Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements of the degree of Master of Technology: Fashion at the Durban University of Technology, 2014. / Over the past 20 years, it has become necessary for South African clothing companies to raise their operational standards to keep up with international competitiveness. Consequently, it was necessary for companies to invest in technology to improve turnaround time, a case in point being computer-aided design (CAD) pattern-making technology. However, currently, a skills shortage exists in the area of trained CAD pattern-makers. Therefore, the intention of this study was to address the skills shortage of CAD pattern- makers in the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) clothing industry. A concurrent-nested mixed-methods research method was carried out within a constructivist worldview. These methods were used to, firstly, establish what skills are necessary for CAD pattern-making, and, secondly, to identify the reasons for the skills shortage of CAD pattern-makers in the KZN clothing industry. Different role players from the clothing industry participated in the study. The participants indicated that CAD pattern-making requires a diverse set of skills, which they ranked in order of importance. These skills can now be used as a guide by lecturers, trainers and clothing companies to identify individuals with the required potential to be trained as CAD pattern-makers. The reasons identified by the industry participants for the skills shortage of CAD pattern-makers, needs to be addressed through education, training and remuneration. Since companies have purchased the necessary CAD software, without skilled pattern-makers, the system is underutilized, thereby affecting their profitability and costing the companies reduced profit margins.

Afrikaans text / In hierdie navorsing is misdaadvoorkoming by besigheidskomplekse ondersoek aan die hand van Oscar Newman se verdedigbare ruimte teorie. Centurionsentrum is as studiegeval verkies omdat daar groot gebiede is wat volgens 'n oop plan ontwerp is en glad nie snags toegesluit kan word nie. Centurionsentrum is belig aan die hand van die meganismes van verdedigbare ruimte en 'n misdaadvoorkomingsmodel is ook vir Centurionsentrum opgestel. Aanbevelings vir die ontwerp van sekuriteit by die beplanning van enige besigheidskompleks is ook gedoen. Daar kan egter nog baie navorsing in hierdie ontwikkelende gebied van misdaadvoorkoming gedoen word en voorstelle vir moontlike toekomstige navorsing is gemaak. Misdaadvoorkoming; verdedigbareruimte, besigheidskompleks, winkelsentrum, omgewingsontwerp. / In this section of research, crime prevention at business complexes was examined and Oscar Newman's defensible space theory was used in the analysis. Centurion Centre was chosen as a study case because it has an open plan design. This has the effect that some parts of the centre cannot be closed at night. Centurion Centre was described in terms of the defensible space mechanisms. A crime prevention model was drawn up for Centurion Centre and recommendations were made regarding the security of future designs for business complexes. This field of study and approach to crime prevention is, however, very new in South Africa and suggestions for more research have been made. Crime prevention; defensible space, business complex, shopping centre, environmental design. / Criminology and Security Science / M.A. (Kriminologie)

Submitted in fulfillment of the requirements of the Degree of Master of Technology : Information Technology,Durban University of Technology, 2012 / The introduction of the Integrated Residential Development Programme (IRDP) in 2008 created challenges for the administration of all waiting lists and housing demand databases in South Africa as the provisioning of housing by the National Housing Programme was revised to include a higher earning per household. This resulted in an increase in the number of applications in all provinces. The fact that the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Human Settlements was processing applications manually because their electronic system was obsolete, only served to exacerbate matters. To address this problem of poor service provisioning at KZN-DHS, an automated internet based system was considered a promising solution to facilitate effective communication between the department and its clients. It was therefore important to find out which business activities and functional requirements of the KZN-DHS that when automated as an internet based application would improve housing service provisioning in the province. The purpose of this study therefore was to modify and enhance the old housing demand (electronic) database system for the KZN-DHS as the old system was not meeting their requirements and was not serving the citizens of the province efficiently. The researcher used Entity Relationship (ER) Model and Unified Modelling Language (UML) as a framework to develop an internet based system to leverage the business process, minimize capturing errors and improve administration processes in the KZN-DHS. Using a JAD session, semi-structured interviews she determined the needs and requirements of the users before developing, implementing and testing the system. Implementation alerted the researcher to errors/issues which were addressed to ensure optimal functioning of the system. This study makes recommendations for maintenance of the system and discusses implications for further research.

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Management, University of Witwatersrand, in partial fulfilment of the Degree of Masters of Management (in Public and Management Development) February 2017 / Accessibility in the built environment has always created barriers for persons with disabilities. Accessibility in public buildings is a key factor for persons with disabilities in achieving livelihoods and independence. However, inaccessible public buildings limits the rights of persons with disabilities to equal participation and prevents them from being equal citizens. Persons with disabilities are often faced with barriers that limit them from actively participating in social and economic life. Many of these barriers are related to accessibility in the built environment. This research report looked into the Department of Public Works’ Accessibility Programme. The accessibility programme intends to make all state-owned buildings accessible for persons with disabilities. The participants of the study were mostly implementers of the accessibility programme and participants from organisations of persons with disabilities. Most of the participants acknowledged the work the Department of Public Works has done. However, they also noted shortcomings in implementing the accessibility programme. The lack of knowledge on disability issues and understanding on how to address accessibility in the built environment was a contributing factor to the ineffective and efficient accessibility programme. The recommendations of the study include inclusive disability programmes in the built environment in the planning, policy development, designing and completion stages. Education and advocacy are highly recommended at all stages of the implementation of the accessibility programme. / MT2017

M. Tech. Business Information Systems / Currently there is a high demand in the banking environment for real time delivery of consistent, quality data for operational information. South African banks have the fastest growing use and demand for quality data; however, the bank still experiences data management related challenges and issues. It is argued that the existing challenges may be leveraged by having a sound data architecture framework. To this point, this study sought to address the data problem by theoretically conceptualizing a data architecture framework that may subsequently be used as a guide to improve data management. The purpose of the study was to explore and describe how data management challenges could be improved through Data Architecture.

Afrikaans text / In hierdie navorsing is misdaadvoorkoming by besigheidskomplekse ondersoek aan die hand van Oscar Newman se verdedigbare ruimte teorie. Centurionsentrum is as studiegeval verkies omdat daar groot gebiede is wat volgens 'n oop plan ontwerp is en glad nie snags toegesluit kan word nie. Centurionsentrum is belig aan die hand van die meganismes van verdedigbare ruimte en 'n misdaadvoorkomingsmodel is ook vir Centurionsentrum opgestel. Aanbevelings vir die ontwerp van sekuriteit by die beplanning van enige besigheidskompleks is ook gedoen. Daar kan egter nog baie navorsing in hierdie ontwikkelende gebied van misdaadvoorkoming gedoen word en voorstelle vir moontlike toekomstige navorsing is gemaak. Misdaadvoorkoming; verdedigbareruimte, besigheidskompleks, winkelsentrum, omgewingsontwerp. / In this section of research, crime prevention at business complexes was examined and Oscar Newman's defensible space theory was used in the analysis. Centurion Centre was chosen as a study case because it has an open plan design. This has the effect that some parts of the centre cannot be closed at night. Centurion Centre was described in terms of the defensible space mechanisms. A crime prevention model was drawn up for Centurion Centre and recommendations were made regarding the security of future designs for business complexes. This field of study and approach to crime prevention is, however, very new in South Africa and suggestions for more research have been made. Crime prevention; defensible space, business complex, shopping centre, environmental design. / Criminology and Security Science / M.A. (Kriminologie)

Thesis (MTech (Design))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2011 / This study explores the possibilities of using design interventions in mitigating crime. The study employs the Design Against Crime (DAC) philosophy in dealing with crime, which provides a holistic perspective regarding crimeand related issues.High crime levels in South Africa necessitate alternative approaches to dealing with crime, as it is becoming evident that the old strategies that have been utilised are not providing the desired effects.The focus is on the emergence of crime amongst youth at risk, living in communities-in-tension and more specifically,the Bridgetown community near Cape Town. Communities which constitute the lower socio-economic income level, usually suffer the most with regards to crime. The effects of crime negatively influence the development of the community, allowing the cycle of poverty and crime to continue. If the cycle of crime can be broken in these communities, development may take place which will strengthen them in a number of ways, including their standing in society. In order to gain a better understanding of the crime situation in South Africa, the study investigates the country‘s crime history and its widespread effects on society today. The research also looks at other factors such as personal and environmental settings that inform an individual‘s decision to commit crime. Delinquency and its results are also explored. The theoretical lens used in the study is that of Socially Responsible Design (SRD), with DAC as a subsection.SRDlooks at providing solutions to societal problems from a holistic point of view. The study uses a qualitative approach which focuses on people in real life situations,allowing the researcher to gain insight into what motivates people in their specific circumstances. The participants involved in the study are members of the Bridgetown community, youth from that community and theReconstructed Living Labs (RLabs) team, who were previously involved in crime. The researcher sought the views of experts in the field with regards to crime alleviation in communities such as Bridgetown. This research study concludes that opportunities exist forholistic and multi-faceted deployment of DAC strategies in that community to ameliorate crime, when these strategies targetyouth at risk.

Master of Technology: Public Relations Management in the Faculty of Informatics and Design at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology 2013 / The aim of this study was to explore the benefits and potential of improved inter-organisational collaboration as compared to non-collaboration between the identified stakeholders in this research. This research established the level of current inter-organisational collaboration and satisfaction between the identified Western Cape Province stakeholders and verified whether this collaboration could be seen as contributing to tourism growth in the region. It also determined how improved inter-organisational collaboration and communication can be achieved to ensure tourism marketing effectiveness. In the lead-up to the 2010 FIFA World Cup™, regional stakeholders formed strategic partnerships to ensure a successful soccer event. The researcher sees such a collaborative approach as limited to major events or projects such as the 2011 bid for the Design Capital 2014. Inter-organisational collaboration is not clearly visible in the destination and tourism marketing of the region and this lack of collaboration has been highlighted. For the purpose of this study, the Resource Dependency Theory of Collaboration was utilised to highlight the inter-dependency between the identified regional stakeholders with vested interest in the Western Cape Province and Cape Town's tourism industry. The researcher conducted qualitative research which is situated in an interpretivist paradigm with its emphasis on experience and interpretation. The qualitative research is seen as being suitable for this research as detailed information has to be sourced through interviews. A qualitative exploratory approach, comprising face-to-face interviews with key informants in the industry was undertaken. The key informants engaged were drawn from a range of organisations engaged or who have a vested interest in the tourism industry which is a key economic driver in the Western Cape Province and Cape Town. The outcome of this study firstly was to establish the current levels of inter-organisational collaboration between the identified stakeholders and how this affects tourism growth. A closer look was taken to look at the current overlapping in the marketing initiatives embarked upon by the destination and tourism marketing organisations in the Western Cape Province, namely Wesgro and Cape Town Tourism and how these can be avoided. Secondly, the study explored how higher inter-organisational collaboration can ensure the achievement of effective tourism marketing of the region. As per the research findings, the researcher compiled recommendations on optimising inter-organisational collaboration among key regional stakeholders. These recommendations should contribute towards streamlining resources and redirecting some of the allocated funds from tourism marketing to other socioeconomic activities that can benefit the citizens of the region, such as developing emerging small to medium tourism enterprises and entrepreneurs.

Submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the Master of Information and Communications Technology, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2017. / The future of modern cities largely depends on how well they can tackle intrinsic problems that confront them by embracing the next era of digital revolution. A vital element of such revolution is the creation of smart cities and associated technology infrastructures. Smart city is an emerging phenomenon that involves the deployment of information communication technology wares into public or private infrastructure to provide intelligent data gathering and analysis. Key areas that have been considered for smart city initiatives include monitoring of weather, energy consumption, environmental conditions, water usage and host of others. To align with the smart city revolution in the area of environmental cleanliness, this study involves the development of a web based smart city infrastructure for refuse disposal management using the design science research approach. The Jalali smart city reference architecture provided a template to develop the proposed architecture in this study. The proposed architecture contains four layers, which are signal sensing and processing, network, intelligent user application and Internet of Things (IoT) web application layers. A proof of concept prototype was designed and implemented based on the proposed architecture. The signal sensing and processing layer was implemented to produce a smart refuse bin, which is a bin that contains the Arduino microcontroller board, Wi-Fi transceiver, proximity sensor, gas sensor, temperature sensor and other relevant electronic components. The network layer provides interconnectivity among the layers via the internet. The intelligent user application layer was realized with non browser client application, statistical feature extraction and pattern classifiers. Whereas the IoT web application layer was realised with ThingSpeak, which is an online web application for IoT based projects. The sensors in the smart refuse bin, generates multivariate dataset that corresponds to the status of refuse in the bin. Training and testing features were extracted from the dataset using first order statistical feature extraction method. Afterward, Multilayer Perceptron Artificial Neural Network (MLP-ANN) and support vector machine were trained and compared experimentally. The MLP-ANN gave the overall best accuracy of 98.0%, and the least mean square error of 0.0036. The ThingSpeak web application connects seamlessly at all times via the internet to receive data from the smart refuse bin. Refuse disposal management agents can therefore query ThingSpeak for refuse status data via the non browser client application. The client application, then uses the trained MLP-ANN to appositely classify such data in order to determine the status of the bin. / M

In this section of research, a new crime prevention model for residential neighbourhoods, namely the HONC - against crime model was developed. This model is based on the Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design principles (CPTED). The first three elements of this model are intended to better the function of CPTED in neighbourhoods. The elements are as follows: H = Healthy lifestyle O = Online (Information technology) N = Nature C = CPTED The effectiveness of the elements in the prevention of crime was tested in two gated communities and one open neighbourhood, namely Woodlands Lifestyle Estate, Prairie Estate and Glossa Estate. All these neighbourhoods are situated in Garsfontein, a suburb of Pretoria, South Africa. Woodlands Lifestyle Estate was designed in accordance with these principles. This neighbourhood is situated next to a nature reserve called Moreletaspruit. The fence facing this reserve is a steel palisade to provide a view of the scenery. The other three fences are solid brick. This Estate has two entrances with formal access control. Woodlands has a specifically designed lifestyle centre which contains a gym, squash courts, swimming pool, tennis courts and an entertainment area. Pedestrian routs run from this centralised centre throughout the neighbourhood with water features and adequate lighting. Prairie Estate is also a gated community, fenced off with a brick wall and reachable through one entrance with formal access control. The architectural design of dwellings within this neighbourhood was left to the discretion of different developers. The only area for recreational activity within this neighbourhood is the fenced off club house and swimming pool. Glossa Estate is situated diagonally across Woodlands Lifestyle Estate, and is an open neighbourhood. It has three entrances with one guard patrolling the interior neighbourhood. This neighbourhood was designed with a park as a recreational area. The park was not in use and became overgrown, which created a crime problem, and it was therefore fenced off and the gate locked. Only the element of a healthy lifestyle could be proven as influential in the incidence of crime. The last three elements only served as guidelines and need to be tested in further research. / Criminology / D.Litt. et Phil. (Criminology)