- The driving force of this phenomenon, results directly from past planning policies,
where the northern parts of the metropolitan area were provided with maintained parks and
recreational spaces, whilst the poorer southern areas had a deficiency of such facilities.
Whilst Greater Johannesburg has the highest percentage of trees in an urban area, this is
only evident in the northern areas. The relatively undeveloped southern areas however have
much untapped potential in terms of the utilisation of land for environmental recreational
purposes.
- The south has very few structured parks and recreational spaces, due to the fact that
the creation and development of such spaces were not given much priority in the past.
- The eastern and western parts of the metropolitan area have a number of natural features
such as lakes, pans and ridges that add to their natural space resources. These areas are
relatively adequately provided with open space facilities unlike the south where the
problem is worse.
- Safety and security problems in parks in various parts of the metropolitan area also
result in their under-utilisation (NMLC: LDO, 1997). Many parks in the area are not well
maintained and need to be improved.
- The increased population growth and rate of development has the effect of placing
growing pressure on the existing parks in the area.
REFERENCES
NMLC 1997: Land Development Objective. NMLC:
Randburg. |
