Th is document is submitted in partial fulfi lment for the degree: Master of Architecture [Professional] at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa, in the year 2013. / A child’s world is one of imagination; of toys, play and stories. A child’s world is a world of its own with specific needs, which, if not met, will have long-lasting consequences into adult life. This is the unfortunate reality of children growing up in Hillbrow and Berea without opportunities for proper development and learning. It is through play that a child develops and learns to cope with his environment. This project therefore takes as its subject matter the place of play for city children. It constructs an argument for the ‘playscape’ which encompasses both, the spaces in which children (and adults) are invited to play as well as the idea of landscape which, from the start has been central to child design. This thesis proposes a ‘toy library’ within a larger park of play. It is a design of a child’s world and a world of play, characterised architecturally by playfulness and functionally serving the children, teachers and parents of Berea and Hillbrow.

This document is submitted in partial fulfilment for the degree: Master of Architecture (Professional), Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, School of Architecture and Planning at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2016 / This thesis examines a number of issues that exist in Johannesburg across a series of scales, the urban, the architectural and the programmatic intervention. The project, situated between Fordsburg and Newtown, examines the East-West city connections and aims to provide an identity for the lost inbetween fabric of Burghersdorp. The project is made up of four themes, Disconnection, Memory, Textiles and Recycling, within a scope that examines the present based on themes from the past: The city fabric is fragmented, mainly due to city spatial planning and city politics. There is the potential and need to physically stitch or darn city fabrics through urban planning. The project looks at an urban regeneration scheme that incorporates urban devices as the tools used to stitch the street back together. There is potential to darn the programmatic functions in the city, potentially weaving local communities together, and provide a platform for the exchange of knowledge and skills.The thesis also examines the need for buildings as mnemonic aids. Historically, city fabric was erased for the building of the Oriental Plaza. The memories attached to these buildings and spaces were lost. There is a possibility for regenerating a space for memory in the city, re-weaving this forgotten city fabric into a new node and identity for Burghersdorp. The area is defined by the activities of the community that surround it. Textiles are a significant part of defining the area’s identity. A substantial amount of textiles are discarded. Waste is a valuable commodity, evidently seen from the existence of the informal waste collectors. There is an opportunity to connect these communities while closing the loop, a proposal for a circular economy for textiles in the city. / MT2017

M.A (Public Administration) / Training in local authorities in South Africa is seen against a background of development problems which include insufficient management skills and, inferior education. These are typical problem of black people in South Africa. It is against this background that, in the present day South Africa, there is a greater sensitivity to the importance of good local government management than ever before. Where skilled local government officials are scarce, as they were in the former black local authorities, they should be developed. Training and development are perhaps the first steps towards that end, though obviously they alone are not enough to solve all the human resource deficiencies within these local government structures. This dissertation identifies the priority training and development needs, describes current training and development efforts in local government and proposes further steps that local government should take to encourage, develop and support appropriate human resource development. Taking cognisance of lessons learned in training and developing elected councillors and appointed officials in local government, a need for a more scientific assessment of participants (councillors/officials) under going training and development was identified thereby ensuring that training becomes more targeted and effective. The original sample targeted for the assessment was 200 participants, being a little more than 20% of the total of potential partic.ipants. Eventually 107 respondents (11.2%) participated in the assessment. The sample is however enough to draw conclusions and make generalisations. The assessment was carried out in five centres: Germiston, Vanderbijlpark, Randfontein, Johannesburg and Pretoria. It was done largely using focus group discussions where open-ended questions gave participants enough opportunity to express themselves in an informal environment this proved to be very effective. The most pressing need identified by the participants was for training on the budgetary processes.

M.Tech. ( Architecture) / With a lack of recreational and sporting facilities in Alexandra, the lkasi Gym (founded by local resident Tumi Masite) is one of very few establishments which promote health, in a variety of ways, in a setting where space is valuable and, heart disease is a serious concern 1. The gym has become a strong focal point for Alexandra residents in recent years. Adjacent to the lkasi Gym sits the Alexandra Interpretation Centre, designed by South African architect Peter Rich, incomplete and un-used in this prime township location ...

M.Tech. (Architecture) / This research interest stems from observing at close range (and researching historically) a seemingly impermeable cycle of occupation, violence and abandonment within the inner-city, whose roots stretch back over the past 130 years 1. The cycle has culminated in the 'writing off' of a number of inner-city buildings as 'bad buildings' not fit for habitation or study. This dissertation is both an architectural response and a research inquiry into how design, in its broadest sense, might contribute to an inner city 'vertical settlement' ...

M.Tech. (Architecture) / To heal- to make whole (Heal 2014: [sp]). The journey to good mental health is a multi-faceted one, and one which involves more than solely medical or institutionalised notions of treatment. This research proposal explores a phenomenological approach to understanding space, recognising that our embodied experiences of our environment can inspire, balance and heal the human spirit, to the same degree that can oppress and harm it ...

Integrative Summary: Municipalities are the third level of government and are responsible for delivery of basic services to citizens. They carry the developmental mandate of government and are often the first point of interaction between government and citizens. Being at the front line of service delivery, the issue of fiscal stability of municipalities and their ability to deliver sustainable services is of grave importance (Carter & Ajam 2003). Unfortunately in a South African context most municipalities are not fiscally sustainable (Roos & Stander 2005). In a study of 142 South African municipalities, it was found that poor collection of outstanding debt and irregular or wasteful expenditure were the biggest causes of fiscal stress (Roos & Stander 2005). In fact, in 2004 the difficulties appear to have reached crisis level (Lubbe & Roussouw 2005). The fiscal situation within municipalities was so bad that the South African Local Government Authority (SALGA) implemented a unit specifically to assist municipalities that were at “crisis point” (Roos & Stander, 2005 p. 165). This research report focuses on the evaluation of Igoli 2002 which was a response to fiscal crisis within the City of Johannesburg metropolitan municipality when in 1997 the City of Johannesburg was declared insolvent. The research evaluated the long term sustainability of the Igoli 2002 programme to determine its success in addressing the issues of fiscal stress and crisis facing the municipality. The research also attempted to assess the applicability of international indicators of fiscal stress and crisis to the City of Johannesburg. The research evaluated the Igoli 2002 programme via a financial condition analysis, against international indicators of fiscal stress and crisis and against a logic framework detailing the goals of the programme. The research found that ultimately, the Igoli 2002 intervention implemented by the City of Johannesburg was successful in improving the fiscal position and sustainability of the City. In addition, indicators from predictive models of fiscal stress and crisis were found to be relevant to the City of Johannesburg.

Saving clubs or stokvels have been around in many parts of the World, under different names, for many years and they have been instrumental in teaching people how to save. This research sets to investigate the possible use of stokvels as vehicles, channels or conduits for wealth accumulation among migrant population living in the inner city of Johannesburg. Participants’ contributions and the extent this translates into wealth accumulation among members were critically examined. Furthermore, the study explored whether gender plays any role in terms of stokvels membership and the reasons thereof. The hypothesis of this research was that incomes from stokvels contribute to wealth accumulation of migrants in the inner city of Johannesburg. This study used both quantitative and qualitative research methods to address the research questions and gather relevant data. The use of a mixed approach was adopted as it allows a deeper exploration of the different research objectives and questions of the study. Thematic content analysis was used to analyse the data. The findings of this study have revealed that there is a positive relationship between membership to stokvels and wealth accumulation. Moreover, trust and social capital were found to be pivotal in ensuring success of these groups in terms of who should be accepted into the group. However, many other factors, such as the level of education, the length of stay in South Africa and the marital status of participants could have an impact on wealth status of participants.

Introduction Run-off from Johannesburg mine dumps is a source of environmental pollution and a public health concern. This study focussed on assessing and developing remediation strategies for Manuel Street Park (MSP) that has been affected by run-off from the Princess Mine dump. Study objectives were threefold: to use a survey involving residents living around MSP to determine community use and perception of rehabilitation of the Park; to determine the impact of the addition of a preparation known as “Effective Micro-organisms” (EM®) to polluted Park soil and; to prepare a remediation plan for this Park. Methodology A qualitative survey was conducted amongst users of the park as to their use and perceptions of rehabilitation of the park and their understanding of mine-related pollution and acid mine drainage. Controlled greenhouse trials were conducted to determine optimal germination and growth of Pennisetum clandestinum (Kikuyu grass) in Park soil, with and without EM® or compost. A landscaper was consulted to collate research results to facilitate park rehabilitation. Results Survey participants understood the risks of Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) and other mine pollution and gave valuable information which assisted in understanding local issues concerning the park. Tests with soil polluted with AMD showed that it promoted seed germination while treatment of park soil with fertiliser, compost and enhanced microorganisms improved plant development and growth. Practically, it was determined that the use of EM1 at the park would be difficult because of on-going flooding of the park with contaminated water. For this reason, an improved drainage plan was suggested, along with raised walkways. Conclusion A remediation plan can be implemented on site involving installation of French drains, raised walkways, and soil remediation involving EM® / Agriculture, Animal Health and Human Ecology / M. Sc. (Environmental Management Ornamental Horticulture)

M.Tech. (Architectural Technology) / A persons' well-being is characterized as health, happiness, prosperity and as being in a good state of existence. The way in which we maintain our body, by eating the correct foods to exercising on a daily basis, is an important part of maintaining our well-being. Medical authorities regard South Africa a shaving one of the healthiest environments and climates in the world. South Africans get to enjoy sport and outdoor activities, fresh fruit and vegetable sand some of the planets cleanest air (Health issues in South Africa 2011: [sp]). This however is not the case for many South Africans living in poor overcrowded conditions with the lack of basic facilities. Within the medical field are large areas of controversy, particularly with HIV/ AIDS treatments between Traditional medicine and Bio-medicine. The dissertation will not focus on the study of one specific ailment and space related to health care. Instead an attempt is made to create a space where a multitude of medical functions can operate and share space in a symbiotic relationship. This would ultimately create a place of well-being and healing, where public health can be re-invent for a broader audience through mixed use facilities, social interaction and nature. The investigation area of the dissertation takes place in Yeoville and the function of the building will examine the notion of a Mixed Use Healthcare Centre. The architecture will look at the human scale and needs whilst Nature will deal with form and function. The Design intervention attempts to dissect the existing healthcare system and inject new and fresh responses to the ailing problems in the industry. There are currently large gaps in the public and private sectors of South Africa as well as the dialog between Traditional medicine and Bio-medical practices (Richter 2003: [sp]). The concept of the intervention is to provide a closed loop Healthcare system where the project becomes self sustaining within the Social conditions, Function of space and the Well-being of people This will be done by investigating the existing typologies of healthcare systems in South Africa and by combining both Traditional Medicine and Bio-Medicine. This could allow a better communication network to establish between the two disciplines and provide more information about heath and well being to the public. The intervention can become a framework for future health care establishments where a multitude of functions can operate under one roof providing affordable treatment and advice to...