Nature Positive Cities Efforts to Advance the Transition Durban 2024

3 Exemplary solutions Protected D'MOSS 6,783 ha Proclaimed nature reserveTotal EMA 249,033 ha Conservation type (in decreasing protection order) Environmental conservation reserve Municipal nature reserve/conservation areaNon-D'MOSS Protected D'MOSS Non-protected D'MOSS Acquired State nature reserve SRA Others11% 3% 2%29% 14% 10% 32%3%62% 35%Establishment of D’MOSS to ensure the protection of valuable ecosystems from the impacts of urban development Challenge Durban is surrounded by a diverse and extensive array of natural and semi-natural areas. In addition to the land value, the total asset value of nature in the EMA is estimated at ZAR 48-62 billion (approximately $2.5-3.3 billion). Each year, nature provides ecosystem services worth ZAR 4 billion (approximately $210 million)28 and sequesters over 30,000 tonnes of CO 2.29 However, Durban has experienced significant development demand over the last few years, often conflicting with the protection of natural areas. The original 1949 planning ordinance did not consider environmental factors. Although a policy layer was introduced in 1989 to protect critical areas, it lacked legislative authority and its enforcement was therefore limited.30 Solution In 2010, when the KwaZulu-Natal Planning and Development Act overturned the ordinance, it integrated a spatial layer covering areas of high biodiversity value. This area, called D’MOSS, is an overlay on the town planning scheme zoning to show where environmental authorization is required to prevent adverse impacts on biodiversity and on ecosystem assets and services.31 The boundaries are defined and regularly updated through the Systematic Conservation Assessment performed by the Biodiversity Management Department. As of 2021, D’MOSS comprised 95,000 hectares (ha) of public and private land, representing approximately 38% of the EMA.32 Impact The D’MOSS has become the primary tool for addressing habitat destruction and safeguarding valuable ecosystems in Durban. In particular, it ensures the maintenance of a wide range of open spaces and establishes links between open spaces and sources of biodiversity along the coast.Breakdown of the EMA and its protected regions Only 7% of the D’MOSS region (less than 3% of the total EMA) is protected. Land protection mechanisms include designating areas as Proclaimed Nature Reserves or State Nature Reserves and direct land acquisition by the municipality. Figure 6 shows the breakdown of the protected areas in the EMA.33 Source: eThekwini Municipality.FIGURE 7 eThekwini Spatial Development MapFIGURE 8 Breakdown of EMA Exemplary solution 1 Ethekwini municipal boundar y National r oads Major rivers Dams D’MOSS 201 8 Open space/conservation Nature Positive: Cities’ Efforts to Advance the Transition 36