Despite immense global urbanisation and modernisation, people and the environment are far from divorced. The theme of Ecology and Society examines the links between people and the natural environment within cities. In a modern city such connections are commonly circuitous (ie round-about), but for poorer economies and people there is direct and important reliance placed on access to foods, fibre, and resources for sustenance, support and cash income. Within an African city such as Cape Town where overwhelming economic and social development issues remain, this theme aims to thoroughly explore the links between livelihoods and the natural environment so as to best foster the philosophy of sustainable development.

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