The Durban Metropolitan Area (DMA) has a large and rapidly growing population which is in many ways negatively impacting on the natural environment. Apartheid policies have resulted in large inequities between ethnic groups and between different areas of the city. The DMA is now faced with pressing needs for housing and services provision. The Council is seeking to provide for the needs of its population in a sustainable manner through spatial and integrated development planning and through implementing the provisions of the Metropolitan Environmental Policy.	What can you do to improve the situation
	About Indicators In this Population Report In this SOE Report Global Set
What is causing the DMA population to impact negatively on the environment? The DMA population was growing at a rate of approximately 2 % per annum (1996) as a result of natural growth, in migration and urbanisation. Poverty and unemployment is high and there are significant disparities between socio-economic groups in terms of service provision. There is also a culture of nonpayment for services which threatens the economical sustainability of service provision. Nearly three quarters of income earners earn less that R 15 000 annually.
What is the current state and recent trends regarding population? The DMA has a population of about 2,5 million. It is a culturally diverse city with a majority of  black residents, a large Indian community and a white and coloured minority.
How does the population impact on the environment? Human population is one of the main causes of environmental degradation throughout the DMA. A growing population and increasing standards of living creates increased demands for goods and services (including housing, water and electricity), increased production of waste, increased use of the environment for economic and recreational activities and increased transportation needs to enable people to move around the city.
What is being done to reduce the impact that the population has on the environment? The DMA Spatial Development Plan and Integrated Development Planning processes are seeking to provide for the needs of Durban's residents in a sustainable manner. Durban's Environmental Policy has a range of provisions which seek to address the impact of Durban's residents on the environment, including carrying out population development activities and ensuring environmentally sustainable infrastructure provision.