3. Electronic Theses and Dissertations (ETDs) - All submissions
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Item Exploring logics of state in urban cultural policy development process in South Africa: the case of the eThekwini Municipality(2019) Maralack, MatthieuThe study of urban cultural policy development is a relatively new field of enquiry, particularly in the Global South. The goal of this study is to understand urban cultural policy development and state practice through unpacking a South African case study of a local municipality undertaking such a process between the period 2012 to 2016. Notably, this particular case of cultural policy development did not result in a policy being approved by council, nor in administrative operations. The specific question asked therefore is: “How is cultural policy development contested between different arms of the local state, in the case of eThekwini?”. Namely: between the eThekwini City Architects Department and the Parks, Recreation and Culture Department. This is answered by giving a historical account of how the process came about by extensively drawing on one specific moment prior to the policy development timeline. It is the case of the Warwick elephant sculpture by world-renowned artist Andries Botha, which highlights the ANC and IFP political tensions which were not successfully negotiated, alongside several other contextual challenges. The literature that informs the conceptual framework is that of the theoretical challenge with the terms culture and cultural policy, where creativity and culture intersect with the urban state, and the concept of championship with the South African urban state context. Methodologically, semi-structured interviews were utilised as part of the qualitative data collection and case study approach. This was triangulated through the use of a document analysis. The research report directly addresses how ANC-IFP tensions impacted urban governance and cultural policy development in eThekwini and concludes with the type of championship needed for successful cultural policy development in this context for the benefit of future cultural policy development processes in the Global South.Item An evaluation of the sustainability of urban regeneration projects in the Johannesburg inner city(2018) Xaba, Bhekumuzi NjabuloThe purpose of the study was to evaluate the sustainability of urban regeneration projects in the Johannesburg inner city using a prescribed model. This paper discusses the history associated with urban decay in the inner city, some of the current challenges still facing the inner city and intervention strategies put in place to restore the city to its former state, a world class African city. This paper further analysed the concept of urban regeneration, sustainable urban regeneration and methods used to measure sustainable urban regeneration in relation to cities. The report found that the indicator approach was the best way of evaluating the sustainability of urban regeneration as compared to other methods and it is the most widely used method in urban studies to give an indication of an areas situation. Through analysis of the previously used methods of evaluating the sustainability of urban regeneration projects, the Hemphill methodology was found to be the most widely used and has been replicated several times around the world due to its ability to produce robust, reliable, and valid results. This is because it has an extensive coverage of indicators, the derivation procedure of those indicators is said to encompass good practice and follows a logical rationale behind and it is robust hence the application of the method on the current study. Based on the results produced after the application of the Hemphill methodology on the study, the Johannesburg inner city is said to be making good progress towards sustainable urban regeneration. However, there is still room for improvement if the city is to move towards a sustainable world class African city.Item Gentrification-induced displacement: a phenomenological study of inner-city residents' experiences in Johannesburg(2018) Ah Goo, Delia Felecia StephanieWith the evolution and the intensification of gentrification, its once clear-cut ties to displacement have been obscured. Displacement is now often denied and contested in the literature and a number of recent studies have provided quantitative evidence of the limited extent of the phenomenon. Questions have also been raised as to whether low-income residents are in fact displaced and whether gentrification is detrimental to the poor. However, the perspectives of people who have been displaced as a result of gentrification have largely been overlooked in the literature, in part due to the methodological difficulty of tracing displaced people. The aim of this study was to explore and to describe the phenomenon of displacement, from the perspective of individuals who lived and/or worked in a gentrifying area in the inner city of Johannesburg, as well as those who had been excluded or physically displaced by gentrification processes. In response to the call for more qualitative approaches to gentrification, a phenomenological approach was used in order to uncover the experience of displacement. In contrast to research that has highlighted the positive effects of gentrification, displacement was found to be a traumatic experience, which had an impact on the overall well-being of the participants of the study. Poor and marginalised people were rendered homeless, causing a disruption in their everyday life-world. The essence of the phenomenon of displacement was found to be one of great pain and loss, which was still experienced by the participants long after their physical relocation had taken place. As the inner city of Johannesburg transforms, reinvestment policies and strategies should therefore seek to be in the interests of the poor and not only the middle class, particularly since today it is home to people who were once denied the right to live there, due to South Africa’s apartheid policies.Item Multiplicity: inner-city intyegration intervention(2017) Smith, MeghamThis design based research report aims to challenge the existing inner-city housing solution with the aim to redefine an integrated architectural model, which is socially, financially and sustainably realistic. The model design is directed at addressing the housing challenges South African cities are currently faced with, whilst considering a number of contextually relevant parameters. This prototype solution will fit into a facilitatory urban framework rather than the existing directive model. The design development will be informed by a brief generated in response to current financial, sustainable, social and political conditions and expectations. The Spatial Development Framework for the City of Cape Town has earmarked a number of innercity sites for housing development projects. These pieces of land are owned by the government and provide an opportunity to address the housing challenges previously mentioned. The aim of this research project is to develop a prototype model which could be applied to any of these ‘earmarked’ sites found in the SDF through a process of manipulation, to ensure each project is contextually suitable and responsive. For the purposes of application and demonstration, this model will be applied to the site of 355 Main Road, Sea point, Cape Town. The research report aims to better understand the ‘intelligence’ of the city by challenging the adaptability of its fabric, processes and systems at a number of scales.Item The perceived effects of urban renewal initiatives, such as NDPG-funded capital projects, as reported by Mdantsane's businesses on their operations.(2017) Mseleni, SizweAs a result of apartheid planning, South Africa is left with a legacy of exclusionary planning, with many of its township areas still lacking necessary infrastructure, which has led to these areas lagging in development. Townships are one of the areas where this has been most evident and the post-apartheid government has the task of ensuring that their development is prioritised through public funding and public-private partnerships. The national government of South Africa has initiated a strategy to fund public infrastructure upgrades by funding local municipalities through the Neighbourhood Development Partnership Grant. The Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality as a recipient of this grant, has initiated projects in the Mdantsane Township to initiate infrastructure-led development and subsequently improve the lives of the township’s inhabitants. Considering that the Mdantsane Central Business District (CBD) has been in existence for many decades, this study seeks to learn what impact the Urban Renewal Programme (URP) has had on the business sector and Local Economic Development (LED). The aim of the NDPG is to counter the effects of exclusionary planning and alleviate poverty by making the area more conducive for businesses operators and attractive to private investors. The aim of this research report is to gain insight into the perceptions of business owners and operators of the upgraded township CBD. The challenges of BCMM officials are also detailed in the research in order to gain insight into the issues hindering the state from offering efficient service delivery and development. The qualitative research method is applied and interviews are utilised as a research tools. Municipal officials also give their input into the challenges faced by their respective offices when planning and implementing URP projects. Insight is gained into the complex relations that affect the planning and implementation of successful infrastructure led economic development. BCMM officials involved in Urban Renewal need to prioritise service delivery, providing support to SMEs, crime prevention, improving design of planned projects in addition to infrastructure provision.Item Success factors for urban brownfield redevelopments in South Africa(2017) Goosen, Johan JacobusThis research sought to identify the key success factors associated with industrial brownfields site redevelopment projects in urban areas of South Africa. Nine such success factors were identified from international and local literature. Through documentary research, three brownfield case studies in Johannesburg were investigated. These included the Newtown Cultural Precinct, the Egoli Gas site and the AECI Modderfontein site. Commonalities includes location within the urban edge, original industrial land use, and the redevelopment intent of the landowners. Aspects differing among the sites include distance from the inner city, size, the certainty of contamination and redevelopment success. Based on the findings of the three case studies, the nine success factors were refined. The factors are no or low contamination, brownfields policy maturity, certainty regarding liability for remediation, risk-based land use options, favourable market conditions, quick funding access with rapid statutory approvals, readily available municipal services and transport infrastructure, and strong political and community support. The case study findings provide indications towards generalisation for success factors that may apply to future brownfields projects. Further research required includes a larger database of brownfields redevelopment case studies to be developed for South African, in order to further test associated success factors.Item Re-creation: transformation/fabrication: a re-creation centre sustained through the symbiosis of waste transformation and fabrication(2017) Ramos, Pedro Andre MartinsTo make and to utilise. These two actions effortlessly encapsulate a fundamental quality of human beings. Ever since the dawn of industry, humans have developed a necessity to manufacture various items and systems in order to achieve a more efficient and enjoyable lifestyle. The nature of manufacturing has always been defined by the concept of input and output and over time has resulted in the unsustainable extraction of Earth’s natural resources in order to produce. Additionally, consumerism has exponentially increased the rate at which society manufactures and has consequently led to by-production of discarded waste. The presence of solid waste is adversely affecting the environment due to the fact that a large majority of it is non-biodegradable and thus pollutes today’s cities and natural ecosystems. In the context of Newtown, Johannesburg, the issue of discarded solid waste is of growing concern. As a result of the seamless coexistence of industry, commerce and culture and its proximity to important urban zones, this historic area of Johannesburg is attracting more and more people from various social demographics. In turn, this has led to higher levels of productivity and exploitation. As seen in most third world nations, such characteristics inevitably lead to an overabundance of unmanageable waste. Even with the implementation of various recycling schemes as well as the informal waste collecting movement, the issue in Newtown and greater Johannesburg still stands, due to the fact that waste management services lack the efficiency to transport collected waste to the relevant recycling and landfilling facilities. Without an efficient waste management system, various collection depots and scrap yards across the city remain under a constant state of waste overflow. This will only further tarnish the notion of waste recycling on an urban level. Therefore by reimagining the term ‘recycle’ and perceiving it in the sense of transformation, one may begin to rationalise a contemporary solution to the issue of waste in our cities. Through the study of waste on a global scale and some of the advanced technologies in an age defined by fabrication and making, this research report works to conceptualise a system in which discarded waste can be ‘transformed’ and used for the fabrication of any conceivable object. The establishment of a framework which allows direct, on-site trading of collected waste and its consequent transformation for fabrication, would aid in addressing the issue of overflowing waste yards across the city and would in turn improve the social awareness of waste management on an urban level. The incorporation of transformed waste with digital, nano and prefabrication technologies will ultimately result in the realisation of an architecture that will offer society the opportunity to re-create. A social place where waste is the vital resource and where the maker’s creativity is the limit.Item Landscapes in transition: a holistic approach to re-mediating social, economic and environmental ecologies disfigured by mining(2017) Liechti, Matthew HansThe memories associated with mining are vastly contrasting; ranging from nostalgic recollections of the fortune on which Johannesburg was built to the torturous conditions the miners had to endure both above and below the surface. The essay by the author entitled “Memory retention and cessation in the historical and present context of South Africa and abroad” aims to engage with critically, and explore, the field of memory in relation to mining and broader issues. It is of great importance when establishing a heritage project that the people who engage with it must be able to do so without causing distress or emotional anguish. Can a contextually relevant space be created for the housing and display of such memories? This research report views remediation through a holistic lens that is an approach to the project in its entirety. Remediation is viewed as an approach to solving the fractured nature of Benoni, separated by mining and Apartheid planning, creating ‘buffer zones’ between previously racially orientated areas. The site is a previous ‘buffer zone’ and has not changed its function since it was constructed in 1888. The toxic, disused land offers an opportunity to reclaim what industry has taken away from ‘nature’. Can this ‘buffer zone’ be activated to connect the segregated suburbs of Benoni further? Remediation will also be used as a vehicle for the regeneration of the site, with the aim to return it to a similar ecological state as it was before the mining industry began to alter it. The site has been scarred by the mining industry for over 128 years, polluting both the surface and the sub-surface environment. Can the effects of the temporary environmental degradation be neutralised? The reprocessing of the mine dump has initiated the remediation process, removing around 40 million tonnes of waste (“Transvaal Has Largest Dam In the World” 1950, Vol 56, No. 15 731) from the site, re-mining it, and sending the waste to selected dump sites across the Rand. The Remediation of Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) will reduce the associated noxious effects on the local biosphere, induce a ripple effect further downstream the Blekboskpruit and further on towards the Vaal Dam, where we obtain our drinking water. This example of passive AMD remediation aims to stand as a watershed project that may be adopted and adapted at other sites with similar needs. Is the use of a low-tech, passive wetland system appropriate for AMD remediation and the site? This project aims to be a cultural precinct to objectively display the history of mining in Johannesburg. It does so while being a functioning centre for AMD remediation, in pursuit of solutions for the damage that our mining legacy has had on the landscape and the environment. The Urban Mining facility seeks to create a flagship electronic waste (e-waste) recycling centre that will not only have a positive impact on the local environment but reduce the amount of e-waste being transported illegally to developing countries around the world. Keywords: Acid Mine Drainage, Urban Mining, Remediation, Mining Museum, BenoniItem Urban prototypes: the importance of the small in changing the big(2017) Mhlongo, Siphephelo Njomane NqabaThe end of apartheid signalled the need to reinvent and re-configure South African cites not just spatially but economically as well, to be more inclusive of the people it once marginalized and excluded. South Africa’s urban identity is intrinsically intertwined with the history of apartheid to the point where it is impossible to have the one without the other. Johannesburg much like all the other cities in South Africa is and was an Apartheid project; the city was a tool used to perpetuate and enforce a system of economic exclusion which later developed into social and cultural segregation. Despite its nearly complete re-population after 1994, the city today, as dynamic and vibrant as it is, still poses remnants of the apartheid era. The people who had not been allowed into the city have become its primary residents, yet not its owners. And because the city was never designed for them, they have had to make, re-make and reconfigure the city for themselves. Through this process of making, re-making and re-configuring innovative solutions to everyday problems are tried tested and developed to integrate the urban African into the city. The changing demographics manifested growth through informal infill to create the Johannesburg we know today. It is by the process of negotiation between the formal and the informal economy that Johannesburg assumes its identity. The resilience of the informal economy could be attributed to the social networks that govern its relationships. The combination of social networks and the process of re-making the city suggest the informal as a strategy for urban regeneration that heals the city in its entirety by intervening in sensitive points in the urban fabric. This thesis investigates the shifting role of the informal in, the need for a change in approach when dealing with the informal and looks at the informal as a skill and form of knowledge.Item Machina Ex Silva: where the forest meets the blade(2016-01-25) Van Loggerenberg, NicoForests, and the products we harvest from them, are vital to our economy and built environment, yet we have spiritual and emotional connections to trees which are at odds with these economic realities. This thesis explores how architecture can act as a filter between the real and ideal worlds by looking at the nature of indigenous forests in South Africa, the abundant plantations so necessary to construction and trade, and the problem of invasive trees which act as destroyers of our fragile ecosystems. The building is a centre for sustainable forestry in the Outeniqua forest outside Knysna - progressively removing invasive trees, turning them into useful wood products, and re-planting with scarce indigenous trees. In a social context of high unemployment this didactic building aims to connect ancient woodworking craft to modern fabrication technology for the purposes of skills training, reforestation and economic upliftment. The woodcutter kills the tree, but brings us wood - a material of infinite uses: pliable, strong, beautiful in its variety – a material for the craftsman to shape, sand, and join. The tensions between destruction and creation, natural and man-made, and industry and craft are brought to the fore in the search for the diverse, the specific, and the beautiful.