Most cities are faced with the issue of decline that often causes segregation between people and places within its walls. Often, the problem lies in the condition of these cities. Cities are no longer bustling, active places that attract people and encourage lingering within, but rather have become places that are unhealthy and feel unsafe (Ravenscroft, 2000; 2534: Oc and Tiesdell, 1997; 5). In some cases, fragmentation takes place, which encourages clustering and segregation between race groups, economic groups and even age groups. The city is no longer a place for everyone within its footprint, but rather a collection of fragments which further divide areas into mono-functional or single demographic zones. The purpose of this dissertation is to investigate the issues around the topic of decline and to gain understanding of the governing factors that contribute to the decline of cities. By understanding the causes of decline, one can further derive conclusions as to how these cities can be revitalised into places that are liveable, healthy environments that encourage activity and occupation. Further issues to be investigated are the creation of ‘Place’ within the city, as well as the methods on how existing boundaries can be bridged to create a more interconnected and integrated city. The current boundaries that exist within the city include physical boundaries (such as unoccupied and decaying buildings, vacant land, highways and roads), social boundaries (between various races, ages, backgrounds and religions) and economic boundaries. The idea of using Arts and Culture as method of revitalisation and integration will be explored for the purpose of this dissertation. / Thesis (M.Arch.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2011.

In common with other South African cities, the greater Pietermaritzburg region, which is in the Msunduzi Municipality, has faced many challenges, but has made concerted efforts to tackle the legacy of apartheid imbalances. Since 1994, the pattern of planning in Msunduzi Municipality has shifted to a more neoliberal economy. In many instances, this has focused on improving and promoting economic development in townships situated on the urban periphery. This form of development is driven by the need to integrate the overcrowded central business district (CBD) of Pietermaritzburg and the Edendale-Northdale Corridor (ENC). Edendale, Northdale and the Central Area developed individually in isolation; some segments were well-planned, while others were underdeveloped. This research study investigated the effectiveness of the ENC in fostering economic development and the extent to which the corridor helped to attract investment adjacent to this corridor to create job opportunities for the high numbers of unemployed people in the city. It is argued that the structure of the city has created a high poverty rate within the suburbs or townships and has encouraged unnecessary mobility in search of economic opportunities. The study found that areas that struggled to attract economic development in the past showed some signs of improvement, with increased investor confidence. However, investment was hampered by the perception that doing business in Msunduzi Municipality is expensive. This study employed a multi-pronged approach to generate data; this includes qualitative data in the form of interviews with municipal officials, two groups of beneficiaries comprising of businesses and local inhabitants, and other stakeholders. Local inhabitants of the three nodes along the ENC were engaged in group discussions. Field observations/ground-truth checks were also carried out to compare the data collected and to gain an understanding of development along the ENC. Finally, GIS was applied to demonstrate the trend of development that has taken place in this corridor. One of the major findings of this study was the need for an efficient transport system. Furthermore, some respondents argued that the Edendale section of this corridor will need further highway access to foster industrial development that can create a large number of jobs. The land ownership challenges confronting the Greater Edendale area were also seen as a barrier to the development of this corridor, especially with regard to economic investment. / Thesis (M.Sc.U.R.P.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2013.

South Africa boasts such intrinsic beauty in its social and physical geography and at the heart of this beauty lie its people. For each culture that has fought for their beliefs and systems, wars have been fought and lives have been lost. One thing which remains constant however is the belief that we the people can work together to live in peace and harmony and leave a better place to those who come after. Apartheid South Africa was divisive in many ways and its results have left many wounds on the country’s architectural geography. Social inequality is manifest in the tapestry of everyday life and the Peri-Urban scars of our past have become vivid thresholds of crosscultural debate. The Apartheid planning model of disconnection through race and class has seen a massive effort to refocus on Durban’s urban core, whereas the rich tapestry of the Peri-Urban townships is often neglected. In order to reconnect the outer city geographies back into the urban whole an investigation into the theory of connection between people and their physical environment needs to be undertaken. This dissertation looks at how the theory of connection might enable a unified Durban and rehabilitate the tenderness of past planning processes. Public Transport is one such mechanism which can connect communities, no matter the distance nor socio-economic status and it is within this context that the dissertation offers new insight into the critical and exciting reconnection process. / M. Arch. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2013.

No abstract available. / Thesis (M.T.R.P.)-University of Natal, Durban, 1996.

This dissertation aimed at establishing the extent to which eThekwini Municipality aligned its Inner City projects to principles for urban regeneration and spatial planning objectives as outlined in the City’s Integrated Development Plan. The study makes reference to two distinctive inner city precincts; examining what led to current state of each precinct, through political, economic, environmental and social transformation. The Central Business District is looked at as a prime example of a degenerated space within the city and the Kings Park Sporting Precinct is looked at as an example of a successful regeneration endeavour within Durban. Information was obtained through primary and secondary sources. The bulk of the information gathered was through key informant interviews, shop keeper interviews, site visits, official reports and from eThekwini Municipality Shape File Data on the Geographical Information System. Through the analysis of data collected, the study found that eThekwini Municipality’s efforts to regenerate the Durban CBD have not been successful to date. The CBD is still in a severe state of urban decay with sustainable development only occurring in areas that are controlled by the elite. The study also found that the Kings Park Sporting Precinct has undergone extensive regeneration and proves to be a great asset to Durban for present and future generations. Its success however, also carries social challenges with the common perception that the precinct is an exclusive space. Almost 20 years post democracy, the eThekwini Municipality, is still struggling to maintain the integrity of its Inner City. Parts of the Inner City have improved but there and other parts that are still subject to extreme urban decay. The study makes recommendations for the economic, environmental and social improvement of the Durban CBD and for the social enhancement of the Kings Park Sporting Precinct. / M.T.R.P. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 2013.

No abstract available. / Thesis (M.T.R.P.)-University of Natal, 2000.

No abstract available. / Thesis (M.T.R.P.)-University of Natal, Durban, 1998.

No abstract available. / Thesis (M.Sc.U.R.P.)-University of Natal, Durban, 1995.

Abstract not available. / Thesis (M.Sc.U.R.P.)-University of Natal, Durban, 2000.

In response to urban society's disenchantment with the automobile and the conflict that has resulted between vehicles and pedestrians, came the development of pedestrian oriented streets. This constitutes a clear shift in priorities to redress the imbalance in the street in favour of pedestrians with respect to motor vehicles, in a process known as pedestrianisation. Much more common, however, was to traffic calm those streets in which motor vehicle access was still needed. This study examines the application of pedestrianisation and traffic calming to the Central Business District (CBD) as a potential solution for mitigating conflict between pedestrians and vehicles. To do this the study evaluates the effectiveness of the Pietermaritzburg (PMB) pedestrianisation and traffic calming plan, by looking at how the area caters/does not cater for the needs of its users (pedestrians and motorists) and tenants. The evaluation also includes obtaining comments from the planners, tenants and prospective users in Newcastle in order to determine whether the objectives achieved in PMB could be made useful in the proposed pedestrianisation and traffic calming plan of the Newcastle CBD. Findings and conclusions from various data collection methods are presented followed by recommendations that are important for the successful implementation of any pedestrianisation and traffic calming scheme. / Thesis (M.T.R.P.)-University of Natal, 2000.