The primary intention of this study is to analyse the imposition of urban conservation-oriented controls in the city centre of Cape Town during the period 1986-2000 and to evaluate their efficacy; the secondary, but directly related endeavour, is to explore the effect of these mechanisms on development rights. In brief, the study set out to explore the themes "conservation constraints" and "development rights" and their relationship so that, ultimately, conclusions regarding the efficacy of the conservation-oriented controls can be drawn.

Includes bibliographical references. / The objective of this M.Arch dissertation is to study the Ghanzi District, Botswana. Because of the few developments and small population in the area, it might be perceived as a place with little to offer architecturally. I am interested in uncovering the contextual layers (landscape and cultures) in this area that could inform and improve the architecture there. The main objective is to investigate an accommodating architecture that allows the Basarwa (Bushmen in Botswana) to be integrated into the mainstream Batswana, but still allow for them to lead their daily traditional lives and express their id entity in ways consistent with their own values.

Includes bibliographical references. / This design dissertation follows a narrative process of research and design speculation. The report defines the subject of the project and is the first part of the dissertation. The subject started with an historical narrative that was to be extended in the contemporary landscape, it was about a wasted piece of post-industrial land that was intended to be programmatically re-imagined to redefine our relationship with infrastructure. The second part and final outcome is a building proposal. Its function has been formed through my initial agenda of redefining the public relationship with infrastructure and industry. The resultant programme is an organic waste to energy plant that shares the site in Woodstock, Cape Town with a research centre, exhibition space, office space and recreational facilities. The story of the site before its current empty life was a catalyst for the investigation. I chose this site for it concealed a hidden narrative in the city that had the potential to disappear with the demolition of the old gasworks in 1996. No above ground structures were built on the site since then because of the polluted soils of the coal gas production on the site for over 100 years. Creating a re-imagined industrial plant that celebrated the industrial history of the site and Woodstock the area became the object of my project. The management of the polluted soils, public pedestrian accessibility to the site and the undesirable ground plane of the context became the first spatial informants for the design project. My method of site research was through archival research using maps and texts from Cape historical records in the libraries, as well as meeting with an archaeologist, formed my historical analysis. My architectural project aims at replacing emptiness of a post-industrial landscape into a site that is part of the productive urban environment, reflecting ideals of participation and hybridity.

Includes bibliographical references. / The aim of the project is to use architecture as a means to negotiate mans’ relationship with the land and sea, through the re-interpretation of coastal archetypes. The polysemic significance of the archetypes is manipulated as a means to re-organize previous associations with the aim of uncovering the sacred nature of the land-sea threshold. The project locates Millers Point as the new gateway to the Cape Peninsula Marine Park. Architecture is used as the means to create a social identity and frame the problems addressed by the Marine Protected Areas legislative principles. Necessary structures are identified as a means to establish or interpret a need for ‘Marine Park Infrastructure’. The design of such infrastructure is consciously portrayed architectuxally with specific reference to existing coastal archetypes.

Includes bibliographical references. / The increasing need for effective land administration systems that help eradicate poverty, boost economic growth and lead countries to sustainable development, have led countries to engage in the reform of existing systems. In this process researchers and practitioners use appropriate methods, tools and frameworks to examine, analyse and evaluate existing systems prior to the design and implementation of new systems. The attempt to find suitable designs which are aligned with the best practices frameworks in land administration systems, has led to extensive research to develop, identify and test suitable methods and frameworks and to apply these to case studies. This research investigates and analyses the land administration system in Lesotho from a critical realist perspective.

This design research project is an investigation into the creation of dynamic spaces using form as a mode of exploration. It stems from a personal interest in theories such as hybridity and mimesis; and how these theories can be applied in architecture to create unique and dynamic spatial conditions. The title, Interspace [Inter - play - ce], is derived from the idea of the spatialization of interfaces between forms and programmes (although I have limited this investigation to different forms); that is, an interface becomes an Interspace. This research document is subdivided into five chapters: (I) an introductory chapter describing the design proposition and site selection through a programmatic narrative; (II) the theoretical framework of the project; (Ill) a critical response to the theory as it relates to the architectural design; (IV) the methodology in locating and critically analyzing the site, and its subsequent design process; and finally, (V) some concluding remarks. This document intends to be an evaluation of the theoretical position and its translation through design. It is by no means a step-by-step guide to creating dynamic spatial conditions (Interspace); but rather a critical analysis of my methodology, highlighting potential flaws and strengths.

Includes bibliographical references / Buildings provide a source of culture and cultural identity, forming part of the cultural fabric of an area with traces of the past assisting in the development of a place (Fransen, 2006). Cultural identity appears to be threatened in many mission towns in South Africa as issues of gentrification, urbanization and a loss of cultural values become apparent. As such, an architectural intervention is needed to provide a connection between people and place, in order to retain the cultural identity of a place. This dissertation explores how a spatial framework can re-establish lost space, specifically around the connection between path and place within a specific environment, namely Pniël. The investigation stems from the disconnection between people passing through Pniël and their interaction with the space. People travelling through this space never truly experience the spirit of the place while the path obstructs the people living within the place. Furthermore, the investigation aims to celebrate tradition, heritage and cultural richness within this area while understanding what is involved in generating a sustainable social and economic environment. Creating a cultural landscape supports the making of a vibrant space; where the landscape speaks of the areas typography and the people within the landscape create the social vibrancy that defines the cultural landscape (Vosloo, 2010: 41). Specific materials can be used to make people re-engage with the space. Architecture can reconcile the landscape and the place through the use of natural materials. Using clay provides a dialogue between the past and the present and can be used as a means to re-imagine space, assisting in the re-establishment of cultural vibrancy and economic development.

Includes bibliographical references / The fractured form of the post-apartheid South African city, created by city planning laws based on racial segregation, sustains inequality. Under apartheid, neighbourhoods were designed to exist in isolation. This isolation was created and reinforced by infrastructure and large areas of open space. This project recognises that residual space created by the highway could be an opportunity to stitch together the urban fabric. The project aims to address these spaces by using program to create connections. It finds its program in a sports centre on the border between Bonteheuwel and Langa. By understanding how our cities came to be fragmented globally, and its impact in South Africa, this project unpacks case studies that have created connections, extracting strategies that are useful and can be adapted in the South African context. It reviews literature that highlights new thinking about the city and the shift in the planning agenda from separation to integration. The project aims to address the separation between the two neighbourhoods of Bonteheuwel and Langa. It does this by transforming a road that divides, into a connective street; and by inhabiting the buffer zone with program in order to create an active landscape. The strategic choice of site is at an intersection of a new connection made into Langa, and presents the opportunity to address both these conditions of road and buffer zone. By creating an active street edge, the urban fabric becomes continuous between Bonteheuwel and Langa. The precinct has been designed so that the landscape offers the potential of connection by being programmed with urban agriculture, sports facilities and recreational space. These two predominant ideas prompted the conceptual understanding that the building becomes the transition between urban edge and landscape. A ramp is used as a mediating device to negotiate level changes both from inside to outside, as well as navigating the internal topography of the building. By recognising the opportunity of these residual spaces alongside the highway, these sites can be used to stitch together the isolated neighbourhoods in our city.

Includes bibliographical references / This dissertation emerged from a fascination with the current changing urban condition of downtown Johannesburg from a purely corporate work environment to a setting for living in and how the existing, decayed building stock has been reused and transformed accordingly by its 400 000 new residents. This 90% increase in population density and occupancy rates has to function in underserviced buildings and an under-resourced public environment that has to support life in a city that was not designed to be lived in 60 years ago. In this sense, the development of the city has exceeded that of the architecture, however its new residents are viewed as making the city productive again by offering resourceful ways of 'making do' in this urban environment. This dissertation attempts to understand the potential that the relationship between scales of city uses and building typology has for meeting the new demands and making the productive again. While the existing high-rise building stock offers value that removes it from being demolished and rebuilt, it also offers an existing capacity through a space economy characterised by generic, flexible floor area that can be utilised for multiple uses. It does, however, need to be increased and serviced to meet the new growing demand for space. This dissertation is therefore a speculation on a different type of architectural intervention that can transform the existing 1960's modernist office typology into a self-sufficient urban resource by tactically 'bulking up' the existing podium level to expand its carry capacity, inserting resource programmes and creating a city-wide resource network that can support its residents and contribute back to the city by regenerating it from the bottom up. Through this effort it sets up a different type of urbanism where life unfolds around these 'add-ons' to create a resourceful urbanism. This dissertation attempts to cover, as a narrative, the process of unpacking ideas that informed the existing modernist typology to redefining what it means to live in proximity to these resource 'add-ons'.

Includes bibliographical references / This dissertation is site driven, emerging from an interest in the controversy and resultant inspired community input surrounding the Princess Vlei wetland. It explores the approaches of designing for a natural open space that a community is strongly connected to by uncovering distinct meanings in the vast natural landscape of Princess Vlei and embodying them in an architectural and landscape intervention. This dissertation proposes enhancing site experience through the use of poetic landscape and built strategies, while simultaneously supporting and diversifying current activities by means of pragmatic considerations of program. An exploration into the history, legend, memory and imaginings associated with Princess Vlei illustrate that landscape is not simply made up of physical attributes, but holds intangible values. The variety of human expression and activity that take place at the vlei define it as a cultural space whereby the practices and relationship of the community with the site are what form its unique character and provide a strong basis for it to be conserved and enhanced. The increasing pressure of urbanisation and commercialism have led to contestation over the use of land on the eastern bank of the wetland. The proposal of the City to sell the land to private developers for the construction of a mall on the wetland's banks inspired counter-proposals by environmental organisations. These have in turn inspired this dissertation project which puts forward a more meaningful approach to green spaces in the city. The project is built upon community driven imaginings and embodying intangible qualities of landscape through an evocative intervention that captures memories that run the risk of being lost through inappropriate development.