Collective Conversations on urban land use: Navigating justice, ecology and climate

The fourth Collective Conversation: Science for Society series, brought together experts in urban planning, environmental governance and food systems to examine how land-use decisions shape justice, ecological sustainability and climate resilience in South African cities.

On 27 May 2026, the University of Cape Town (UCT) hosted the fourth instalment of the Collective Conversations on Science for Society series, a dialogue platform that convenes voices from academia, government and civil society to address complex societal challenges. This conversation focused on urban land use and the difficult choices cities face as they navigate competing demands for housing, infrastructure, livelihoods, environmental protection and climate adaptation.

The discussion featured Associate Professor Pippin Anderson from UCT's Department of Environmental and Geographical Science; Robert McGaffin from the City of Cape Town's Spatial Planning and Environment Directorate; and Rirhandzu Marivate from the South African Urban Food and Farming Trust and Stellenbosch University. Together, they explored how land-use planning extends beyond technical regulation to encompass questions of equity, biodiversity, governance and public values.

The Collective Conversation series underscores UCT's commitment to fostering collaborative spaces where diverse perspectives can inform evidence-based solutions to some of society's most pressing challenges.

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