WASTE AGE living in a throwaway society searching for sustainability in eastern Johannesburg Figure 1: Foraged discarded objects (Photo by author) DECLARATION I, Clare Chappel student number 8553786, am a student registered for the course Master of Urban Design in the year 2023. I hereby declare the following: I am aware that plagiarism (the use of someone else’s work without permission and/or without acknowledging the original sources) is wrong. I confirm that the work submitted for assessment for the above course is my own unaided work except where I have stated explicitly otherwise. I have followed the required conventions in referencing thoughts, ideas, and visual materials of others. For this purpose, I have referred to the Graduate School of Engineering and the Built Environment style guide. I understand that the University of the Witwatersrand may take disciplinary action against me if there is a belief that this is not my unaided work or that I have failed to acknowledge the source of the ideas or words in my own work. This document is submitted in partial fulfillment for the degree: Master of Urban Design at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa, in the year 2023. ____________________________ Signature of Candidate 13 February 2024 DEDICATION To my husband and daughters – thank you for your love and support over the past two years. I will forever be grateful for the opportunity to immerse myself in my passion for the city. Thank you to Dr Solam Mkhabela, my supervisor, for your guidance and support, and for your constant efforts in trying to reign in my erratic and chaotic approach to my work. This thesis is dedicated to the people of the inner city of Johannesburg. I will always see you. The ever-increasing urban population worldwide, particularly in Africa, reinforces the pressing need for compact mixed-use neighbourhoods. My chosen study area, Bertrams and the greater Bez Valley, are ideally situated as inner-city suburbs close to the CBD. The area currently has residential, institutional, industrial and commercial zones and is occupied by a diverse range of multi-cultural residents. As experienced in many parts of Johannesburg, the infrastructure challenges of collapsing streets and pavements, lack of effective waste management, illegal dumping, decaying buildings, and neglected public space are realities that the residents navigate daily. Various creative nodes, NGOs and outreach programs are active in the area, enabling residents to participate and benefit from initiatives to uplift and empower the community. The privately developed complex of Victoria Yards serves as a creative centre, with artists’ studios and programs occupying space in refurbished industrial buildings. This complex is physically isolated from the community, however much of the community orientated initiatives are spearheaded from here, and from the adjacent Nando’s Head Office. The ongoing restorative work being done to the Jukskei River, which is initially exposed to daylight close to the complex, begins outside Victoria Yards. This vital work, implemented by employed community members, is spreading along the valley, clearing and cleaning the banks of the Jukskei River and reintroducing indigenous plants and grasses. My proposal looks at the development of a journey along the river, using its path as a connector between the existing creative programs and public spaces, and new adaptive waste-based interventions, stitching together a continuous urban experience that will focus awareness on the river, and highlight the forgotten beauty of this inner-city space. ABSTRACT Figure 2: Victoria Yards with Ponte visible through the haze in the background (Photo by author) ‘Yesterday’s road has led To yesterday’s destination. Today is a new chaos. A new journey. A new city. Needing new paths. And new standards.’ Ben Okri, “The Ruin and the Forest,” Wild, 45 Declaration and Dedication Abstract List of Chapters Chapter 1 – Overview 5 Introduction City of Gold Background Aerial View of the Study Area Problem Statement Research question and Aims Theoretical Framework Proposal and methodology Ethical Considerations Chapter 2 - Literature Review and Theory 15 Regenerative urbanism Waste Collection and Recycling The Creative City Chapter 3 - Conceptual Framework 19 Reclaiming the City Stitching the City Responsive Environment Sustainable Urbanism Circular Economy Reflections Chapter 4 – Observations 25 Recycled Waste as Creative Resource Exploratory Mapping Drawings Visual Survey Towers of Waste Looking at Texture and Pattern Mending, Stitching, Darning Assemblage Photography as Research Method LOCK Waste Collection Field Notes Waste Collection Mapping Views Aerial Views – East and West Green Space – The Trees Green Space – Aerial View The River Chapter 5 – Precedent Study 43 Creative Space – Victoria Yards and Drill Hall Public Space - Tapas Rouge and Blucher Square Waste Space - Kamikatsu Centre and Rewoven Community Space - Cissie Gool House and Jewel City Chapter 6 – Existing Proposals 52 City of Johannesburg SDF Inner City Eastern Gateway Urban Farming – City Parks proposal Urban Marketing Centre Regeneration Proposals – Makers Valley/JDA Chapter 7 – Status Quo Analysis 61 Regional Context: Metropolitan Locality and City Region Context Study Area Natural Environment - Topography, Green Space and Jukskei River Built Environment - Land Use, Infrastructure, Commercial Activity, Typologies, Industrial, Heritage, Aerial Views and Public Transport Community Environment - Social Housing, NGOs and Outreach Programs, and Sporting Facilities Chapter 8 – Urban Design Concept 84 Study Area Design Exploration – Reframing the Valley The Street as Living Urban Space Looking at the Streets Reclaiming the Streets as Public Space Reclaiming the Streets – First Street, Fifth Street, Frere Road Looking at the Grid Mapping Waste Collectors Routes Reclaiming the Valley as Public Space Natural Environment Residential Space Urban Design Elements Towers A Chain of Hubs and Towers Hubs as Growth Points Natural Hub LIST OF CHAPTERS Chapter 9 – Design Development 103 Assemblage of Diary Pages Conceptual Layout Design Explorations Natural Hub Creative Hub Presentation Explorations Design Explorations Chapter 10 – Design Proposal 117 Presentation Images Design Story Natural Hub - Layout Natural Hub - Section Creative Hub - Layout Creative Hub - Section Residential Hub - Layout Residential Hub - Section Recycling Hub - Layout Recycling Hub - Section A String of Connections Chapter 11 – Reflections 133 Reflection Conclusion A String of Connections References 136 5 1.1 INTRODUCTION 6 1.2 CITY OF GOLD 7 1.3 BACKGROUND 8 1.4 AERIAL VIEW OF THE STUDY AREA 9 1.5 PROBLEM STATEMENT 10 1.6 RESEARCH QUESTION AND AIMS 11 1.7 THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK 12 1.8 PROPOSAL AND METHODOLOGY 13 1.9 ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS 14 chapter 1 OVERVIEW Figure 3: Cement floor repaired with gold (Fussner, 2019) INTRODUCTION 6 Johannesburg is my city – the chaotic, beautiful, restless, traumatized, creative place I call home. During my lifetime, I have witnessed her gradual and troubled transformation from a post-colonial, segregated and Eurocentric city to a multicultural, bustling, energetic African city. The city has always exposed herself to me – allowing me glimpses of the people, the streets, the colours, textures and patterns – her layered and elusive reality. Or perhaps I have allowed myself to see her and the sparks of hope and beauty evident in a neglected, crumbling and often dangerous place. Ferial Haffajee’s words in a recent Daily Maverick article resonated deeply with me. She wrote ‘How do I begin to understand my city of such duality? So much pain. And so much beauty. There is so much neglect and mediocrity in leadership. And so much exquisite human attention to detail globally heralded culture and art.’ She turned to Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s Danger of a Single Story in an attempt to understand the layers and complexities of Johannesburg, noting that Adichie encourages us to ‘embrace complexity, duality and multiplicity of meaning’. Our city is crying out for us to do this. So many stories fill the streets, neglect and decay are one but an abundance of creative energy, art and culture is another. Many people only see the city through a single lens, knowing only one of her stories. To understand and to give meaning to her urban spaces and her people, you need to see her layers, her memories, her stories. (Daily Maverick, 2023). I was inspired by Adichie’s writing when I was working on my response to our Maputo studio last year. I wrote of the the significance of the everyday, the beauty of the abandoned, and the potential that the forgotten and worn can have in creating something of value. The discarded telling a story of purpose fulfilled, and the limits of single use. The collection of faded and filtered photographic images, explorations and drawings that follow tell the story of finding beauty in the unexpected, of scratching and uncovering the layers of the city. The images and words also highlight the danger of knowing a place through a single story. Marks made on the city are exposed – both as scars and as embellishments. These marks are evident in Johannesburg, if you look, and show the tenacity, texture, growth and contrast that reveal the identity of the city, describing my story and memory of the city, and the stories of others. Stories have been used to dispossess and to malign. But stories can also be used to empower, and to humanize. Stories can break the dignity of a people. But stories can also repair that broken dignity. Chimamanda Adichie Figure 4: Jukskei River flowing in a stone channel (Photo by author) Johannesburg, one of the most sizable cities in the world not built near water, is primarily defined by the discovery of gold on the Witwatersrand. Built on greed, characterised by the pursuit of riches as the city grew from a tented mining settlement to a colonial town and then to the sprawling, contradictory city that it is today. People still flock to the city, searching for the elusive gold. Dinath notes that this migration fuels the conflict between permanent and temporary and has characterized the city since inception. ’The centre of Johannesburg has been the site of entering and leaving, staying put and moving on’. (Dineth, 2014). The layers of the built fabric seen reflected in the city today show not only physical form, but also the rapid and everchanging socio-political and economic qualities of the city. ‘Most urbanites and migrants still see the city as a big promise – a promise that seems to refute all warnings and gloomy predictions. Obviously, the imagination of the city is much stronger than the harsh realities of urban life.’ (Forster, 2018:397). Johannesburg’s inner city today is largely neglected and decayed, characterised by failing or non- existent infrastructure, vacant or ‘dark’ (hijacked) buildings, with unsafe streets and public areas – a melting pot of inequality and vulnerability. Businesses and residents have moved to the suburbs and the resulting gaps have been filled with alternative occupation of buildings and spaces for residential and trading purposes. Bremner (2010) notes that new everyday practices were seen in Johannesburg from 1980s onwards ‘which rearranged difference and privilege and produced new ways of imagining and being in the city’ (Bremner,2010:75). Pockets of regeneration have had varying degrees of success – Maboneng, Jewel City and Newtown, but the true city is seen in a chaos of contradiction that exists everywhere else. The extreme inequality that characterises Johannesburg is obvious. Luxurious green suburban sprawl contrasts with decaying high-density inner-city buildings, informal structures jostle alongside gentrified attempts at regeneration, thousands of residents navigate dangerous pavements or walk in the streets while the elite few drive cars along highways built for the minority. ‘Every time they walk it is not only a weight on their feet but a slight on their dignity. The rest of us drive.’ (Gevisser, 2014:36). This urban inequality is one of the results of Johannesburg’s apartheid policy which used the urban environment to enforce racial segregation through urban planning. These patterns linger and persist in the urban fabric today. A new approach is needed to inform policy and to drive inclusive, community centred urban growth. Dineth notes that ‘Insurgent urbanism will always be a force of transient change in cities, and the impulse in planning to fix, order and house will always be met with resistance in the spaces of everyday city life’. The challenge of regeneration is to ‘find a mediated approach’ which allows all participants to embrace and live with the uncertainties of the built and the transient, with sustainable and flexible procedures and policies. (Dineth, 2014). Figure 5:Johannesburg’s mining waste belt (Trangos, 2015) Figure 6: Collage – Authors own (Adapted Trangos, 2015) 7 The City of Gold THE CITY OF GOLD Johannesburg is a sprawling transient city - gaps between the enforced formality of colonial and apartheid era structures are gradually being filled with informality as people find ways to live in the city. An overburdened and dysfunctional waste management system has created an ever increasing and unmanageable urban waste problem. An acute housing shortage and high employment are continuing challenges. I am drawn to the eastern side of the city – my first home as a young architectural student was in Bertrams. We lived there for about five years, and I have always felt a deep connection to the valley between the ridges of Observatory and Kensington. My chosen study area is part of the eastern gateway to Johannesburg – the greater Bez Valley including the suburbs of Bertrams, Lorentzville and Judith's Paarl. The area is close to the city, with good transport connections, existing fine grain blocks, a regular street grid, and a mix of residential, commercial, retail, and educational facilities. My research will examine how these existing neighbourhoods can transition into being more sustainable and resilient. I will look at existing circularity practices and explore the materiality and meaning of waste as a resource and a source of potential income, a building material and a creative medium. 8 BACKGROUND Figure 7: Map of Johannesburg (Recoloured by author) Figure 8: Street scenes in the valley (Photos by author) AREAL VIEW OF THE VALLEY between Observatory and Kensington Ridges Figure 9: An aerial view of Bertrams, Lorentzville, Judith’s Paarl and Bez Valley (Google Earth – adapted by author) 9 PROBLEM STATEMENT Increasing urbanisation, particularly in the global south, is negatively impacting the natural environment. People move to the city seeking employment, housing, education, in search of better opportunities. Current growth and form of cities is unsustainable – urban sprawl and the resultant transport implications impact quality of life and degrade the natural environment. South African cities in the post-apartheid era face rapid urbanisation with increased demand for housing, facilities and infrastructure. These challenges should be dealt with through innovative and responsive urban strategies and principles to improve residents wellbeing and protect the environment. Social, economic, historical and spatial studies will inform my research and resulting frameworks. An initial visual comparison during a walk through the study area shows the stark contrast between the Victoria Yards complex and Nando’s buildings, and the surrounding blocks. Crumbling pavements and roads, refuse dumped everywhere, houses and buildings decaying and collapsing – a unique urban design response is required to enable this area to fulfil its potential. Inclusive growth based on waste recycling, creative programs and residential densification that nurtures community cohesion and tolerance will be explored. 10 Figure 11: Looking at a street in Bertrams (Drawing by author) Figure 10: Focusing on the waste crisis ( Image sourced via whatdesigncando.com/product/never-waste-a-good-crisis/) How can recycled waste be transformed creatively to stimulate urban regeneration, and benefit communities living and working close to the city? How can the existing NGOs and creative nodes in the valley, such as Victoria Yards and Nando’s Head Office, be maximised for inclusive growth? How can creative recycling nurture and strengthen community cohesion and tolerance? RESEARCH QUESTION and sub-questions The aim of this proposal is to investigate waste collection practices and the effects of waste recycling, or the lack thereof, on the greater Bez Valley area. Further research will be conducted on existing creative spaces in the community and the intersection between recycling and creativity. The presence of creative hubs in the valley creates the opportunity to research their effect on people living and working there. I propose using these hubs to create a linear thread of community space and places linking creative nodes that could initiate further regeneration along the valley’s length – a journey that explores creative expression through sustainable urban development and inclusive growth. The project aims to examine nodes of development, in particular ones with a creative arts emphasis, investigating whether regeneration, and partial gentrification, results in community building, economic opportunity, cultural and creative expression, sustainability and dignity for all who live and work in the study area. My design proposal will investigate the transformation of existing, well located urban space in greater Johannesburg, with the aim of creating resilient, livable neighbourhoods through the adoption of sustainable urban design practice. Research Aims and Objectives 11 Figure 12: River explorations (Drawing by author) Figure 13: Process (Drawing and photos by author) 12 THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK -Redistribution Figure 14: Redistribution diagram (Drawing by author) PUBLIC SPACE STRUCTURES NATURAL ENVIRONMENT WASTE ART Open, underutilised land – streets, parks, vacant stands Industrial, institutional and residential Water, land, vegetation, creatures Urban ecosystems IDENTIFY ANALYSE PROPOSE Observe use, patterns and texture AIM FOOD MATERIALS SKILLS Occupied/vacant Used/abandoned Sources and reasons for waste Art made in the studio vs art made in the street Public space for better quality of life Densify and populate new and existing dwellings Restore and protect, return green space to the people Existing systems – waste collection and recycling Existing creative facilities Waste as a resource Accessible to everyone not exclusive Reclaiming the streets and parks for the community Temporary and permanent structures Green lung for the city Focus on the river Collection and reuse as creative material Art as a unifier and educational method My design proposal will look at refocusing and reframing the Jukskei River as the connecter in the greater Bez Valley area. The existing creative and outreach nodes will be enhanced by intervention hubs placed along the valley. • the interaction between the environment, economic activity and community through the adoption of creative recycling practices. • the primary objective will be to establish realistic intervention nodes that can inform the regeneration of existing, well located urban space in greater Johannesburg. • creating resilient, liveable, denser neighbourhoods through a sustainable urban design approach. 13 Figure 15: Collection of drawings and photographs (Images by author) My process will embrace the notions of seeing and interpreting, the art of drawing and redrawing, and the reduction of images through layering and tracing, leaving or erasing memories of marks made. I will explore the following processes : Assemblage – a way of recording through imagery using photographs, found items and drawing Drawing and tracing over existing images, distilling and reworking until only the essence remains Photography – recording the site to capture the unique spirit of the place An observational method of research will underpin my work, investigating a range of explorations and sources to gain an understanding of the study area and the people who live there. My site exploration will be photographic and observational - taking photos either from my car or while walking. I will conduct research on the area and on existing creatives and NGOs via websites, online media articles and social media. Typology and built form studies will be executed using photography and sourced images. Online surveys of existing proposals and frameworks will be recorded. PROPOSAL METHODOLOGY 14 Figure 16: Staircase to link streets at different levels – pedestrian route alongside the path of the river (Photo by author) Ethical Considerations An Ethics Waiver application will be submitted to the University of Witwatersrand’s Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC Non-Medical) as I will have no interaction with any human participants. This research can be classified as ‘no risk’ as the following procedures will be used: Literature review Studies based on theoretical or secondary analysis alone Use of non-human, quantitative datasets (like economic data) Observations and notes taken during walks and drives through the site area Visual surveys through photographs Review of previous proposals 15 2.1 REGENERATIVE URBANISM 16 2.2 WASTE COLLECTION AND RECYCLING 17 2.3 THE CREATIVE CITY 18 chapter 2 LITERATURE REVIEW REGENERATIVE URBANISM Regenerative urbanism is an emerging urban design approach that aims to enhance the capacity of cities to regenerate both natural and built urban elements, creating positive impacts for people and the planet, and enhancing co-evolution and resilience. This approach has been called the “new wave of sustainability, and it represents a necessary world view and paradigm shift for sustainability” (Gibbons, 2020:3). This approach, based on ecological urban methods and recognising both human and natural need, is a holistic response to rapid urbanisation, particularly in the global south, as well as a reaction to the growing global climate dilemma. Regenerative development attempts to restore the balance between urban growth and natural ecosystems, through the creation of resilient, inclusive and integrated systems that result in a better urban quality of life for residents. Gibbons (2020) states that “regenerative sustainability sees humans and the rest of life as one autopoietic system in which developmental change processes manifest the unique essence and potential of each place or community” (Gibbons, 2020:3). This urban design approach proposes Regenerative Urban Goals (RDGs) as opposed to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Gibbons (2020) believes that SDGs have been slow and difficult to achieve, and have sometimes led to unsustainable results. In contrast to this, the proposed RDGs “synergistically guide human thinking and action to more fully align with life’s principles and to manifest thriving communities from the scale of individuals to the entire earth system” (Gibbons, 2020:8). The ultimate aim of regenerative urbanism is to create communities that grow and thrive, using ecologically sound methods that encourage harmonious, interdependent relationships with the natural environment. This approach is particularly relevant in urban environments of the global south, where rapid sprawling urbanisation, ever increasing population growth, and a lack of economic opportunity pose significant challenges for resource management and infrastructure maintenance and delivery, particularly in Johannesburg the challenge of waste management. Figure 17: Bertrams (Photo by author) Figure 19: Recycled building materials at Reset exhibition, Copenhagen (Frearson,2023) 16 Figure 18: Recycled bricks (Dameron , 2019) Waste Collection and Recycling Johannesburg’s waste crisis is evident in the piles of discarded litter and debris seen on the pavements and roads throughout the city and the suburbs. Many municipal areas do not offer kerbside separation and collection of recyclables, and drop off points are often difficult to access. Waste recyclers pulling their trolleys filled with plastic and cardboard are a common sight while traversing Johannesburg’s roads. A vast and widespread network of informal waste recyclers have used the waste management crises to create a collection and recycling system that provides an income for thousands, and helps to solve a crucial urban waste challenge. Petco, an organisation representing the South African plastics industry, aims to link the formal and informal waste sectors to resolve our waste crisis, with particular emphasis on the collection and recycling of plastic bottles after use. (Petco, 2004). The lack of economic opportunity, amongst other factors, in the eastern part of Johannesburg has caused gradual degeneration, resulting in decaying, dilapidated and dangerous districts. Isolated attempts at regeneration and urban salvage can be seen throughout the city. Victoria Yards in Bertrams/Lorentzville is one of these regeneration districts, marketed as a unique urban complex prioritizing “social development and business growth”. This complex includes artists’ studios, retail outlets, eating places, a monthly market and clothing workshops. Makers Valley, a Civil Society Organisation, has its office and workspace there, focussing on creative social entrepreneurship and community building. (Victoria Yards, 2018). Victoria Yards has adopted a more integrated and carefully considered approach to urban regeneration, as opposed to other inner-city interventions which have amplified rather than improved inequalities. Their focus on creative enterprise has highlighted existing creative studios and workshops in the valley, and the increased exposure through markets and open days has brought new economic opportunities to the valley and its residents. (Campbell, 2021) Figure 20: Streetscape – Bertrams (Photo by author) Figure 23: Waste Collector (Pretorius, 2021) 17 Figure 21 and 22: Found objects (Photos by author) THE CREATIVE CITY Creative expression in the city can be found in the most unexpected places – a tyre used as a planter, colourful paint applied to a crumbling wall or brightly coloured clothes worn to church on Sunday. The concept of the ‘creative city’ is one that is gaining increased exposure - UNESCO has documented this concept through the UCCN (UNESCO Creative Cities Network) program, which encourages links between visionary cities from around the world to encourage creative dialogue between them. Three South African cities are currently included in the program – Cape Town, Overstrand and Durban. South African Cultural Observatory: Creative cities in metropolitan areas. January 2021, is a research document that examines the context of creative cities in South Africa, focussing on the opportunities, challenges and socio-economic benefits associated with them. The document looks at infrastructure, the provision of urban space for cultural and artistic use, and economic assistance for participants. “Creativity cannot be really regulated, but it can be encouraged. The redevelopment or revitalization of a city is an art. It depends on the individual strengths of a place and the will of the leadership to bring about change.” (Erlandsen, 2021). Humans are creative beings and our creativity is integral to all that we do. It is the underlying power that enables us to realise an immense range of achievements including the art of urban design. Haynes (2022) referring to Johannesburg, notes that ‘there is art in the details and textures of this city which simultaneously renews and devours itself’. (Haynes, 2022: ix). Creativity lives and thrives in humans and thus it does the same in the places that we inhabit. The varied and unique ways in which people respond to urban spaces and the way they live in them can be seen in obvious and unexpected places all around us – you just need to look carefully. Figure 24: A bundle of wire found at the recycling centre (Photo by author) 18 19 chapter 3 CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK 3.1 RECLAIMING THE CITY 20 3.2 STITCHING THE CITY 21 3.3 RESPONSIVE ENVIRONMENT 22 3.4 SUSTAINABLE URBANISM 23 3.5 THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY 24 3.6 REFLECTIONS 24 • Diversifying the housing options available in the area to cater to all needs and incomes through densification and improved social housing offerings • Emphasizing and consolidating the existing open space network with its residential surroundings • The integration of existing creative nodes, and the creation of additional nodes, for the improved benefit of the community • Expanding opportunity through economic circularity emphasizing opportunities offered by waste recycling Intention - to reclaim the suburbs closest to the city, the greater Bez Valley area in particular, through a series of sustainable, inclusive interventions. The objective is to create a neighbourhood that offers residents a good quality of life in a liveable, dense, well-designed environment with the inclusion of a vibrant, safe and integrated public realm along the length of the valley through the revitalisation of the Jukskei River and the existing open space network adjacent to its course. This intention will be realised through regenerative processes and urban design principles to reimagine a historically rich, well-situated and diverse neighbourhood. • Reimagining the site from a neglected, decaying area into a place of opportunity and growth • Integrating the area into the greater Johannesburg through improved accessibility and connectivity 20 RECLAIMING THE CITY Figure 26: Illustration of the concept of the 15 minute city. (Dessin, 2020) Figure 25 Diagram by author The existing grid structure to all four suburbs included in the study site reinforces regularity, repetition, order When viewed from above the observer feels distanced from the street level challenges. The streets, built form and natural growth create patterns and symbols. Introduction of a finer, denser grid, vertical and horizontal, using leftover space particularly the wide road reserve. Scaffold like structures as residential/retail/studio space – temporary, quick to build and easy to move. Individual structures inserted into existing industrial buildings and/or ‘tacked on’ as staircases, balconies, skywalks. System of single structural elements that can be stitched or quilted together using recycled elements and discarded materials. Making visible what appears invisible through threading and connecting. 21 STITCHING THE CITY Figure 27: Broken porcelain stitched together with wire (Taylor, 2023) Figure 28: Drawing in the gaps left by broken shards of porcelain (Strati, 2023) The proposed urban design intention will use the following urban design principles to create a people-orientated neighbourhood. These principles, as detailed by Bentley et al (1985), will be examined and integrated into the proposal: Permeability and connectivity refer to movement patterns and routes – the aim is to create a compact, accessible neighbourhood where people can utilise public transport or non-motorised forms of transport like walking, cycling or skateboarding. The emphasis is on the pedestrian rather than the car, resulting in appropriate streetscapes adjusted to “the human scale”. Legibility – the pursuit of an easy to understand and unobstructed environment defined by five key elements: paths, edges, districts, nodes and landmarks Variety – a combination of uses and forms offering a range of choices characterised by the integration of housing into commercial and community zones resulting in easy access to services for residents, and ensuring continuous activity at all times. Robustness – buildings and spaces should be adaptable and suitable for more than one purpose, allowing for future changes in use should social or economic needs alter. Visual appropriateness – strong distinction between public and private realms, denoted by clear edge characteristics using walls, trees and other vertical elements to emphasize movement patterns, safety and a sense of enclosure. Figure 29: Responsiveness graphic (Bentley, 1985) More than half the people in the world now inhabit urban spaces, driving an increased focus on understanding and designing cities as sustainable environments, while managing the impact of world urban growth. The core principles of sustainable urban design reinforce the idea of a comfortable quality of life for the current generation without compromising future generations. These principles embody the creation and support of human, social, economic and environmental systems, all individual but interdependent. Breckenridge notes that urban sustainability “requires looking at how cities fit within ecosystems and how they depend on ecosystem dynamics both within and outside of city boundaries.” (Herring, 2012). The recently published UN Habitat World Cities Report 2022 Envisaging the Future of Cities offers insight and guidance to the future metropolitan spaces, based on research, current obstacles and the opportunities offered by these. This report includes chapters on issues like poverty and inequality, resilient urban economies, climate change and environmental solutions, sustainability and technology. Johannesburg has adopted various policies and plans that align with the principles of sustainability, such as the Growth and Development Strategy 2040 (GDS 2040), which promotes a city that is adaptable, liveable, sustainable, smart, caring, and productive; the Joburg 2030 Vision, which outlines a roadmap for achieving a low-carbon, resource-efficient, and climate-resilient city; and the Inner City Transformation Programme, which seeks to revitalise and regenerate the inner city through improving infrastructure, services, amenities, and socio-economic opportunities. This program includes strategies for the Eastern Gateway to Johannesburg, which includes my focus area. 22 Responsive Environment Sustainable Urbanism Figure 30: Urban sustainability ( Lehmann, 2011 ) SUSTAINABLE URBANISM More than half the people in the world now inhabit urban spaces, driving an increased focus on understanding and designing cities as sustainable environments, while managing the impact of world urban growth. The core principles of sustainable urban design reinforce the idea of a comfortable quality of life for the current generation without compromising future generations. These principles embody the creation and support of human, social, economic and environmental systems, all individual but interdependent. Breckenridge notes that urban sustainability “requires looking at how cities fit within ecosystems and how they depend on ecosystem dynamics both within and outside of city boundaries.” (Herring, 2012). The recently published UN Habitat World Cities Report 2022 Envisaging the Future of Cities offers insight and guidance to the future of cities, based on current trends, challenges and opportunities. This report includes chapters on issues like poverty and inequality, resilient urban economies, climate change and environmental solutions, sustainability and technology. Johannesburg has adopted various policies and plans that align with the principles of sustainability, such as the Growth and Development Strategy 2040 (GDS 2040), which envisions a city that is resilient, liveable, sustainable, smart, caring, and productive; the Joburg 2030 Vision, which outlines a roadmap for achieving a low-carbon, resource-efficient, and climate-resilient city; and the Inner City Transformation Programme, which seeks to revitalise and regenerate the inner city through improving infrastructure, services, amenities, and socio-economic opportunities. This program includes strategies for the Eastern Gateway to Johannesburg, which includes my focus area. Figure 31: Urban sustainability graphic (©https://www2.helsinki.fi) Figure 32: Diagram illustrating circular vs linear economy (Shutterstock ) 23 The systems-based approach of the circular economy offers opportunities to tackle pressing global issues like climate change and environmental crises such as waste and pollution. Fundamental to this approach are three principles: the reduction of waste and pollution, keeping items and components in use, and restoring natural systems. Circulatory aims to design out waste through the creation of materials and products that can have continuous use. Waste becomes an asset and a resource, rather than a threat. The Ellen MacArthur Foundation, along with ICLEI Africa, has researched circular economy focus areas on the African continent. One of their research papers examines the implications of the single use of plastics. Plastics were initially seen as having great benefits, particularly to the global south. Low cost, versatile and strong, making plastics and plastic packaging vital in increasing accessibility to clean water and food products. Plastic packaging is hygienic and protects against contamination. It is, however, increasingly obvious that plastics are wasteful and polluting our world. Over 85% of plastics end in landfills after a single use. The informal sector plays a crucial part in plastic collection and recycling, which significantly reduces plastic pollution. Our wasteful linear model of consumption needs to be reworked to reduce, and ultimately, eliminate single use plastics. 24 The waste problem in Johannesburg has far reaching consequences. The obviously apparent ones like the piles of refuse and overspilling garbage bags visible in the streets, to the less obvious but equally significant ones – the polluted urban waterways and rivers, and the possible health risks for people living in filth. A multifaceted approach based on waste collection and recycling strategies, creative programs and residential densification that nurtures community cohesion and tolerance could offer an improved quality of life for people, and provide a sustainable urban environment for current and future residents. CIRCULAR ECONOMY REFLECTIONS Figure 33: Illegal dumping of building rubble in Bez Valley (Photo by author) 25 4.1 RECYCLED WASTE AS CREATIVE RESOURCE 26 4.2 EXPLORATORY MAPPING 27 4.3 DRAWINGS 28 4.4 VISUAL SURVEY 29 4.5 TOWERS OF WASTE 30 4.6 LOOKING AT TEXTURE AND PATTERN 31 4.7 MENDING, STITCHING, DARNING 32 4.8 ASSEMBLAGE 33 4.9 PHOTOGRAPHY AS RESEARCH METHOD 34 4.10 LOCK 35 4.11 WASTE COLLECTION FIELD NOTES 36 4.12 WASTE COLLECTION MAPPING 37 4.13 VIEWS 38 4.14 AERIAL VIEWS – EAST AND WEST 39 4.15 GREEN SPACE - THE TREES 40 4.16 GREEN SPACE - AERIAL VIEW 41 4.17 THE RIVER 42 chapter 4 OBSERVATIONS Figure 37: Aurora by Arthur Mamou-Mani using recycled materials (Speller, 2021) 26 RECYCLED WASTE as creative resource Figure 34: Art at the Design Museum exhibition exploring how design can tackle waste (Design Museum,2021) Figure 35: Fadama 40 by Ibrahim Mahama using old TV sets as sculptural pieces (Chan, 2021) Figure 36: Foreign Smell by Moffat Takadiwa using found perfume lids (Tyburn Gallery, 2015) EXPLORATORY MAPPING Figure 38: Interpretive map of the study site (By author) 27 Victoria Yards Drill Hall Drill Hall 28 Figure 39: Photographs and drawing of streetscape (Photo and drawings by author) “The uncertain and imprecise way of constructing a drawing is sometimes a model of how to construct meaning .. the ethical and moral questions .. in our head seem to rise to the surface as a consequence of the process” William Kentridge 29 VISUAL SURVEY Figure 40: Photos taken in the study area (Photos by author) Images and words showing the texture and richness of a faded and forgotten place Figure 41: “Tableau vivant” (2007-2008). All images © Thierry Mandon, shared with permission via This is Colossal T O W E R S Figure 42: Tower explorations using waste items foraged and found in the study area (Explorations and photos by author) ‘.. beauty appears without preparation, without warning, unpretentious, without an audience in mind and without aiming to be captured ..’ Marion Boehm 30 31 Figure 44: Colours and textures painted on recycled fabrics (Hargan, 2023) LOOKING AT TEXTURE AND PATTERN Figure 43: Drawing the grid – an extractive and interpretive process (Drawing by author) My observations in the study area have been instinctively defined by my experiences, my processes and my frames of reference. I use texture and pattern to make sense of what I see, and my photographs and drawings reflect this. When I review and analyse my photographs, the reductive process of structuring my observations into an order helps me to understand and interpret what I have seen. My response to what I have seen and recorded is both physical and emotional, representing images in either an untangled form or a more complex one. Tansy Hargan’s work resonates with me – making colourful marks, capturing what she sees around her in a spontaneous and inventive way through observation, research and experimentation. She often works with recycled textiles, unpicking used garments to source fabrics. Hargan’s process is often instantaneous, working ‘live’, sketching and colouring her surroundings in real time, Hargan’s choice of materials is an important competent in her work. She explains her selection process as follows: ‘My mixed media palette, especially in textiles, is an allusion to the materials and mechanisms of landscape: it is layered and adapted, diverse and inventive’. (Hargan, ) She works in stages – layering, adding and taking away, leaving traces and memories of previous marks in her work. I have used Hargan’s method of working with a viewfinder to frame and isolate a range of vision, and a certain aspect of the vista I am looking at. I will share the results of this method in my final presentation. Figure 45: Exploration (Drawing by author) Interconnectedness, at the intersection of people and place, stitches and layers the fragments of memory that we all have. Treasuring what exists, repairing and caring and reinventing, finding new purpose for the discarded. Objects .. and places .. should be respected for their worth and the memories that they hold, for their layers and patina and the value they add to our lives. Old things hold stories, reflecting lived experience and memory. Places should be adapted and repaired to find new uses rather than discarded as worthless. I am a maker – I need to use my hands creatively. Making encompasses the practices of mending, stitching, darning, quilting. Once dismissed as a necessary skill that less affluent people needed, this process is now embraced as part of a sustainable lifestyle. This process of mending and repurposing what already exists can become a choice, limiting waste, adding value to the discarded and contributing to a more sustainable society. Figure 46: Recording my process (Photos by author) 32 MENDING, STITCHING, DARNING Figure 47:Textile work exploring textile dumping in Africa. By Zohra Opuku – Queens and Kings (Opuku, 2017) Figure 48: Process (Photo by author) a work of art created by combining torn fragments of paper, newspaper cuttings, photographs, pieces of cloth, found and gathered objects. The symbolic meaning of these pieces is as significant as their physical properties. 33 Figure 49: Assemblage study (Image by author) ASSEMBLAGE The art of assemblage refers to a method more inclusive than the familiar term ‘collage’. This art form involves the combining and curating of found items and objects – flat, like paper, textile, newspaper and photographs, as well as three dimensional pieces like metal, wood, utensils and components. The symbolism associated with these pieces is as significant as their materiality. The marks and textures on the assembled pieces, as well as the composition and layering of individual elements inform the final piece. The inclusion of found and foraged pieces in my exploratory work adds a cultural reference to my process. Photographs and drawings are layered and superimposed with three dimensional objects as an alternative way of seeing and learning from the study area. (The Art of Assemblage, 1961) 34 Figure 50: Collage of photographs (By author) PHOTOGRAPHY as research method Photography is the only language that can be understood by everyone, anywhere in the world Paraphrased from a quote by Bruno Barbey Photography can be a method of observing from a distance, hiding behind a camera – a non- confrontational engagement with people and place. Dr Collier notes that photography can be the starting point for various observations – both of subject and context. He details his practical experiences and offers guidance for using photography to stimulate activity rather than supplementing it. His work looks at ways that the photographer can examine everyday life and use photographic imagery as a means of collecting data. In addition, photographs can be used to generate a reaction. (Collier, 1967) The challenge of reviewing, processing, analysing and deciphering photographic data is for me, an intuitive and personal one. Memories of time, light, sound and smell hover as I view the images captured, adding to the depth and context of each image. I have used my IPhone as my camera, allowing me to record place, date and time of each photograph. Static images are favoured, rather than video recordings – the textures, tones and colours of a still image allow me to review the data gathered and to reduce the photographic layers into patterns, shapes and grids. LOCK a recycling facility in the valley a place to store, sort and redistribute discarded things 35 Figure 51: Photographic visual survey at LOCK Waste Bank, Bez Valley (Photos by author) The LOCK Waste Bank in Bez Valley is a treasure trove of discarded bits – paper, plastic, books and vinyls, electronic waste and even a pair of old shoes. Taking care of the space that you live in can add to a sense of community and ownership – this is the spirit that the owners of LOCK are encouraging through their recycling program. The facility encourages artists and locals to collect and reuse the discarded items, which are neatly displayed in categories, on shelves and in containers. This initiative is raising awareness of waste and discarded items as a resource and a creative material that can be used in reinvented forms and in new creative ways. The objects that I found at the recycling station represented a way of recording life in the valley – a display of what is used and discarded at varying scales, depths and angles. My proposal will look at expanding this facility to include building materials and other waste - a resource bank that can double as a storage facility for builders, a place where residents can access affordable materials to build or add onto their homes and businesses. Workshops, exhibition space and learning areas will be included to form a complex devoted to waste as a resource. Figure 52: Discarded scraps of plastic and paper (Photos by author) WASTE COLLECTION – Field Notes Specimen no: 1 Collection date: 29.04.2023 City and suburb: Bez Valley, Johannesburg Locality description: Pavement on 3rd Avenue, between 3rd and 4th Street Lat/Lon coordinates: Description: Lays Chip Packet, red, Thai Sweet Chilli flavour, torn, covered with sand from the pavement Specimen no: 2 Collection date: 29.04.2023 City and suburb: Bez Valley, Johannesburg Locality description: Pavement on 3rd Avenue corner of 4th Street Lat/Lon coordinates: Description: Cardboard egg tray with crushed egg dimples, clean Might have been made from recycled material Specimen no: 3 Collection date: 29.04.2023 City and suburb: Bez Valley, Johannesburg Locality description: Recycling depot , 5th Street Lat/Lon coordinates: Description: Glass jar with an orange residue at the base, a worn label, grooves for a screw on top, no top found, sand particles and other dirt on the bottle Specimen no: 2 Collection date: 29.04.2023 City and suburb: Bez Valley, Johannesburg Locality description: Pavement on 5th Street Lat/Lon coordinates: Description: Gift wrapping paper, worn in parts but still showing faded colour and floral design, dirty and sandy Specimen no: 5 Collection date: 29.04.2023 City and suburb: Bez Valley, Johannesburg Locality description: Recycling depot , 5th Street Lat/Lon coordinates: Description: Bundle of thin wire Specimen no: 6 Collection date: 29.04.2023 City and suburb: Bez Valley, Johannesburg Locality description: Recycling depot , 5th Street Lat/Lon coordinates: Description: A box of old slides, dated 1976, family holiday images Specimen no: 7 Collection date: 29.04.2023 City and suburb: Bez Valley, Johannesburg Locality description: Pavement on 3rd Avenue, between 3rd and 4th Street Lat/Lon coordinates: Description: Plastic and paper scraps, worn and dirty Specimen no: 8 Collection date: 29.04.2023 City and suburb: Bez Valley, Johannesburg Locality description: Pavement on 4th Street Lat/Lon coordinates: Description: A range of rusted metal tin can tops, various coins and other rusty metal washers and pieces 36Figure 53: Photographs of foraged discarded objects by author WASTE COLLECTION – Locality of found specimens 37Figure 54: Interpretive map (By author) 38 Figure 56: Views of the valley from Observatory Ridge, the city skyline from Langermanskop, Victoria Yards with Ponte in the background (Photos by author) Figure 55: Yeoville Water Tower (Heritage Portal) V I E W S The city skyline dominates the western horizon when travelling from the east towards the valley. The multistorey buildings and towers of varying heights and shapes pop up and disappear along the route, sometimes hidden and then suddenly exposed again. The same structures can be seen from the base of the valley when looking up and around – the iconic Johannesburg skyline, Ponte and the Telkom Tower always dominant. The telecommunication masts and the Yeoville water towers on the Observatory Ridge to the north are faded reminders of the past. Kensington Ridge and Langermanskop can be viewed to the south. V I E W S Figure 57: Looking west up the valley towards the city (Moon Valley Studios, 2019) Figure 58: Looking east down the valley towards the Bruma and the eastern suburbs (Moon Valley Studios, 2019) 39 GREEN SPACE - the trees Victoria Yards Drill Hall 40Figure 59: Looking up at the sky through the blue gum leaves (Photo by author) Johannesburg’s leafy green tree-lined streets could soon be a thing of the past. Most of the trees planted in public spaces are exotic – jacarandas, English plains and oaks, and thirsty Eucalyptus or Blue gums. Now classified as alien invasives, these trees are being invaded and slowly killed by the Polyphagous Shot Hole Borer beetle. Hannelie Coetzee is a visual artist with a passion for the environment. She is a founder of the Water for the Future NGO and was awarded the Social Impact Prize in 2022 for her work on the PSHB beetle tunnels and explorations into the state of health of Johannesburg’s trees. Coetzee has recently published a list of suitable indigenous trees to plant as replacements for the exotics which are dying out – these indigenous trees will be more suitable to Johannesburg’s environment and will be resistant to the PSHB beetle. (Coetzee, 2022) Figure 61: Blue gum Trees in the valley (Photos by author) Figure 60: PSHB tunnel porcelain moulds (Coetzee, 2022) Green Space – a string of green nodes along the Jukskei River valley 41 Figure 62: Aerial view of the greater Bez Valley, recoloured by author (Google Earth ) Figure 63: Prior to the discovery of gold and the establishment of the city of Johannesburg, the valley would have been grassland (Random Harvest Nursery ) Figure 64: Indigenous trees resistant to PSHB beetle (Coetzee, 2023) LOOKING AT THE RIVER Victoria Yards 42 Figure 67: The river flowing through the valley, choked with litter and plastic, the stench of industrial waste and sewerage always present (Photos by author ) Figure 66: Sketch of green open space in the valley (Drawing by author ) Figure 65: The Jukskei River as it journeys through the valley constricted within stone walls and channels until it is released and flows freely from Bruma to the Indian Ocean (Photos by author ) 43 5.1 CREATIVE SPACE 44 Victoria Yards, Johannesburg The Drill Hall, Johannesburg 5.2 PUBLIC SPACE 46 Tapas Rouge, Haiti Blucher Square, Russia 5.3 WASTE SPACE 48 Kamikatsu Zero Waste Centre, Japan Rewoven, Cape Town 5.4 LIVING SPACE 50 Cissie Gool House, Cape Town Jewel City, Johannesburg chapter 5 PRECEDENT Creative Space - Victoria Yards Victoria Yards is a privately developed creative complex in Lorentzville, Johannesburg. Their website describes the complex as ‘a fresh take on inner city development’. Originally a series of industrial buildings that housed a steam laundry on the banks of the Jukskei River, now home to a range of artists studios, food and retail offerings, and various outreach programs. The buildings and spaces have been retained and reimagined as a mixed-use precinct clustered around open areas, gardens and water features. Property developer, Brian Green, saw the dilapidated group of buildings as an opportunity to encourage inclusive community growth and knowledge sharing, and along with the studios and creative spaces, the complex is home to NGOs and outreach programs. Skills development programs and urban farming are ways in which the complex connects to the residents of the valley. Makers Valley, Timbuktu in the Valley, Safe Study and The People’s Pantry are all based at Victoria Yards – these NGOs and outreach programs will be examined in more detail in Chapter 7. Pop up events are held regularly, along with guided walking tours of the complex and the Jukskei River rehabilitation program. The First Sunday market attracts visitors to the area and has assisted in bringing visibility to a marginalized, inner city space. Recycling practice is an actively promoted, core process in the complex – all waste, including food waste from the various outlets, is donated to recycling programs. While the complex is well-used and popular, it is mainly frequented by visitors coming into the city to explore and shop in a secure, contained environment, isolated from it’s surroundings. Artists and NGOs based at Victoria Yards are actively involved in upliftment work in the area, however the complex is still perceived as exclusionary in a neighbourhood characterised by poverty and decay. I think that Victoria Yards can serve a dual purpose – as a arts and culture complex attracting a range of Johannesburg residents and visitors, and still provide opportunities for local residents, recyclers and small businesses. “Victoria Yards has planted hope, it is easy to see why people come to it and we [are] all blown away by what has been achieved there. But visitors mostly only engage within Victoria Yards, not with the people of the valley, so they don’t often see the complexity of problems or the potential in the wider community,” New Frame 44 Figure 68: Victoria Yards before refurbishment (Victoria Yards) Figure 69: Image of Victoria Yards, adapted by author (Daffonchio Architects ) Figure 70: Victoria Yards (Photo by author) Figure 71: Victoria Yards (Photo by author) Creative Space – The Drill Hall 45 The Drill Hall, a heritage site in the city centre, was built in 1904. Used primarily as a military deployment centre by the British during both world wars, and later by the apartheid government, troops were despatched from there to the South African borders. The military vacated the precinct in the 1990s, and the structures gradually fell into disrepair. The precinct is most famous as the location of opening session of the Treason Trial of 1956-1961 was held at the hall, with 156 prisoners accused of anti-apartheid activity being held there. The trial eventually moved to Pretoria and all accused were acquitted, although Nelson Mandela and several others were later convicted at the Rivonia Trial in 1964. Over the years, the site has been neglected, restored and neglected again, and intermittently inhabited by a diverse range of people – artists, homeless migrants, sex workers and addicts. Despite the neglect and decay, people desperate for shelter find spaces to sleep, camping out on the floor and occupying the library, gallery and stairways. The Drill Hall is close to the Noord Street taxi rank and taxis often use the open areas as off-street parking, adding another layer to the complexity of the The Johannesburg Development Agency reconstructed the site in 2004, declaring it a Heritage site. However administrative obstacles, lack of funding and neglect have resulted in the Drill Hall area “What we brainstormed with the city was that we needed to take it from an insular military stronghold to an open, public, social-cultural place within the city,” said Michael Hart, the architect who was instrumental in renovating the complex. "The principle was that it needed to be a public space.” The open square, designed as a memorial to the people accused in the Treason Trial, is now used by young people as a skateboard park, an after-school activity for the inner city children to do in a safe space. The artists group Exotically Divine have inhabited some of the buildings, transforming the spaces into a treasure-trove of creativity using items found on the streets of the city, and an abundance of thriving plants and vines. A bold and admirable approach to finding a space to live and create in the city. A site of historical violence and oppression has now been transformed into an evolving symbol of hope. ‘It is rare for a piece of apartheid heritage to have been appropriated by a new generation of South Africans who have implemented programming that benefits the surrounding community directly.’ (Daily Maverick, 2022) Figure 72: Treason Trial 1956 (Drum photographer BAHA,1956 ) Figure 75: Drill Hall (Daily Maverick, 2021) Figure 74: Art at the Drill Hall (Two Summers, 2023) Figure 73: Art at the Drill Hall (Two Summers, 2023) Tapas Rouge in Carrefour-Feuilles, Haiti is a multidimensional public space funded and built by the American Red Cross and Global Communities. Created as a response to the lack of public facilities in the area, this space forms part of an informal neighbourhood that was initially a tented camp for residents displaced by the catastrophic 2010 earthquake in Haiti. The area sits on the slopes of a ravine and has limited infrastructure services – no piped water, sanitation or electricity. The camp has slowly evolved into a more established settlement with residents building permanent structures within a network of windy, narrow lanes. The area is dense and compact, with no public open space. People socialise and connect in the alleys and corridors between houses, and children have limited access to play areas. Tapas Rouge was designed as a community-oriented public space to allow for gathering, pausing and playing. An inclusive and participatory approach was key to the process with the aim of empowering the local community and to give residents “a sense of ownership, identity and pride.” An open-air amphitheatre is at the core of the design – a gathering place for the community. Trees were planted to create shaded seating areas. The concentric radiating rings demarcate and define various zones within the space – outdoor exercise equipment is placed in one, and terraced planted gardens grow in others. Water storage tanks supplying a water distribution station are hidden behind a grove of palm trees. These tanks are fed from a underground well. Water is sold and the revenue generated will be used to maintain the public area. A brightly coloured mural has been painted on one of the walls running along the perimeter of the site, reinforcing the value of public art in the community. Haiti has a valuable painting tradition, and children, their parents and artists brought this mural to life as an affirmation of that practice. Figure 76: Tapis Rouge, Port-au-Prince, Haiti (Eva Studio, 2016) Public Space – Tapas Rouge 46 Figure 77: Tapis Rouge, Port-au-Prince, Haiti (Eva Studio, 2016) Figure 78: Tapis Rouge, Port-au-Prince, Haiti (Eva Studio, 2016) Public Space – Blucher Square Curtin University Indigenous Learning Circle, Perth, Australia Blucher Square is a public square developed in an existing park in Khabarovsk, Russia. The square is centrally located, close to other public facilities and attractions, and forms part of a pedestrian route through the city. A river runs through the park but is concealed underground – the designers have celebrated this path through the inclusion of a green belt, celebrating the rivers journey. After analysing the surroundings and researching how people were using the existing space, the designers divided the park into three zones – an outdoor entertainment and events area, a children and teens playground, and a quieter, relaxation zone. Green sectors with planting and trees separate the park from the surrounding busy, noisy street activity. A pedestrian walkway runs along the length of the park, serving as a connector to other parts of the city. Quieter green zones act as buffers between the busier parts of the park and the surrounding residential buildings, allowing residents to enjoy the open space without noise and continual activity. A brick wall is used as a connector in the park and references the brick heritage buildings in the city – the wall undulates through the park creating higher and lower mounds and depressions. The designers have used this to demarcate functional play zones for various age groups. A water feature runs along the length of the play area, with misting and fountain features. This stream references the Amur River that flows through the city. A café and ablution facilities separate the events and play areas, allowing child minders to sit and relax while watching children explore and play. 47 Figure 87: Figure 79: Aerial view of Blucher Square (Landezine AFA, 2023) Figure 8!: Relaxation and play areas (Landezine AFA, 2023) Figure 80: Blucher Square follows the path of an underground river (Landezine AFA,2023) Waste Space – Kamikatsu Zero Waste The Kamikatsu Zero Waste Centre in Japan is a recycling hub constructed from recycled materials. The 700 windows that make up the façade of the building were donated by the community, and all building materials were sourced locally – saving transport costs, packaging and fuel. The town of Kamikatsu aims to become a zero waste community, and currently recycles 80% of the waste it produces. Rubbish is sorted into 45 different categories and then recycled in various ways. The community tackle waste issues at source, aiming to minimise the production of waste material, and then to recycle and reuse the essential waste generated, viewing waste as an income generating resource. The centre is multi-faceted – a drive through option simplifies drop-off or collection, a public hall operates as an educational facility to increase awareness about recycling practices, and a retail space sells repurposed items made from waste. A series of waste sorting and storing rooms are strung together along the length of the structure, with the internal space used by residents and waste collectors, and the external zone used by visitors. A holistic approach to the waste problem has been adopted - the entire community is involved from factories and production facilities to schools and individual households, all committed to the creation of a sustainable environment. The complex includes a small hotel allowing for visitors to stay over and to learn about recycling practices – the site was once a waste dump and landfill zone, and now attracts tourists wanting to experience the unique centre and celebrating its natural surroundings. Shards of broken glass and ceramics were broken into small pieces and used to create the flooring. Old furniture was collected in the town and used to build a bookshelf, now stocked with books on the environment and sustainability. A glass bottle chandelier is the focal point in the reuse retail space. Every detail of the building incorporates either a recycled item, or a natural one – from the river pebble door handle to the beer crate bar counter. Community involvement at all stages of the design and building process has created a sense of pride in the centre, residents are connected through a common goal and the benefits to the town are felt by everyone. ‘We wanted the town’s residents to realise that recycling waste is a creative act .. ‘ 48 Figure 82: Aerial view of the Waste Centre (Dezeen, 2021) Figure 83: Drive through drop off zone (Dezeen, 2021) Figure 84; Retail Space (Dezeen, 2021) Figure 85: Retail Space (Dezeen, 2021) Waste Space – Rewoven 49 Rewoven was formed as a response to the ever-increasing quantity of textile waste that ends up in landfills, particularly in Africa. Textile waste is dumped in African countries, with the premise that it will be utilised as second-hand clothing, however more than half of what is received is unusable and exacerbates the compounding waste challenges in the global south. "Textile waste accounts for approximately 6,5% of total waste in landfills in South Africa. This amounts to approximately 6 million tons of textile waste in landfill" - Department of Environmental Affairs (Rewoven website) Only about 1% of textile waste worldwide is recycled – the balance lies in landfill sites, decomposing and releasing methane gas into the atmosphere, contributing significantly to the climate crisis. Discarded used clothing is not the only textile waste problem. Leftover fabric from clothing manufacturing processes is also discarded and this is the waste that Rewoven is targeting. Rewoven collect waste fabric, sort it, compact it and then on sell it for use in down cycled processes like carpet underfelt, insulation and disaster response blankets. Their eventual aim is to expand their reach to include upcycling which would prevent further waste textiles from being discarded in waste dumps. Figure 86: Images of the recycling process (Rewoven) Figure 87: Diagram of the waste recycling process (Rewoven) Figure 88: Fabric image (@rewoven) The city is a challenging place to live in for working class and low income families. The lack of centrally located social housing and affordable rental units make finding shelter, the most basic of human rights, nearly impossible. Cissie Gool House, formerly the Woodstock Hospital in Cape Town, is a residential space occupied by people lobbying for low-cost housing in the city. Many of the residents were evicted or forced from their homes in Woodstock and the surrounds as rentals increased dramatically. The area has become increasingly sought after by private developers due to its close proximity to the city. Gentrification has forced the desperate original residents to occupy this abandoned building, described by one of the residents as being a filthy, rat- infested place when they first moved in. Slowly the residents have cleaned and restored the building, with limited resources. Currently about 1,200 people occupy Cissie Gool House, 338 families living in former wards and offices. Communal facilities have been established – a library, a movie theatre, shops and a working kitchen that harvests fresh produce from a vegetable garden. Contrary to the notion that city officials and planners should administer and control housing and land, activists believe that communities have the ability to self-govern, through co- operative systems run by elected representatives. A leadership structure is in place at Cissie Gool House – meetings are held and conflicts are resolved through negotiation. School pupils are supported and supplies and stationery are collected for children. The community repair and maintain the building. Walls have been painted and murals now liven up previously dark and neglected places. Rather than seeing the occupation of abandoned buildings as unlawful, the city authorities should seize the opportunity to collaborate and engage with residents to find long-term solutions. Cissie Gool House could be used as an example of responsive community action to resolve the serious housing crisis our cities are facing, and should encourage councils and stakeholders to engage in private/public/community collaborations to tackle the crisis. Living Space – Cissie Gool House 50 Figure 89: Cissie Gool House in Cape Town (New Frame) Figure 90: Scholar's bedroom (New Frame) Figure 91: Cisse Gool House (Trenchard, 2022) Figure 92: Repainted interiors (Trenchard, 2022) Figure 93: Repainted interiors (Trenchard, 2022) Jewel City is a relatively new mixed-use development in the Johannesburg CBD, launched in 2020.This commercial, retail and residential neighbourhood is an extension of the existing Maboneng Precinct creating an sizable inner city renewal zone. The precinct covers six city blocks with Fox Street as a pedestrianised central spine. The Absa Precinct borders the development on the western side and has also been recently renovated to include office and apartment space. Divercity Property Fund, an urban property fund, has developed both the Absa Towers and the Jewel City complex. The developers vision was to create a energised, safe and green space for the public to enjoy – 1125 apartments of varying sizes are available, as well as a range of commercial and retail spaces. An education centre and medical facilities make this development one of the only ‘live,work,play’ spaces in the city. Existing buildings and open space were regenerated and integrated into the overall scheme. The inclusion of practical elements like Shoprite Checkers and Clicks outlets as well banks, a school, play areas and sports facilities gives this precinct a more practical inner city lifestyle character lacking in the Maboneng area. Young professionals working in the city are the main target market for the residential component of the development ,offering the opportunity to live closer to places of work, and eliminating the need for lengthy and costly commutes. Both rental and purchasing options are available. The inclusion of public art in the precinct creates a visual connection to Maboneng and has given young street artists the change to create colourful, large scale urban murals. The additional of these artworks adds vibrancy and depth to the public spaces, while acknowledging the diverse heritage of inner city residents. With the emphasis on regeneration and mixed-use inner city living, Jewel City provides an alternative to suburban living for low to middle-income city dwellers. Figure 96: Mural by DBongz at Jewel City ( In Your Pocket, 2023) 51 Living Space – Jewel City Figure 94: Courtyard at Jewel City (Jewel City, 2023) Figure 95: View of the complex (Jewel City, 2023) 52 6.1 CITY OF JOHANNESBURG 53 Sustainable Development Goals The Inner City Eastern Gateway 6.2 URBAN FARMING 57 City Parks Proposal - Igadi Solwazi Urban Marketing Centre 6.3 REGENERATION PROPOSALS 59 Jukskei River Revival Collective Makers Valley Proposal chapter 6 EXISTING PROPOSALS City of Johannesburg – SDF 2040 SDF for Johannesburg 2040 notes that the city of Johannesburg is distinguished by spatial inequality – rather than having work/home connections that are easily and reasonably accessible, many people need to travel long distances from peripheral areas in search of economic opportunity. A legacy of apartheid planning that has been reinforced by private developers creating security estates and shopping malls on open land on the edges of the city. This urban sprawl impacts the natural environment through continuous creep into green belts and environmentally sensitive zones. The work/home disconnect is enforced, by this sprawl as is low urban density and lack of land use diversity. SDF 2040 is a metropolitan scale policy document that aims to identify the obstacles and opportunities in the city, outlines a vision for the future, and documents strategies to achieve this vision. The vision sets out a path towards a more spatially just city based on ‘a compact polycentric growth model.’ ( SDF 2040) This model proposes a dense, compact urban centre with transformation zones and movement-orientated development nodes. The city is currently divisive with high density residential zones on the periphery, separated from economic activity and transport hubs. The environmental and socio-economic implications of this model are costly and far reaching. The ultimate goal is for a compact, inclusive, resilient, generative and connected city. SDF 2040 emphasizes the natural environment, and the protection thereof, as a key element in plans for the future city. In addition to this, the importance of densifying and connecting inner city areas is noted. My study area is included in the transformation zone of the city. The need for public space is noted as a key element for transformation, as is improved social services and infrastructure. 53 Figure 98: Traditional Polycentric City diagram (City of Johannesburg) Figure 99: Inverted Polycentricity Diagram (City of Johannesburg) Traditional Model Polycentric City Johannesburg Inverted Polycentricity Vision for Johannesburg Figure 97: Vision Diagram (City of Johannesburg) 54 Figure 100: Inner City Transformation Zone including Bertrams (City of Johannesburg) Figure 101: Proposed Restructuring Zones for Social Housing (SDF 2040) City of Johannesburg – SDF 2040 The ‘compact polycentric Johannesburg’ that the SDF advocates is dependent on the strength of its metropolitan zone or CBD. The urban principals and qualities as set out in the framework are crucial to the success of this approach – to build an inclusive, resilient and dense inner city with strong transport connectors and economic opportunity. This vision emphasized in the Inner-City Roadmap as ‘A well-governed, transformed, safe, clean and sustainable Inner City of Johannesburg, which offers high quality, sustainable services; supports vibrant economic activity; and provides a welcoming place for all residents, commuters, workers, traders, investors and tourists’. (Draft Spatial Development Framework 2040 (2021/22 update, pg 94) The SDF notes that even though the inner city has significant problems and challenges like collapsing infrastructure, ‘ dark’ buildings and poor quality life for residents and commuters, it still has the potential to regenerate into a more resilient urban centre with improved opportunities. The inner city is centrally located with good public transport connectivity with ease of access, particularly around the Park Station precinct. Industrial zones are close to the city centre and can be accessed using public transport. The existing high densities and regular street grid offer the opportunity to create vibrant, walkable urban communities. Census 2011 shows that the inner city has approximately 260,000 residents with another 1 million people commuting through the city every day. These figures will be updated when the Census 2022 results are released in October this year, and are expected to have greatly increased. Bertrams and parts of the valley have been classified as part of the city’s Transformation Zone and shows all the key spatial characteristics set out in the SDF as being integral on the path to a more compact city. These are detailed as follows: Denser mixed-use business and residential areas Development around public transport hubs – like BRT routes and stations Focus on socio-economic development nodes – both current and projected, as well as an increased focus on areas within the Transformation Zone. Growth around existing facilities like clinics and healthcare, places of education and public space like parks. The greater Bez Valley offers all of the above, and in addition has been the focus of community based and privately funded regeneration projects like the Victoria Yards complex. The Bertrams Community Centre, currently under construction, will also add to the urban potential of the valley. JOHANNESBURG INNER CITY URBAN DESIGN IMPLEMENTATION PLAN (ICUDIP) 2009 55 Figure 102: Proposal for Ellis Park Sports Node (City of Johannesburg) In 2009 a framework for Johannesburg’s CBD was published – the Inner City Urban Design Implementation Plan (ICUCIP). This framework sets out a series of guidelines for upgrade and refurbishment projects in the city focusing on both infrastructure and housing. A focus of public open space and creating walkable movement routes is key to the vision set out in the plan. Ellis Park and Doornfontein, suburbs adjacent to my study area, have been highlighted as places of opportunity. An article published recently in the Daily Maverick explains that while the city has a plan for inner-city housing (the ICUDIP) very little has been done to implement these strategies. The lack of housing options for the very poorest in our society has been recently highlighted by the tragic loss of life in the Marshalltown fire. The complex challenge of housing, safety standards and exploitation by criminals needs an urgent and sensitive response from the city. Private/public partnerships are proposed to address this housing crisis – the ICUDIP offers comprehensive guidelines and strategies for emergency housing, subsidized social housing options, safety, infrastructure and the challenge of hijacked buildings. To summarize - ‘the ICHIP requires the City to commit to its role as an agent as well as an enabler of development, as a provider of services, as a subsidy agent and as a provider of social and welfare support. But it recognises the need to act in concert with many partners, including inner-city residents.’ DM Figure 103: An inner city residential building (Edwards, 2023) INNER CITY EASTERN GATEWAY URBAN DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK AND IMPLEMENTATION PLAN REPORT 2016 56 Figure 104 to 107: Proposals for Ellis Park and Bertrams (City of Johannesburg) This Eastern Gateway framework, originally completed in 2016, notes the importance of the location of the eastern section of the inner city – conveniently positioned close to economic opportunities and with good transport links to the inner city and to the east. This strategic location gives the area the opportunity to provide housing accommodation close to the city, in line with the city’s SDF2040. The challenges facing the area would need to be addressed, to enable the city’s spatial vision: • Informal residential densification – an increasing number of shelters being built in backyards and abandoned buildings • Severe housing shortage for very poor people • A growing demand for social infrastructure • A need for safe, walkable movement routes • Prioritizing green open public space for residents • An active plan to tackle the infrastructure challenges – waste, crime and law enforcement, maintenance The UDF sets out three main objectives: • Densification of the areas surrounding the CBD • Corridor development along main movement paths • Development around transit nodes like BRT stations URBAN FARMING – Igadi Solwazi AEDI is a multi-disciplinary, research based design practice with a focus on environmental projects. ‘AEDI builds a sense of a complex world for people and nature by providing social and environmental context. Advancing sustainable development, we uncover patterns in our daily lives, identify markers on the landscape and anticipate changes to our environment that help us transition into a new environment.’ (AEDI website) Igadi Solwazi is an urban farming project conceptualised by AEDI in collaboration with Siyakhana Growth and Development NPO and Centre for Ecological Intelligence, University of Johannesburg. an enterprise and knowledge garden in Bezuidenhout Park. Existing green spaces in the city are key to urban resilience and the mitigation of climate change. This project focuses on urban farming for residents – this intervention will have a range of benefits for residents and urban farmers, enhancing socio-economic opportunities and improving quality of life. The existing Siyakhana Organic Food Garden, created in Bezuidenhout Park in 2005, is a working example of inner city food gardening and sustainable practice. The site in the park was transformed from a neglecting dumping ground into a food garden providing much needed fresh produce to the community. The Igadi Solwazi ‘enterprise and knowledge garden’ extends the existing food garden concept, expanding and developing into the remaining open space in Bez Park to include a knowledge-exchange and skills centre as well as tourism opportunities. 57 Figure 108: View of the Igadi Solwazi urban farming proposal (AEDI, 2021) Figure 109: Hive Hotel (AEDI, 2021) URBAN MARKETING CENTRE 58 Figure 110: View of the Urban Marketing Centre (AEDI, 2019) The Urban Marketing Centre is a conceptual project by AEDI which proposes developing the existing Moon Valley Studio complex into a multi-faceted urban farming and marketing centre. “Johannesburg Rural Urban Marketing Center (RUMC), located on the historical Bezuidenhout farm near the centre of Johannesburg. The development proposes to assists farmer and processors in managing the agri-value chain, supported by warehousing and cold storage facilities to enable market penetration that is part of an agri- supply community market.” Figure 111 and 112: Renderings of the Urban Marketing Centre proposal (AEDI, 2019) 59 Figure 114: Makers Valley have been instrumental in spearheading many of the regeneration programs in the valley (Makers Valley) JUKSKEI RIVER REVIVAL COLLECTIVE Figure 113: A strategy for the revival of the Jukskei River was proposed a few years ago, prior to the formation of Water for the Future, the NGO currently working extensively on the regeneration of the river (Makers Valley) Figure 115: The proposal envisions the Jukskei River becoming an integral part of the valley, offering quality public space to residents (Makers Valley) Figure 116: The initial proposal could gradually grow and impact the greater valley positively (Makers Valley) 60 Figure 117 to 120: Photos and drawings illustrating the Makers Valley proposal (Urbanworks, 2018) MAKERS VALLEY PROPOSAL A proposal by Urbanworks in 2018, for the Johannesburg Development Agency and the City of Johannesburg, is entitled Makers Valley - Our City Our Block, Neighbourhood Strategies and Initiatives. This proposal reinforces many of the strategies and focus areas that I explore in my research and urban design proposal. This research work looks at the Makers Valley, which includes the areas of Bertrams, Lorentzville, Ellis Park and Troyeville, the initiatives currently active in the valley and how best to support and develop these entities. Urbanworks undertook a status quo study to establish an overview of the study area and to define the scope of works. Various stakeholder engagement meetings were held with neighbourhood groups to determine needs and refine the proposals. The status quo analysis confirmed that the neighbourhood has unique social and physical characteristics and that these need to be reframed and enhanced in the development proposals. The protection of vulnerable residents was also noted, as was the importance of creating inclusivity in the area. Existing assets and challenges were documented, including the availability of public open space and council owned land. The data and patterns revealed through this research inform the resultant development proposal. 61 7.1 REGIONAL CONTEXT Metropolitan Context 62 Locality and City Region Context 63 Study Area Location 64 7.2 STUDY AREA Study Area 65 Natural Environment: Topography 66 Green Spaces 67 Jukskei River 68 Built Environment: Land Use and Zoning 69 State of Infrastructure 70 Commercial Activity 71 Typologies – Residential 72 Backyard Dwellings 75 Industrial 76 Heritage Study and Aerial Views 77 Movement – Public Transport 79 Community Environment: Social Housing 80 NGOs and Outreach Programs 81 Sporting Facilities 83 chapter 7 STATUS QUO The study area, the valley between Observatory and Kensington Ridges, is included in Region F of the City of Johannesburg, and forms part of the Inner City Eastern Gateway UDF 2016. The area is strategically positioned between the CBD, Germiston and OR Tambo International Airport. The M1, N3 and M2 highways can be easily accessed. Bertrams, Lorentzville, Judith’s Paarl and Bez Valley are some of the older suburbs in Johannesburg, and are well placed to be ‘zones of transition’ between the city and suburban areas. REGIONAL CONTEXT - Metropolitan The Eastern Gateway is well linked to the regional transport system, via Johannesburg’s highway and road network, connecting in all directions. This connectivity attracts people wanting to live close to the CBD or wanting to travel to the East Rand industrial zones. OR Tambo International Airport is a twenty minute drive away, and various modes of transport are on offer – the Rea Vaya BRT service, bus and taxi routes linking to the city centre and to Ekurhuleni to the east. 62 Figure 121: Map of the greater Johannesburg Metropolitan region adapted by author (City of Johannesburg) Figure 122: Regional context map adapted by author (City of Johannesburg) Greater Johannesburg showing the study area Locality and City Region Context Gauteng showing the study area 63 Figure 123: Regions of Johannesburg adapted by author (City of Johannesburg) Figure 124: View of Greater Johannesburg adapted by author to show study area (Google Earth) Inner City Ellis Park M1 M2 N3 Yeoville Kensington Hillbrow Observatory REGIONAL CONTEXT - Study Area Location Unscaled 64 Figure 125: Regional map of Johannesburg showing the highlighted study area (Map by author) The study area forms part of the eastern inner city region of Johannesburg – Region F and has been zoned for transformation Major regional motorways are the N3 highway to the east, the M2 to the south and the M1 to the west. The area is characterised by narrow city blocks running along the length of the valley, with a link via Stewart Drive to Yeoville. Bertrams Road separates Bertrams from the Ellis Park Precinct and the University of Johannesburg’s eastern campus. Albertina Sisulu Road is a main arterial running east to west linking the city centre to Ekurhuleni. STUDY AREA Key challenges facing the study area (as per ICEG UDF): • Residential densification is occurring horizontally and informally • Severe housing shortage – particularly for low income groups • Lack of social infrastructure • Car dominated streetscape – limited walkability • Insufficient usable green space • Urban management failures – crime, litter, lack of maintenance and by-law enforcement Figure 127: Sketch Map showing the Eastern Sector (Source: Eastern Sector Development Strategy Book 3) Observatory Ridge Langerman’s Kop Ellis Park Bertrams Lorentzville Judith’s Paarl Bez Valley Yeoville Kensington Troyeville C I T Y C E N T R E E K U R H U L E N I 65 Figure 126: Study Area Map showing the suburbs in the valley (Map by author) NATURAL ENVIRONMENT – Topography Unscaled The study area is framed by two ridge systems running east/west – the Yeoville/Observatory Ridge along the northern boundary and the Troyeville/Kensington Ridge (including Langermanskop) along the southern edge. The high point along the Observatory Ridge is 1808m above MSL and 1789m above MSL at Langermanskop. The valley between the two ridge systems is approximately 100 metres below. The source of the Jukskei River runs eastward along the valley through Lorentzville, Judith’s Paarl and Bez Valley until it reaches the Indian Ocean in Mozambique. Bertrams Lorentzville Judith’s Paarl Bez Valley Observatory Ridge Langerman’s Kop 66 Ellis Park Figure 128: Topographical map of the study area (Map by author) Figure 129: Looking up at Observatory Ridge to the north and Kensington Ridge to the south (Photos by author) Yeoville Kensington Troyeville NATURAL ENVIRONMENT – Green Space and the Jukskei River 67 Unscaled Figure 130: Recoloured aerial photo of the valley showing green spaces and parks (Google Earth) NATURAL ENVIRONMENT – Jukskei River 68 Figure 131: Images of the Jukskei River (Photos by author) In 2020, Hannelie Coetzee joined JRA engineers in an exploratory expedition through the tunnels that channel the Jukskei River, attempting to locate the source of the river. This search was scheduled for August, towards the end of winter and before the summer rains came – Highveld thunderstorms in the summer cause sudden and forceful flows through the tunnels, carrying away everything in the waters path. All other rivers and streams in Johannesburg dry up in the winter months – only the Jukskei is perennial, the source of its continuous flow constricted and buried somewhere under Ellis Park. The heating effects of climate change make access to water and water sources, especially in our cities, a necessity and the work that Hannelie’s NGO Water for the Future has initiated is crucial to the future of our city. The underground expedition walked through sewerage and rats to find the eye of the river which they located after a few hours of searching. Clear flowing water was running from the piped-up eye, into the tunnel. Samples of the water were taken for testing and the results indicated that the water was clean. (Hannelie Coetzee) BUILT ENVIRONMENT – Land Use and Zoning 69 Figure 132: Land Use and Zoning map (City of Johannesburg) STATE OF INFRASTRUCTURE 70 Waste is piled up everywhere, spilling over from the pavements onto the streets – the most noticeable element in the neighbourhood, defining it as discarded and neglected. Waste collection is sporadic and unreliable. I have seen a Pikitup truck driving through the streets on a Wednesday morning, collecting only the rubbish that is bagged, and then for weeks no waste is collected. Residents are forced to leave their rubbish on the pavements – sometimes bagged and other times just piled up, waiting to be blown and washed down the valley into the river. Waste recyclers work through the streets, collecting and sorting as they move, providing a vital service to the community. Illegal electrical connections can be seen running from electrical poles and supply boxes into homes and businesses. Pavements are crumbling and collapsing, forced pedestrians to walk in the street. Road surfaces are pot holed and patched – during one of my earlier visits to the study area, I saw a small car disappear into a rain filled pot hole so large that the driver couldn’t manoeuvre it out. Stormwater drains and channels line some of the streets close to the base of the valley, however these are so overgrown with invasive plants and litter that they can’t function effectively. Figure 134: Visual survey of the study area showing the state of infrastructure – decaying and unmaintained (Photos by author and Edwards, 2023) Figure 133: Existing stormwater runoff channels blocked by litter and alien vegetation (Photos by author) BUILT ENVIRONMENT Commercial Activity 71 Figure 135: View of Derby Street (Zack, 1996) A summary of commercial activity in the study area, as observed during multiple visits since the beginning of 2023: Light industry, mechanics, tyre shops and supermarkets along Derby Street and along Bertrams Road. Activities are mixed – a mechanic works adjacent to a supermarket which is next to a cell phone store and so on. Rocha’s Hardware has been operational in Bertrams for many years and occupies several stands in the area. Spaza shops are prolific and are distributed throughout the valley, usually as small securely barricaded rooms added onto houses. Street vendors selling clothing, fruit and vegetables and air time line the busier streets, occupying the pavements, often forcing pedestrians to move through the streets to avoid their stands. An informal market on the corner of Derby and Viljoen Roads has been built on a vacant stand. The market has recently been upgraded with new metal sheeting and a bright blue coat of paint. A number of childcare centres operate in the valley, mainly from converted houses, offering an important support service to working mothers. Doctor’s rooms in the study area can be located via visible on street signage. A clinic is operated at Victoria Yards by University of Johannesburg students. Victoria Yards offers a range of shopping options for visitors and tourists – shops, food outlets, artists studios and a monthly market. Industrial premises to the south of the river, particularly in Bertrams, Lorentzville and Judith’s Paarl. Churches of all denominations and sizes are active in the valley, particularly over the weekend. Figure 136: Images showing commercial activity in the valley (Photos by author, Edwards, 2023 and Two Summers, 2023) BUILT ENVIRONMENT – Housing Typologies Row houses with small inner courtyard spaces, parking on the street. Detached house positioned centrally on the stand. Outbuildings at the back of the stand, parking can be accommodated on site. Lower density per stand but the addition of ‘backyard units’ in open areas increases density. Semi-detached single and double story units positioned centrally on the stand. Outbuildings at the back of the stand, parking on the street. Smaller units so more units per stand. 72Figure 137: Sketch plans and elevations showing various housing typologies in Bertrams (Zack, 1996) The Eastern area of Johannesburg is characterised by a range of housing types – large detached houses placed centrally on a single stand, more compact detached houses on smaller stands, semi-detached houses, row houses, blocks of flats and boarding houses. This diversity and range of housing types contributes to the densities needed for sustainable cities, and are worth examining as typologies for future urban proposals. BUILT ENVIRONMENT – Multi Unit Typologies 73Figure 138: Sketch plans and elevations showing various housing typologies in Bertrams (Zack, 1996) Blocks of flats can be found scattered throughout the valley although they are mainly concentrated on the northern slope close to the Observatory Ridge. Blocks with off-street parking set close to the street offer the opportunity for secure open space at the back of the stand. Perimeter blocks make efficient use of the stand with street facing units offering additional neighbourhood surveillance thus increasing safety and security for people in the street. Semi-private enclosed space at the back allows residents the use of secure outdoor space. Boarding houses were built to allow for single occupancy rooms with communal facilities. This typology would be useful today as single occupancy units would allow for transitory accommodation close to the city. BUILT ENVIRONMENT – Multi Unit Typologies 74 Blocks of flats with four to six units per block – some blocks with garage space beneath. Common stairwells and passages. Limited leftover space on the stand. Higher density than single units or row/semi-detached house types. Fig