Spatial and demographic characterisation of environmental perceptions, attitudes and place attachment : the case of Gauteng, South Africa

Abstract: The rationale for this study lies in the assumption that people transact with the perceived environment through co-construction of environmental perceptions, attitudes and attachment to place in a spatially heterogeneous manner. Environmental perceptions, attitudes and place attachment arise through processes of symbolic interaction with the environment. Understanding the relationship between these constructs, and their determinants has not been adequately addressed for heterogeneous and socio-economically diverse, developing regions like South Africa. Moreover, studies have not explicitly characterised and mapped these variables to afford their understanding on a spatio-temporal basis. The aim of this thesis, therefore, was firstly to understand human-nature concepts in South Africa pitted against the global-North. Secondly, the study aimed at assessing the socio-demographic determinants of environmental perceptions, attitudes and place attachment, and thirdly, to evaluate their spatial and temporal changes for Gauteng province, South Africa. South Africa presents an opulent opportunity for research because of its history of separate development (apartheid1) which resulted in distinct classification of settlements along racial lines. This study posits that this social engineering in the study are has a bearing on people-place relations, since it is unique from societies in the global-North whose historical and geo-political environment is different. Findings from the literature review indicated that place studies in South Africa are mainly those relating to environmental concern, environmental perceptions largely in rural settings, and place attachment. The latter can be grouped into three broad categories: community attachment and cultural symbolism studies; place, sense of place, and place identity studies; and studies on the historical perspective of environmentalism in South Africa. Additionally, the review notes that that the main methodological and theoretical approaches to human-nature studies in the country have been influenced by the country’s spatio-political setting, where space, identity, and belonging are made more complex by polarisation by class, creed and ethnicity...Ph.D. (Geography