128 | P a g e
CHAPTER 1: SCOPE OF THE STUDY
CHAPTER 3: RESEARCH DESIGN AND
METHODOLOGY CHAPTER 5: DISCUSSION, RECOMMENDATIONS AND CONCLUSIONS CHAPTER 4:
RESULTS AND ANALYSIS OF THE EMPIRICAL STUDY CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW RO1 RO2 RQ1 RQ2 RO3 RQ3 RO4 RQ4 RO4: To develop suitable
recommendations that will enhance the level of resilience at
the NMBM. RQ4: What are the areas of
concern at NMBM as it strives to be a resilient city?
129 | P a g e
5.1 INTRODUCTION
The quest for resilient cities is a global initiative pioneered by the Rockefeller Foundation with the aim of creating a network of like-minded cities that will secure its residents future through proactive measures to combat the effects of urbanisation (Rockefeller Foundation, 2010). This research is birthed from the 100 resilient cities initiative which calls upon all municipal governments across the globe to assess their own level of resilience and come up with strategies to enhance it and build adaptive capacity to survive during times of shock or stresses.
Chapter one provides the background to this study and highlights its significance informed by the underlying problem in the context of Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality. The research questions and objectives to be addressed are stated to frame the scope of the study. Chapter two then provides the theoretical background relating to the concept of resilience. The chapter further contextualises the concept of resilience within the urban space and its applicability in urban management practices. The researcher adopts the City Resilience Framework and Index developed by Arup as the main framework of the study providing a unique lense through which complexity of a city can be understood. In chapter three, the researcher outlines the research methodology followed in the study and utilises a questionnaire as the measuring instrument to collect data on the elements of resilience resonating within NMBM practises. With data at hand, chapter four outlines the data analysis process using statistical measures and presents the findings.
In this chapter, the researcher will discuss the research findings emanating from chapter four and provide plausible reasons for the results. The researcher will also link all the research questions and objectives of the study to the findings in an attempt to provide answers. Challenge areas and managerial implications of the findings will be outlined and used to derive recommendations to NMBM management and other researchers. This will provide answers to the fourth research question and also address the fourth research objective. The researcher will then conclude the study. An overview of the research questions, objectives and the chapter is shown in figure 5-1 and 5-2 respectively.
130 | P a g e
5.2 DISCUSION OF RESEARCH FINDINGS
The purpose of this study was to conduct an assessment of Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality’s urban resilience using the City Resilience Framework and Index. This was based on the study’s problem statement which states that “Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality does not have an understanding and knowledge of its degree of resilience”. In order to address the problem at hand, the researcher wrote the main research question as a methodological point of departure for the study. The main research question states “What is the level of resilience at Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality?” The findings of the study clearly show the varying levels of resilience within NMBM’s practices measured against four main resilience dimensions in the City Resilience Framework and Index developed by Arup. The resilience dimensions used measured the perception of the target population within NMBM in relation to people’s health and wellbeing, the organisation of economy and society, the place of urban systems and services and knowledge inherent in leadership and strategy.
The results show that NMBM has made good strides in meeting the basic needs of its residents. These needs include provision of basic and affordable housing, supply of water, energy and sanitation, food and shelter for vulnerable groups. Abraham Maslow in his hierarchy of needs theory contends that the most fundamental human needs are physiological needs which are met through basic level provision (Maslow, 1954). Therefore, NMBM enhances its resilience by enabling its people to achieve a standard of living which goes beyond mere survival but also enables them to deal with unforeseen circumstances. The supply of affordable and alternative energy was rated low by the target population highlighting the scramble for alternatives across the globe. This is not unique to NMBM but cuts across cities faced with high oil prices, threat of climate change and the growing concern over energy security.
Ageing infrastructure or the lack of it has been the doom and gloom for South African cities leading to excessive demand on the electricity grid forcing the regulator to implement rotational load shedding to protect against massive damage to the already failing infrastructure and a potential national blackout (Eskom, 2015). The resulting
131 | P a g e
effect is increased electricity tariffs rendering this commodity unaffordable as seen in the case of NMBM. The alternative supply of energy on the other hand has recently been piloted at NMBM. NMBM is currently investigating the feasibility of a small scale decentralised renewable energy grid feeding into local households (NMBM, 2014). This will address the affordability issues raised on energy cost and unreliable distribution of it.
Still on the subject of basic needs, the results show that the capacity for emergency food supply at NMBM is insufficient. Urban agriculture is practiced in NMBM with the aim to alienate poverty in households, create sustainable jobs, optimise resources and contribute significantly to the local economy (NMBM, 2015). Despite the effort, capacity to produce sufficient food supply for the city as a whole, particularly during emergency is limited. The city is largely dependent on the agricultural activities from its neighboring cities. NMBM have put efforts towards promoting urban agriculture and supporting community programmes aimed at stimulating small scale commercial agriculture to sustain its own residents. Resilience scholars Prabhu. Luca and Jacky (2005) suggest that investing in small scale farming through financial support and skills development as well as supporting farmers in developing diversified and eco-resilient agricultural systems are fundamental in boosting food security in urban areas.
Further to this, the findings show that disadvantaged groups have difficulty accessing credit that will enable them secure a living to support their development and survival. Though this is not a mandate of NMBM, the city is the hub of businesses that provides job opportunities and a competitive environment for aspiring business entrepreneurs. Early in the year, NMBM launched a one stop shop for NMBM residents to be able to expedite their business application process as well as attract partnerships between the entry level businesses with big businesses with the aim to enable people to secure critical assets to meet their basic needs. Literature shows that an inclusive approach to diverse economic media ensures a safety net that enables people to be flexible during times of stresses and equipped to support respective households through challenging circumstances (Hagmann, 2013). Resilience researchers such as Honohan (2008) and
132 | P a g e
Stijn (2005) have argued that the financial sector plays a tremendous role in urban resilience. Honohan note that the degree of the fight against poverty and inequality could be strongly influenced by the degree to which low income households and small businesses have access to financial services. According to Stijn (2005), municipalities can invest in tools and connections to engage businesses financially and grow their businesses. The municipality may also engage with financial services providers in developing products and services to serve lower income groups of the city’s population. Relevant policies suggested by Honohan (2008) include regulatory design for microfinance institutions designed to ensure that measures intended to protect consumers against loss do not impose costs so heavy as to deter entry into this low end of the market, which is characterized by low margins despite the potentially high volume.
Public health services were also flagged as insufficient within NMBM. According to Joseph (2013), integrated health facilities and services together with a responsive emergency service are critical for the day to day prevention of illness and spread of diseases in a city. Measures to address deficiencies in general healthcare services and facilities are pertinent in reducing the burden of ill health in urban settings. Welsh (2014) supports this view with an emphasis on reflective learning that informs future planning to ensure that public health practices are appropriate for the social and physical context in a city. Aday and Andersen (2014) suggest that governments should institute measures to ensure that medical services are available whenever and wherever the patient needs them and that the point of entry to the system should be well defined. These scholars further note that among others, municipalities should increase the number and quality of medical personnel, physical health facilities as well as the ability to afford the financial costs of illness. Therefore, a city should ensure the availability of additional resources that can be deployed whenever they are needed to safeguard human life and health.
The study also showed an active community engagement with strong social networks and social integration within NMBM. Baht (2015) asserts that communities that are active and are appropriately supported by the city government contribute to the bottom-
133 | P a g e
up creation of a city with strong identity and culture. This image has been disturbed by the levels of crime and corruption within NMBM. The study shows that there are concerns with the law enforcement in an effort to deter crime and corruption in the city. The findings, as rated by the target population, suggest that NMBM does not have a transparent justice system and corruption is not adequately addressed. This could be exacerbated by the insufficient financial resources without a robust revenue base. This notion is supported by Atkinson and Marais (2013) noting that a robust economic system is critical to sustaining the investment that a city needs to maintain its infrastructure and provide for its communities.
From the results, not much is known of NMBM’s environmental stewardship and contingency planning. This indicates a lack of communication amongst the stakeholders. Strunz (2012) suggests that educating communities is essential to ensuring that environmental matters are of importance to the urban populations so that it is not undermined by careless or unwise actions. Inclusive governments highlight the importance of grassroots knowledge to help its residents understand local challenges. By forging cross sector relationships, cities are better able to coordinate people and access resources and support during times of need.
Communication technologies are also critical for a city’s connectivity to disseminate information during emergencies. Residents should be informed on procedural steps to take as individuals that know what to do during unexpected events are invaluable assets and facilitate ease in demand management critical for continuity of critical services. Literature also shows that a combination of transport links with reliable communication are fundamental to connectivity of cities providing alternative options in the event of surges in demand.
The study also shows that decision making in NMBM is not transparent. Arup (2014) argue that leadership is a key ingredient in encouraging individuals in a city to take action during challenging times. A transparent city government takes decisions on the basis of sound evidence which enables a city to thrive from day to day and respond to
134 | P a g e
shocks and stresses. The generation of information and knowledge depends on a city’s investment in research, data collection and risk monitoring. Multiple and well used channels of communication help make resilience efforts effective. The presence of a vision and a strategic integrated development plan at NMBM is rated positively in the study. The creation and implementation of the plans and regulations ensures that individual projects and programmes are aligned and sufficiently address uncertainty. This process should be truly inclusive incorporating consultations with all the stakeholders.
In summation, the findings of this study suggest that urban resilience is a continuous process that facilitates engagement leading to a dialogue and deeper understanding of a city. For NMBM, a high level of resilience is prevalent in many day to day practices as measured by the dimensions used. What is concerning is that in some cases resilience elements are unknown to the individuals in charge of undertaking them. This seems to be the case as a resilience campaign has not been prioritised in NMBM. The fundamental practical questions for implementers are to establish resilience to what, resilience of what and resilience of whom, decided by whom in the local context. Measuring resilience in cities would therefore mean that one can identify it and provide the characterisation and quantification of it. This supports and adds to the findings of Carpenter et al. (2000) who showed similar results.
This study has taken a step in the direction of justifying that measuring resilience can be monitored in such a way that it can inform policy-making. The study however looked at a narrow range by sampling only one set of stakeholders (employees). What needs to be measured is the entanglement of policies set and practices evident in everyday activities and then one can begin to think about how these relations can be changed and measured to ensure a more resilient environment. The approach outlined in this study should be replicated with other stakeholders to be able to have a holistic view of resilience factors connected.
135 | P a g e
5.3 SUMMARY OF RESEARCH QUESTIONS AND OBJECTIVES
In order to address the main research question, four research sub questions were identified and investigated. The sections below discuss the four sub questions and attempt to extract answers for each question based on the findings of the study.
5.3.1 Research Question one (RQ1)
“How is resilience understood in the context of cities and what is the significance of its measurement?”
To address RQ1 above, research objective one (RO1) was set.RO1states “To explore
the theoretical basis of the concept of resilience, significance of its measurement and applicability in the context of cities”. This was addressed by the literature review in chapter 2. The literature revealed that the concept of resilience has its origins dating back to the 17th century where it was applied in physics. Its renewed use has gained popularity across many disciplines with much attention to urban development. This is triggered by the rapid increase in the number of people concentrated in urban areas, in other words through urbanisation (Godschalk, 2003). The process of urbanisation has attracted a number of activities in the urban space bringing about economic vibrancy and diversity. Together with the positives, urbanisation also comes with a number of challenges resulting from increased population such as pollution, infrastructural degradation, shortages in amenities, diseases just to mention a few (Godschalk, 2003; United Nations,2014).
These strains affect city landscapes calling for deliberate actions by all concerned to redefine their planning outlook and strategies to be able to cope. The concept of resilience in itself has been defined to represent an entity such as an individual, community, organisation or a natural system bearing characteristics to be integrated, aware, diverse, self-regulating and adaptive (Rodin, 2014). Such entities located in a city collectively are required to display resilience in adversity by demonstrating their ability to rebound from destruction (Campanella, 2008; Vale and Campanella, 2013). Therefore, resilience in the context of cities fosters a proactive approach by urban planners, managers and policy makers to evaluate its status quo and derive strategies
136 | P a g e
that embed resilience in their day to day practices in order to withstand shocks and stresses.
5.3.2 Research question two (RQ2)
“How can resilience at Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality be measured?”
To address RQ2 above, research objective two (RO2) was set.RO1states “To determine
a suitable process to measure Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality’s resilience using the City Resilience Framework and Index”.
The methodology adopted for the study is addressed in chapter 3. A target population for the study was identified and relevant permission sought to conduct the study at Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality. The researcher identified the City Resilience Framework and Index developed by Arup as a suitable framework for the study. The framework was developed specifically for cities to understand their own complexities and have a robust and holistic assessment of their resilience. The researcher with assistance of Professor Margaret Cullen of NMMU signed a memorandum of agreement with Arup and obtained the measuring instrument for the framework. The researcher developed a questionnaire with the variables provided by Arup. The questionnaire contained questions to measure the target population’s perception on the people’s health and wellbeing, organisation of the economy and society, place of urban systems and services and the knowledge inherent in leadership and strategy of NMBM.
Following a positivistic approach, the researcher administered the questionnaire to the target population and collected the data recording a 31% response rate. The underlying philosophical assumption of the study entailed using the framework to measure the latent variables identified with statistical empirical measures to establish the existing relationships between the variables using a quantitative analysis process. More to this, a deductive approach was followed where the hypotheses of the study were deduced and expressed in operational terms. The researcher also outlined and considered the reliability and validity factors to ensure integrity of research findings.
137 | P a g e
5.3.3 Research question three (RQ3)
“To what extent do factors of resilience resonate within Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality?”
To address RQ3 above, research objective three (RO3) was set. RO3 states “To
determine the extent of resilience within Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality”.
The data analysis process in chapter 4 answers RQ3. The researcher utilised descriptive
and inferential statistical measures to analyse the data collected. From the results in chapter 4, it is evident that there is a high level of resilience within NMBM practices as rated by the target population. This is substantiated by the hypotheses tested whereby all the hypotheses claims made by the researcher were accepted. RO3 was further
addressed in detail in section 5.2 above in the discussion of findings.
5.3.4 Research question four (RQ4)
“What are the areas of concern at Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality as it strives to be a resilient city?”
To address RQ4 above, research objective four (RO4) was set.RO4states “To develop
suitable recommendations that will enhance the level of resilience at the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality”.
Based on the findings of the study outlined in chapter 4 and also discussed in section 5.2 above, below are the challenges observed by the researcher that hinders the NMBM in attaining its full resilience dividends.
i. Lack or shortage of resources to address the demands of the city;
ii. Financial constraints resulting from a stringent budget that lacks diverse revenue streams and emergency funds;
iii. A siloed approach when tackling issues forfeiting the advantages resulting from a collaborative effort;
iv. Ineffective leadership and management that lacks transparency in decision making;
v. Aging infrastructure to sustain an increase in population in the city and their resulting effects.
138 | P a g e
5.4 RECOMMENDATIONS
Based on the findings of the study, it is recommended:
i. To NMBM Management
To create a resilience unit - Resilience building depends largely on local actions to be