The climate change adaptation potential of the historic Burgers Park in Tshwane and its effect on the use of the space

Abstract

Urban parks are found in cities, and cities happen to be significant climate change contributors, accounting for 70% of emissions of greenhouse gases, this puts urban parks in a susceptible position of bearing the burden of climate change effects, which is already evident to a large extent. The report presents a qualitative case study that assesses two present-day urban challenges, climate change and public spaces. This study considers the connection between the use and climate change adaptation potential of urban public spaces by analysing a historical urban public space, Burgers Park, located in central Tshwane, South Africa. The study adopts a mixed method case study research method based on the pragmatism paradigm. The study findings reveal that Burgers Park has been able to adapt to a pattern of rather steady change, attesting to its existence for over 150 years. However, when facing climate change effects such as increased temperatures, to that, add site-specific disturbances such as the Urban Heat Island Effect, littering, and social, economic, and management changes, this park may have an increased climate change vulnerability. However, the climate adaptation potential exists. People continue to use the Park despite evidence of degradation. The study contributes to the risk mapping and climate change adaptation discourse of public spaces, accenting the significance of climate change adaptation in the socio-ecological and socio-spatial spheres of public spaces.