and (2) institutional issues. Marketing material to be used in the consultation phase will also be produced during this phase.

PHASE 5: COMMENTING PERIOD - Current Phase

Phase 5 is a critical phase within the project engagement process. Engagement will be focused on regional-scale issues in keeping with the ‘regional ethos’ and the ‘coordinating, integrating and systemic support role’ of the RSDF. It is proposed that four major joint engagement events (one per Province) be held at four central venues in the Region.

PHASE 6: FINALISATION AND APPROVAL PERIOD

Phase 6 aims to get approval of the Karoo RSDF from the Minister of the DALRRD. Throughout the course of the project every effort will be made to ensure that there is unanimous support for such approval from all State and non-State entities involved. Upon approval the final marketing material will be produced for distribution to Local Municipalities, District Municipalities and Provincial Governments.