This dissertation investigates the latent potential of the mining belt in Johannesburg through a regenerative theory, by placing a catalytic intervention which respects the heritage of the mining belt, with a focus on the ecology and the socio-economic value of the land has, thereby turning a liability into an asset. This intervention is seen as the first point of acupuncture in a long rehabilitation process and focuses on using this space to deal with context specific issues. The proposed intervention will investigate the potential of architecture to activate a harmed dormant space in the realm of a decentralized city node. It recognizes the potential of the currently fragmented mining belt to become a gateway to the South of Johannesburg, and embraces an opportunity to restitch the urban fabric. / Mini Dissertation MArch(Prof)--University of Pretoria, 2018. / Architecture / MArch(Prof) / Unrestricted

The relation between industrial enclosures and their environments change in the post-industrial state, which causes a loss of orientation and identification of place. While the inherent character of such a place does not become thinned, it does however become encased in the remnants of industrial activity. The re-assessment, activation and interpretations of the transitions between industrial enclosures and their environments intend to bring the character of a place forward, and therefore emerges its seemingly vague placeness. The project proposal is situated on the periphery between the industrial and altered natural environment of Era Bricks, a dilapidated quarry which borders on industrial Silverton and Eersterust. The architectural intervention grapples with the transitions between the site’s dynamic environmental transformations and the static physicality of its structures. This exploration is manifested as an apiary and beekeeping facility, a formalised industry which cannot be fully contained. Translated into architecture, the dissertation suggests that beekeeping brings forward and reflects the ungraspable and imposing essence of the post-industrial terrain. Through the layered transitions of this programme, the terrain is aimed at becoming activated in its inherent sense of place. / Dissertation MArch(Prof)--University of Pretoria, 2014 / Architecture / MArch(Prof) / Unrestricted

The dissertation offers a contribution to contemporary discourse which is greatly concerned with the environmental impact of the built environment. It grapples with issues of man’s identity, a reading of place and the relationship between the habitat and inhabitants, by considering how a post-industrial site, namely the Vereeniging Refractories, can be regenerated. The project investigated the various layers informing place, through the lens of regenerative theory. The purpose is to develop a narrative that is sensitive to the site’s environmental, social and economic context, yet can weave the past, present and potential future together. Various responses to three main design drivers, are explored. Narrative (or heritage), environment and programme were weighed up against each other as architectural informants, to establish the most appropriate hierarchy guiding the architectural product. As programme a vocational college for the built environment is envisioned. In terms of the larger scheme for the site, this will be the first implementation which will facilitate the development of the campus to accommodate various interrelated fields of vocation. Co-dependence, collaboration and integrated learning through doing hands-on activity is explored as a means to build a new relationship between man and environment (as a complete set of ecosystems & narratives) – a relationship rooted in a state of well-being, not one of exploitation and inequality. The approach alternated between qualitative and quantitative research and responses, synthesizing decisions into a balanced response. The programme raised a number of challenges that critically influenced decisions throughout the design process. Accommodation of spaces for academic activities parallel to workshops housing traditional and technologically aided construction largely determined the spatial organization of the project. Iterations based on environmental response and the requirement of the intervention to act as catalyst for future development justified the proposal. The transformation of the skin of a portal frame structure was explored, in order to optimize the building’s response to the natural elements, whilst creating optimal interior spaces. This transformation embodies the narrative and meaning of the place, through integration of different re-claimed brick types and vegetation into the skin of the architecture. The architectural response takes the user on a journey through the transformation from a post-industrial place-less space towards, a place that connects the various layers present, towards the ideal of a dynamic human and natural relationship of well-being. / Mini Dissertation MArch(Prof)--University of Pretoria, 2018. / Carl & Emily Fuchs Foundation / Architecture / MArch(Prof) / Unrestricted

The study explores the possibility that a transition zone can become a ‘filter’ that surrounds an urban core. As a filter, the transition zone can regulate and rehabilitate ecosystem services to support human well-being. The main research question focusses on how eco-systemic development can act as a filter while supporting human well-being. The two sub-questions concern (a) how architecture can become a buffer between urban and suburban areas in Pretoria, and (b) how architecture can aid in ecosystem rehabilitation to regenerate urban and human well-being. Through the research done in this study, it is evident that transitional zones around city centres are commonly derelict and unsafe. Human well-being is under pressure as a result of the increasing degradation of ecosystem services, which is brought about by human misuse and urban densification. As cities and human populations grow, urban cores expand. This expansion results in constant re-zoning as well as the demolition and degradation of existing spaces (Preston, 1966:240). Basic human well-being is dependent on successful ecosystem services and the biodiversity of urban environments (Bolund & Hunhammar, 1999:299). This study aims to identify, reintroduce and rehabilitate ecosystem services on an urban edge to facilitate the health and well-being of the community living there. The study addresses three main themes, namely: (1) urban zoning and development, (2) human well-being, and (3) ecosystem-service rehabilitation and reintroduction. By analysing the themes of urban development, well-being as well as social sustainability and ecosystem services, different theories and principles are identified to provide lenses through which the dissertation will be approached. The main lens is that of Vitruvius and the principles he sets out in Ten books on architecture, which relates all design decisions back to nature. Other theories, such as Ernest Burgess’ concentric circle model and the circular economy theory, and the guidelines of the Living Building Institute led to the selection of the site, the development of the urban framework and the design of the intervention. By combining these theories with a programmatic intervention, which was derived from the site and themes, the end result aims to revive the community, the well-being of its members and to reinforce the existing development while ensuring ongoing rehabilitation of the ecosystem services. This intervention aspires to become a catalyst according to which all transition zones in urban environments can be transformed from eye sores and barriers to filters and activators. / Mini Dissertation (MArch (Prof))--University of Pretoria, 2020. / Architecture / MArch (Prof) / Unrestricted

A presente pesquisa teve por objetivo principal levantar o potencial socioambiental e didático de uma unidade de conservação (UC) - reserva florestal do Morro Grande - Cotia, SP, local em que se encontra o sistema Alto-Cotia de captação de água para abastecimento público. O rio Cotia pertence à bacia hidrográfica do Alto Tietê (Cotia - Guarapiranga), atravessa as cidades de Cotia e Jandira e deságua no rio Tietê, no município de Carapicuíba. Para avaliar o potencial da área para o desenvolvimento de programas de educação ambiental (EA) foi realizado um levantamento das concepções de EA e da percepção ambiental em relação à UC de uma parcela de educadores que atuam na rede municipal de ensino de Cotia. A tomada de dados destes aspectos se deu por meio de um questionário e o levantamento de fatos importantes ocorridos na história local, através de análise documental e entrevista. Dentre os fatos mais relevantes nos deparamos com a polêmica proposta de construção de um novo aeroporto para a cidade de São Paulo no município de Cotia, na década de setenta. Em reação a esta proposta constituiu-se um movimento considerado o berço do movimento ambientalista no estado de São Paulo, e que teve como um de seus participantes mais ativos o professor Dr. Aziz Ab\'Saber, residente em Cotia. Na pesquisa realizada junto aos educadores concluiu-se que as práticas de EA são incipientes e que pouco tem sido realizado em relação à formação continuada em EA. Ficou clara a necessidade de oferecer oportunidades de formação nesta área principalmente no tocante aos fatos importantes ocorridos no município, à exploração de lugares históricos, cênicos e de interesse ecológico com grande potencial para o desenvolvimento de trabalhos práticos. Neste sentido foram elaboradas algumas propostas para as instituições ligadas diretamente à UC, com o objetivo de minimizar as conseqüências negativas da expansão urbana no seu entorno, por meio de processos participativos, envolvendo as comunidades vizinhas, os órgãos governamentais e organizações não-governamentais, que muito têm a contribuir na conservação da reserva florestal do Morro Grande e para a elevação da qualidade de vida das comunidades locais. / The present work has the objective of define the didactic and socioenvironment potential of a conservation unity (CU) - forest reserve of Morro Grande - Cotia, SP, where is located the Alto-Cotia public water collection system. Cotia river is part of the high Tietê hydrographical basin (Cotia - Guarapiranga). It crosses the cities of Cotia and Jandira to empty into the Tietê river, in the Carapicuíba city. In order to evaluate the area\'s potential to the development of environmental education (EE) programs a survey was done with the educators of the Cotia united school district. This survey aimed to capture the environmental perception related to the CU and the view of EE. The research data was obtained from the survey\'s questionnaire; a review of the important facts of the local history; a documental analysis; as well as interviews. One of the most relevant facts we faced was the polemical proposal for the construction of the São Paulo city airport in the city of Cotia during the seventies. In reaction to this proposal an environmental movement was established having among its most active members Prof. Aziz Ab\'Saber, a Cotia city resident. Later this movement was known as the precursor of the environmental movement in the state of São Paulo. From the educators survey it can be inferred that the EE practices are incipient and few actions have been performed towards the continued formation in EE. It is clear the need to offer formation opportunities in this area, in special regarding the important historic facts of the city, the exploration of places with historic, scenic, and ecological interest with considerable potential for the development of practical work. For this purpose policies were designed for the institutions directly linked to CU, with the objective of minimizing the negatives consequences of the urban expansion around its surrounding areas, by means of participative processes involving neighbour communities, governmental agencies, and non-governmental organizations, which much can do towards the conservation of the forest reserve of Morro Grande and to the increase of the local communities quality of life.

A presente pesquisa teve por objetivo principal levantar o potencial socioambiental e didático de uma unidade de conservação (UC) - reserva florestal do Morro Grande - Cotia, SP, local em que se encontra o sistema Alto-Cotia de captação de água para abastecimento público. O rio Cotia pertence à bacia hidrográfica do Alto Tietê (Cotia - Guarapiranga), atravessa as cidades de Cotia e Jandira e deságua no rio Tietê, no município de Carapicuíba. Para avaliar o potencial da área para o desenvolvimento de programas de educação ambiental (EA) foi realizado um levantamento das concepções de EA e da percepção ambiental em relação à UC de uma parcela de educadores que atuam na rede municipal de ensino de Cotia. A tomada de dados destes aspectos se deu por meio de um questionário e o levantamento de fatos importantes ocorridos na história local, através de análise documental e entrevista. Dentre os fatos mais relevantes nos deparamos com a polêmica proposta de construção de um novo aeroporto para a cidade de São Paulo no município de Cotia, na década de setenta. Em reação a esta proposta constituiu-se um movimento considerado o berço do movimento ambientalista no estado de São Paulo, e que teve como um de seus participantes mais ativos o professor Dr. Aziz Ab\'Saber, residente em Cotia. Na pesquisa realizada junto aos educadores concluiu-se que as práticas de EA são incipientes e que pouco tem sido realizado em relação à formação continuada em EA. Ficou clara a necessidade de oferecer oportunidades de formação nesta área principalmente no tocante aos fatos importantes ocorridos no município, à exploração de lugares históricos, cênicos e de interesse ecológico com grande potencial para o desenvolvimento de trabalhos práticos. Neste sentido foram elaboradas algumas propostas para as instituições ligadas diretamente à UC, com o objetivo de minimizar as conseqüências negativas da expansão urbana no seu entorno, por meio de processos participativos, envolvendo as comunidades vizinhas, os órgãos governamentais e organizações não-governamentais, que muito têm a contribuir na conservação da reserva florestal do Morro Grande e para a elevação da qualidade de vida das comunidades locais. / The present work has the objective of define the didactic and socioenvironment potential of a conservation unity (CU) - forest reserve of Morro Grande - Cotia, SP, where is located the Alto-Cotia public water collection system. Cotia river is part of the high Tietê hydrographical basin (Cotia - Guarapiranga). It crosses the cities of Cotia and Jandira to empty into the Tietê river, in the Carapicuíba city. In order to evaluate the area\'s potential to the development of environmental education (EE) programs a survey was done with the educators of the Cotia united school district. This survey aimed to capture the environmental perception related to the CU and the view of EE. The research data was obtained from the survey\'s questionnaire; a review of the important facts of the local history; a documental analysis; as well as interviews. One of the most relevant facts we faced was the polemical proposal for the construction of the São Paulo city airport in the city of Cotia during the seventies. In reaction to this proposal an environmental movement was established having among its most active members Prof. Aziz Ab\'Saber, a Cotia city resident. Later this movement was known as the precursor of the environmental movement in the state of São Paulo. From the educators survey it can be inferred that the EE practices are incipient and few actions have been performed towards the continued formation in EE. It is clear the need to offer formation opportunities in this area, in special regarding the important historic facts of the city, the exploration of places with historic, scenic, and ecological interest with considerable potential for the development of practical work. For this purpose policies were designed for the institutions directly linked to CU, with the objective of minimizing the negatives consequences of the urban expansion around its surrounding areas, by means of participative processes involving neighbour communities, governmental agencies, and non-governmental organizations, which much can do towards the conservation of the forest reserve of Morro Grande and to the increase of the local communities quality of life.

The availability of reproductive sites is a major factor shaping the behavior of males and females in species with resource-based mating systems. Using a meta-analytic approach, we tested five predictions directly or indirectly derived from the mating system theory. We expected that reproductive site limitation would lead to: (1) intense male-male competition for resource possession; (2) high variance in male reproductive success, generating high values of opportunity for sexual selection; (3) high intensity of selection on male traits related to resource possession; (4) high sperm competition risk; and (5) low quality of paternal care. We compiled information from observational and experimental studies that compared the reproductive behavior of individuals of the same species under low and high reproductive site limitation. We found that, when reproductive sites are limited, there is a slight increase in male-male competition, with higher rates of nest takeover and agonistic interactions, and a slight increase in the selection gradient on male traits, with successful males tending to be larger than unsuccessful males. Reproductive site limitation has no consistent effect on the opportunity for sexual selection and on the sperm competition risk. However, territorial males invest more in gonads and lose less paternity when reproductive sites are limited. There is also no clear effect of reproductive site limitation on the quality of paternal care, but few studies have addressed this subject. Taken together, our findings indicate that predictions on how reproductive site limitation affects several aspects of resource-based mating systems have weak empirical support. These predictions do not consider the plasticity in the mating tactics of males and females, which make them too simplistic. Moreover, since the original proposition of the mating system theory, our understanding of sperm competition increased a lot. We now know that accurate predictions on the intensity and direction of sexual selection should take into account both pre- and post-copulatory processes. Finally, the interplay between sexual selection and parental care is complex, and the original framework of mating system theory does not provide sufficient elements to derive clear and taxonomically broad predictions / A disponibilidade de sítios reprodutivos influencia tanto o comportamento de machos quanto de fêmeas em espécies cujo sistema de acasalamento depende da defesa de recursos. Usando uma abordagem meta-analítica, testamos cinco previsões direta ou indiretamente relacionadas à teoria de sistemas de acasalamento. Esperávamos que a limitação de sítios reprodutivos promoveria: (1) aumento na competição masculina pela posse de recursos; (2) aumento na variância do sucesso reprodutivo dos machos, gerando valores alto de oportunidade para a seleção sexual; (3) aumento da intensidade da seleção sobre características masculinas relacionadas à posse de recursos; (4) aumento no risco de competição espermática e (5) diminuição da qualidade do cuidado paternal. Compilamos informações de estudos observacionais e experimentais que compararam o comportamento reprodutivo de indivíduos da mesma espécie em situação de alta e baixa disponibilidade de sítios reprodutivos. Encontramos que, quando os sítios reprodutivos são escassos, há um ligeiro aumento na competição masculina, com maiores taxas de roubo de ninhos e interações agonísticas, e um ligeiro aumento no gradiente de seleção sobre características masculinas, com machos bem sucedidos tendendo a ser maiores do que machos mal sucedidos em monopolizar recursos. A disponibilidade de sítios reprodutivos não teve nenhum efeito consistente sobre a oportunidade para a seleção sexual e o risco de competição espermática. Entretanto, machos territoriais investiram mais em gônadas e perderam menos paternidade quando os sítios reprodutivos eram escassos. Não encontramos nenhum efeito da disponibilidade de sítios reprodutivos sobre a qualidade do cuidado paternal. Em conjunto, nossos resultados indicam que as previsões sobre como a disponibilidade de sítios reprodutivos influencia diversos aspectos de sistemas de acasalamento baseados na defesa de recursos têm fraco respaldo empírico. Tais previsões não consideram a plasticidade nas táticas de acasalamento de machos e fêmeas, tornando-as demasiadamente simplistas. Adicionalmente, desde a formulação original da teoria de sistemas de acasalamento, nossa compreensão sobre competição espermática aumentou. Sabemos atualmente que previsões acuradas sobre a intensidade e direção da seleção sexual devem levar em consideração processos pré- e pós-copulatórios. Finalmente, a interconexão entre seleção sexual e cuidado parental é complexa e a teoria original de sistemas de acasalamento não provê elementos suficientes para a construção de previsões claras e de amplo escopo taxonômico

The availability of reproductive sites is a major factor shaping the behavior of males and females in species with resource-based mating systems. Using a meta-analytic approach, we tested five predictions directly or indirectly derived from the mating system theory. We expected that reproductive site limitation would lead to: (1) intense male-male competition for resource possession; (2) high variance in male reproductive success, generating high values of opportunity for sexual selection; (3) high intensity of selection on male traits related to resource possession; (4) high sperm competition risk; and (5) low quality of paternal care. We compiled information from observational and experimental studies that compared the reproductive behavior of individuals of the same species under low and high reproductive site limitation. We found that, when reproductive sites are limited, there is a slight increase in male-male competition, with higher rates of nest takeover and agonistic interactions, and a slight increase in the selection gradient on male traits, with successful males tending to be larger than unsuccessful males. Reproductive site limitation has no consistent effect on the opportunity for sexual selection and on the sperm competition risk. However, territorial males invest more in gonads and lose less paternity when reproductive sites are limited. There is also no clear effect of reproductive site limitation on the quality of paternal care, but few studies have addressed this subject. Taken together, our findings indicate that predictions on how reproductive site limitation affects several aspects of resource-based mating systems have weak empirical support. These predictions do not consider the plasticity in the mating tactics of males and females, which make them too simplistic. Moreover, since the original proposition of the mating system theory, our understanding of sperm competition increased a lot. We now know that accurate predictions on the intensity and direction of sexual selection should take into account both pre- and post-copulatory processes. Finally, the interplay between sexual selection and parental care is complex, and the original framework of mating system theory does not provide sufficient elements to derive clear and taxonomically broad predictions / A disponibilidade de sítios reprodutivos influencia tanto o comportamento de machos quanto de fêmeas em espécies cujo sistema de acasalamento depende da defesa de recursos. Usando uma abordagem meta-analítica, testamos cinco previsões direta ou indiretamente relacionadas à teoria de sistemas de acasalamento. Esperávamos que a limitação de sítios reprodutivos promoveria: (1) aumento na competição masculina pela posse de recursos; (2) aumento na variância do sucesso reprodutivo dos machos, gerando valores alto de oportunidade para a seleção sexual; (3) aumento da intensidade da seleção sobre características masculinas relacionadas à posse de recursos; (4) aumento no risco de competição espermática e (5) diminuição da qualidade do cuidado paternal. Compilamos informações de estudos observacionais e experimentais que compararam o comportamento reprodutivo de indivíduos da mesma espécie em situação de alta e baixa disponibilidade de sítios reprodutivos. Encontramos que, quando os sítios reprodutivos são escassos, há um ligeiro aumento na competição masculina, com maiores taxas de roubo de ninhos e interações agonísticas, e um ligeiro aumento no gradiente de seleção sobre características masculinas, com machos bem sucedidos tendendo a ser maiores do que machos mal sucedidos em monopolizar recursos. A disponibilidade de sítios reprodutivos não teve nenhum efeito consistente sobre a oportunidade para a seleção sexual e o risco de competição espermática. Entretanto, machos territoriais investiram mais em gônadas e perderam menos paternidade quando os sítios reprodutivos eram escassos. Não encontramos nenhum efeito da disponibilidade de sítios reprodutivos sobre a qualidade do cuidado paternal. Em conjunto, nossos resultados indicam que as previsões sobre como a disponibilidade de sítios reprodutivos influencia diversos aspectos de sistemas de acasalamento baseados na defesa de recursos têm fraco respaldo empírico. Tais previsões não consideram a plasticidade nas táticas de acasalamento de machos e fêmeas, tornando-as demasiadamente simplistas. Adicionalmente, desde a formulação original da teoria de sistemas de acasalamento, nossa compreensão sobre competição espermática aumentou. Sabemos atualmente que previsões acuradas sobre a intensidade e direção da seleção sexual devem levar em consideração processos pré- e pós-copulatórios. Finalmente, a interconexão entre seleção sexual e cuidado parental é complexa e a teoria original de sistemas de acasalamento não provê elementos suficientes para a construção de previsões claras e de amplo escopo taxonômico