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 main goal of this Thesis is to provide a closer look at the transformation of the meaning and the role of education in the context of changes in Euro-Atlantic society in the second half of the twentieth century. To understand the background of changes, the Thesis begins with a concept of education from a historical point of view. The milestone on the timeline is the 1970s and the emerging ideas of a new society, whereas a great deal of attention is paid to the theory of a post-industrial society. The concept of education in an Knowledge society and its continuity to working area of individuals living in the twenty-first century is the subject of the last chapter of the theoretical part of the Thesis. In the empirical part, I combine theoretical pieces of knowledge with attitudes of respondents. I try to discover whether they consider education as a quarantor of career advancement or whether they perceive it more as an insurance policy for maintaining their current status. Results of the exploratory study I expose at the conclusion of the Thesis.

The former post-industrial city of Malmö implemented neoliberal strategies to turn the curve to become a knowledge city with a continental and cultural vibe. Drastic changes have been made in economics, sustainability, and design, to become an attractive city with opportunities in employment and education. In the pace of change, culture has come to play a central role in the process. Former centrally located industrial areas have become a nave of innovation of culture. With industries, businesses, and cultural creatives next to each other. In the hot spot of Malmö is the street of Norra Grängesbergsgatan. The industrial past and the influx of young creatives have changed the narrative of the area. According to Malmö city, there is potential to become a cultural cluster with its post-industrial environment containing works and industries. Malmö city has started to invest in the renewal of the area. The change aims to make the area a cultural destination. The industrial environment, the mixture of people, and the culture is an exciting combination that can be advantageous to the city of Malmö in the meaning to be a creative city. Such decisions can bring some concerns to mind for those who already have a livelihood in Norra Grängesbergsgatan. As in a society, people in this area have an everyday life with daily practices and established communities and networks with connections to the place. To understand the possible impacts of the processes this study aims to understand the existing livelihood. To carry out this research, I have a qualitative approach, where I have used semi-structured interviews with exploratory questions to capture an abundant outmost description of the environment and the spatial practices. Focus is on the community that shapes the street rather than the street itself, to investigate insights from people that are possible game-changers, owing to visionary documents from the city of Malmö. To capture individuals' perceptions of Norra Grängesbergsgatan is to capture hidden aspects and experiences to examine what makes these communities or spaces meaningful. The relationship between people, concerning change is in focus as the study reveals multiple processes of development happening at the same time.

Industries became a permanent addition to cities in the 18th century, transforming the natural landscape and influencing the people directly dependant on it, this enforces to the consumer culture we experience every day. This industrial development all over the world has disregarded apparent and non-apparent relationships that humans have within nature, resulting in the connection between humans and nature to become estranged, leaving humankind searching for identity and purpose. This study investigates the connection between humans and nature through adapting the post-industrial landscape, to ultimately establish an identity of place for human well-being. The study proposes that apparent and non-apparent relationships between humans and nature can be introduced in the post-industrial landscape through the concepts of ecosystem services and commemorative design. By commemorating the natural landscape, memories and experiences will create an appreciation for the natural landscape, strengthening the connection between humans and nature. Different ecosystem services are generated by the design to establish ecological and human well-being. The sketch plan design intervention proposes that, these apparent and non-apparent relationships between humans and nature are revealed and celebrated. The non-apparent relationships are transformed into apparent design features within the landscape to make visitors aware of their unity with nature and the services it provides them with. The design proposal creates opportunities for interaction, education and appreciation by means of food gardens, utility gardens, biodiversity gardens and experiments of spontaneous succession. The purpose of these interventions is to restore the post-industrial landscape while creating a strong cultural connection to heritage within industries and nature to reconnect humankind with their own identity as part of nature. / Dissertation (ML(Prof))--University of Pretoria, 2014. / Architecture / ML(Prof) / Unrestricted

The Johannesburg, Cottesloe, Gas Works is located within the Witwatersrand zone of integration, between the University of Johannesburg and Witwatersrand. According to the Johannesburg Metropolitan Open Space System (JMOSS), there is a high priority to link secondary open spaces such as the educational premises. The Johannesburg Gas Works forms part of Jozi’s cityscape and the three remaining 45meter high gas cylinders represents a visual iconic landmark in the city. The site is currently inaccessible. The aim of this dissertation will be to determine the manner in which a user experience can be created as a palimpsest of meaning between the tangible and intangible elements on site. This implies a dialogue between the polluted areas of industrial waste, the layers of historical significance and the remnants of nature. The dissertation specifically focuses on awareness creation through the landscape experience on a post-industrial site of the associated social exploitation and environmental contamination. The Open Narrative approach will be used as part of the methodology which implies multiple interpretations by users and recognizes the presence of embedded narratives inscribed by past and future cultural practices and natural processes. A new narrative is inscribed onto the site and provides multiple experiences with each visit to the site through a phased intervention that opens up areas and processes for experience as they become decontaminated. To facilitate the palimpsest of tangible and intangible meaning, the user experience is proposed to consist of three realities: a lower, in-between and upper reality with increasing elements of transience. The essence of the design and its programme becomes mutualistic (as opposed to exploitative), based on the principles outlined by Klein (2014) namely, “interdependence, reciprocity and cooperation”. The goal of the design intervention is to foster a renewed community identity and social and environmental health through the range of active and passive activities proposed but also through the particular experiences that open up the site for renewed interpretation to all users. The dissertation demonstrates that new meanings can be applied to spaces that once posed a cultural limitation. A mutualistic relationship between the site and the people can and should co-exist. / Mini Dissertation ML(Prof)--University of Pretoria, 2018. / Architecture / ML(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

Orientador: Dorival Campos Rossi / Resumo: Há uma problemática imensa entre as produções e os consumos em nossa sociedade. Se o nosso desejo opera por produção, registro e consumo, nas sociedades pré-industriais eles eram esferas da mesma subjetividade, mas com o surgimento do ‘casa de ferreiro espeto é de pau’, dos modelos de produção da sociedade industrial, começou-se a fabricar aquilo que não se consumia, e começou a se produzir muito. O registro se estabeleceu pelas narrativas que nos são despejadas diariamente, e o consumo, ora, é só o que fazemos. Essa dissociação do processo do viver impera sobre nós limitações cruéis. Identificamos aqui nosso foco: a despotencialização da subjetividade pela expropriação da produção desejante de si, pela introjeção de consumos pelas vias do capitalismo mundial integrado e que se registra pela lógica do mais-valor. E assim apontamos nossa hipótese: de que a reapropriação de máquinas desejantes das mais diversas pela experiência do fazer será capaz de acordar o corpo, despertar a mente e reativar os mecanismos do desejo no sujeito despotencializado. O objetivo geral deste trabalho é compreender as forças repressivas que atuam sobre os corpos numa dita sociedade pós-industrial e neoliberal e apontar o movimento maker como um modo de subjetivação que nos permita enfrentar tais forças repressivas, encontrando nos FAB LABs, e principalmente na rede FAB LAB Livre da cidade de São Paulo, a primeira e única rede de laboratórios públicos do mundo, apontamentos sobre como o empoderamento... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: There is intense problem between production and consumption in our society. If our desire functions through production, registration and consumption, in the pre-industrial society these were all spheres within the same subjectivity, but with the appearance of the “the shoemaker’s son always goes barefoot”, the mode of production in the industrial society, were have started producing that which we do not consume. The record was established by the narratives that are poured onto us daily, and consumption, well, that is just what we do. This dissociation of the process of living, reigns over us setting its cruel boundaries. Here we identify our focus: the depotentialization of subjectivity by the expropriation of desiring production itself, by the introjection of consumption through the paths of integrated world capitalism and registered by surplus value logic. And so, propose our hypothesis: that the re-appropriation of the most diverse desiring machines by the experience of doing, will be able to wake the body, awaken the mind and reactivate the mechanisms of desire in the depotentialized subject. The general objective of this work is to comprehend the repressive forces that act over bodies in the so called post-industrial and neoliberal society and indicate the maker movement as the mode of subjectivation that allows us to face these repressive forces, finding in FAB LABs, and mainly in the FAB LAB Livre SP network, in São Paulo, the first and only public laboratories network... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

This is a project that asks questions. Why are we behaving in certain ways? Why are we using objects for a certain purpose and not others? Why can’t we do it differently? Questions most of us never even consider because we have gotten so used to following the path that is predetermined for us. Throughout this work I will analyze how skateboarding poses a critique of spatial regulations and pre-defined purposes, as well as how skaters are suggesting a whole new perspective on our everyday life. I argue that skaters are in fact the post-industrial designers of their everyday life, and that the perspective of skaters carries potential for sustainable change as it favors the imagination and possibilities over restrictions and limitations. This is a perspective that I believe can help us make better use of the resources we have, both in terms of ecological sustainability, but also with regards to social aspects, as it allows for greater diversity and multitudes of behaviors within the same space. Through several design iterations I have explored how skateboarding offers tactics that can be applied by others to start a process of imagining and performing alternative ways of engaging with public spaces.

With the more profound use of sustainable developments and degrowth ideas, new trends emerge where urban planners and architects are looking for already built areas that can be re-imaginedas vibrant parts of the city. Most often, those places are post-industrial sites, which are taking a new image and purpose. Multiple examples in European cities shows that those areas are becoming a new vital urban elements and fruitful grounds for implementation of environmentally protective design solutions. However, metamorphic developments of historically important parts of the cities are often susceptible to uninspiring generic design solutions that not necessarily always meet the current needs of citizens. Therefore, this research identifies how such post-industrial zones should be redeveloped with the use of citizens' visions to produce distinctive design solutions that can additionally incorporate sustainable ideas and develop a vibrant area.This research focuses on the post-industrial case in Osijek, Croatia, an old and abandoned Iron Foundry and Machine Factory (OLT). Constructed at the turn of the century (1912.), with its distinguishable architecture, it serves as an important image and industrial heritageof the city. Recently, Osijek Municipality has proposed a plan for its regeneration. Idea became widely appreciated as it was finally decided to somehow protect this valuable public good. However, as this research identifies, the municipal plan does not incorporate any means of citizen participation, nor it goes together with citizens mentioned needs - thus pursuing a plan for developing a generic design. Using qualitative methods, this research is addressing the importance of participation in such projects, as it can focus expertson the hidden meaning and character of the place, derived from citizens’ outputs. Additionally, this research shows that methods suchas participatory workshop, can generate ideas for design solutions that can benefit both current and future users of the place. Furthermore, it suggests that citizens, even though they are notexperts on the topic – can produce interesting and valuable information that can be used by planners and architects to fully utilise and transform the area with design solutions which can incorporate people’s needs.

As space is becoming more scarce in cities worldwide, as well as concerns regarding sustainability and exploitation of nature, redevelopment and regeneration of existing sites is becoming a more sought after approach. At the same time, urban planners are raising concerns regarding the increasing homogeneity and segregation in cities calling for more mixed use and having cities reflect the complex web of interactions between people, industry and other actors.  Ulvsunda Industrial area is located to the west of Stockholm city, only five kilometers from the city center. It is one of many industrial areas in Stockholm that is being threatened by, or has already been subjected to major reconstructions. Existing buildings in Ulvsunda are in need of some work but generally in good shape and activity and entrepreneurship are highly alive here, qualities that deserve working with rather than against. By exploring movements and actions that recognize that our way of living, building, developing, moving and more, needs to change, Ulvsunda can also change and grow sustainably. This presents an interesting opportunity in which to create an experimental ground for sustainable development over time, and for officials to engage in a transitioning town to avoid past mistakes made in post-industrial cities. The goal here is to achieve a heterogeneous environment that emphasizes sustainable mobility and construction.