eThekwini’s green and ecological infrastructure policy landscape: research paradigms, theories and epistocrats
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Authors
Meissner, Richard
Issue Date
2022-01-23
Type
Article
Language
en
Keywords
Research paradigms , Social theories , eThekwini , Ecological infrastructure , Green infrastructure
Alternative Title
Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to indicate how dominant research paradigms, social theories,
and an epistocracy influence the governance of green and ecological infrastructures
within a South African local government context. Paradigms and theories play an important
constituting role that (local) government actors and institutions actively and subconsciously
promote within the green and ecological infrastructure policy landscape. Research
conducted by the author indicates that epistemic actors within the eThekwini Metropolitan
Municipality, South Africa, use paradigms and theories to promote green and ecological
infrastructures, as materialities, coupled with climate change adaptation and mitigation and
water governance and security aspirations. I conclude that an epistocracy is active in the
municipality and that it promotes the development and implementation of the infrastructure
types through a positivist paradigm and accompanied theories. In this article, I will
report on a two-year study that investigated eThekwini’s green and ecological infrastructure
policy landscape.
Description
Citation
Meissner, R. eThekwini’s green and ecological infrastructure policy landscape: research paradigms, theories and epistocrats. Int Environ Agreements 22, 543–560 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10784-021-09557-0
Publisher
Springer
License
Journal
Volume
Issue
PubMed ID
DOI
ISSN
1573-1553