Page 193 - AJWEP-v22i2

Mitigating climate change in city of Tshwane

infrastructure in South Africa infrastructure and offers (iii) Data analysis: The datasets were analyzed using
insights into how to effectively mitigate these effects. charts and pie charts to visualize the trends in
temperature, rainfall, and the cost implications of
2. Methodology climate change. In addition, the analysis explored
how the absence of adaptation would impact the
2.1. Research design economy.
The study is exploratory, quantitative, and descriptive (iv) Modeling and simulation: A combination of DES
in nature, aimed at gaining a deeper understanding of a and SD was employed to model and simulate the
persistent phenomenon. Climate change is considered effects of variables classified as extreme events
a persistent challenge, and the exploratory aspect seeks (such as GHG emissions, extreme temperatures,
to answer questions, address phenomena, or identify drought, rainfall, and flooding) on the city’s
general principles to explain the phenomenon, utilizing road and stormwater infrastructure and GDP
the inductive method. In exploratory research, primary performance. These extreme events are considered
or secondary data are collected and organized for the effects of climate change. The goal of the
synthesis. In this study, secondary data were collected modeling and simulation was to ascertain the effects
30
and analyzed. of these extreme events on the city’s infrastructure
The quantitative method was employed because and economic activities (reflected in the GDP) to
it allows for the representation of measured variables facilitate appropriate policy recommendations
numerically in terms of amount, quantity, frequency, for effective climate change mitigation and
or rate. These variables’ associations with other factors adaptation. Finally, conclusions were drawn, and
can be determined via systematic measurement and recommendations were made to support climate
statistical analysis. 31,32 change mitigation and adaptation efforts.
Figure 1 shows the research methodology of the study
and the steps followed during the research, summarizing Figure 2 illustrates the conceptual framework, linking
the approach employed in the study. As discussed in the the key variables derived from the literature related to
literature section, variables such as the amount of rainfall, climate change. These variables include the amount of
GDP, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, extreme events, rainfall, GDP, the greenhouse effect, extreme events,
and infrastructure performance are related to climate and infrastructure performance. The major threats
change. Therefore, secondary quantitative data on these are the greenhouse effect and extreme events, such as
variables were collected and compared using regression rainfall, flooding, drought, and extreme temperatures.
graphs, Microsoft Excel, and AnyLogic software to
answer the research questions. 2.2. Case study
The methods applied in this study quantified and For the purpose of this study, a case study was employed
analyzed variables to obtain results. These include: to gain an in-depth understanding of the complex
(i) Inductive reasoning: Collection and analysis of issue of climate change impacts. Existing studies
historical data (temperature and rainfall) to identify indicate the suitability of the case study approach for
trends related to climate change impacts and to investigating multifaceted and complex issues, making
draw conclusions. it extensively applicable across different fields. 33,34 This
(ii) Data collection: Historical quantitative datasets on approach allows researchers to explore and understand
rainfall, temperature, and capital expenditure on intricate issues by analyzing past reports or studies. It is
infrastructure in the City of Tshwane were obtained considered a suitable research method, especially when
from the South African Weather Service (SAWS) a holistic, in-depth investigation is conducted. The case
and the City of Tshwane. study method transcends quantitative statistical results

Figure 1. A comprehensive guide to the quantitative research methodology employed in this study

Volume 22 Issue 2 (2025) 187 doi: 10.36922/AJWEP025080049