published_or_final_version / Architecture / Master / Master of Architecture

published_or_final_version / Architecture / Master / Master of Architecture

A city's intersections are places or voids where the trajectories, paths and commuter routes of a cities citizens collide. They are points of momentary stasis. At intersections the agents of speed and haste characteristic of the flow of the city are brought to a collective pause. The challenge of this thesis was to bring about an architectural representation of this negotiation between flow and pause. There was a desire to see the commuterscape of Vancouver as a way of allowing different publics and contrasting programmes the opportunity for chance encounters and collisions. This desire led to the design of a building which served as an intersection, sometimes carefully controlled while at others free and open to the random flows of urbanism. The site at the corner of Main and Terminal streets in Vancouver was chosen because it is a place where the di verse social, economic and historical fabrics of the city are intersecting. This site is the busiest at grade intersection in Vancouver where skytrain and bus passengers, car drivers and pedestrians are variously pushed together and pulled apart. Commuter space and commuter movement through that space are generally assumed to be unproductive, uninfected movement through vacuous and empty space. This thesis challenges that view by inserting a building into this commuter space to utilize the potentials for exchange, negotiation and encounter offered by such a space. The building is made up of two very different programs - one containing a series of small performing arts theatres, the other commercial and rentable office space. In between the two, the inbound and outbound skytrain tracks and a public walkway create varying perceptual experiences which mediate between the two different typologies. The public zones of the building are used to link the varied programs together and to create connections to the surrounding park and buildings.

In South Africa today, railways, along with other forms of public transport have lost or in fact never had the same sense of sanguine appreciation that European stations embodied. Instead South African public transport systems, especially its railway networks, are perceived negatively by a large portion of the population and the vast majority of visitors to the country (Donaldson and Ferreira, 2008). The problem with the perceptions and judgments made by people with regards to architecture is that they often stand in contrast to each other. These disagreements are not only limited to laymen, as disagreements among critics often go beyond the mere subjectivity of taste or opinion, even extending to matters of fact (Bonta, 1979: 11). By extrapolating the process by which humans interpret the world around them, Hermeneutics attempts to define the determining factors behind subjective thought when making an accurate interpretation of text. In recent years these same techniques have been applied to the built environment in what can best be described as an investigation into the meaning of architecture, this investigation became known as ‘architectural hermeneutics’ (Bonta, 1979 and Snodgrass & Coyne, 2006). While hermeneutics does provide a method to deal with the problems associated with subjectivity, the tools needed to assess the validity of the resultant interpretations of architecture have not developed. In order to confirm the adequacy of any resultant interpretations the researcher must define and abstract the parts, which contribute to these interpretations, according to quantifiable guidelines that can then be measured and compared. The Guidelines utilised in this study are defined through the work of Norberg-Schultz, Thiis-Evensen, Alexander and Handa. Through the ensuing case studies this paper demonstrated that by designing architecture in accordance with its relationship to the surrounding environment and context, the designer becomes capable of generating a supportive architecture that can reaffirm its associated functions under a positive light. By creating a continuous structure between the new architecture and its context – that is in accordance with the ‘parts’ which make up the meaningful ‘whole’ – an architect of any background can create meaningful architecture in any context. / Thesis (M.Arch.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2011.

Thesis (MScEng (Industrial Engineering))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study is to investigate the capacity of a proposed bus rapid transit (BRT) station in Cape Town. A bus rapid transit system is a high-capacity public transportation system that carries passengers from one point to another, providing a service that is faster and more efficient than an ordinary bus line. The implementation of these systems is increasing rapidly worldwide, serving as a solution to decrease traffic congestion. The capacity of the proposed bus station, known as the Thibault Station, is investigated in the study by developing a simulation model. The aim is to develop a stochastic simulation model, which represents the flow of passengers throughout the station so that the station capacity can be investigated. By developing a stochastic model as opposed to a deterministic model, elements of uncertainty can be included into the model, thereby representing a system that is closer to the real-life situation under investigation. The majority of BRT systems, as well as past studies undertaken on the Thibault Station, are designed using deterministic calculations. The study commences by researching literature on BRT systems and focuses on the current methods used to calculate station capacity requirements. Thereafter, the concept of simulation is introduced. Simulation is the method chosen to model and evaluate the passenger and bus operations at the Thibault Station. The study presents the methods used to build and verify the simulation model. This is done to familiarise the user with a number of aspects of the model. The model can then be used as a tool to investigate capacity parameters and alternative designs or scenarios. Using the results of these investigations, decisions can ultimately be made regarding the planning and design components of any bus rapid transit station given that the model is adapted. Scenario results, as well as interpretations of performance measurements, are presented at the end of the study. The results can be used for more realistic design of BRT stations using stochastic modelling. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van die studie is om ondersoek in te stel na die kapasiteit van „n hoëspoed bus vervoer stelsel (BRT). Die ondersoek is gebaseer op „n voorgestelde bus stelsel vir Kaapstad. „n BRT-stelsel is „n hoë-kapasiteit publieke vervoerstelsel wat passasiers van een punt na „n ander vervoer, deur „n diens te verskaf wat vinniger en meer doeltreffend is as „n gewone bus stelsel. Die implementering van hierdie tipe stelsels neem wêreldwyd toe en dien as „n oplossing om verkeersopeenhopings te verminder. Die spesifieke busstasie wat ondersoek word staan bekend as die Thibault Stasie van Kaapstad se BRT-stelsel. Die kapasiteit van die stasie word ondersoek deur middel van simulasiemodellering. Die doel is om „n stogastiese simulasiemodel wat die vloei van passasiers modelleer te ontwikkel ten einde die kapasiteit van die stasie te ondersoek. Deur „n stogastiese model in plaas van „n deterministiese model te gebruik, kan elemente van onsekerheid ingesluit word. Dit verteenwoordig dus „n stelsel wat nader aan die werklikheid is. Tans word meeste BRT-stelsels ontwerpe gebaseer op deterministiese berekeninge, asook historiese studies wat onderneem is oor die Thibault Stasie. Die studie begin deur literatuur oor BRT-stelsels te bestudeer en fokus daarna op die huidige metodes wat gebruik word om die vereiste kapasiteit van „n busstasie te bepaal. Die konsep van simulasie word daarna voorgestel. Simulasie is die metode wat in die studie gebruik word om die passasier- en busaktiwiteite van die Thibault Stasie te modelleer en te evalueer. Die studie verskaf die metodes wat gebruik word vir die ontwikkeling en geldigmaak van die simulasiemodel. Gebruikers word op dié manier blootgestel aan die verskillende aspekte van die model. Nadat die gebruikers vertroud is met sekere aspekte van die model, word die model verder uiteengesit en word daar verduidelik hoe dit as „n instrument om kapasiteit parameters en alternatiewe ontwerpe van busstasies te ondersoek kan dien. Die resultate van die model kan gebruik word om beplannings- en ontwerpbesluite van enige busstasie te neem. Aan die einde van die studie word scenarioresultate bekendgestel, asook die interpretasie daarvan. Die resultate kan gebruik word vir meer realistiese ontwerp van BRT-stasies met behulp van stogastiese simulasie modellering.

Text in Afrikaans, abstract in Afrikaans and English / In the case of an economical activity such as a distribution system, the distribution depot normally forms the nucleus of the network. The market place that is being served is not static and with the passing of time, due to the change in demand together with the change in the product range which is being offered, a tendency develops for the distribution point to move away from the nucleus of the network, thereby not representing the optimal location anymore. There is therefore a constant need for companies to determine whether their distribution system is suitable for their present, as well as their future trading circumstances. This factor together with the normal endeavour to minimise physical distribution costs, results in the need for a sophisticated approach to the whole problem of relocating distribution networks. The aim of this study is therefore to develop a basic model which will set out guidelines for the relocation of distribution centres. With the above mentioned in mind, the first step is a study of the theory to highlight and analyse applicable techniques and methods that could possibly be used in this model. The accent throughout this section is placed on well known and proven theories and techniques. The second part of this research focuses on the empirical study that forms the basis for the building of a relocation model. With the help of practical examples it is shown how to apply the model and each step is being highlighted and illustrated. The model that has been designed in this study clearly outlines the steps that enable the user to undertake and optimally apply a relocation study. Its application does not necessarily require highly trained personnel or complicated programming. It is therefore recommended that this model be applied in the case of the relocation of distribution centres. / In die geval van ekonomiese aktiwiteite soos 'n distribusiesisteem, vorm die verspreidingsdepot gewoonlik die kernpunt van die netwerk. Die markplek wat bedien word is egter nie staties nie en met die verloop van tyd, as gevolg van die verandering in die aanvraag tesame met die verandering in die produkreeks wat aangebied word, ontstaan daar 'n neiging dat die oorsponklike verspreidingspunt weg beweeg vanaf die kernpunt van die netwerk en dus nie meer die optimale liggging verteenwoordig nie. Daar is dus 'n konstante behoefte by maatskappye om te bepaal of hulle distribusiesisteme geskik is vir hulle huidige, sowel as toekomstige handelsomstandighede. Hierdie faktor, tesame met die normale strewe na minimalisering van fisiese distribusiekoste, het tot gevolg dat daar 'n behoefte bestaan aan 'n gesofistikeerde benadering tot die hele problematiek van vestiging van verspreidingsnetwerke. Die studie het dus ten doel die ontwikkeling van 'n basiese model wat riglyne daarstel vir die hervestiging van verspreidingsentra. Met bogenoemde in gedagte, is daar in die eerste plek 'n teoretiese studie onderneem wat toepaslike tegnieke en metodes wat moonlik in hierdie model opgeneem kon word, uitgelig en geanaliseer het. In hierdie gedeelte word die aksent deurentyd op bekende en bewese teoriee geplaas. Die tweede gedeelte van die navorsing fokus op die empiriese studie wat met die bou van 'n hervestigingsmodel gepaard gaan. Daar word aangetoon hoe om die model toe te pas en elke stap word met behulp van praktiese voorbeelde toegelig en verduidelik. Die model wat hier ontwikkel is le duidelike riglyne neer wat die verbruiker in staat stel om 'n hervestigingstudie aan te pak en optimaal toe te pas. Die toepassing daarvan vereis nie noodwendig hoogsopgeleide personeel of ingewikkelde programering nie en word daar gevolglik aanbeveel dat hierdie model toegepas word in die geval van die hervestiging van verspreidingsentra. / Business Management / D. Comm.

Thesis (MTech (Business Administration))--Cape Technikon, 2004. / The Cape Town Container Terminal (CTCT) facilitates the handling process ofImport and Export containers for the Western Cape and other regions. South African Port Operations (SAPO), a division of the transport parastatal Transnet, is the operator that handles container volumes through the terminal. Due to the nature of its operations, it focuses on service standards within the industry. The International Shipping Industry expects this container terminal to conform by providing the same operational standards and service they receive from other international ports. Container terminal efficiency and productivity were not providing a reliable and efficient service for vessels calling to CTCT. Delays became so endemic that the shipping lines instituted a seventy-five dollar congestion surcharge on each container being handled This surcharge was passed on to the consumer therefore increasing the logistical cost of goods and services. The fact that a shipping line was bypassing Cape Town altogether was an indication that the Terminal was experiencing difficulty in maintaining its port status as a prominent and efficient container terminal at the southern tip of Africa.

A city's intersections are places or voids where the trajectories, paths and commuter routes of a cities citizens collide. They are points of momentary stasis. At intersections the agents of speed and haste characteristic of the flow of the city are brought to a collective pause. The challenge of this thesis was to bring about an architectural representation of this negotiation between flow and pause. There was a desire to see the commuterscape of Vancouver as a way of allowing different publics and contrasting programmes the opportunity for chance encounters and collisions. This desire led to the design of a building which served as an intersection, sometimes carefully controlled while at others free and open to the random flows of urbanism. The site at the corner of Main and Terminal streets in Vancouver was chosen because it is a place where the di verse social, economic and historical fabrics of the city are intersecting. This site is the busiest at grade intersection in Vancouver where skytrain and bus passengers, car drivers and pedestrians are variously pushed together and pulled apart. Commuter space and commuter movement through that space are generally assumed to be unproductive, uninfected movement through vacuous and empty space. This thesis challenges that view by inserting a building into this commuter space to utilize the potentials for exchange, negotiation and encounter offered by such a space. The building is made up of two very different programs - one containing a series of small performing arts theatres, the other commercial and rentable office space. In between the two, the inbound and outbound skytrain tracks and a public walkway create varying perceptual experiences which mediate between the two different typologies. The public zones of the building are used to link the varied programs together and to create connections to the surrounding park and buildings. / Applied Science, Faculty of / Architecture and Landscape Architecture (SALA), School of / Graduate