Delani Mdunge

Assessing the effectiveness of megaprojects towards achieving spatial integration: a case of Cornubia (Durban) eThekwini municipality.

Megaprojects are intended at changing the structures of society as opposed to conventional projects through promotion of  accessibility and inclusivity in cities as they increase efficiency, improves quality of life, recreational facilities and generally improves productivity. Megaprojects have an impact on socio-economic of cities and regions as they are large in scale, play a role in socio-spatial configuration hence the need to be assessed as proposed in this study through the case of Cornubia in Durban, eThekwini municipality. Megaprojects are transformational they impact on millions of people their processes have to be justly coordinated from planning until the implantation stages, therefore they require immense public participation especially by the beneficiaries of the project to avoid any possible tension during the long-term execution of the project. Developed regions seem to use this megaproject approach to re-position themselves to be competitive and innovative while developing countries are using it to bring bout basic services. Megaprojects have been presented as a panacea to South Africa’s persistent challenges of poverty and inequality and seems like many of them are hugely funded by government contrary to what is happening in developed countries where much of the capital comes from private funders.   This study will adopt a  qualitative approach which ponders the theoretical philosophical paradigm in an inquisitive manner therefore not narrowly focusing on a specific question rather emphasise the understanding of social phenomena through a holistic approach including questions that are open-ended; strategic observations; interviews as some of the tools to be utilised in gathering data from the participants. This study will hold urban regeneration, spatial integration and megaprojects as a conceptual framework therefore driving the study by assisting in conceptualising the holistic view of the subject matter being investigated. Ideas shaping the study towards making it of comparative importance will be modernisation theory, collaborative planning theory  and new urbanism theory therefore serving as a theoretical framework.   Research towards reformed management of megaprojects has since been impacting the practice positively by understanding the causes of failures and strategies to avoid them however in the case of  South Africa there is a need for substantial changes in the way megaprojects are conceptualised and pursued. There is a need for equitable, sustainable and inclusive economic growth therefore solutions must be decisive to overcome the challenges of poverty and disparity in South Africa. There is  a need for better management of funding/financing of these projects which would ultimately increase efficiency. A better approach  could be  megaprojects concentrating beneficiaries in centres of formal economy and moving away from using them as political initiatives.