Awareness Level of Spatial Planning Tools for Disaster Risk Reduction in Informal Settlements in Mopani District, South Africa

Juliet Akola, James Chakwizira (), Emaculate Ingwani and Peter Bikam
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Juliet Akola: Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Agriculture, University of Venda, Private Bag X5050, Thohoyandou 0950, South Africa
James Chakwizira: Department of Urban and Regional Planning, School of Geo and Spatial Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Agriculture, Northwest University, Potchefstroom Campus, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom 2531, South Africa
Emaculate Ingwani: Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Agriculture, University of Venda, Private Bag X5050, Thohoyandou 0950, South Africa
Peter Bikam: Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Agriculture, University of Venda, Private Bag X5050, Thohoyandou 0950, South Africa

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 6, 1-13

Abstract: Disaster risks are becoming more prevalent in densely populated spaces such as informal settlements as a result of unplanned urbanisation. Several scholars ascribe this condition to inadequate awareness of spatial planning tools among informal settlers, as these influence where and how they construct their buildings for disaster risk reduction. This study aimed at assessing the awareness level of spatial planning tools for disaster risk reduction in informal settlements in Mopani District, South Africa. A questionnaire was used to collect primary data from 608 households that were selected using stratified sampling. The Relative Importance Index which was transformed into five importance levels was used to assess the awareness level of spatial planning tools for disaster risk reduction. The study analysed the relationship between participant characteristics and awareness level using a t -test and an analysis of variance (ANOVA). The transformed relative importance index revealed that there is a moderate to low level of awareness of spatial planning tools for disaster risk reduction. A t -test and an ANOVA revealed significant differences in awareness levels of spatial planning tools between the sub-groups based on gender, education and income levels. The females, low-income earners and less educated have a lower awareness level of spatial planning tools for disaster risk reduction. The study recommends focusing on raising awareness of spatial planning tools for disaster risk reduction among the females, low-income earners and less educated to promote safe, healthy and liveable spaces in informal settlements.

Keywords: disaster risks; spatial planning; informal settlements; awareness level; Mopani District (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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