School of Architecture and Planning (ETDs)
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Item Using tactical urbanism to facilitate micromobility at Gautrain stations(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Tiroyabone, Lerato; Theron, PatriciaThis research examines the potential of tactical urbanism to enhance micromobility at Gautrain station precincts, focusing on addressing first/last mile connectivity challenges and advancing sustainable urban mobility in Gauteng, South Africa – a country that faces unique transport challenges, such as a high dependency on private vehicles and an inefficient public transport system. Employing a mixed methods approach, the study integrates literature review, commuter surveys, streetscape analysis, using a modified Level of Traffic Stress (LTS) methodology, expert interviews, and policy reviews to provide an understanding of the dynamics of micromobility integration in the South African context. The findings reveal that while tactical urbanism interventions, such as widened non-motorised transport (NMT) pathways, lane reallocation, and traffic calming measures, can enhance first/last mile connectivity, immediate efforts should prioritise the provision of adequate NMT infrastructure in accordance with existing policies. This reflects the pressing need to address foundational urban mobility challenges before focusing on micromobility-specific interventions. Nonetheless, the study highlights the importance of initiating policy development to accommodate broader and more diverse modes of micromobility, alongside establishing safety standards and regulations to support their future integration. The study highlights the socio-economic benefits of NMT and micromobility interventions, including reducing private vehicle dependency, improving accessibility for diverse socio-economic populations, and fostering equitable and sustainable mobility. Recommendations emphasise phased implementation strategies, enhanced stakeholder engagement, and targeted policy reforms to create a supportive environment for integrating tactical urbanism and micromobility. The research concludes that these approaches offer a scalable framework for advancing urban transport planning and policy in Gauteng, with potential applications in similar urban nationally.Item 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, AnitaThis 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.Item Crossing The DIvide: Integrating an Innovative Sports Centre into Community Regeneration and YouthDevelopment in Frankenwald(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Ludick, Kyle Jarrod; Kirkman, DeborahFootball in South Africa occupies a central place in the nation's sporting consciousness, that intertwines with the country's complex narrative of struggle, triumph, and reconciliation. For over a decade now, “…the most popular sport in South Africa (in relation to both public entertainment and active participation) has been soccer.”(McKinley, 2010) From what started out as a pastime exclusive to the privileged white elite upon its introduction in South Africa, swiftly became the emerging preferred sport among the black community at the turn of the 20th century. (McKinley, 2010) “Not surprisingly, this rapid spread in popularity set off alarm bells within the corridors of political and economic power, as soccer became emblematic of threatening, socially integrative forces within society…” (Morell, 1996) Football became the thorn in the side of the racist white establishment, who therefore used the full extent of their power, to promote predominantly white sports like rugby and cricket; while simultaneously suppressing and controlling the “…social, economic, and political reach and impact of the (black) sport of soccer.”(McKinley, 2010) This resulted in continued efforts, by the apartheid government, to engineer racialised, socio-political policies aimed at enforcing racial segregation and material inequality in South African sport. As a result, there was a severe lack of football infrastructure and trained personnel, particularly in black urban and rural areas. Along with, “…an almost complete lack of any meaningful/sustained development programmes for black students/youth…” (McKinley, 2010) The institutional framework was racially divided, leading to the emergence of four separate football bodies by the 1980s, South African football became isolated both institutionally and practically on the international stage, remaining confined to domestic leagues. Nevertheless, football would become a catalyst for political shift throughout footballing organisations, with private companies such as Mainstay cane spirit, owned by the Stellenbosch farmer’s, as well as the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) that would broadcast the games played, pouncing on the potential of the crowds of the “black” football market, by providing sponsorships for their competitions.(Bolsmann and Alegi, 2010) Additionally, football played an important role in the abolishment of the apartheid regime and its hold on football. (McKinley, 2010)Item Nourished Roots: The kitchen as a living ecosystem, reappropriating a barn in the centre of Skeerpoor(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Clifford, KerryIn the centre of Skeerpoort, where the archaic Magaliesberg mountains whisper narratives of time and the fertile landscape breathes life into every seed, a barn stands vacant. Built in 1885 it has a long history, having served as a tobacco crop storage facility, a field infirmary during times of conflict, and a community gathering hall. The barn now waits for a new purpose. Nourished Roots revives the structure. Addressing perspectives, processes and the practice of sustainable redevelopment, the thesis places itself in the field of designing for cultures of conversion. Biophilic architectural principles and adaptive reuse merge to create a place of nourishment and rehabilitation of place, people and community. The research reads context through the study of gastronomy as relationship between food and culture. Nourished Roots introduces the process of (food) fermentation to connect land, space and people by drawing parallels between the human metabolism and the ‘gut health’ of a building. The design explores and amplifies the architectural significance of the kitchen as a key element in the process of food preparation, production and consumption as well as gathering space and a living organism in which traditional fermentation processes have both practical and symbolic meaning. The barn and its newly emerging surrounding serve as a rescaled pantry, scullery, kitchen and dining room. Together they function as a ‘living classroom’ for a rather eclectic community with diverse challenges and needs. The extended programme sets a precedent for sustainable agricultural practices, food storage and production as well as offering an alternative way of living, learning and working. Rooted in the local agricultural traditions of Skeerpoort the thesis considers the intervention as an innovative approach to support food security in the area as well as preserving its biodiversity.Item Moving Mbombela: a Multi-Modal Transportation Hub Reconnecting South Africa's Lowveld(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Doyle, Keagan ChristopheIn the heart of Mpumalanga Province in South Africa, Mbombela serves as a gateway and crucial hub in the Lowveld. Despite its strategic location, the city and its surrounding communities face infrastructural challenges such as poor road conditions and limited transportation access. Therefore, there is a disconnect between key destinations, all of which hinder the Region’s potential. This Thesis explores the transformative potential of a multi-modal transportation hub in Mbombela aimed at addressing the city’s connectivity, past social injustices and eco-tourism. The Thesis unpacks the history of the Eastern Railway Line, examining its origins and the poignant legacy of the night trains that ferried forced labourers from Ressano Garcia to Johannesburg. It identifies the gaps in Mbombela’s connectivity and assesses how the selected site, with its historical significance, can serve as a focal point for addressing these issues. By identifying and integrating important existing road and rail networks with community hubs and tourist attractions, the proposed Transportation Hub aims to revitalize the city’s infrastructure and socio-economic landscape. Central to this undertaking is the concept of connectivity. The main program is derived from this, combining bus and train terminals with mixed-use spaces, including retail, government facilities, restaurants, and informal trading zones, promoting a more dynamic and interconnected urban environment. The Hub’s design seeks to integrate parametricism and Africanism, creating an architectural language that resonates with local culture, while embracing innovative design principles. It also prioritizes accessibility and inclusivity, positioning it as a new urban space that acts as a catalyst for renewed community engagement, economic empowerment, and cultural exchange. Additionally, the Thesis explores the potential synergy between transportation and commemoration. The design aims to reassess the richness, or the lack thereof, of the typical traditional monument or statue. Looking at local practices and rituals as forms of memorial; in conjunction with architecture and public space, the memorial becomes the space rather than a distinct object. The space given back to the people is the antithesis of the experience of being confined to the cattle cars and coal trucks used to transport forced labour. It is a spatial form of remembrance embedded within the daily life of the city. This space aims to evoke reflection and remembrance through its architectural form and materiality, creating a meaningful connection to the past while serving as a hub for movement – another freedom that was not afforded to those forced to work in the mines. The project aims to rediscover the transport hub in an African city and rehabilitate the transport network of the Lowveld, providing an opportunity for growth and connectivity. At the same time, it seeks to empower communities and honour their histories, recognising that understanding our future direction requires an awareness of where we have come from. Through this approach, the project envisions a future where infrastructure not only supports movement and development ,but also serves as a powerful tool for remembrance and cultural continuity.Item Bridging Communities. A community centre to encourage and facilitate intergenerational connections in Johannesburg(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Lachman, Kaylene; Hart, BrendanThe 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.Item Cultivating Terraformation - Propagating agronomic empowerment through agricultural waste transformation in the farming corridor of Ofcolaco, Limpopo(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Mc Dougall, Kayla KateCultivating Terraformation is an exploration into the intertwined lives of the farm, the farmer and the farm worker. In the remote farming corridor of Ofcolaco, Limpopo, where history’s shadows still linger, a community is beginning to reawaken. The thesis traces the deep colonial roots of land once taken and now in the slow, tender process of being restored to those from whom it was seized. In these lands, a vision unfolds — a vision of uniting the farm, farmer, and farm worker to stand as a beacon of renewal and progression. The core of the research centres around the complex dynamics between the emerging black farmer and the generational white farmer. These two figures, bound by the same land but divided by history, represent both the obstacles and opportunities for transformation. As these farmers adapt to life in post-apartheid South Africa the tensions, alliances, and possibilities become the forefront of change. The goal is the harmonization of the relationship between farm, farmer, and farm worker. The objective is to break the sector's cycle of inequality through the creation of a new beacon in agriculture that unites and uplifts. This new sector aims to connect the land, those who own it, and those who work it, and join in on a journey of mutual development and empowerment. Central to this vision is the concept of material activism to unite all three entities of the agricultural sector. This approach redefines not only what the land and its people can produce but how it can sustain’ the environment and uplift its people. Through this alchemy, the study seeks to shape a post- apartheid farming industry that is more than a place -— it is a symbol that guides the agricultural sector toward a shared future. The aspirational endeavour seeks to offer the research as a blueprint for a reimagined agricultural landscape in South Africa. By addressing historical divides and present environmental challenges the systematic change strives to heal old wounds and cultivate new growth. The vision is a future where the scared land of our nation becomes a canvas of renewal, painting a picture of unity and resilience where the scars of the past are transformed into a tapestry of hope and harmonyItem Immersed in community : Environmental remediation of a mining-impacted township through collective, participatory agricultural research and production(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Shiburi, KatlehoThe term Witwatersrand translates to “the ridge of white waters”. It derives its name from the low sedimentary hills that stretch east-west across the southern part of Gauteng Province. The Witwatersrand mining belt encompasses areas from the East Rand to the West Rand of Johannesburg, including Soweto, and is mainly characterised by its “West”, “Central”, and “East Rand” sectors. The mining of gold in South Africa, particularly in Johannesburg, has been a primary driver of economic development in the city since its inception. Gold production has influenced Johannesburg’s economic, social, and political histories and left detrimental mining waste evident along the Witwatersrand ridge. This mine waste is produced during the extraction and processing of mineral resources. It often includes waste dumps, slime dams, and other waste storage facilities, which continue to impact the region and the health of communities residing near these waste storage facilities. Issues such as acid-mine drainage and soil pollution, amongst many others, persist even long after the closure of many of these mines. Decades of mining activities have drastically altered the natural landscape and continue to pose environmental and public health risks. Braamfischerville, an RDP settlement situated in the southwest of Johannesburg, is affected by mine tailings that are a stark reminder of gold mining. These tailings are hazardous, posing risks to the health and well-being of residents, the natural environment and livestock within this area through soil contamination, acid mine drainage, and air pollution. In this challenging environment, small-scale community farming has emerged near the mine dump and within residents’ backyards. However, this commendable initiative is overshadowed by the danger it poses due to exposure to harmful dust from the tailings, exacerbating the risks of such agricultural endeavours. Additionally, Braamfischerville grapples with high unemployment, a lack of formal skills development, insufficient communal spaces, and poorly constructed RDP housing, which often lacks partition walls, ceilings, and proper ventilation. These concerns highlight the urgent need for holistic community interventions to address the socio-economic issues prevalent. The proposed intervention aims to repair the toxic landscape by establishing an experimental remediation centre that utilises hemp, a fibrous plant, to remediate the environment. This centre will also provide spaces for research, the manufacturing of hemp into wall and ceiling panels, training, and social interaction, ultimately contributing to the local and township economy.Item Social nex[us]: reimaging public life and cohesion in Windhoek West through empowering student entrepreneurs and their sidehustles(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Nankela, Junior-Steps; Gwebu, NomondeThis research report addresses urban issues in the diverse community of Windhoek West, specifically the lack of social cohesion due to inadequate public facilities and the underdevelopment of local entrepreneurial opportunities. The study proposes a community-centered marketplace designed to support local SMEs and microenterprises, including those run by students and local entrepreneurs. This marketplace aims to serve as a social hub for networking and showcasing work to the Windhoek West community and beyond. The report begins with a historical overview of community centers, setting the context for Namibia’s current urban landscape, which lacks such facilities. It then redefines the community center as a nexus, or connecting point, among community members, and explores how other typologies serve similar functions. This leads to the proposal of a market as a community center for Namibia. Windhoek West is analyzed as a transition and autonomous zone combining commerce and residence. The analysis identifies issues and opportunities for intervention, forming a framework that links these activity zones through the design of the Nex[us]. Interviews with local entrepreneurs provide insights into their brand identities and how the Nex[us] can accommodate them. The proposed Nex[us] is situated on an open space northwest of Windhoek West, along a key road connecting the city center to northern residential areas. The design features three distinct spaces: a market, a park, and a production area. These spaces are conceptually and architecturally composed to challenge the dominance of multinational corporations, foster community cohesion, and provide a collaborative environment for entrepreneurs. The design emphasizes modularity, flexibility, adaptability, and inclusivity.Item 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, NomondeRecognising 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.