The Development Planning Environment and Management Unit (DPEM) comprises the following departments: 

1. 1. Development Planning
2. 2. Development Management
3. 3. Biodiversity Management
4. 4. Climate Change
5. 5. Development Facilitation

These departments in turn have various branches as shown below:

Development Planning

1. 1. Land Use Management
2. 2. Strategic Spatial Planning
3. 3. Public Sector Housing
4. 4. Research and Policy
5. 5. SPLUMA Office
6. 6. Development Planning Information

Development Management

1. 1. Development Applications & Approvals
2. 2. Building Inspectorate
3. 3. Enforcement & Prosecution
4. 4. General Advertising Compliance & Contracts Management

Biodiversity Management

1. 1. Biodiversity Impact Assessment
2. 2. Biodiversity Planning
3. 3. Restoration Ecology

Climate Change

The Climate Change Department coordinates and integrates eThekwini’s climate change responses into municipal strategic processes and operations. Overseeing the implementation of the Durban Climate Change strategy and related programs. Aligning eThekwini’s climate change response actions with international best practices and national policy frameworks.