AN INTEGRATED FINANCING FRAMEWORK FOR GREENING SOUTH AFRICAN CITIES

The National Development Plan encourages metropolitan cities to provide their communities with healthy, safe, and sustainable environments (SA, 2012a:37-38). However, the issue faced by South African metropolitan cities is the lack of financing required to purchase green infrastructure to improve their communities' lives sustainably (SANC, 2016:2). Employing a qualitative research method, this study aimed to assess the adequacy of the current financing structures in greening South African metropolitan cities and to develop an integrated financing framework to assist in greening these cities. Purposive sampling assisted in collecting data through virtual and telephone interviews with 7 out of 8 participants in the city sustainability/environmental management departments across all eight South African metropolitan cities. Key findings included financial constraints, lack of adequately trained staff members, political influence and procurement process issues. Derived from the findings, the effectiveness of the current financing structures was evaluated, and an integrated financing framework for greening South African metropolitan cities was developed. Furthermore, policymakers may have a sound system to guide and support the execution of operations and assist municipalities in properly managing revenue for sustainability purposes as the developed integrated financial framework may define policies, procedures, regulations, and standing orders of greening cities.