Communal Equity: Reimaging Educa4onal Infrastructure in Soweto

Abstract

In defining the urban environments of modern-day South Africa, the remnant history of separate development has so deeply disrupted the equality between our communities that they remain a challenge today. While there are efforts towards seeking a balance between communities, identified in the City of Johannesburg’s nodal development schemes, the approach through which they are carried out may be exhibiting limiting results. Equal development can often be implemented by replicating rigid templates of the ideal infrastructure across communities. These infrastructure which perform essential functions neglect the opportunity to adapt and evolve to the context and history of the populations they serve. Within this research report, the City of Johannesburg’s development of Jabulani, Soweto, will be assessed and their need for improved facilities and access within primary schools will be highlighted and addressed through an architectural intervention which reimagines educational space around the principle of equity.