A place to belong :[RE] Imagining shelter for young women in Hillbrow

Abstract

Johannesburg is a melting pot of people from different walks of life who have come to the city on the pursuit of happiness. Hillbrow is a neighbourhood infamous for its criminal activities. It is the point of arrival for many of the people who travel to Johannesburg looking for work, making it a very hostile environment for the vulnerable. Human trafficking is a highly lucrative business in South Africa. The global market for human trafficking is at $42, 5-billion (about R317-billion). In the Children’s Act 38, Section 194 of 2005 one of clauses refers to the needs of young women affected by human trafficking, (Mahery, Jamieson, & Scott, 2011).

There is a clear need for a re-imagined approach to the typology of shelters provided through welfare structures. Young women need shelters in the inner city that are tailored for their specific needs especially the vast majority who are forced into the city through prostitution and human trafficking. This thesis deals with the design of a new typology that best addresses the needs of a shelter for young women in the city.