The quality of environmental impact assessment in Malawi: a retrospective analysis

This paper draws on a survey of the 32 environmental impact assessment (EIA) reports approved in Malawi after six years of mandatory EIA. With the aim of assessing the extent to which the requirements of the EIA process have been complied with and determining which EIA components influenced the apparent compliance, it is shown that the quality of the reports is poor, with most of the EIA requirements being unsatisfactorily adhered to. The components that contributed to the poor quality are analysis of alternatives, consultation and public participation, scoping and environmental audit. Substance problems that affect the adequacy of the EIAs, practice problems dealing with the administration of the EIA process, and contextual problems and deficiencies in the EIA law are specifically identified as the flaws responsible for the poor quality. It is thus recommended, for EIA quality to improve, that the flaws be addressed, and particularly the factors which are inducing them.     

An integrated planning model for investment in urban infrastructure and pricing municipal services

This viewpoint proposes an iterative, cyclical and incremental model for preparing and pricing a capital investment programme and budget for municipal infrastructure services. South African towns and cities are used as case‐studies. The model links capital investment, operation and maintenance (supply) to the prices offered or paid by the beneficiaries (demand). Ignoring the conventional framework for the development of an area, this viewpoint concentrates on how capital investment for municipal infrastructure services could be planned and programmed and prices or tariffs determined. Given that socio‐economic trends in most municipalities in South Africa are unpredictable, short‐ to medium‐term capital investment planning is emphasised.