School of Architecture and Planning (ETDs)
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Item Envisioning Empowerment: Crafting a Realm of Learning for Visually Impaired Scholars in Mondeor(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Van Heerden , StefanTo address the critical need for more inclusive schools in South Africa, this project focussed on designing a school for visually impaired learner in Mondeor, Johannesburg. Currently, only three of these schools exist in Gauteng, which limits the opportunity for children with visual impairment to access quality inclusive education. My proposal aimed to change this, by making education accessible to the visually impaired . According to the White Paper 6 model, children between the ages of 7 and 15 need to be in school. This project placed the building where it would likely have maximum impact in terms of assisting the communities in the chosen area. The location of the school should not dictate who can attend. Anyone who is able to enroll will be able to do so, with preference being given to the visually impaired. The research and the building design aimed to create an inclusive building and to question what an architectural design for the visually impaired would entail. The research delved into experimentation and architectural precedents. The experimentation involved a sensory analysis, during which I spent time blindfolded to get a better sense of what it is like to be blind. The outcomes of these experiments informed the design of the school. The project examined various design precedents for these types of buildings and used the human body as an important design concept. I envisioned the classrooms as the centre points or nodes of the design, similar to the core of a human body, branching out, like limbs, into the different services that the building will offer. The building design aims to engage with the community by having a percentage of its site allocated to public space. This will hopefully ensure that the public can be involved in the inner workings of the school, creating a sense of place and belonging. The building presents opportunities for prototyping a circular economy, thereby enriching the residential context. These combined concepts and ideas strengthen the connections between the research and design development for a building of this nature. I can briefly conclude that the integrated research methods did assist in creating a design proposal that places itself into the context.Item Crafting Communities: Empowering Bezuidenhout Valley Through Construction Workshops: A Blueprint for Self-Sufficiency and Collaboration(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Maxwell , RyanSouth Africa faces significant challenges in areas such as housing, job security, and skill development and addressing these issues requires a holistic approach. Providing training in construction skills enables the people to build necessary infrastructure like housing, training centers, and social spaces. In addition to this, many communities have spaces that are underutilized or neglected due to various factors such as limited accessibility, safety concerns (demolished buildings, dumping sites, etc), or distance from central areas. Despite these drawbacks, people often find ways to occupy these spaces. Why do they choose to use these areas? The utilization of such spaces typically stems from a lack of alternative options for housing, commerce, or social activities. In the blue-collar northeastern areas of Johannesburg such as Bezuidenhout valley, residents face a multitude of challenges that undermine the quality of life and urban fabric. The Jukskei River, a vital waterway, suffers from pollution, affecting both the environment and public health. Additionally, the community suffers from high unemployment rates and a significant skills shortage. Housing is insufficient, and many existing structures are in a state of disrepair, further compounding social and economic issues. The theories that have influenced my thinking and response are resilience, densification, sustainability, Renewable materials, the Garden city, and hands on teaching. These theories help to understand and view urban areas as dynamic systems and productive environments. “Productivity” in this context includes economic, social, cultural, and environmental dimensions. By addressing these factors, we create a foundation for identifying, planning, and designing appropriate interventions through research and design. The central research theme focuses on the connection between architecture and resilient urban spaces Architecture offers a unique opportunity to address these interconnected issues by empowering the community through construction skills training. By establishing a construction and learning center, residents can gain practical skills while contributing to the development of essential infrastructure, such as housing, training centers, craft spaces for entrepreneurs and social spaces. This approach not only addresses immediate needs but also fosters long-term socio-economic growthItem Examining the role of Braamfontein’s bike lanes: A potential infrastructural asset for waste reclaimers(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Makena, Pheladi Pearl; Charlton, SarahThe research sought to address the mobility challenges that street reclaimers encountered and the misuse of bike lanes. Street reclaimers depend on their mobility to earn a sustainable income. Their mobility allows them to work from the early hours of the day, salvaging recyclables to sell to the buy-back centres in the late afternoons. The roads used by reclaimers are a territory for vehicles where street reclaimers are often stigmatised and not viewed as the rightful users of this infrastructure. On the other hand, to encourage cycling, the City of Johannesburg implemented bike lanes that have since been used by vehicles for parking and to bypass traffic, and by informal traders as a trading spots. Bike lanes are a potential infrastructural asset for street reclaimers as they can ease their mobility challenges and include them on the road space. With the concepts of Infrastructure Re-adaptation, Informal Economies and Non- Motorised Transport (NMT), the research discovered that street reclaimers had found ways to move around the roads and that transportation was at the bottom of their hierarchy of necessities. Furthermore, the city implemented bike lanes with reclaimers in mind; however, this form of the cycle lane infrastructure cannot be appropriated by physically modifying the material construction. Finally, the study concluded that with a bottom-up approach including reclaimers and other stakeholders, the city could consider converting bike lanes to NMT lanes, and the routes used by reclaimers can frame targeted interventions for future lanes.Item Investigating flood prevention measures adopted in flood-prone areas of centurion, city of Tshwane metropolitan municipality(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Kutumela, Ofentse Annah; Leuta, TsepangGlobally, many countries such as Mozambique, Afghanistan, India, Brazil, the United States (US) and China among others continue to face the persistent challenge of climate change aftermaths, such as rising temperatures, extreme weather patterns and floods. South Africa is no exception, and similar to other countries, especially in the African continent, they lack strategy on how to respond to climate change impacts owing to continuously changing environmental patterns and trends. Therefore, the United Nations (UN) has drafted and implemented the Sendai Framework since 2015 to address disaster risk reduction worldwide, which goes concurrently with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in particular Goal 13 that deals with a call to Climate Action. The aim of this research was two-fold – first, to investigate prevention measures related to urban planning and land use management regulations that prevent flooding through disaster risk reduction. For instance, interrogating various policies, legislations, plans and programmes that have been sourced to prevent flooding in Centurion such as the Disaster Management Act, City of Tshwane (CoT) Disaster Risk Mitigation Plans, City of Tshwane Flood Incident Management Plan, Water Use Licence Policy, Flood Mitigation Plan and City Support Programme that are categorised as non-structural measures Secondly, to review flood risk reduction and the impact prevention measures that have been adopted in urban flood-prone areas in the CoT, particularly Centurion. The methodology used during this research was the qualitative approach. With this approach, I followed mixed methods research, where in the first stage, I collected primary data through one-on-one interviews through semi-structured interviews, while in the second stage, I conducted site visits as part of my observation. For sampling, I applied non-probability sampling technique known as purposive sampling to select research participants. In analysing the collected data, I adopted inductive thematic analysis to identify, interpret and report the existence of patterns in the data. The aim was to provide meaning to the findings and recommendations of the research. The findings reveal that protection of blue infrastructure is important as encroachment of wetlands continues to be a challenge. Nonetheless, this protection remains preventative measures in the lower catchment. Also, the integration of transboundary municipalities is important as it is not only the town planners' responsibility as professionals to implement disaster risk management but also all internal departments within a municipality. vi Failure to implement urban planning and land use management regulations, policies and or plans within the municipality, especially in Centurion, will potentially lead to significant implications, which may manifest themselves through an increase in debris, sinkholes, more deadly floods along the Hennops River, and adverse impacts as a result of changes in the environment.Item Alternative Energy Generation in Public Health Facilities (Hospitals): An analysis of the coal-fired to the natural gas-fired central generating system(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Nsimbini, NgceboCoal boilers have historically been a significant source of energy generation in industries. However, their use is associated with substantial environmental impacts that are increasingly untenable in the context of climate change. This research examines the challenges and opportunities associated with transitioning from coal-fired to natural gas-fired central generating systems at Helen Joseph Hospital. The researcher chose to focus on natural gas because it is a cleaner and more efficient alternative to coal, making it a viable transitional energy source for decarbonisation in hospital central generating systems. Natural gas functions as a transitional or “bridge” fuel in the global energy landscape. Its relatively lower carbon intensity compared to coal positions it as an intermediate solution that facilitates a gradual shift toward renewable energy sources. This role is critical in mitigating greenhouse gas emissions in the short to medium term, thereby contributing to environmental sustainability and the reduction of public health risks associated with air pollution. The research looks at the low adoption of alternative energy sources in these systems despite their critical role in supporting essential functions such as heating, ventilation, sterilisation, water, and heating. By focusing on energy transition and decarbonisation, the study aims to identify barriers to adoption and propose strategies for implementing more sustainable energy solutions within healthcare facilities, which are among the highest energy consumers in the built environment and are categorised as part of the commercial sector. Focusing on energy transition and decarbonisation, this study employs a case study approach centred on the Helen Joseph Hospital central generating system. Primary data was gathered through 15 in-depth interviews with purposefully selected key informants. The research methodology used qualitative approaches. The interview data were thematically coded and analysed to address the research questions effectively. The findings stress the importance of a multi-faceted, collaborative approach to improve the transition from coal-fired boilers to gas-fired systems in hospitals, with a strong emphasis on minimizing environmental impacts. The study highlights that calculating an organisation's carbon footprint, including emissions from boiler operations, can pinpoint opportunities for energy transition and emissions reduction. Additionally, this approach allows for progress tracking over time and contributes to achieving broader sustainability goals.Item Interconnected voidscapes: re-imagining Northcliffs cultural landscape through architectural intervention(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Mahomed, Nabeel; Francis, LialeVoidscape is a term that will be used in the research to describe the interconnected network of social, cultural, and spatial voids within Northcliff, serving as a conceptual framework to analyse the gaps and divisions present in the community’s fabric. This research attempts to identify an urban program that finds significant opportunities for design intervention through a detailed analysis of the neighbourhood, eventually addressing the existing void spaces that potentially promote and ignite positive change in the community. The study will identify strategic avenues for an architectural intervention that are in line with the goals and demands of the community. The urban program will act as a guide for the creation of lively, inclusive public areas that foster a sense of belonging and inclusivity for all residents, regardless of their backgrounds or origins. It encourages a feeling of community and connection among locals through this processItem Sacred Landscapes Under Siege: "Resolving disputes over mining claims on sacred landscapes in Musina through the legal lens of a Land Court"(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Mamabolo, MokgadiThe proposed site for this dissertation is situated in Musina in the Vhembe District, close to the Limpopo River, which forms the border between South Africa and Zimbabwe. This area is well-known for its varied topography, which includes bushveld and savannah, as well as important natural and cultural landmarks like the esteemed Mapungubwe National Park. Historically, Musina has been successful in trade, farming, and mining which have served as the main pillars of the economy. The town is well-known for having an abundance of mineral resources, including copper, iron ore, and coal, which have made investments and created jobs that have greatly boosted the local economy. The Save Mapungubwe Coalition has been having concerns about “the possible dangerous precedent set by the lack of clarity of the offset created by this agreement. The offset agreement is an important tool for ensuring that (Coal of Africa) CoAL restores all of the ecosystems that have been depleted as a result of their mining activities” (Melissa, 2014). They emphasise the danger mining operations have on archaeological sites and the ecological balance of the Vhembe Region. This dissertation aims to unpack the historical dimensions of eco-centric architecture, particularly focusing on the nuanced relationship between indigenous African mining practices and the surrounding landscapes. It seeks to shed light on the intricate balance between culture, spirituality, heritage, and the extractive mining industry. By examining the temporality of mining and the transient nature of the miner’s experience by looking at lungs as the metaphor of the temporality of breathing. Through a critical analysis of guiding principles employed in eco-centric architecture, this dissertation aims to explore the potential significance of what a building means in a landscape where biodiversity, culture, spirituality, heritage, and mining coexist. This dissertation will address post-mining landscapes through land reparation and restitution, the idea of Land Reparation and Restitution in this dissertation aims to extend beyond environmental rewilding, restoration by studying the legal framework of mining in South Africa and integrating social justice, heritage, and ecological sustainability strategies. The historian Pulido states: “Not merely about returning land to those who were displaced but also about restoring the relationship between people and the land that sustains them” (Pulido, 2018). The land court symbolizes transformation, reconciliation and justice for the environment, biodiversity, and human life. In the context of Musina, this thesis will explore ways of reparation can be conceptualised and executed given the interconnectedness histories of mining, colonization, and indigenous land use in Musina. The land Court will not only solve mining issues in Musina, but it will be advocating for land mining disputes around South Africa. It is influenced by concerns raised by the Save Mapungubwe Coalition regarding the proposed Industrial Park by the Special Economic Zone (SEZ), South Africa’s landscapes are not only resourced but hold so much history, archaeological elements hence preserving these sacred landscape, historical mining site and indigenous knowledges are very important. Lynn Meskell explains that “Archives of cultural and spiritual heritage that reflect centuries of human-environment interaction” are important (Meskell, 2019). An area such as Musina, where we find a national archelogical site, the Mapungubwe Abstract Cultural landscape being approximately 7km from the Vele Colliery, has a coal mine is an indication a historical precedent that the coexistence of mining and scared site is not sustainable. “The Save Mapungubwe Coalition is made up of a diverse range of groups, with expertise in everything from conservation to water and even heritage resources.” (“Mapungubwe Watch - Wits University,” n.d.) Ultimately, it aims to address questions regarding the role of the landscape in addressing the challenges left behind by coal mining and, in turn, how we can embark on the journey of healing the scars inflicted on these environments through ecologically sound restoration efforts, all while honouring the cultural heritage inherent in the site. Through the legal lens, how can we reimagine a land court that advocates for sacred landscapes, community including the mine workers’ lives?Item [Em]Powering Change: Readapting and reimagining the formerAthlone Power Station, Cape Town(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Liebrich, MichaelSpaces of racial segregation and division are abundant in South Africa’s apartheid era urban planning. Greenbelts envisioned under the Garden City Movement to provide connection to the natural environment instead became spaces to divide residents of different ethnic groups. These spaces persist until today, their large footprints remaining as buffer spaces between race and class. One such space divides the Garden Cities of Pinelands; an affluent, predominantly white neighbourhood, and Langa; the oldest native township in Cape Town. Lack of funding, poor service provision, and historical injustices have resulted in Langa being stripped of the bucolic veneer of the Garden City, retaining only its highly controlling and ordered scheme underneath. To the South lies Athlone, a predominantly coloured neighbourhood further separated by major arterial roads. This in-between space holds the now decommissioned Athlone Power Station. For over two decades,the power station has sat idly between these three neighbourhood, its towering industrial presence dwarfing the surrounding residential contexts. The station is a place of historical injustice, of social and environmental toxicity. On the other hand, it is a site of imbued memory, of community identity, acting as a beacon for these surrounding areas. Transforming the site from a closed off space of segregation into one of homogeneity and collective memories can start bridging these historic divides. The adaptive reuse of the site into a space for people allows for life to be brought into this industrial wasteland, creating social bonds while extending the life of an architectural icon. The site is envisioned to become a form of a palimpsest, an overlay of different memories, of current activities, and of forward thinking innovation and creativityItem Form follows fashion: translating haute couture craft into architectonics(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Mutinga, Mercy Ndanu; Hilton, JudinArchitecture, urban design and urban planning by definition can be opened up to interpretation, much like the reverence of an artist (Barzandeh, 2010). As jacks of all trades, these professions inspire and inform trends through the use and application of colour theories, materials, geometries, design principles and structural techniques (Carroll, 2000). In fashion design, a parallel industry and profession, these objectives, principles and techniques are applied in a similar way to varied subjects seeking to achieve and translate different visions (Barzandeh, 2010). Although seemingly geared in diverging directions, the collision of these industries clasps the potential to create innovative and impeccable end results. Architecture and fashion design have been in prolific dialogue for millennia. They have always been tightly knitted in concept, theory and practice as they originate from the same root, which is art, as critic Noel Carroll described in his book ‘Theories of Art Today’. (Carroll, 2000). Mark Gelernter, an academic and architectural historian asserts that architecture is habitable art while fashion is wearable art (Gelernter, 1995). Fashion designers have consistently appropriated architectonic components into their creations, while architects are increasingly applying elements found in fashion design into building forms (Leung, 2010). When viewed in isolation, these professions appear to be two distinct and separate industries and art forms. However, when these two fields come together, they give rise to a formidable proposition (Barzandeh, 2010). In this new age, the social expression of fashion and architecture have seen revolutionary evolution, and the relationship between the two has become more apparent in each field. This thesis delves into the “dynamic connection” between fashion design and architecture, with a particular emphasis on the societal aspects of architecture and fashion design. It examines how these two fields impact individuals in society over time, influenced by factors such as technology, art, science, and culture. It creates and proposes a blueprint for a fashion institute and museum that recognizes the bold nature of fashion trends, the surface appearance of fashion design, and how it can be interconnected not only with architectural aesthetics but also with functional and spatial design aspects. The objective of this thesis is not just to effectively address the functional, formal, and technological challenges of this relationship between fashion design and the built environment, but also to suggest an urban and architectural design approach or master plan that can be implemented in analogous locations across Johannesburg and Africa at large. As the late Virgil Abloh expressed, “Young architects can change the world by not building buildings”. Young architects can change the world by creating successful and functional spaces through processes of interdisciplinary and collaborative efforts that respond to both contemporary needs and future issues.Item Being towards [Death]scapes: Exploring the liminal as a space for counter-poetics to re-emerge in Avalon Cemetery(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Kock, Melissa Patricia; Bahmann, DirkAvalon Cemetery. A buffer zone that possesses substantial political agency alongside cultural significance. Its liminality withholds the spatial practices of individuals across the diaspora, revealing to us how individuals construct what some may consider un- conventional “counter cartographies of sociality, imagination and liberation”. (Matsipa, 2020) By delving into the multi-layered relationships between surface-level terrains and underlying subterranean structures using visual art, light is shed on the hidden inscriptions of past legacies duly rooted in the urban fabric as well as its people. Seeking to chal- lenge these structures, “Being towards [Death]scapes” aims to reimagine how individuals navigate physical spaces within the liminal realm of death, resulting in a reignition of one’s sense of self through the use of counter-poetics. By reconstructing the divide with the understanding of counter-time, between Black African, Coloured, and Indian territories, a structural backbone is formed, allowing new counter-spaces to emerge in a post-apartheid context