Smart Places

The CSIR has developed a 10-step process to assess and reduce the risks of wildland fires and map the likelihood of fire. The 10 steps entail the delineation of the wildlife-urban interface, where a 100 m buffer is created on either side to allow for the characterisation of assets and fuel types....

CSIR researchers are exploring the synthesis, modification and composting of porous carbonaceous materials for hydrogen storage applications. Materials-based storage technologies are reported to be a promising preference for hydrogen storage, especially when using materials with attractive porosi...

CSIR researchers have been continuously monitoring and studying the effect of wastewater discharge on the marine environment in Durban. The monitoring programme has generated a wealth of information that has contributed to the understanding of how wastewater discharge affects the sea environment ...

The CSIR, on behalf of the Department of Environmental Affairs, conducted a health study in the Vaal Triangle Air-shed Priority Area to determine if air pollution levels exceed South African air pollution standards. Areas within the Vaal Triangle Air-shed Priority Area include the local municipal...

The study considered the impacts of climate change and extreme weather events, which impact on coal supply to power stations. A spatially-disaggregated assessment of the vulnerabilities of South Africa’s existing and potential coal supply chain to disruptions by projected changes in chronic and a...

The CSIR is assisting national and local government, cities and other stakeholders with urban planning strategies by making use of spatial and urban growth modelling and simulation software. A new CSIR-developed model has been used to simulate spatial growth patterns to better understand the futu...

In partnership with a range of national stakeholders, the CSIR is soon to launch the Urban Knowledge Exchange Southern Africa . The research and development of the online platform has been funded by the Department of Science and Technology. The project is steered jointly by a series of department...