Cataclysm femina : creating safe spaces for the empowerment of women in Diepsloot

Abstract

In the northern edge of Johannesburg, South Africa lies a densely populated area with large numbers of shacks, masses of unemployed youths wandering on the streets and attempts of small businesses in informal structures street markets (Harber:2011). As you navigate through the township you come across children playing on rubbish heaps, sewer water running on the streets, women with babies on their backs sitting on the street edge selling fruits and vegetables, men grilling meat over open fire on the streets. The resounding sound of hooting taxis passing by, street vendors enthusiastically and repeatedly shouting “R5 nail clipper”; children laughing, people vociferating, music playing in taxis is what makes the township come to life. Diepsloot is a pulsating neighbourhood consisting of inhabitants who come from different countries and provinces in attempts to grab a piece of wealth in the city of gold. Despite the social inequalities, poverty, inadequate public infrastructure, high unemployment rates and social issues, Diepsloot is a vibrant township with hopeful and a trickle of hard-working individuals. Having said that, Diepsloot is mostly known for its high crime rates and violence, more especially gender based violence in South Africa. Violence against women is an extensive issue the township faces daily. Diepsloot township sits at the top of the pyramid of GBV in South Africa according to statistics. The intention of this thesis, ‘Cataclysm Femina’ is to investigate and explore an architectural design paradigm of Urban acupuncture to aid in empowerment and rehabilitation of women who have endured gender-based violence in Diepsloot. The idea of urban acupuncture is derived from the Chinese traditional methods of healing, where needles are carefully inserted in specific points of the body where there is pressure. This method of healing is used similarly to heal the urban where small, yet highly focused interventions are implemented in the most vulnerable parts of the township to help bring positive change, especially in provision of women safety. The project is envisioned as an acupuncture of safe spaces where women will go through a journey of empowerment through neighbourhood support networks, education, and skills development. The research furthermore aims to identify existing spatial and environmental infrastructures as part of pressure release points to support the underserved community of Diepsloot socially, culturally, and environmentally. The thesis dives into gendered space architecture. It investigates the socio spatial and environmental conditions that negatively affect the livelihood of women, the aim is to try and find solutions to spatial justice for women through intervention.