4.4 Group-Think
243
The two philosophies are complementary, and not competitive, and they are mutually exclusive. Compositionalist norms are more appropriate for nature reserves
(Callicot et al. 1999), such as those found in and around Durban, while functionalist
norms are appropriate for areas that have been inhabited and exploited by humans
(Callicot et al. 1999), such as Durban’s beaches and recreational parks.
What is more, according to Freund (2001: 725), in the late 1990s, D’MOSS
evolved from a document with a string of ‘conservationist ethics’ to a structure that
promotes ‘various environmental advantages’, such as ‘temperature control, as well
as the cleansing of the water flow system’. D’MOSS packaged these into ‘[monetary]
terms to give a business-like, cost-benefit analysis’, which was not part of the original
D’MOSS idea.
Therefore, eThekwini’s green and ecological infrastructure policy landscape
meets the criteria that are set out by Jessop (2000, 2014). The ecological dominance
of the biodiversity discourse informs this underlying epistemology, which, in turn,
informs the policy landscape. The ecological dominance of biodiversity imprints its
positivist logic on social relations and institutions (MacKinnon and Derickson 2013),
which is probably the reason why water security does not feature much, except by
being an indirect benefit of D’MOSS. A salient feature of the EDCPD is its focus on
anthropogenic global climate change adaptation through green infrastructures.
Therefore, D’MOSS incorporates compositionalist and functionalist norms that
are applied to areas that have been inhabited and exploited by humans. It is functionalist, since humans are part of nature and exploit it for various purposes and values
because it is a specific governance structure that serves an exact function, based on
various norms and values, such as adaptation, preservation and sustainable development. D’MOSS is based on the notion that, for eThekwini to implement successful
climate change adaptation and biodiversity conservation through green infrastructures, the policy is a necessity for the correct functioning of the system and for it to
reach its normative goals.
Nevertheless, D’MOSS is not the only political mechanism that informs eThekwini’s green infrastructure ontology. International relations that link eThekwini’s
climate adaptation and mitigation reality with other cities is an extension of its green
and ecological infrastructure policy landscape across national borders.
4.4.2 International Relations of eThekwini
as an Autonomous Actor
With regard to the municipality being an autonomous actor, Pieterse (2019) argues
that South African municipalities have significant constitutional autonomy, as well
as financial independence. We see these autonomous ideals manifesting themselves
in the municipality’s engagement with other cities (Bremen, Fort Lauderdale and
African cities) through twinning agreements and the C40 initiative.
243
The two philosophies are complementary, and not competitive, and they are mutually exclusive. Compositionalist norms are more appropriate for nature reserves
(Callicot et al. 1999), such as those found in and around Durban, while functionalist
norms are appropriate for areas that have been inhabited and exploited by humans
(Callicot et al. 1999), such as Durban’s beaches and recreational parks.
What is more, according to Freund (2001: 725), in the late 1990s, D’MOSS
evolved from a document with a string of ‘conservationist ethics’ to a structure that
promotes ‘various environmental advantages’, such as ‘temperature control, as well
as the cleansing of the water flow system’. D’MOSS packaged these into ‘[monetary]
terms to give a business-like, cost-benefit analysis’, which was not part of the original
D’MOSS idea.
Therefore, eThekwini’s green and ecological infrastructure policy landscape
meets the criteria that are set out by Jessop (2000, 2014). The ecological dominance
of the biodiversity discourse informs this underlying epistemology, which, in turn,
informs the policy landscape. The ecological dominance of biodiversity imprints its
positivist logic on social relations and institutions (MacKinnon and Derickson 2013),
which is probably the reason why water security does not feature much, except by
being an indirect benefit of D’MOSS. A salient feature of the EDCPD is its focus on
anthropogenic global climate change adaptation through green infrastructures.
Therefore, D’MOSS incorporates compositionalist and functionalist norms that
are applied to areas that have been inhabited and exploited by humans. It is functionalist, since humans are part of nature and exploit it for various purposes and values
because it is a specific governance structure that serves an exact function, based on
various norms and values, such as adaptation, preservation and sustainable development. D’MOSS is based on the notion that, for eThekwini to implement successful
climate change adaptation and biodiversity conservation through green infrastructures, the policy is a necessity for the correct functioning of the system and for it to
reach its normative goals.
Nevertheless, D’MOSS is not the only political mechanism that informs eThekwini’s green infrastructure ontology. International relations that link eThekwini’s
climate adaptation and mitigation reality with other cities is an extension of its green
and ecological infrastructure policy landscape across national borders.
4.4.2 International Relations of eThekwini
as an Autonomous Actor
With regard to the municipality being an autonomous actor, Pieterse (2019) argues
that South African municipalities have significant constitutional autonomy, as well
as financial independence. We see these autonomous ideals manifesting themselves
in the municipality’s engagement with other cities (Bremen, Fort Lauderdale and
African cities) through twinning agreements and the C40 initiative.