Moll, Georgia Stephanie2025-06-272024Moll, Georgia Stephanie . (2024). Wasteland/ WetlandRewilding Water Systems in the Post- Mining Landscape in the Nigel Region [Masters dissertation, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg]. WIReDSpace.https://hdl.handle.net/10539/45274A research report submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the Master of Architecture, In the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, Wits of Architecture and Planning, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024The Witwatersrand region, renowned for its historical mining activities, grapples with environmental degradation, particularly in its water systems. Mining operations have left a legacy of pollution through practices such as the disposal of mine waste in tailings located on or nearby rivers and wetlands, driven by convenience and insufficient regulation1 . This creates significant threats to the natural ecology and biodiversity of the region, such as acid mine drainage, which continues to impact water quality and ecosystem health long after mining activities have ceased, leading to the destruction of aquatic ecosystems, habitats, and breeding zones. Despite these challenges, research suggests that wetlands hold the key to addressing these challenges. Wetlands can be used to naturally filter wastewater, which can contain sediments and pollutants, improving water quality. They are also crucial in nutrient cycling, processing elements like nitrogen and phosphorus which are commonly found in mine runoff2 . The potential for wetlands to act as natural decontaminators highlights their importance in ecological repair and water security for the region. In areas where natural wetlands have been significantly damaged, constructed wetlands present a viable solution. These engineered systems can be strategically placed within damaged waterscapes to treat contaminated water through natural filtration. My thesis proposes an expansion of constructed wetlands into a multifunctional building typology designed to filter water as it flows through the structure. By incorporating various filtration processes and different types of constructed wetlands within the building, this concept aims to provide a pilot design that can be scaled and adapted for implementation in other contaminated sites throughout the region. The proposed building will serve multiple roles in filtration, showcasing a scalable solution for water decontamination and ecological restoration. By establishing this model, the project seeks to improve water security, restore ecological balance, and provide a blueprint for similar initiatives in other regions affected by mining- related environmental degradation. Through this research, I will research the potential for wetlands—both natural and constructed—to serve as a foundation of environmental remediation and sustainability in the Witwatersrand regionen© 2024 University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg.UCTDWetlandConstructed WetlandHybrid LandscapesDissertationUniversity of the Witwatersrand, JohannesburgSDG-15: Life on landSDG-11: Sustainable cities and communities