Pieterse, AmyDu Toit, Jacques LouisVan Niekerk, Willemien2020-09-252021Pieterse, A., Du Toit, J. & Van Niekerk, W. 2021, 'Climate change adaptation mainstreaming in the planning instruments of two South African local municipalities', Development Southern Africa, vol. 38, no. 4, pp. 493-508.0376-835X (print)1470-3637 (online)10.1080/0376835X.2020.1760790http://hdl.handle.net/2263/76223This article reflects on the role of urban planning in climate change adaptation and the role of planning instruments in facilitating the mainstreaming of climate change adaptation. An analytical framework is introduced to analyse primary spatial and integrated planning instruments in the City of Cape Town and Thulamela Local Municipality in South Africa, as comparative cases with core similarities and contextual differences. The findings are discussed in terms of where adaptation should be included throughout the planning process and the extent to which the cases have been able to mainstream climate change adaptation within their planning instruments. The findings show that local municipal plans and policies are recognising the impact of climate change on settlements and the role of planning in responding to these impacts. However, there is little evidence of addressing these long-term impacts through programmatic and coherent approaches using short- to medium-term planning instruments.en© 2020 Government Technical Advisory Centre (GTAC). This is an electronic version of an article published in Development Southern Africa, vol. 38, no. 4, pp. 493-508, 2021. doi : 10.1080/0376835X.2020.1760790. Development Southern Africa is available online at : http://www.tandfonline.comloi/cdsa20.Climate change adaptationMainstreamingPlanningSpatial planningIntegrated development planningSouth Africa (SA)Local municipalitiesEngineering, built environment and information technology articles SDG-06SDG-06: Clean water and sanitationEngineering, built environment and information technology articles SDG-11SDG-11: Sustainable cities and communitiesEngineering, built environment and information technology articles SDG-13SDG-13: Climate actionEngineering, built environment and information technology articles SDG-15SDG-15: Life on landEngineering, built environment and information technology articles SDG-17SDG-17: Partnerships for the goalsPostprint Article