This policy brief series aims to explore and advance the concept of nexusing—integrating policies, institutions, and practices across sectors to achieve more sustainable and resilient outcomes. The “Mechanisms for Nexusing” policy brief series provides a critical resource for those seeking to navigate the complexities of integrated governance. By examining the mechanisms that facilitate cross-sector collaboration,…

by Lourens Swart, Mark Swilling and Amanda Gcanga. This study argues for a deeper exploration of the practical implementation of the WEF nexus framework in planning, governance and social processes. As such, the study analysed the governance and management systems of the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront (V&A), a precinct in Cape Town that adopted the…

by Amiena Bayat & Mark Volmink. In a case study of the peri-urban Philippi Horticultural Area (PHA) outside Cape Town, South Africa, AMIENA BAYAT and MARK VOLMINK uncover the many issues and racial legacies that negatively impact the security and equitable distribution of water, land and energy resources and suggest how the embryonic water, energy…

by Shaun Smith. Cities are increasingly encouraged to adopt cross-sector coordination mechanisms and visions as a response to complex urban sustainability challenges. However, infrastructure governance remains highly fragmented, with limited understanding of how and why coordination emerges, what issues it prioritises and whether these selective forms effectively address or obscure deeper structural challenges. This article…

We are proud to present the final Doctoral Thesis by Dr. Nicola Harvey, which she successfully defended on May 28, 2025, at Utrecht University. Her thesis advances understanding of the implications of nexus thinking for law. In particular, the book investigates the factors requiring reflection within the law to enable vertical and horizontal coordination across…

by Nicola Harvey.   This paper was originally published in the book titled “Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Water Energy Food and Sustainability (ICoWEFS 2022)” edited by Paulo Sérgio Duque de Brito, João Rafael da Costa Sanches Galvão, Pedro Monteiro, Roberta Panizio, Luís Calado, Ana Carolina Assis, Filipe dos Santos Neves, Flávio Craveiro, Henrique de Amorim Almeida, Joel Oliveira Correia Vasco, Ricardo de Jesus Gomes, Sandra de Jesus Martins Mourato, Vânia Sofia Santos Ribeiro and published by Springer International Publishing. This book publishes some papers presented at…

by Lourens P. Swart. Thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Philosophy in Sustainable Development in the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences at Stellenbosch University Supervisor: Prof Mark Swilling Co-Supervisor: Ms Amanda Gang Abstract Urban spaces worldwide, including Cape Town, are reported to be the loci of…