The Durban Metropolitan Open Space System (D'MOSS) was designed and launched in 1989 in the Durban Municipal Area. As a result, a network of open space conservation and recreation areas, linked by open space corridors, was created in the previous municipal area. The aim of D'MOSS is to preserve the city's ecological diversity and enhance living environments. The D'MOSS system was updated and extended in 1998 to include the whole metropolitan area through the development of a D'MOSS Framework Plan.

Key Facts on D'MOSS

Durban has 45 090ha of open space 33% of the total DMA area is open space 14% is formally protected 52% of open space land is undevelopable due to physical and legal constraints The replacement value of services provided by open space in the DMA is conservatively estimated at R2.24 billion

During the preparation of the plan, all potential metropolitan open space was identified, mapped and quantified in order to create an inventory of the open space 'assets' within the DMA.

D'MOSS provides a wide range of Open Space Services. These include sustaining the habitats and ecological systems that typify the region. D'MOSS also has a broader role in providing human life support requirements such as clean air, fresh water, protected soil cover, protection from exposure to light, heat, noise, and flood attenuation.

Open space is often undervalued in comparison to alternative land uses such as housing and industry. The current study has shown that the replacement value of the services delivered by open space in the metropolitan area can be conservatively estimated to be R2.24 billion per annum (based on international findings and excluding the value of Durban's tourism sector). A comparison between the Durban Metropolitan Council's 1997/98 operating expenditure for the general, airports, electricity, water, markets and transport sectors (R3.5 billion) and the replacement value of open space services (R2.24 billion) reveals that open space plays a very significant role in the day to day functioning of the city.

The implementation of the D'MOSS Framework Plan will continue as part of Phase 3 of the Local Agenda 21 programme. To download a copy of the framework plan click here and look for the relevant link.