Living landscapes in action: the importance of social and spatial justice realism in urban conservation
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Date
2025
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Institute for Poverty Land and Agrarian Studies (PLAAS)
Abstract
This policy brief is about the social-political ecology of urban nature conservation in low income and middle-income countries where natural resources play an important role as source of livelihoods, housing land, energy, and spiritual, cultural and relaxation purposes for poor communities. It uses three nature reserves and one conservation area in the Cape Town City, South Africa. This policy brief is based on the Living Landscapes in Action project, aimed at integrating biodiversity conservation into spatial and social justice using ethnographic methodological tools to transform conservation. The findings are that nature resources in officially declared conservation areas cannot be separated from communities as islands of nature preservation, given the uses of nature by communities that are difficult to stop or deny. Natural resource conservation policy, legislation and governance needs to take cognisance of the dire needs by marginalsed communities that are dependent on natural resources.
Description
Keywords
Urban Conservation, South Africa, Social-political ecology, Natural resources, Cape Town City
Citation
Jacobs, Z., Hara, M., and Matose, F. 2025. Living landscapes in action: the importance of social and spatial justice realism in urban conservation. PLAAS Policy Brief 63. PLAAS UWC