Resilient Roots: Unemployment & the legacy of group areas act in South African Communities, South of Johannesburg

Abstract

During Apartheid, the Group Areas Act enforced rigid racial segregation across South Africa, profoundly affecting communities by limiting access to economic opportunities, social development, and public resources. This thesis focuses on the southern regions of Johannesburg, particularly Lenasia, a historically segregated area, to explore the long-term impacts of this systemic division on employment and community development. Despite the end of Apartheid, many of these communities continue to face challenges related to unemployment and underdevelopment. The thesis proposes an architectural intervention aimed at addressing these enduring issues through innovative use of public spaces. Specifically, it introduces a plan to transform a city park in Lenasia into a multi-functional facility designed to foster job creation, skills training, and community engagement. This space will serve as a center where local residents can acquire practical skills, such as furniture making using recycled materials, while also functioning as a hub for social interaction and community growth. By piloting this intervention in Lenasia, the project seeks to demonstrate how sustainable, community-focused design can play a pivotal role in overcoming socio-economic barriers and fostering resilience in post-Apartheid South Africa.