A proposed framework for recreation planning in South Africa, with particular reference to the Cederberg
Over the years, recreation opportunities in South Africa have been subject to increasing visitor use and pressure from widespread environmental changes. There has been growing imbalance between recreation opportunities in more and less developed environments. As a result conflicts have arisen between different user groups. The "Cederberg Controversy" demonstrates the need for a redefined, comprehensive recreation planning framework to resolve such conflicts. Traditional recreation planning approaches have not provided a suitable framework. By comparison, the Recreation Opportunity Spectrum concept has considerable potential for aiding recreation planners in South Africa. An application of principles of the Recreation Opportunity Spectrum concept, and closer analysis, reveal that the concept is limited. An extension to the concept is proposed whereby the goal of visitor satisfaction is supplemented by a policy declaration to maintain diverse recreation opportunities. Whenever the consequences of a decision affecting the supply of recreation opportunities are irreversible, the maintenance of diversity should take precedence over visitor demand.
Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations
Department of Environmental and Geographical Science