Exploring the social impacts of the expansion of the port of Durban.
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Date
2021
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Abstract
Current research demonstrates that spatial developments are mostly the cause of social,
environmental, and economic problems. While businesses expand, the quality of life in most
communities deteriorates due to the social impacts that are associated with the expansion of
industries. Governments are increasingly prioritizing and commissioning infrastructure of
megaprojects such as ports, which are often supported by economic impact studies. The port
of Durban is currently experiencing capacity constraints as a result of the congestion problems
facing the harbour. The port developers (Transnet) proposed to expand the port as a solution to
the congestion impediments. The old Durban airport relocated to La Mercy, presenting an
opportunity to Transnet to purchase the old airport site at South Durban Basin (SDB) to
commence the expansion of the port of Durban. The expansion plans include building a new
port, construction of a link road from the Bluff through Clairwood, Austerville, and Merebank
to connect with the national roads network. This research aims to explore the social impacts of
the expansion of the port of Durban for the communities in the South Durban Basin.
Underpinned by the Social impact theory and the Psychological impact theory, this study seeks
to explore the extent to which the expansion of the Port of Durban will impact on SDB
communities as well as determining whether the port expansion is justified for port
development. The study used both primary and secondary data. The results of the research
indicate that the magnitude of the social impacts and enormity of it all are such that the change
in the lives of people living in SDB will be for the worst, given the current problems existing
in the area. The expansion plans have been viewed to cause more “havoc” in the area.
Moreover, the expansion of the port is not justified for port development because expanding
the port may not necessarily mean that they will be to the degree required to remain
competitive.
Description
Masters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.