Theses and Dissertations (Architecture and Planning)

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The creation of sustainable human settlement through informal settlement upgrading: the case of Ivory Park, Johannesburg
(2010) Nethavhakone, Mukondi Esther
The states that participated at the Second United Nations Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat 11), held in Istanbul, Turkey from 3 to 14 June 1996, adopted Habitat Agenda which binds them to the pledge to achieve sustainable human settlements. South Africa, as one of the countries that adopted Habitat Agenda, raised the need to investigate if the adoption of Habitat Agenda in South Africa led to the creation of sustainable human settlements. From the Habitat II it was established that sustainable human settlements can be achieved through informal settlements upgrading. Therefore, this research investigates whether the creation of sustainable human settlements is achieved through the informal settlements upgrading in South Africa, using the case study oflvory Park, Johannesburg. To undertake this investigation a qualitative research method was utilized, whereby the researcher investigates the object of the case study in depth using a variety of data gathering methods to answer research questions. To gather data, three research tools were used namely; in depth interviews, observations and document study. In-depth interviews were conducted with Ivory Park councilors and data from documents and observations were used to support information gathered from interviews. The key finding in this research is that the upgrading process oflvory Park did not lead to the creation of a sustainable human settlement. This is because all elements for the creation of sustainable human settlements have not been fully addressed through the upgrading process of Ivory Park. Many reasons contribute to this situation, however, in the literature it has been stated that the achievement of a sustainable human settlement requires that all elements for the creation of sustainable human settlements are met. However, the informal settlements intervention approach adopted in the upgrading oflvory Park namely 'phased in situ' upgrading approach provides for the achievement of sustainable human settlements. The process of upgrading Ivory Park is slow and it is delaying the transformation to sustainable human settlement. Therefore, the conclusion is that Ivory Park is not yet a sustainable human settlement and if they continue with the same informal settlements intervention approach it will eventually become a sustainable human settlement.
Experiences and outcomes of government-funded energy efficiency interventions for low-cost housing in South Africa:case study of Gauteng and Western Cape Provinces
(2021) Seipobi, Phumzile Maseko
SANS 10400-XA is the 2011 amendments to the National Building Regulations aimed at enforcing energy efficiency for new buildings in South Africa. Using a case study approach, this study appraised the outcomes and effectiveness of the implementation of the regulations in low-cost housing in the country since 2014. Primary and secondary data collection methods were used with reference to local and international case studies. By appraising the German and Dutch energy efficiency policies, the study identified how implementation of well-developed policies contributes to their respective effectiveness and impact. This was then applied in guiding the study of South Africa’s scenario based on the two case studies of Clayville (in Gauteng Province) and Joe Slovo Park (inWestern Cape Province). In order to understand the effectiveness of the regulations in South Africa, primary data were gathered from the two housing-developments case studies as well as from the respective provincial departments as the policy implementing agents. Analyses of primary data show significant compliance with the regulations thus indicating that the energy efficiency regulations in low-income housing were adequately planned for and implemented in both projects. Primary data, in the form of interviews, from low-income housing occupants indicates mixed outcomes and also highlights critical issues for improvement. In terms of key findings, the study concludes that the positive outcomes of the energy efficiency regulations in low-income housing contribute towards basic household energy needs. However, one key finding is the existence of a performance gap in relation to the expected outcomes of the regulations. This gap is identified as poor installations of geysers and poor geyser effectiveness in winter. The study has thus identified areas for additional interventions. The study further recommends the specification of highpressure solar geyser systems for the Western Cape to ensure reliability in access to hot water. Finally, the study also recommends more stringent oversight during construction to minimize the performance gap of installed interventions such as ceiling insulation and solar geysers
Living lab in architecture: integrating university campus operational support(s) with academic programmes, case of the University of the Witwatersrand, School of Architecture and Planning, the Old John Moffat Building
(2021) Matentshi, Rodney
Essential the living laboratory concept is critical for any institution, most notably for universities where teaching, learning, and research are advanced/achieved/leading. Living laboratories improve project outcomes, maintain policy alignment, and help boost green campus initiatives and energy policy discussions. The living laboratory approach provides innovation in planning, development and policy establishment and implementation in mitigating climate change challenges. Universities are leading in sustainable studies thus offer knowledge on climate change mitigation strategies. Global warming has resulted in climate change. Additionally, we have universities, which increase the demand for energy and water, which are already limited resources. This problem is a direct risk to mitigate climate change challenges. Via their students' - staff research outputs, universities produce knowledge that includes mitigation strategies for addressing sustainability issues. Students and staff at Wits University cannot integrate their work output on campus to create real-world climate change solutions. By their role as a beacon of hope, universities cannot evade their responsibilities to model society's image. Thus, the main focus of this study is to test the hypothesis that universities' implementation of their students and staff green campus research outputs on campus is possible through implementing university-specific projects inside a living laboratory setting. The study's primary objective is to determine the pathways and barriers that hinder universities such as Wits University from adopting green campus policies and the concept of living labs. The study employed various methods to achieve a "humanistic orientation," including qualitative analysis, deductive analysis, and inductive analysis. Significant findings or themes identified in this study include the following: Siloed approach of working, a lack of coordination, and the inability of diverse departments to share knowledge and expertise became apparent as a problem. A shortfall in funding for green campus initiatives is one cause for concern that must be address by the University. Universities have sought to integrate ethical values into their core activities in light of the climate change and sustainability agenda. Failure to implement and preserve green campus planning throughout its lifecycle is not sustainable for any institution or society at large. Wits University should establish an architect-led living laboratory to promote planning and development focused on win-win strategies. This initiative will pave the way for future growth and facilitate the establishment of an eco-campus. When combined with the University's green campus initiative plan, the idea of a living laboratory would foster innovation on campus. The future University is a complex living organ that needs complex system management to deliver and influence the concept of future smart and sustainable cities. Creating a Campus Sustainability Lekgotla at the University would alleviate their primary difficulty of siloed approaches and allow for the flourishing of transdisciplinary and interdisciplinary concepts across the organisation's structures.
Market opportunities and barriers to the uptake of low embodied energy building materials and components: the case of interlocking blocks in Johannesburg
(2022) Maphumulo, Minenhle Yvonne Desiree
The intensifying urbanisation challenge in the global south, coupled with the resultant need for housing calls for governments to re-think how they address related needs sustainably especially due to resultant GHG-emissions and climate change. In order to decarbonise housing development for the City of Johannesburg, this study argues that, as one of the most visible alternative building materials and systems (ABMS), interlocking blocks have the potential to contribute significantly towards low carbon homes provided that critical barriers to their diffusion are systematically addressed. Guided by a qualitative study approach and focusing on an existing business in interlocking blocks as a case study, a supply-chain framework was applied to identify the relevant actors and stakeholders from whom interview participants were purposely selected and interview questions were then articulated. Subsequent to data presentation and analyses, overall findings were articulated in terms of opportunities and barriers. In particular, the study finds that on the basis of their production and construction process, interlocking blocks confer significant benefits such as eliminating the need for conventional burnt-clay bricks which entail high embodied energy, saving on cement as a high embodied energy material as the laying of the blocks is mortarless, process of construction is significantly simplified such that low-skilled labour can be engaged, overall construction cost and time are significantly reduced thus enhancing affordability for homeowners and tenants. On barriers, the findings further indicate inadequate guidelines and incentives towards strategic promotion of low carbon materials. Negative perception of ABMS by various actors contributes to superficial cost comparisons by clients and professionals based on building material unit prices instead of the overall outcome holistically. Such perceptions also reinforce propensity to gravitate towards conventional materials. The study therefore concludes that even though most of the socioeconomic and environmental benefits of ABMS strongly resonate with national and municipal policies and goals, their uptake will remain constrained until supportive regulations and incentives are adopted in the construction sector, especially with regard to reducing embodied energy while also facilitating innovation and green-skills in the sector.
Modelling and analysis of daylighting relative to energy consumption of a heritage category A3 building under Energy Zone 4 in South Africa
(2022) Overen, Ochuko Kelvin
Restriction of participating buildings in the recently promulgated energy performance certificate (EPC) regulations to buildings completed after 1999 might have a negative impact on intended outcomes considering that a significant number of public-use buildings in the country were completed before 1999. Arising from this concern, this study evaluates daylighting interventions for a heritage instruction-cum-office building with the objective of reducing overall energy-use intensity (EUI), related operational energy cost and CO2 emissions. A quantitative study approach based on experimental and simulation research tools was employed on Livingstone Hall (University of Fort Hare, Alice campus in Eastern Cape) as the case study building. Through measurements and simulation, indoor daylighting levels were evaluated against the 300 lux threshold (recommended workplace illuminance levels in South Africa). The data indicate that on typical clear sky days in summer and winter, average daylight illuminance for 50% of the six sample spaces was below 300 lux, while for typical cloudy-sky days in both seasons, daylight illuminance for all the spaces was below 300 lux. This implies that, for cloudy-sky days in both seasons, daylight cannot fully replace electric lighting for office and academic tasks in the building. Based on simulation results, for a typical summer clear-sky day, the average daylight illuminance in spaces 41, 43, 49, 11, 15 and 22 was up to 2 000 lux, while average daylighting in the same spaces on a typical winter clear-sky day was relatively lower. In addition, the annual “as-is” cumulative energy-use of the building was 49.02 MWh, and overall EUI was 31 kWh/m2/yr. The annual operational energy cost of the building was R67 108.50, while receptacle equipment (devices such as computers and other appliances connected to sockets) energy cost was R32 702.14 and the energy cost of electric lighting was R20 091.86. Cumulatively, the annual CO2 emission of the building was 25 440 kg (averaging 2 120 kg /month). Automated on/off and continuous dimming (smooth decrease of electric lighting capacity with ambient illuminance at a pre-set light level) daylight interventions were considered in the study. Continuous dimming intervention shows the best reduction in annual lighting energy-use by 64% and overall annual energy-use by 20%, while overall EUI reduced by 19%. The resultant overall energy cost saving was R12 420.73 while mitigated CO2 emission was 4 839 kg per annum.

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