The 3rd Southern Africa Regional Science Association 2025 Conference Proceedings: Rethinking the Regional Development Opportunities and Challenges in Southern Africa

Authors

Elizabeth Mirika Musvoto, https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7285-2526; Tazviona Richman Gambe, University of the Free State; Inês Selça dos Santos Cuambe , Azores University; Nkosinathi Philemon Dube , University of Johannesburg; Thulisile Ncamsile Mphambukeli , University of Johannesburg; Tinashe Magande , University of Johannesburg; Innocent Chirisa , University of Johannesburg; Victor Okorie , Obafemi Awolowo University; Talent Ndabenhle Ndlovu , University of the Free State; Hannalie Prollius , Department of Infrastructure, Western Cape Government; Konosoang Agatha Rathulo, University of the Free State; Christopher Amoah , University of the Free State; Catherine Robbertse , University of the Free State; Nonhlanhla Maphoso , University of the Free State; Maria Mberema , National Commission on Research Science and Technology; Menare Royal Mabakeng , National University of Science and Technology; Laurika Ashipala , National University of Science and Technology; Mlamisi Mdluli , National University of Science and Technology; Yvonne Matolokela , National University of Science and Technology; Victor Otieno Olonde , Department of Lands and Physical Planning; James Waswa Khaoya , Crisca Real Estate; Tsungai Mukwashi, University of Johannesburg; Khatliso Simon Baas , University of Johannesburg; Nonso Izuchukwu Ewurum, University of Botswana; Phenyo Mpolokang, University of Botswana; Ijeoma Clara Ewurum, Icon Root Real Estate Consult; Chidinma Nnennaya Ihebum , Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education; Nkiruka Evangeline Aso, Nnamdi Azikiwe University; Chidubem Azie-Ekwunife , Ministry of Lands and Urban Development; Mellinda James, National University of Science and Technology; Tirivavi Moyo, Nelson Mandela University; Albert Tafadzwa Kagande, Nelson Mandela University; Jeofrey Matai, University of Zimbabwe; Charles Chavunduka, University of Zimbabwe; Herbert Chirwa, University of Zimbabwe; Keone Kelobonye, University of Botswana; Njideka Maryclara Aguome , University of Botswana; Tema Nnyaladzi, University of Botswana; Fidelis Ifeanyi Emoh, University of Botswana; Thembani Moyo, University of Johannesburg; Nkosinathi P Dube, University of Johannesburg; Trynos Gumbo, University of Johannesburg; Albert Tafadzwa Kagande, Nelson Mandela University; Jonathan Makuwira, Nelson Mandela University; Amanda van den Berg , Nelson Mandela University; Tomaz Ponce Dentinho, Azores University; Malefu Brenda Mabalane, University of Johannesburg; Nthethe Irene Tlale, University of Cape Town; Rolien Terblanche, University of Cape Town
DOI: https://doi.org/10.15641/978-1-0370-6025-0

Synopsis

The 3rd Southern Africa Regional Science Association (SARSA) 2025 Conference Proceedings, published under the theme “Rethinking the Regional Development Opportunities and Challenges in Southern Africa,” brings together research examining the spatial dimensions of development across Southern Africa and other parts of the Global South. The volume presents empirical and conceptual contributions on urban infrastructure and service delivery; informal settlements and housing; energy access and climate adaptation; urban sustainability and resilience; urban policy and governance; rural economies; and the circular economy in construction.

 

Drawing on diverse geographical contexts and interdisciplinary perspectives, the papers explore the complex relationships between urbanisation, spatial inequality, infrastructure provision, environmental sustainability, and regional development. Collectively, they demonstrate the importance of context-sensitive research and integrated planning approaches in understanding development challenges and identifying opportunities for more inclusive and sustainable futures. The proceedings offer a valuable resource for academics, researchers, students, policymakers, planners, and development practitioners interested in regional science, spatial planning, and sustainable development in Southern Africa and beyond.

 

Chapters

  • Full Monograph
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  • Front Matter
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  • Poor Restoration and Infrastructure Maintenance Effects on Electricity Reliability in a Black Township: A Case of Soweto, Johannesburg
    Nkosinathi Philemon Dube , Thulisile Ncamsile Mphambukeli
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  • Urban Infrastructure in Rapidly Expanding Coal Mining Towns of Southern Africa: The case of Emalahleni
    Thulisile Ncamsile Mphambukeli , Tinashe Magande , Innocent Chirisa , Victor Okorie
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  • Quantifying Spatial Mismatch in South African Cities: A Case of Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni, and Tshwane
    Talent Ndabenhle Ndlovu
    PDF
  • Informal Settlement Upgrading in South Africa: Applying Capability and Participation Theories to Community-Driven Approaches
    Hannalie Prollius
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  • Challenges of the Lesotho Housing and Land Development Corporation in Providing Sustainable Human Settlements
    Konosoang Agatha Rathulo, Christopher Amoah , Catherine Robbertse
    PDF
  • Challenges of Asbestos Cement Roofs for South Africa's Legacy Township Inhabitants: A Case Study of Phomolong
    Christopher Amoah , Nonhlanhla Maphoso
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  • Evidence-Based Project Management: Capability Analysis in Windhoek's Informal Settlement Upgrading
    Maria Mberema , Menare Royal Mabakeng , Laurika Ashipala , Mlamisi Mdluli , Yvonne Matolokela
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  • Formality within Informality: Dynamics of Informal Land Transactions in Mombasa, Kenya
    Victor Otieno Olonde , James Waswa Khaoya
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  • Towards Equity and Sustainability: Planning Energy Access for Marginalised Communities in South Africa
    Thulisile Ncamsile Mphambukeli , Innocent Chirisa , Tsungai Mukwashi
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  • From Ideology to Implementation: Climate Adaptation Through Energy Spatial Planning in South Africa’s Arid Zones. Case Study of De Aar in the Northern Cape Province
    Thulisile Ncamsile Mphambukeli , Khatliso Simon Baas
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  • The Urban Sustainability Paradox through the Lens of the Tragedy of the Commons Dilemma of Insurgent Planning
    Nonso Izuchukwu Ewurum, Phenyo Mpolokang, Ijeoma Clara Ewurum, Nkiruka Evangeline Aso, Chidubem Azie-Ekwunife
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  • Initiatives for Strengthening Resilience to Climate Change Hazards within the Zimbabwean Construction Sector
    Mellinda James, Tirivavi Moyo, Albert Tafadzwa Kagande
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  • The Interplay Between Mobility, Urban Design and Climate Change: Searching for Urban Resilience Solutions in Harare, Zimbabwe
    Jeofrey Matai, Charles Chavunduka, Herbert Chirwa
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  • Globalist-Localist Planning Tensions and Spatial Identity Crisis in Southern African Urbanism: Mapping the Gaps and Opportunities
    Elizabeth Mirika Musvoto, Nonso Izuchukwu Ewurum, Keone Kelobonye, Njideka Maryclara Aguome , Tema Nnyaladzi, Fidelis Ifeanyi Emoh
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  • Urbanisation in Southern Africa: Challenges, Opportunities and Policy Pathways
    Tazviona Richman Gambe
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  • From Vision to Integration: Assessing BIM Maturity Among Urban Planners in South Africa
    Thulisile Ncamsile Mphambukeli , Thembani Moyo, Trynos Gumbo
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  • A Systematic Literature Review of Smart Cities and Sustainability Challenges in Africa
    Tirivavi Moyo, Albert Tafadzwa Kagande, Jonathan Makuwira, Amanda van den Berg
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  • A Multidimensional Perspective on Sustainability in Family Farming in Mozambique: Q-Analysis of Social, Environmental, Cultural, and Technological Dimensions
    Inês Selça dos Santos Cuambe , Tomaz Ponce Dentinho
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  • Poverty, Inequality, and Informality in Post-Apartheid South Africa: A Case Study of Thaba Phatswa, Free State
    Thulisile Ncamsile Mphambukeli , Malefu Brenda Mabalane
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  • Circular Economy in Construction: Assessing Implementation and Impact in South Africa
    Nthethe Irene Tlale, Rolien Terblanche
    PDF

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Published

2 November 2026
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Co-publisher's ISBN-13 (24)

978-1-0370-6025-0