Most organisations nowadays want to build offices that are cost effective, but at the same time they forget to consider the impact of IEQ on the occupants’ wellbeing and performance. These offices are equipped with air-conditioners, which may impact negatively on performances if not monitored, controlled and maintained. An occupant’s performance may be accelerated or reduced, based on the effectiveness of IEQ in the office buildings. It is imperative that the employer or management create a work environment that is conducive to the occupants’ needs, so that the occupants may be able to improve their work performance that often yields increased productivity. The main aim of the study was to investigate the efficiency of a building’s Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) and how it affects workers with regard to productivity. The objectives of the study were: to determine the level of satisfaction of the occupants in terms of the IEQ, evaluate the effects that the current IEQ of the building has on the productivity of the occupants, and proffer solutions to identified problems so that the building performance can be improved, and similar future buildings can be improved upon in terms of IEQ. Post Occupancy Evaluation (POE) was utilised to conduct the evaluation. This will help stakeholders and managements to ensure that past mistakes committed are not repeated in the future buildings. POE analyses IEQ related to Indoor Air Quality (IEQ), thermal comfort, occupant’s satisfaction and occupant performance and productivity. There is a correlation between different indoor parameters of the occupants’ satisfaction, health and productivity at the workplace. For these correlations to complement each other successfully, IEQ factors must be conducive to human wellbeing. Workplace environments are perceived as unsafe and unhygienic. This situation is caused by poor planning of workstations, low indoor air quality, inappropriate lighting in the office, lack of ventilation and insufficient safety measures. In particular, findings of this study demonstrate the low level of occupants’ satisfaction with regard to office buildings in the Country Club Estate, Johannesburg. The results from this study show that POE is perceived to be completely new to occupants of the Country Club Estate. Management or stakeholders have a huge task ahead to address the benefits of implementing POE and to face the consequences if POE is not implemented.

M.Ed. (Educational Psychology) / Please refer to full text to view abstract

M.Phil. (Energy Studies) / In recent years, the costs of electricity in South Africa have increased enormously, thus, most institutions of higher education are seeking ways to manage their utility costs by reducing consumption rates. Hampering their initiatives, however, is the fact that South Africa in general, and buildings in particular, lag the world in knowledge and implementation of demand side management strategies. This case study outlines the efforts of a large metropolitan university in Gauteng to examine the implementation of energy efficiency within the context of the green or sustainable campus movement. The study comprises three core parts: analysis of electricity consumption data; identification of institutional barriers inhibiting implementation of energy efficiency projects, and, lastly establishing key role players responsible for effective implementation. The study found that seasonality and the campus academic calendar both have profound effects on energy consumption. High demand coincides with winter and a distinct correlation was found between peak consumption and core working hours. Consumption peaked at an average of 2 500 kWh during active ‘in-session’ periods. Less active, ‘out-of-session periods’ recorded an average peak of 2 250 kWh. The lowest average peak consumption of 2 100 kWh occurred during ‘recess’ periods. Similar patterns were evident for the maximum demand. It was evident that the university had a high base load (between 1 300 kWh and 1 650 kWh). This high base load could be attributed mainly to the heating and cooling system. To stimulate decision making towards improved options, an energy savings financial model was developed to provide a tool for calculating the return on investment period for energy efficiency projects. Interviews conducted with key role players (in the university’s operations, academic and management divisions) and a staff questionnaire were used to establish the main barriers to energy efficiency implementation: a) the absence of an energy policy; b) a general low level of awareness of institutional energy efficiency activities and (c) the shortage of dedicated, skilled staff to implement energy efficiency projects. The managerial, operational, and financial divisions are arguably the key role players in energy efficiency projects. Lastly, leadership commitment from the highest levels of the university is required. The novel contribution of this thesis is through combining technological and behavioural approaches to energy efficiency at a tertiary institution through a mixed method study design. Key recommendations are presented to stimulate energy efficiency implementation.

M.Ed. (Psychology of Education) / Please refer to full text to view abstract

M.Ed. / In this study attention was paid to factors influencing students in their evaluation of the teaching skills of their lecturers. The problem addressed is that of the increase in student numbers and the relatively high failure rate at South African universities which accompanies it. Due to the fact that the lecturer is responsible for teaching, it follows that a solution to this problem lies partly with him/her. Universities are forced to seriously address this problem and to supply possible solutions. As a result research programs are often conducted in order to establish those factors which have an influence on a student's evaluation of a lecturer's teaching (for example Malan, 1979; Strydom & Helm, 1981; Malan,1983; Vlok & Sewell, 1985 and Marais & Van Tonder, 1986, etc.). The purpose of this project is threefold: to present an overview of literature pertaining to techniques of teaching evaluation applied locally and internationally; to identify factors which could possibly influence students' evaluation of teaching, using available literature; to determine to what extent these factors apply to male and female students of different seniority levels and in various fields of study. In the study of relevant literature specific attention was paid to those characteristics of a lecturer earmarking him/her as effective. These characteristics include both personal and teaching practice characteristics. The study also includes teaching evaluation as a facet of teaching development, addressing various techniques of evaluation and focusing upon evaluation by students ...

A research report submitted in partial fulfilment of the Degree of Master of Commerce (Applied Development Economics) in the School of Economic and Business Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand / Transit Oriented Development (TOD) in practice dates back to the 1880s. The definition and concept were more recently coined by urban practitioner, Peter Calthorpe in the 1980s. The concept has evolved over time, however, the fundamentals remain universally accepted. TOD is a multidisciplinary tool that can be used for the achievement of social, economic and environmental benefits. It has been observed that the popularity of TOD as an urban transformation tool has increased internationally. The outcomes on the other hand have been varied depending on the unique features of the location where it is implemented. Johannesburg is one of South Africa’s pilot metropolitan areas for TOD. The Corridors of Freedom (CoF) initiative among other things aims to crowd in private sector investment into areas that are in much need of urban renewal. This paper probes the progress that has been made in achieving private sector investment in property development in the CoF between 2013 and 2017. Theories incorporating geographic and economic thought aid the contextualisation of TOD within the greater body of work within the field of development. Results show that there is private participation in the development of high-density, mixed use buildings. It is however argued that developments that have taken place so far rely heavily on the principles of property development as opposed to TOD principles. / NG (2020)

This document is submitted in partial fulfilment for the degree: Masters in Architecture [Professional] at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2016 / This document is subitted in partial fulfillment for the degree: Masters in Architecture [Professional] At the University of Witwatisrand, Johannesburg, South Africa, in the year 2015 / This thesis is an attempt to ascertain that the identity of a culture is largely dependent on how that culture is represented. The identity and culture of the Indian people of Johannesburg is the primary focus of this dissertation. The methods of representing this identity and culture are likened to a spectacle, the concept of which is greatly explored theoretically and thereafter, translated architecturally. This was achieved by exploring the idea of the spectacle in relation to experience. It further explores the definitions of spectacle and experience in an attempt to answer the real question of how to create a spectacle of experience through the use of architecture in order to educate and facilitate social cohesion by creating a cultural centre which encourages people of all races and creeds to participate, focusing on the Indian culture. In order to create a program to suit the idea of cohesion, this dissertation investigated the theory of memory in architecture. Memory of place and people are intrinsic to understanding th importance of the Indian people of Johannesburg and why such a facility is of importance to the Indian people but also to other races and creeds. This dissertation further wishes to highlight the importance of cultural preservation in South Africa. Whilst this project focuses on bringing a community closer through a facility that houses programme and activities indigenous to Indian South African people, the concept should be transferred to all other cultures. The architectural role is to allow space and place that allows for the transfer of knowledge and community. / EM2017

This paper explores the contradictions and complexities of the themes Diaspora, Sanctuary and Estuary. Diaspora has historically referred to people and communities who have been displaced from their native, shared homeland through movement as a result of migration, immigration, or exile. African Diaspora tells the story of displacement throughout the continent and how Africans managed to retain their traditions and restructure their identities in a western dominated world and modern urban city. Through this paper I will explore how these diasporic communities maintained a sense of belonging through the notion of sanctuaries. Where these communities and sanctuaries overlap and, much like natural estuaries, how these interactions create uniquely dynamic systems. I will address themes within the urban context of Johannesburg and their influence on the nature space. It concludes by addressing the need for a new form of accommodation in response to the transient communities and fluid nature of the city. Key words: Diaspora, Sanctuary, Estuary, Transience, Accommodation.

This study was undertaken with the purpose of analysing the public accountability system of secondary schools in the Johannesburg North District. It also tested the relationship between the accountability system and the effectiveness and efficiency of secondary schools. Over and above principals, learners and parents, the study also utilised numerous published literature to analyse the current accountability system. The findings of the empirical study revealed that there were disparities between the literature review and the current accountability system. Three major findings were made by this study. Firstly, there is a lack of synergy between internal and external accountability systems. Secondly, there are different accountability systems used by different secondary schools in the same District and lastly grade twelve results are used to measure the effectiveness and efficiency of secondary schools in the chosen District. In conclusion, proposals which may assist in improving the current accountability system were made. / Public Administration and Management / M. Tech. (Public Management)

M.A. / Please refer to full text to view abstract