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(a) To determine the various land use and cultural attributes existing in the Ulundi
Local Municipality and establish the extent to which these attributes are of
developmental relevance to local community.
(b) To investigate the steps taken to alleviate poverty, empower women and
facilitate socio-economic upliftment of the rural communities such as
Mkhazane, Mabedlane, Mbangayiya, Mtikini and Mbhoshongweni (Refer to
Figure 1.2).
(c) To examine the strategies which stakeholders have already taken to stimulate
local economic development and to reverse the current trends of decline and
lack ofdiversity in the economy.
(d) To reveal the extent to which decision-makers used existing development
strategic tools towards achieving sustainable management of development
processes in Ulundi.
(e) To reveal how stakeholders perceive the existing institutional structures In
terms of public participation and to recommend a development model that
advances market and pro-poor perspectives in improving the quality of life of
the people in Ulundi.
1.3.2 Research hvpothesis
On the basis of the research question posed earlier, the following hypothesis was postulated:
That planning that takes into account the cultural and physical landscape attributes is expected
to improve chances for development.
The study ascertained the degree of influence that the cultural and physical landscape
attributes have in the study area that could enhance the development potential and improve
the quality oflife ofthe people in Ulundi.
1.4 OPERATIONAL DEFINITION OF CONCEPTS
In order to facilitate understanding as well as the removal of any ambiguities in the meaning
ofthe terms used in this research, the following concepts are operationally defined:
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