School of Architecture and Planning (ETDs)

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A Bridge to Belonging: An Inclusive Living and Day Care Community in Benoni, South Africa for Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Dias, Jessica Teixeira; Gwebu, Nomonde
Recognising the challenges faced by families of special needs individuals as their children transition into adulthood, this research aims to bridge the gap in services for adults with autism spectrum disorder by establishing tailored support communities that address their unique needs. Furthermore, it seeks to develop a design approach that prioritises the well-being and comfort of individuals with autism, encouraging their sense of belonging. The methodology will include a combination of quantitative and qualitative research methods. The quantitative research will involve questionnaires and a comprehensive desktop review of site analysis, statistics, literature, and precedents. The qualitative research will involve a combination of fieldwork and interviews. Site visits, precedent visits, observations, and photographs will provide firsthand insights into existing facilities and the experiences of individuals with autism. Email communications and semi- structured interviews with various participants will gather diverse perspectives on the topic. The design will take on a holistic approach to supporting its users, which primarily includes the residents, day program participants, and their families. The principal focus of the proposed development will be a learning and therapy centre, complimented by a residential and communal component. Additionally, the development will include a public park and commercial spaces for vocational opportunities. The primary research will delve into the realm of environmental psychology, exploring frameworks such as place attachment and place identity theory, the sense of home, and sensory processing theory. The secondary themes will include prospect and refuge theory, deinstitutionalisation, ergonomics, and sustainable practices. To fully understand the needs of the users, the research will also examine the delivery of services required by the National Healthcare Act for persons with intellectual disability. The proposed architectural style prioritises clarity and simplicity to create a comfortable home-like environment that minimises sensory overload. This approach offers a promising pathway toward promoting social inclusion for individuals with autism. By cultivating community engagement while respecting the need for privacy and moments of solitude, the design aims to create a haven that is both inclusive and supportive.
A Conservationist Menagerie: Redefining The Johannesburg Zoo ThroughA Multi-Species Educational Facility
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Jacob, Anneline
This architectural project seeks to rectify the injustices that the human-wildlife conflict has had on captive, injured and displaced wildlife and their welfare. Throughout the years human have exerted their dominance over wildlife and the current relationship between humans and animals is described as hierarchical and demonstrates a power dynamic whereby humans view themselves as superior to wildlife. This dynamic and the absence of animals which used to be a part of daily life has resulted in a lack of tangible experiences between species resulting in a knowledge gap and poor understanding of animal welfare. This research project will explore the relationship between humans and wildlife in the context of the Johannesburg Zoo which has faced increasing disapproval from the public as its current design fails to provide adequate landscape habitats and ecological aware facilities for animals, thereby decreasing the educational value and overall experience for the animals and visitors, threatening the welfare of the animals. The zoo represents the ideal testing environment due to its possession of animals in stimulated environments. As one of the largest sites that house wildlife within an urban landscape, it facilitates daily human interactions and is the ideal space to observe co-habitation and multi-species relationships. This will facilitate the development of an alternative zoo model which aims to draw lessons from the precedent "Multispecies Design" by Daniel Metcalfe to influence a shift in the power dynamic by creating interactions that will promote respect between humans, wildlife and nature. This will facilitate reconciliation enabling learning so that humans and animals develop a kinship that fosters coexistence and coadaptation to eliminate conflict and captivity, building wildlife welfare and maintaining resources for future use. The research will be directed through an explorative approach that will include a series of photographs, mapping, and research tabulations to gain an understanding of wildlife habitats and how they may be adapted and recreated in the urban landscape. The research will make use of film and comic-like graphics to illustrate the design and spaces representative of a utopian world, which may be created but has not been accomplished yet.
A model for integrated tourism infrastructure planning in the South African public sector
(2024) Chettiar, Shamilla
Infrastructure supports competitiveness, productivity and economic growth. While planning is critical for co-ordination and delivery of infrastructure, integrated infrastructure planning models remain elusive. Integrated infrastructure planning is especially important to derive maximum benefits from limited public sector funding. This research focussed on infrastructure planning in the tourism context. Within the complex South African public sector planning system, the responsibility for infrastructure and tourism planning lies with multiple departments at national, provincial and local government spheres. Tourism infrastructure needs can therefore best be addressed through integrated planning. This thesis presents the results of a qualitative, multi-method study. Various methods, such as reviews of documents, key-informant interviews, focus groups and case studies were utilised to gather data. The research also contains the reflections of the researcher who has extensive experience in public sector planning. The research question was: “What are the key elements of a model for integrated tourism infrastructure planning undertaken by the South African public sector?” The model proposes three key elements - a National Tourism Spatial Development Framework; Regional Tourism Masterplans; and a Tourism Infrastructure Strategy and Plan. A People component has also emerged as being significant for the effectiveness of the model. The study further confirmed that the model will support the integration of tourism, economic, spatial and infrastructure planning and development. In the long - term integrated public sector tourism infrastructure planning in South Africa, should yield greater public sector investment, stimulate greater private sector investment, and ultimately support the growth and competitiveness of the tourism sector. This research makes a significant contribution to knowledge for integrated infrastructure planning.
A Symphony of Sakina: Using mosque design to facilitate community development in Mooiplaas
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024-02) Jaffer, Raeesah; Janse van Rensburg, Ariane
This research report studies Mooiplaas Informal Settlement in Pretoria, South Africa. The research first discusses the developmental challenges of this marginalised community and then investigates ways in which informal settlements can be developed. It explores the design and application of a Mosque complex, focusing on its potential to facilitate community development. Mooiplaas has a growing Muslim population, and a Mosque is a fundamental requirement to facilitate prayer. The Mosque is further investigated to understand its significance and functionality in community settings throughout history. Previous developmental initiatives undertaken have not reached full potential to holistically address the needs of the Muslim and non-Muslim communities in Mooiplaas. Thus, this research investigates ways the Mooiplaas community can enhance resilience and sustainability by applying the Mosque complex as a fundamental instrument for future development initiatives. The proposed Mosque can facilitate social and economic upliftment within the settlement by providing spiritual development and education and promoting social cohesion.
Acid[c]ity - Undamning the Dam: Wicking of the Harmony Gold Mine Dam Through Algae Exploration
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024-02) Le Pere, Justine; Doermann, Kirsten; Daskalakos, Christos
This project discusses the need to help fight against the effects of mining on water, and to help the surrounding environment and community. A large emphasis is placed on the use of algae to treat the water from the Harmony Gold Mines’ tailings dams, and the facility plays host to this natural water treatment method. The facility provides the space for water resource management and water treatment education to take place. The community of Tshepisong Phase 2 lies north of the facility and acts as the activator of the facility. Without the community needing to collect water for use at home, the facility would not have a strong sense of integration into the township. The layout of the facility allows the layers of privacy to help aid the program, and the program allows the facility to be transparent to its visitors and the neighbouring township.
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, Ngcebo
Coal 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.
Alternative Tenure Options as a Stepping Stone for Urban Land Reform: The Case of Kwa Mai Mai Muthi Market
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024-02) Mnguni, Thobeka; Maina, Miriam M.
This research uses qualitative methods to investigate the case of the Kwa Mai Mai muthi market located in the central business district of Johannesburg where over the decades informal traders have converted their trading units into residential homes. This case is used to respond to the research question, ‘To what extent is taking administrative action to improve land tenure by offering communities rights to occupy urban land feasible and necessary for advancing the urban land reform agenda?.’ The research acknowledges that popular approaches to improving tenure by converting insecure tenure rights to statutory ownership through the Deeds office has had limited success and resulted in efficiencies due to the high costs and the resources intensive nature of this approach. Instead, the research recommends a necessary transition to improving tenure in innovative, context-specific ways that work to build on existing settlements through taking low-cost and low LOE administrative action.
An application of John Rawls' principles of social justice to planning: issues arising from the implementation of the national housing subsidy programme in the inner City of Johannesburg
(2024) Oelofse, Michael Gerald
John Rawl' s conception of social justice has had a fundamental influence on liberal ethics yet its practical implications for distributive planning have rarely been considered in any comprehensive way. This is the key contribution of this thesis. Using the South African housing subsidy system, it examines how distributional policies may be structured to benefit the least advantaged and explores the consequences of their implementation in Johannesburg's inner city. Based on a literature review, it argues that Western planners often place the responsibility for distributional decisions on political processes, or concern themselves with maximising the public good without addressing the consequent allocation of the costs and benefits among members of society. Contemporary planning theory continues to avoid the substantive c.9ntent of social justice. Confronted with what seem to be equally valid, often competing conceptions of social justice, planners focus on the fairness of planning procedures instead of taking normative, principled positions on distributional outcomes. However, just procedure alone does not guarantee a just outcome. This requires adherence to some predefined set of distributional principles, and Rawls' political conception of social justice is presented here as a reasonable and compelling option for planners. Drawing on the author's practical experience, this thesis traces the liberal influence on the formulation of housing subsidy policy in South Africa and argues that national policy generally conforms with Rawlsian distributional principles. However, an empirical analysis of the housing sector in Johannesburg's inner city reveals that its impact is dissipated by a lack of local commitment to the original principles. Conflicting development principles and a failure among many residents to honour the obligations attached to housing benefits compound the problem. This thesis concludes that Rawlsian principles of social justice in combination with the contemporary communicative turn in planning provide planners with a powerful means of placing social justice on the development agenda, but that these principles require championing because conflicting principles and interests continuously place the needs of the least advantaged at risk.
An evaluation of city improvement districts in promoting positive social- spatial structures and management processes: a case study of Hillbrow Ekhaya Improvement District, Johannesburg
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Tepkeny, Gloria; Klug, Neil
This study aims to assess the effectiveness of City Improvement Districts (CIDs) in fostering positive social-spatial structures and management processes within urban areas. Specifically, the study focuses on the Hillbrow eKhaya Improvement District in Johannesburg, South Africa, as a case study. The research utilizes a qualitative research design method approach, combining semi-structured questionnaires, in-depth interviews, observation, photography, reconnaissance visits, and qualitative data analysis assessments and transcriptions to provide a comprehensive understanding of the impact of city improvement districts on the local community and urban management. By analysing the Hillbrow eKhaya Improvement District’s initiatives, successes, challenges, and stakeholders' perceptions, the study seeks to contribute valuable insights into the role of city improvement districts in enhancing urban living conditions and social cohesion. Understanding the intricate relationship between physical urban spaces and social interactions is crucial for urban planners, policymakers, and researchers seeking to create vibrant, inclusive, and liveable cities. By evaluating the Hillbrow eKhaya Improvement District, this study intends to provide insights into the potential of improvement districts to promote positive social- spatial structures and effective management processes in urban areas. The findings of this research could inform urban planners, policymakers, and local communities about the benefits and challenges associated with improvement districts, contributing to more sustainable and liveable cities.
An Imbokodo-driven cooperative model for wheeling rural-generated solar-PV electricity to facilitate clean induction-stove cooking among low-income urban households in South Africa
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Teffo, Dimpho; Irurah, Daniel
Global efforts to address climate change are shifting the debate towards Just Energy Transitions (JET) paradigm which entails more environmentally friendly and inclusive economies, especially in terms of access to clean energy sources. Despite South Africa’s past attempts to improve energy access for low- income households through policies such as Free Basic Electricity (FBE) and Free Basic Alternative Energy (FBAE), energy poverty continues to intensify especially for poor urban households. On the other hand, increasing adoption of renewable energy (RE) technologies such as solar-PV due to factors such as rising grid electricity costs and falling prices of RE technologies provoked an investigation into equitable and innovative modalities based on a women-oriented JET focusing on rural and urban low-income households. Inspired by the imbokodo paradigm during anti-apartheid struggle (‘solidness of rock’ as metaphor of women resilience), the study applied a qualitative approach towards a model for addressing gendered energy poverty especially among low-income urban households. The model is based on a transformed role of rural and urban women as clean energy prosumers (generators and consumers), thus envisaging leadership roles for women in the sphere of zero-carbon energy and climate change mitigation initiatives within the overarching JET paradigm. The study focused on Alexandra township in Johannesburg as the urban energy consumer community (especially for clean cooking with induction stoves) coupled to Chebeng Village in Limpopo as the rural energy-generating community. Primary data were gathered through ethnographic observations in Alexandra with specific focus on cooking using conventional appliances versus induction stove. Data tools such as photographs, audio and video recordings, individual interviews, and direct observations were employed. Key challenges identified include limited kitchen space and a lack of incentive to replace existing faulty/inefficient stoves. A transect walk helped to identify constraints limiting rooftop solar-PV installations thus warranting alternative mechanisms such as wheeling green electricity. In spite of optimal solar resource of Chebeng Village, ethnographic observations identified critical challenges such as stifling control by tribal authority over women’s access to land for large-scale RE projects such as solar- PV farms. Nexus of gender and energy poverty, particularly in cooking as well as socio-political challenges specific to the urban and rural contexts suggest that a wheeling coupling of women-led solar-PV generation cooperatives in rural areas with consumer cooperatives in urban settings would facilitate clean electricity for zero-carbon cooking with induction stoves for urban households. Leveraging wheeled solar-PV electricity from rural to urban women-led cooperatives would also catalyze value-chain benefits such as green skills, jobs and entrepreneurship which are also JET goals for equitable low-carbon economies.
An investigation on the impact of landownership dynamics in rural development: A case of Nooitgedacht area in Muldersdrift, Mogale City Local Municipality
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024-02) Masonganye, Thoriso Obakeng; Sithagu, Taki
South Africa's history of land ownership is deeply intertwined with the legacy of colonialism and segregation. In the contemporary context, land ownership has emerged as a pivotal catalyst for rural development, aimed at addressing historical injustices and fostering sustainable socio-economic growth. Despite numerous reforms and initiatives introduced since the dawn of democracy, challenges persist, particularly in rural regions like Nooitgedacht in the West of Gauteng. In Nooitgedacht, landlessness, underdevelopment, poverty, and minimal economic activity continue to plague the community. This study delves into the intricate relationship between land ownership dynamics and rural development, with a specific focus on Nooitgedacht within the Mogale City Local Municipality. To comprehensively assess this issue, a multi-faceted research approach was employed, incorporating primary and secondary data collection methods. The research methods encompassed a thorough desktop survey, the distribution of questionnaires to community members, and in-depth interviews with municipal officials and community stakeholders. The desktop survey harnessed municipal valuation data to discern the existing patterns of land ownership in Nooitgedacht, revealing a marked imbalance, with most of the land controlled by private individuals and businesses, while national, provincial, and local governments held relatively merger land ownership within the study area. This skewed ownership pattern underscores the profound challenge of land access in Nooitgedacht. Consequently, the area grapples with persistent land inequalities encompassing issues of access, ownership, distribution, and administration, which further manifest through ongoing threats of land invasions, evictions, limited development, and a dearth of economic activities. Despite the presence of municipal policies aimed at addressing these disparities, implementation remains sporadic, fragmented, and inadequately coordinated within the municipality, resulting in a sluggish delivery of rural development. In conclusion, the study underscores the pivotal role of land ownership in shaping the trajectory of rural development in Nooitgedacht. It is evident that without equitable and well-coordinated land ownership policies and practices, the goal of achieving sustainable rural development in this region remains an elusive aspiration.
An analysis of public-private partnerships in housing in the Zimbabwe National Housing Delivery Programme: a case of Masvingo City
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2014-10-27) Chikomwe, Savory; Klug, Neil
Based on evidence of the performance of a public-private partnership (PPP) housing arrangement in Masvingo City, Zimbabwe, I argue that PPPs may not thrive in youthful democracies entrenched in informal approaches to project management. The PPP strategy which was meant to deliver about 10 000 housing units in Masvingo City has dismally failed to live to its expectation, save for an ignited spirit of cooperativism. This is in spite of what was dubbed as a potentially promising partnership strategy involving indigenous private developers and contractors. Yet the compulsory acquisition of urban and peri-urban farmland country-wide presented powerful launch pad for a promisingly successful housing delivery that is widely expected to wipe out serious housing deficits. Housing problems were recently further compounded by Operation Murambatsvina in 2005 which ruthlessly demolished all informal housing and left several hundreds of thousands homeless. Following an insightful in-depth interview methodology and several ground-truthing trips to the Victoria Ranch Housing Project site, I argue that Government of Zimbabwe (GOZ) arrangements in terms of legal, administrative and financial aspects were weak to enable successful implementation of a formal PPP strategy. The arrangements advertently or inadvertently promoted privatism instead of the mutually beneficial PPP arrangement. As such, there were no clear regulatory mechanisms and modalities to enable beneficiation of the targeted low-income people and other economically weaker sections of the Masvingo City Community. There are fears that undeserving better-offs could have hijacked the scheme. However, a commendable resilience has emerged through a resurgent self-help housing delivery approach resulting in many self-built houses in what is widely viewed as a “peculiar” parallel development. While it could be too early to meaningfully comment on the long-term performance of the PPP approach, it is clear that justice has not been done to low-income people in Masvingo who remain largely homeless.
Architecture as mnemonic experiencing past, present, and future narratives in a Johannesburg cultural complex
(2024) Segal, Yehuda
Memory is transient, it comes and it goes. It is a passing remembrance of a past time, person or place. Memory is the experience we store in our minds to recall at a future time and date. It is the friends we make on the first day of school, our childhood holidays, or beach sand between our toes. Memory is also stored in books, visuals, art, and the internet. It is the long-gone monarch in a painting, the photographs and videos of historical events that record a past time and people. And so, memory is architecture- or, simply, space. Spatial recall- the ability to remember a space or place, directions from point A to point B, is the reason we find our way when lost. The architecture of memory is related to that of structures, buildings and spaces that serve to record or preserve a past event or person, yet also the landmark that guides us. It is a museum, memorial, triumphal arch and even a religious or cultural space. It is also the old as opposed, or in harmony with, the new. Architecture as mnemonic is relatable to other aspects and devices with mnemonic value. Memory is therefore an important aspect of archi - tecture and the built world. Not only do we remember through spatial interactions, we also experience spaces which lead to us creating new memories.
Architecture of mist: A sacred scents cultural preservation through a traditional incense hub in the Sasong Village, Tibet
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Liang, Mei Han
At the roof of the world, Tibet reaches toward the sky with a short arm, envi- sioned as a vessel that draws a pro- found connection between the sacred and the earthly realms. The air here is thin and pure, yet vast and bound- less; every breeze carries the whispers of ancient mountains, the soft caress of green meadows, and the silence of endless skies. The mountains offer the cool touch of snow, while the land rises with the sun’s first light, softening into a misty veil as twilight descends. The air is alive—clear, crisp, and fragrant—lad- en with the weight of centuries. If one could imagine every connection to the heavens, every communion with the sacred, and every atmosphere rich with the memory of the land, it would feel as if they were incensed them- selves: infinite and eternal, with the soul brushed by the weightless touch of eternity in the boundless layers of air.Fig 0.6 Opposite Edited Ink Drawing Incense Burner (Author, 2024) An Architecture of Mist for Intervention— this thesis investigates a site in South- east Tibet, the Sasong Village, known as “the village of Sacred Scents and Fog.” Perched on the plateau, the village is steeped in cultural and heritage tradi- tions and is renowned for its high-altitude landscapes and spectacular peach blossoms. While its beauty and cultural significance are celebrated, the region’s ancient incense craftsmanship—deeply rooted in practical rituals—has become endangered, threatening its survival for future generations. This thesis aims to revitalize and reintro- duce this endangered craft into the core of Tibetan culture, restoring local knowledge of Tibet and the attention of the broader world. By considering the needs of the local Tibetans, the unique ecologies, and the ancient craftsman- ship of incense-making, this project uses architecture as a subtle, invisible frame- work. The design leverages transitional spaces to create innovative methodol- ogies, redefining spatial paradigms that honor both tradition and modernity. This architectural approach seeks to ex- plore the “in-betweens”—the interstitial spaces between nature and human in- tervention, between the past and the present, between the monumental and the intimate, and between the imagina- tive and the perceivable. With a deep concern for heritage sites rich in cultural and geological history, protective mea- sures are considered with utmost care. Tibet, an autonomous region long safe- guarded by its remote, high-altitude iso- lation, has nurtured its people with deep rituals and meaningful practices. Yet, to- day, Tibet faces significant challenges, including environmental degradation, cultural erosion, economic disparities, and infrastructural gaps, alongside the delicate balance between tourism de- velopment and cultural preservation. This thesis proposes an Architecture of Mist—a Traditional Incense Hub designed to catalyse architectural intervention, addressing these pressing issues while ensuring that Tibet’s cultural heritage is preserved. The objective is to maintain the ethereal beauty of the landscape while fostering sustainable development for the future. By creating human-scale structures that bridge the surrounding natural environment with thoughtfully im- plemented programs, the project fosters interactions that celebrate and preserve the rich Tibetan incense-making tradition for generations to come. This architec- tural vision aspires to be both a tribute to the past and a promise for the future, ensuring that the cultural essence of Ti- bet continues to thrive amidst the mist.
“Artful Sustainability” Inquiry into Urban Waste and Public Space Practices: a Case Study of Riverside View Mega City, Johannesburg
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Mantshoane, Trevor; Charlton, Sarah
The UN-Habitat (2021a, p. 29) has been spearheading efforts at ensuring that “placemaking institutionalizes the role of art and culture to achieve a lasting sense of place for [communities]” as per the SDG 11 agenda. Place-making foregrounds the central role of communities in ensuring quality and liveable public spaces often through arts-led interventions. To date, little research exists on how this global place-making agenda is faring at the neighbourhood level. Even less studied are the arts and cultural (ecosystem) services of public space and the impact of waste on people’s ability to benefit from these services. Against the global place-making agenda, this research artistically interrogates the eco-cultural dimensions of sustainability issues of waste and public spaces. It does this through a case study of Riverside View Mega City, Johannesburg (South Africa) This qualitative research study uses a case study strategy and draws on a range of practices broadly associated with the arts-based and practice- based methods. The study utilises a set of methodological tools like drawings, written and photo diaries to gain a window into the resident participants’ embodied experiences of waste and public space. In all, the research finds that waste malpractices have a disruptive impact on the residents’ ability to benefit from the eco-cultural services of public spaces in Riverside View Mega City. Consequently, public spaces are generally perceived and experienced negatively, although this is not uniform across all sections of the settlement. Moreover, efforts at institutionalising the arts and culture through place-making interventions remain ambiguous with little apparent relevance to the everyday sustainability issue of waste and public spaces.
A bathhouse in Cyrildene - a phenomenological approach to the design of a bathhouse in Johannesburg
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2020) Kow, Alan; Chungu, Gerald
In Johannesburg, there is a lack of global bathhouse typologies. They either don’t exist or are in a form which caters to a niche subculture. Bathhouse culture has been around for hundreds of years and many people around the world take advantage of it as a form of communal bonding, relaxation and general hygiene. In addition to this, when done correctly, it has the effect of stripping away of social class and distinction as well as providing a safe and entertaining environment for those within its walls. This study aims to bring my personal experience of an East-Asian bathhouse into Cyrildene, a predominantly Chinese neighbourhood, that is slowly losing its cultural identity. Building on existing data on historic bathhouses from around the world, it asks: How can the concept of phenomenology be used to guide the design of an Asian style bathhouse in order to enhance the Asian/Chinese cultural experience and help in the revitalisation of Derrick street as a distinct cultural hub In Johannesburg? The main methodologies that will be used in this report will be from literature reviews on historical analysis of bathhouses around the world but more specifically in Eastern Asia. One on one interviews with the residents and shop owners living in Cyrildene as well as the owner/s of a spa. Observations based on mapping and photography will also be employed. The last will be the use of auto-ethnographic data from my own experiences. The main hypothesis of the report will be seeing if the bathhouse typology through the use of a variety of different programs that range from bathing to eating to sleeping in addition to the application of architectural phenomenological theories helps make it suitable for Cyrildene and thereby revitalise and strengthen the areas existing cultural identity.
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, Dirk
Avalon 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
Birth Freedom: Healing Architecture’s Impact on the Experience of Childbirth and Healthcare Through a Community Maternity Centre in Alberton
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Grobler, Leonie; Szentesi, Anita
This research explores the topic of childbirth and maternal health care in a community context where such facilities are lacking in focus and accessibility. The study explores the narratives of pregnancy, childbirth, and the postnatal period through the lenses of phenomenological experience, feminist theory, and healing. Its focus lies in how these concepts can shape the design of maternal healthcare architecture. The aim is to research and design a community health care centre that focusses primarily on aspects surrounding childbirth, and secondarily, aspects of female reproductive healthcare and family planning. The intervention aims to challenge the clinical nature of healthcare, improve accessibility to quality and affordable healthcare, and give women freedom over their reproductive healthcare choices. The site of the study is within the town of Alberton, located South of Johannesburg, in the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality. The goal of the research study is the development of a birthing centre model that serves as an alternative option to existing clinical birth settings which are part of larger hospitals. Research will be conducted through site analysis, contextual analysis, data analysis, theoretical and architectural research and precedent studies. This information will be used to guide the design process and develop a resolved building. This research project consists of two parts, a research report, and a set of design drawings, which will be combined into a single thesis document.
Bridging Communities. A community centre to encourage and facilitate intergenerational connections in Johannesburg
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Lachman, Kaylene; Hart, Brendan
The aim of this project is to create a safe space to facilitate and encourage intergenerational connections between the elderly and children whilst revitalising an underused park. The safe space will be a community centre that acts as a social hub where children and the elderly are able to work cohesively alongside each other, allowing for more meaningful interactions and mutual learning between the generations. The connections created through these interactions can foster more trust and empathy in the community. These shared spaces will allow the opportunity for the different generations to mutually benefit from each other. Some of these benefits include skill development, cultural preservation, mentorship programs and the improvement of mental and physical wellbeing of both generations. The intergenerational connections formed in this community centre can combat social isolation amongst the elderly. It can provide an enlightening and educational experience for the children. The revitalisation of the neglected urban space will create an enriching experience for the community as bridging the generational gaps will create deeper community bonds and improve the quality of life for all within the community.
Bridging the Past: Redeveloping parts of Fordsburg to create secure and empowering environments for women
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024-03) Dar, Sarah; Szentesi, Anita
The safety of women in public spaces has become an increasingly unsettling issue in South Africa. One of the most severe violations of human rights that still occurs in communities worldwide is gender-based violence, a phenomenon that has a foundation in gender inequity. Gender-based violence affects both men and women, but women and girls comprise most of victims. Public spaces have favored the safety of men, whereas women struggle for their wellbeing in the same space. There is a need for a re-imagined women only space concept, in which women can evolve in, in hopes of creating safer spaces. (UN-Habitat, 2015). The proposal for this thesis is a Skills and Development Centre for women. The Centre will aim to create women run businesses in male dominated spaces with the research focusing on women empowerment through education, and further investigating past architectural theories on women-only design.