Electronic Theses and Dissertations (Masters)
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Item Designing for Comm[unity] Em[power]ment: A sustainable multi-purpose sports facility for social and environmental Impact(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Buthelezi, Mvelo Hilton Nkosinathi; Gantner, GarretThis master’s thesis focuses on the critical need for sports infrastructure in Africa, particularly in underdeveloped regions such as Alexandra Township. Sports are hindered by inadequate infrastructure and neglect, limiting potential for social and economic progress on the continent. This thesis attempts to create a multi-purpose sports complex in Alexandra Township that encourages community engagement, social empowerment, and environmental sustainability while also meeting immediate infrastructure demands. The primary goal of this thesis is to construct a sports facility that can accommodate people of all ages and ability levels, fostering an active lifestyle and improving physical and mental well-being. The planned sports complex integrates adaptable architecture, including flexible and modular features to meet changing demands.These adaptable modules are intended for application in a variety of communities across the country, maintaining the facility’s long-term usefulness. Beyond typical sporting activities, the stadium will incorporate mixed-use facilities with amenities such as educational rooms, leisure spaces, cafés, retail sections, and green spaces. An agriculture facility will also aid to cheap distribution of fresh goods throughout the neighborhood. Waste management solutions will help to make the environment cleaner and healthier. To summarize, the goal of this architectural master’s thesis is to design an adaptable, community-centered sports facility near Alexandra Township that not only provides accessible and high-quality sports infrastructure but also promotes social cohesion, environmental stewardship, and personal development. The facility aims to catalyze positive change by blending adaptable architectural concepts and mixed-use areas, influencing other communities to promote sports, community participation, and environmental responsibility. We hope to create a pattern for future architectural endeavors in the region by contributing to the overall well-being and empowerment of residents in Alexandra Township through this thesis.Item Waste Age - living in a throwaway society: searching for sustainability in eastern Johannesburg(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024-02) Chapel, Clare Alison; Mkhabela, SolamThe ever-increasing urban population worldwide, particularly in Africa, reinforces the pressing need for compact mixed-use neighbourhoods. My chosen study area, Bertrams and the greater Bez Valley, are ideally situated as inner-city suburbs close to the CBD. The area currently has residential, institutional, industrial and commercial zones and is occupied by a diverse range of multi-cultural residents. As experienced in many parts of Johannesburg, the infrastructure challenges of collapsing streets and pavements, lack of effective waste management, illegal dumping, decaying buildings, and neglected public space are realities that the residents navigate daily. Various creative nodes, NGOs and outreach programs are active in the area, enabling residents to participate and benefit from initiatives to uplift and empower the community. The privately developed complex of Victoria Yards serves as a creative centre, with artists’ studios and programs occupying space in refurbished industrial buildings. This complex is physically isolated from the community, however much of the community orientated initiatives are spearheaded from here, and from the adjacent Nando’s Head Office. The ongoing restorative work being done to the Jukskei River, which is initially exposed to daylight close to the complex, begins outside Victoria Yards. This vital work, implemented by employed community members, is spreading along the valley, clearing and cleaning the banks of the Jukskei River and reintroducing indigenous plants and grasses. My proposal looks at the development of a journey along the river, using its path as a connector between the existing creative programs and public spaces, and new adaptive waste-based interventions, stitching together a continuous urban experience that will focus awareness on the river, and highlight the forgotten beauty of this inner-city space.Item Re-Urbanization Restoration of urban space through the narrative of the context of Tzaneen(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024-02) Mohale, Koketso Emmanuel; Daskalakos, ChristosA study of abandoned buildings in a small town such as Tzaneen with a lack of concerns about Green Building and environmental consciousness. Evidence of old malls abandoned for newer and fashionable shopping centers with no sign of regenerating and renewing the abandoned economy. This leaves room for informal traders to operate in these abandoned spaces, leading to a decrease in property value within the economic hub of the Town. This project will be investigating the different methods of urban regeneration and exploring theories in relation to Sustainability, Environmental Ecology, and green design, to come up with a solution that could help in regenerating abandoned urban spaces. By exploring the current activities that are on the site, this project will further look at options to have an inclusive program of the informal trader as part of the solution to creating a well-balanced and vibrant economic hub.Item Empowered for Employment: A Collaborative Learning and Skills Development Centre in Primrose(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024-02) Scremin, Michele; Felix, SandraSouth Africa currently experiences the highest unemployment rate in the world. Due to the inequitable educational policies of Apartheid, large sectors of the population missed out on basic education and remain ill-equipped for the demands of the labour force. A culture of poverty, crime and social instability prevails. The solution lies in building a bridge to cross this gap and improve opportunities for learning and skills development of the youth and older adults. This will empower them for employment and improve their overall socio-conomic prospects. This study investigates the architectural narratives that are relevant to the design of a successful, collaborative adult learning centre that will serve the Makause informal settlement in Primrose. The research is directed through an explorative lens of the sustainability triangle, discussing the social, economic and environmental implications. Literature reviews of the multi-disciplinary theoretical foundations of adult learning give insight into the unique social, intellectual and physical requirements of adult learners while existential needs are influenced by phenomenological approaches. Appropriate designs of learning spaces are subsequently guided by informed decisions. Economic sustainability is reinforced with financial support of corporate stakeholders and the large waterbody on the site provides environmental opportunities that will benefit both the facility and the community it serves.Item The In & Between: Weaving social interaction through mixed-use development in Robertsha(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024-02) Ashton, James; Jivan, SundeepCritically analysing the need for social interaction through communities. Robertsham is a location that contains a rich history dating back to 1948 when it was first established. The study focuses on the public park that splits the residential and industrial areas of Robertsham. The park was once a social interactive space for families within Robertsham and has now become a barren underutilised space. The design aims to include spaces that address an issue within each sector of Robertsham. A mixed-use development aided to serve the community as well as bring back the nature of the park with the main routes being social interaction, safety, and connection.