Research proposal summary

Name: Vuyani Mpungose.

Intended course: Master of Social Science in Development studies.

1.1 Proposed Research Topic: Assessing the Impacts of Climate Change on Human
Development, Durban, eThekwini Municipality, Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa:
Challenges, Adaptation Strategies, and Policy Implications
1.2 The aim of the study: comprehensively assess the impacts of climate change on various
dimensions of human development in South Durban, KwaZulu-Natal Province, South
Africa. This includes understanding how climate change affects key sectors such as
health, agriculture, water resources, livelihoods, and infrastructure, and examining the
associated challenges, vulnerabilities, and adaptation strategies. The overarching goal is
to generate empirical evidence that informs policy and decision-making processes at the
local, provincial, and national levels, with the aim of enhancing resilience, promoting
sustainable development, and addressing socio-economic disparities exacerbated by
climate change.
1.3 The objectives of the study are to:
(i). Review relevant literature and critical analyze how climate change affects human
development since 1994;
(ii). Assess the effects of ever-changing climate and socio-spatial, economic and
environmental effects related to disastrous effects of climate change.
(iii). Examine the participation and ability of various stakeholders regarding influence
decision makers in debates relating to environmental damage.
(iv). Assess the perceptions of residents in the province affected by the climate change.

1.3.2 Key Questions to be answered in the study:

i. What specific climate change phenomena are observed or projected in Durban?

ii. How do these climate change phenomena directly impact various aspects of human
development in the region?

iii. What adaptation strategies are currently being employed by different stakeholders
(government, NGOs, communities) to mitigate the impacts of climate change on human
development?

Iv. What lessons can be learned from Durban's experience for other regions facing similar
challenges related to climate change and human development?

1.4 Why Climate change?

 The phenomenon of climate change and global warming has not been immune to
criticism; there is large body of scholarship examining the social, economic,
environmental and spatial effects of climate change on human development and
infrastructure around the globe. For example, most of the literature reviewed suggests
that effects of climate change on human development are characterized by;
 Ever changing climate change poses a stagnant challenge on agriculture and food
security, for instance, unpredictable weather patterns, floods, droughts and soil
degradation.
 Climate change negatively impacts water availability and quality, with severe
effects drinking water, sanitation, agriculture and industry. In addition, access to
clean water and sanitation is extremely vital for health and wellbeing, but many
communities in global south lack adequate infrastructure and services, increasing
vulnerability to climate-water related risks.
 Climate change contributes to the spread of vector-borne diseases such as
Malaria, as shifting temperature and rainfall patterns create favorable conditions
for disease vectors.

The 21st century in numerous occasions, has been referred as period of

uncertain times. Climate change poses one of the most significant challenges to sustainable
development globally. Kwazulu-Natal province, located in a region vulnerable to climate
change impacts, serves as an important case study to understand the localized effects of
climate change on human development.The city of Durban faces unique vulnerabilities to
climate change due to its geographical location, socio-economic dynamics, and existing
developmental challenges. These vulnerabilities include exposure to extreme weather events,
changes in precipitation patterns, and impacts on agricultural productivity, water resources,
and public health.

Climate change impacts have far-reaching consequences for human development, including
effects on livelihoods, food security, health outcomes, access to water and sanitation, and
overall socio-economic well-being. Understanding these impacts is crucial for designing
effective adaptation and mitigation strategies.

Despite facing significant challenges, there are opportunities for implementing adaptation
strategies to mitigate the impacts of climate change on human development in Durban. These
strategies may include agricultural diversification, water management initiatives,
infrastructure development, and community-based adaptation measures.

Assessing the impacts of climate change on human development in Durban provides valuable
insights for policymakers, stakeholders, and development practitioners. It can inform the
formulation of evidence-based policies and interventions aimed at enhancing resilience,
promoting sustainable development, and achieving climate resilience goals at both local and
national levels.

his research contributes to the existing body of knowledge on climate change adaptation and
human development by providing a nuanced understanding of the challenges, adaptation
strategies, and policy implications specific to city of Durban, KwaZulu-Natal Province. It
also offers practical recommendations for addressing climate change impacts in similar
contexts globally.

By conducting a comprehensive assessment of the impacts of climate change on human

development in the City of Durban, my thesis aims to advance our understanding of this
complex issue and contribute to the development of effective strategies for building resilience
and promoting sustainable development in the face of climate change challenges.

1.5 Problem statement

Climate change poses significant challenges to human development in Durban in
KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa, exacerbating existing vulnerabilities and
threatening sustainable socio-economic progress. Despite the recognition of these
challenges, there remains a gap in understanding the localized impacts of climate change
on various aspects of human development within the province, as well as the
effectiveness of existing adaptation strategies and policy frameworks in mitigating these
impacts. This gap hinders the formulation of evidence-based interventions and policy
responses tailored to the unique context of Durban, thereby impeding efforts to enhance
resilience and promote sustainable development in the face of climate change.
Climate change poses significant challenges to human development in Durban and the
South Africa, exacerbating existing vulnerabilities and threatening sustainable socio-
economic progress. Despite the recognition of these challenges, there remains a gap in
understanding the localized impacts of climate change on various aspects of human
development within the province, as well as the effectiveness of existing adaptation
strategies and policy frameworks in mitigating these impacts. This gap hinders the
 formulation of evidence-based interventions and policy responses tailored to the unique
context of KwaZulu-Natal, thereby impeding efforts to enhance resilience and promote
sustainable development in the face of climate change.
1.6 Literature Review
This contemporary utilizes wide range of evidence in the primary and secondary
literature emphasizing environmental injustices exacerbated by neoliberal urban
development. The main argument is that neoliberalism has led to the shift to
entrepreneurial urban governance. Consequently, entrepreneurial cities have favored pro-
growth urban development. This type of development has become visible in the light of
persisting and ever-changing climate. The section reviews the climate change effects on
human development are pioneered by the neoliberal urban development strategy which is
used as an instrument to market and improve cities for attraction of investments.
However, there are significant results for urban development to be discussed.
Neoliberalism and Environmental sustainability
There is extensive literature on the impacts of climate change in relation to neoliberal
regeneration. Wide range of evidence argues that neoliberalism can exacerbate social
inequalities, environmental damage and income gap. Neoliberalism is a political and
economic instrument gaining much dominance in government influence and advancing
Keynesian economics for its shortcomings. Large body of scholarship indicates that
neoliberalism transcends from the values of pro-capitalism such as free-market,
deregulation and privatization, and making cities more entrepreneurial, so that cities can
attract investments.
According to Hans, (2023) There is inconsistent relationship between neoliberalism and
climate change, arguing that although neoliberalism may be political and economical
policy which focus on regulation, advancing free-trade, privatization and decreasing
government affairs in the economic arena. Roots of neoliberalism can trace back from
later half of 20th century, while the globe saw the decline of Capitalism internationally.
Large body of scholarship such as (Haque, 1999; Jessop, 1994) suggest that the planet
was much greener and safer before the anticipation of mass industrialization. Several
studies highlight that global temperatures saw a stagnant rise from the end of 1980s, this
era saw the rise of neoliberalism which was a boom in the western society. However,
many authors have stated that neoliberalism has commodified planet’s resources and
motivated businesses to increase their production levels to the extent that it exceeds
planet’s carrying capacity.
2.1 Paradigm: Critical theory

2.1 Paradigm: Critical theory.

Too often the critical theory is conceptualized as the work of Frankfurt school, this is
mainly drawn from the fact that it is rooted from large contents of scholars such as
Herbert Marcuse, Max Horkheimer and Teodor W. Adorno. Evidence from the literature
indicates that Herbert Marcuse was a philosopher, who was born in Germany during
1898, depicted that he left his country, Germany to the United States in 1934. It is
claimed that all these thinkers derived their knowledge from work of Karl Marx.

Writers of Critical Theory argues that the its “seeks human emancipation while liberating
human beings from situations that continues to enslave them” Horkheimer, (1982: 244).
In this research paper I was keenly attributed to engage in Critical theory, this is because
it seeks to research the historical (cultural, economic, social, and political) contexts of the
case studied. Significance of critical theory in research is that it better compared to
traditional theory which explores and confirms status quo, however it is asserted that
critical theory seeks to address structural disadvantages proposed by the status quo
further arguing that it has high hopes on balanced and democratic participatory
community. Critical theory is based in this research is concerned with challenges of
power relations in communities including construction, deconstruction, and
reconstruction of informal economy to enforce community economic development.

Bohman, (2005) argues that critical theory is concerned with three realities as noted as;
being explanatory in addressing disadvantages in modern-day society, must advocate
action to influence it. And lastly it must set out clear rules guiding criticism and
transformation, this has been also been verified by Horkheimer’s definition.

In research there are four paradigms while in this section, positivism has widely been
used in the school of social sciences. It is indicated that the concept positivism is rooted
from “received view” which has also dominated the study of physical and social sciences
which is estimated to about 400 years, it is contended that post-positivism has replaced
positivism from the late 20th century which has offered limited options in the basic belief
systems. Critical theory is viable and significant in several alternative paradigms, noting
that it includes neo-Marxism, feminism, materialism, and participatory questioning.

In research there are four paradigms while in this section, positivism has widely been
used in the school of social sciences. It is indicated that the concept positivism is rooted
from “received view” which has also dominated the study of physical and social sciences
which is estimated to about 400 years, it is contended that post-positivism has replaced
positivism from the late 20th century which has offered limited options in the basic belief
systems. Critical theory is viable and significant in several alternative paradigms, noting
that it includes neo-Marxism, feminism, materialism, and participatory questioning.
 References

Bohman, J., 2005. We, heirs of enlightenment: Critical theory, democracy and social science.
International Journal of Philosophical Studies, 13(3), pp.353-377.

Horkheimer, Max (1982). Critical Theory Selected Essays /Max Horkheimer; Translated by
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