The Green Book provides a risk profile of each City extensively and mitigation mechanisms against climate change effects and other hazards.
It was introduced at the Sustainable Cities Summit, organized by DMG events, as part of the Big 5 Construct Southern Africa, held yesterday, 28th June 2023, at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Johannesburg.
The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Urban and Regional Planner, Amy Pieterse, says work around the Green Book began back in 2015. It is a product of 50 researchers nationally, who wanted to determine a risk profile for each Municipality. The book is actually an open, web-based system which provides a unique risk profile (current and future) for each Municipality. It has tools and resources such as maps and interactive material.
Municipalities can also access libraries with relevant case studies that can be included in planning tools such as integrated development, spatial and others.
“It was developed in partnership with the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DAFF), Santam and the CSIR, largely as a response to climate change, urbanization and pressure in cities.”
Of interest is the work already underway with three metros- the City of Tshwane, eThekwini and Buffalo City.
The Green Book Metro Views are sections of the system most relevant to metros. They are designed to understand baseline information unique to each City and map out future risks, potential hazards as well as determine adaptation means to reduce exposure, and promote resilience.
It has an educational section meant to train citizens in matters that affect them about their cities.
Visit our Facebook page for a snippet on the Green Book by Amy Pieterse of the CSIR.