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ion of raw water from the Vaal River System, 2001–2011 (July to June municipal financial years), and Gauteng Regional gross domestic product (GDP-R) in R millions at constant 2010 prices (source: Rand Water and Statistics South Africa, GDP-R tables, historical data, first quarter 2016).
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Urban metabolism is a growing field of study into resource flows through cities, and how these could be managed more sustainably. There are two main schools of thought on urban metabolism—metabolic flow analysis (MFA) and urban political ecology (UPE). The two schools remain siloed despite common foundations. This paper reflects on recent research...
Citations
... The data collection from various periods of time are a limitation to this study as it may yield a less accurate representation of annual input and output flows. Data limitations and availability in resource flow analysis was a significant barrier for Culwick et al. (2017) in their urban metabolism study on the Gauteng province citing institutional constraints such as scattered reporting of information amongst the three levels of governments and a lack of understanding in the need to collect data for the purpose of monitoring. Notwithstanding, Culwick et al. (2017) maintains that urban metabolism studies in the region are important for sustainable transitions. ...
... Data limitations and availability in resource flow analysis was a significant barrier for Culwick et al. (2017) in their urban metabolism study on the Gauteng province citing institutional constraints such as scattered reporting of information amongst the three levels of governments and a lack of understanding in the need to collect data for the purpose of monitoring. Notwithstanding, Culwick et al. (2017) maintains that urban metabolism studies in the region are important for sustainable transitions. ...
Master's Thesis at Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences, Faculty 1: Architecture, Civil Engineering, Geomatics, Master Program "Urban Agglomerations". Abstract At the intersection of issues of water scarcity and rapid urbanisation is the need to investigate sustainable urban water management practices in today’s cities. This is especially important with the undeniable impact of climate change adding to its complexity. Johannesburg is a prime example of a city facing a myriad of challenges regarding water and is therefore the focus of the thesis. This research focuses on how the city of Johannesburg can pave its way into becoming a Water Sensitive City (WSC)- an aspirational vision of a city that integrates sustainable urban water management practices. To discover this, case study research on Johannesburg is undertaken by exploring the challenges and opportunities in relation to water demand and supply in the city. A few challenges include pollution of water and issues relating to the dependency on surface water. Additionally, an Urban Water Mass Balance (UWMB) analysis was undertaken to explore the potential of alternative water service options in a city that relies predominantly on surface water. It was found that rainwater harvesting had the highest potential to replace the existing centralized system. Based on the results of the case study research and the UWMB analysis a program was proposed to assist Johannesburg’s transition into a WSC. The proposal includes proactive recommendations relating to public participation and the protection of the environment.
... Often, data availability is a challenge in the first and second waves. However, Culwick et al. (2017) question 'how can we do more with less [data]?' Much of traditional data collection occurs at the national level by statistical agencies (Klopp and Petretta, 2017). ...
African cities rely predominantly on the informal city for their growth, and much of the infrastructure remains within the boundaries of original colonial settlements or cannot keep up with unplanned expansion. Informality is dominant in public transport systems, water and food provision, energy generation and waste removal. Thus, analysing the flows of energy, water, food and waste is a difficult task as they are hard to track and quantify. However, finding ways to assess these flows is an important step to empower urban planners with relevant knowledge about how their cities function. This paper thus explores how urban metabolism can contribute to the assessment of the informal city to monitor progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goal 11 indicators. We achieved this through a critical literature review and the use of a case study based on the authors’ urban metabolism projects conducted in the African context. The results of the literature review show that urban metabolism research has transitioned from the first wave, namely intradisciplinary, to the second wave, integrated. Due to the call for inclusive urban metabolism assessments, a a third wave is emerging, co-designing with communities, and it promotes situated urban metabolism assessments that engage with local contexts. The case study projects demonstrate the potential to advance informal city metabolism assessments to monitor Sustainable Development Goal 11 indicators, in the third wave of urban metabolism research.
... The case presented within this paper emphasises the importance of institutions dedicated to converting urban data into actionable urban knowledge, not only providing data in the manner of statistical repositories (e.g. census) but asking questions about how and why issues arise ( Culwick et al. 2017;Parnell and Robinson 2017). These institutions can play a role in interrogating how research can build better knowledge bases for policy and decision-making, reflecting on the governance of urban areas and practices of urban knowledge generation. ...
The capacity to derive, analyse and communicate urban knowledge is increasingly essential for decision-makers managing the complex pressures of rapidly expanding cities. This paper examines the importance of transdisciplinary boundary organisations in generating and mobilising this knowledge. It introduces ‘urban observatories’ as an example of institutions catalysing information that can shape urban governance, considering in detail the experience of the Gauteng City-Region Observatory (GCRO) in South Africa. Insights drawn from GCRO’s recent work illustrate key operational considerations for these types of boundary institutions, highlighting opportunities and challenges in shaping the knowledge systems that underpin contemporary policymaking in and for cities.
... Eventually the economy may become more tertiary in character but it does so within the context of high labour productivity, established urban infrastructure, and a strong skills africa has the highest levels of "vulnerability" of any global region. 13 of the 15 most vulnerable countries worldwide are in africa. base. ...
... African cities, where some of the greatest challenges for sustainable development and disaster risk reduction are situated, typically struggle to apply data driven approaches because of gaps in the availability and quality of data (14,15). While data and indicator-based approaches remain valuable, these data challenges put into question the sole reliance on such tools in finding ways to overcome urban challenges (13). ...
... Eventually the economy may become more tertiary in character but it does so within the context of high labour productivity, established urban infrastructure, and a strong skills africa has the highest levels of "vulnerability" of any global region. 13 of the 15 most vulnerable countries worldwide are in africa. base. ...
... African cities, where some of the greatest challenges for sustainable development and disaster risk reduction are situated, typically struggle to apply data driven approaches because of gaps in the availability and quality of data (14,15). While data and indicator-based approaches remain valuable, these data challenges put into question the sole reliance on such tools in finding ways to overcome urban challenges (13). ...
