Most city dwellers simply endure the fast paced lifestyle and the stresses of the urban environment, forging coping strategies daily. The effects of stress and related health conditions are evident throughout the global population and South Africa is no exception. South Africans are not immune to the mental and physical effects of a stressful lifestyle. The modern day life is full of various stresses, including inter alia environmental factors, family pressures, social relations and career and they can all contribute to an increasing set of life demands. Trying to cope with the effects of daily stress is a common situation for most. It may be argued that these challenges in one's life encourage motivation and innovation. However living under constant pressure increases stress and negative emotions which results in the body being in a state of constant ‘emergency mode’ (www.helpguide.org). As an individual takes on more negative stress, the need to seek relief from the effects thereof increases. Although one may think that one is coping with the ever increasing levels of stress and negative energy within one's life, one often does not realise that there is a progressive deterioration in ones mental and physical vitality (www.helpguide.org). This dissertation is aimed at developing an understanding of how architectural environments (from a broad macro-perspective to a micro-specific context) can influence an individual’s stress levels, and can play a positive role in supporting human wellbeing or can have a negative impact and work against the wellbeing of city dwellers. In theory by transforming the range of potentially negative impacts (generated by many urban environments and by the buildings that constitute such environments) architects can assist urban residents to better cope with life’s challenges. In this way other social ills such as domestic violence, suicide, depression and mental illnesses may be reduced (Ozalp et al: 2003; 26-29). This dissertation explores issues from the broad macro-perspectives, the meso context, the microspecific aspect and the interior environment. The macro-perspective component explores genius loci from both negative and positive architectural environments within cities. Some of the negative aspects of cities such as urban sprawl, here reference is made to the Gestalt and Lynchian theories. The meso context addresses the social components and identities of the urban environments, dealing with the issues such as the lack of public space, parks, green spaces and areas for social interaction, and how the Gestalt theory relates to this. The micro-specific context explores the concept of genius loci and the healing properties of water and of landscapes and the increase of sick building syndrome within cities. Lastly an analysis of the interior environment is provided through an exploration of the components of light, colour, texture and materials and their relationship to the Gestalt Theory. / Thesis (M.Arch.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2010.

The concept of revitalization made its début within the localized context between 1993 to 2003 and is evident in Cato Manor, Warwick Junction and iTrump initiatives in the Durban South African context. The concept and its benefactors encourage others in and around the city to utilize it as a tool promoting self sufficiency and sustainability within developing and developed neighborhoods. Sparks, as an example of a neighborhood within the jurisdiction of the Ethekwini Municipality, has played a part in the process. The difficulty of the area is that it has all the facilities and services of a functioning neighborhood but when one looks closer, a different reality exists. The study proposes to examine the blockages preventing an effective functioning of a cohesive, co-ordinated and harmonious community. The examination of revitalization taking place in Sparks is an attempt to identify factors which explain the partial revitalization observed in the neighbourhood. This study identified role players and established the characteristics of the local residents and their contribution to the revitalization process. Qualitative information was obtained through interviews with key role players including the ward Councilor, Municipality officials, residents and business owners of the area. The finding of this study revealed that Sparks as a node has all the elements to function successfully to make a good neighbourhood. The study found that the residents are not included in the revitalization decision making processes by the municipality and that there was little public participation the revitalization in the neighborhood is occurring sporadically in the form of upgrading roads, renovations on private property, installation of traffic lights and speed breakers. The revitalization in Sparks is problematic and needs to be addressed more systematically in the Municipality and by the residents of the area. The research revealed that public participation needs to be encouraged in Municipal initiated projects. The researcher concluded that revitalization needs guidance from the municipality, and that proper public participation strategies should be put in place for successful implementation. / Thesis (M.T.R.P.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2011.

The aim of this document is to explore the potential culture and tradition has in restoring and preserving local cultural identity through built environment. The need to create local cultural identity to built environments and to ensure that these are expressed in a progressive and dynamic way in order to expresses culture as a dynamic evolving organ, not a as static dogma ensuring versatility and significance to all generations. Most built environments do not consider the importance of culture and tradition hence such ignorance has resulted in the formation of spaces that lacks the identity of the society. The research will explore how culture, tradition and built environments may be integrated to create a meaningful environment in order to achieve environments that are an epitome and responds to the people’s needs. / Thesis (M.Arch.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2010.

In the field of architecture the socio-cultural factors have been deterministic in the formation of place, conditions within them and consequently, social relations. Sociologists, anthropologists and environmentalist have advocated that buildings are essentially social and cultural products - King (1980), Rapoport (1969; 1976; 1977) and Bartuska & Young (1994). Architecture that addresses the human socio-cultural factors has been advocated to make a significant contribution to human life; it fosters a sense of belonging, well being and involvement. South Africa has endured years of colonisation and apartheid ruling, this has also reflected on its built environment. It was planned and designed to communicate and reinforce the dominance of the ruling regime which thus transformed the local populace by incorporating them into their political, economic and social value systems. The political shift of 1994 has however (from apartheid to a democratic ruling state) facilitated a renewed interest in acknowledging peoples differences, their unique characteristics and celebrating the diverse nature of a heterogeneous society. The democratisation of South Africa has brought about a major shift in the social and cultural context of the society which in turn has affected the built environment and architecture. It is in this context that this study explores the nature of the transformation, its ideals and principles so to inform the making of environments that help uplift the populace and to integrate our multicultural society while simultaneously celebrating, facilitating and accommodating the diverse cultures of the groups within it. Thus as professionals involved in the design of the built environment, there is an urgent need to identify and understand the socio-culture of society due to the political shift in South Africa in order to orientate in the right direction towards playing a role in the democritisation of South Africa. Hence the topic: The role of architecture in the democritisation of South Africa. / Thesis (M.Arch.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2010.

The purpose of this thesis is to determine the significance of sport in society and its influence on the urban fabric and architecture. The project investigates the relationship between the built form and sport in the design of an urban framework and High Performance Centre for Kings Park, Durban. More specifically, the investigation has three primary objectives, ranging from the macro to the micro context or from the broad to the more specific, (Social, Urban and Architectural). The first aim will explore the social aspects of sport and its influence on culture, specifically with regard to nation building in South Africa. Secondly the focus narrows to the use of the sports event as a means of generating an urban intervention which uplifts an area of ‘lost space’ within the Kings Park Precinct. The final point focuses on creating a relevant and meaningful architectural response, which is responsive to both its users and the surrounding context. The design of the proposed urban and architectural intervention will be facilitated through the investigation of recent literature, theories, precedent and case studies, and personally conducted interviews with informed professionals. This research will determine a relevant architectural typology which is responsible and appropriate to its context. The design process becomes a reaction to defined internal and external stimuli with inherent restraints and opportunities, in which the end result becomes a synthesis of multiple inputs, generating a unique hybrid architecture. / Thesis (M.Arch.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2010.

No abstract available. / Thesis (M.Arch.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2011.

The purpose of this research document is to understand the social issues that are generated from a globally ageing demographic, which relate to the aged identity and the current care environments available to them. Research will be conducted under the hypothesis that the design of a strategically sited care facility which, grouped with facilities that pertain to the care of the aged, could improve the quality of life for the elderly whilst promoting intergenerational connectivity. It is also hoped that ageist stereotypes could be abridged by lowering the dependency of the elderly on care providers by providing preventative and post operative rehabilitative care. The scope of the work is limited to the urban context of South Africa's ageing population primarily based on the current trend of mass urbanisation, after the abolition of the Apartheid government, which is creating a new family dynamic within South Africa where the care of the elderly is shifting onto medical institutions and care facilities. The demand for aged care facilities and the lack of resources in the field of aged care potentially create a situation where medical facilities are unnecessarily overburdened. An architectural response was generated through an investigation of current literature, case studies, precedent studies and personally conducted interviews with a number of aged care professionals. The research was conducted from a global standpoint and then focused towards issues that affect the aged individuals identity and care. The goal of this research was ultimately to inform the design of a care facility within Pietermaritzburg that is responsive to the needs of the elderly whilst being innovative towards its approach of aged care within a community. / Thesis (M.Arch.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2010.

In modern times it has become common practice for architects to work freely around the globe, Japanese architects in Italy or Italians in China, as universal connections are made easier through modern means of transport. The aspects of identity and culture are important to designers which can be seen in many cities that have long and sustained pasts evident in their architectural traditions and commonly expressed within their historic centers. These are been lost as people are changing the way they perceive and envision their surroundings as globalisation is forcibly imposing global cultures upon local dogmas. As a result, architects often look at international precedent for influence when designing, importing ideas which often disregard local contextual factors in aspiring for global recognition. To understand if these new technological, iconic and trend driven buildings are socially, economically and environmentally appropriate, one must analyse how the respond to their surrounding contextual aspects within the region. / Thesis (M.Arch.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2011.

Were it not for mankind’s memory of Historic events there would be no need for the preservation and commemoration of those events and according to Nietzsche - the 19th century German philosopher - in order for the memory to remain it must cease to hurt (Dubow 2001). There is a process then by which tragic events and traumatic memories are eased into memory and it’s often the memorial which serves this “Cathartic Function” (Snyman 1999) removing the hurt and allowing the memory to live on, a process which is “necessary for survival” (Snyman 1999) Crain Soudien - author of Emerging discourses around identity in new South African museum exhibitions - has identified that in representing the new South Africa a particular politics of memory has surfaced “Consisting on the one hand, of discourses of nostalgia, and, on the other, discourses of reconstruction” (Crain 2008). In this treatise government policies are looked at briefly as a way to understand the dialogue of nostalgia, but the focus is on the latter; the discourse of ‘reconstruction’, the issues associated with reconstruction and construction and the mediums through which this has been or will be achieved both on an international and local platform. Having achieved this, a case will be made for the South African Anglo Boer wars and a discourse for the preservation and commemoration of this historic event will be sought. The South African Anglo Boer Wars of: 1881 and 1899 - 1902 dramatically changed the landscape of South Africa for ever. Originally known as the Boer War or even the Anglo Boer War the name was officially changed to the South African War before 1999 as the years 1999 to 2002 was the period of ‘Boer War’ centenaries. It was envisaged that the name change would better reflect the constitutional policy of all-inclusiveness in South Africa among fears that any centenary celebrations would be a sectarian affair as many considered, up until Peter Warwick produced his seminal study dispelling the “old hoary argument that this was essentially a “white man’s war” (Starfield, 2001) that the Anglo Boer War was a whites on whites War. This policy fell under a mandate known as the National Legacy Project (Marschall, personal communication) along with various other heritage projects. The South African Anglo Boer War - as it is often officially called - and its battlefields are protected under national heritage legislation and are therefore a determinant of our national identity. The battles of 1881 are precursors to the Great Boer War and are thus included. It is in this light that this study of heritage portrayal and celebration finds its case, in order to determine a design model for the preservation and commemoration of a part of our nations’ identity for generations to come. The theoretical framework determined to achieve this considers conceptual deliberations on: Issues of design, and mediums of design revealed in a range of precedents deliberately centred on the built environment as 'the museum or memorial is intended to create a setting for the projection of memory onto a built form providing a new linkage between memory and space” (Reconstructing Recollection 2000 cited by Mudenge 2006) Preservation and Commemoration: to keep alive or in existence; make lasting: to preserve our liberties as free citizens. and a service, celebration, etc., in memory of some person or event. Heritage: something that comes or belongs to one by reason of birth; an inherited lot or portion: a heritage of poverty and suffering; a national heritage of honour, pride, and courage. / Thesis (M.Arch.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2010.

2008 was a year which highlighted how far South Africa has fallen behind the rest of the world in the international Olympic sporting arena. High hopes for the Olympic Games in Beijing ended in a lower-than expected medal tally that sparked great debate in South African society. The reasons for this phenomenon are numerous and complex and it is not the intention of this dissertation to investigate all these concerns. However, what is of an architectural concern is the inadequate and often sub-standard sporting facilities which athletes in South Africa, in non-mainstream sporting codes, have to contend with. The challenge for architects in this regard is to design buildings for these sports, that are both adequate and of a suitable standard, while remaining relevant to their context. This to promote professionalism and inspire athletes to succeed through the creation of high quality, world-class facilities for competition, training and preparation. Rowing, canoeing and kayaking are highly competitive and technologically advanced Olympic sports. Many South African athletes compete in these disciplines and have enjoyed limited international success. Unfortunately, as there are currently no international regatta centres in Southern Africa, these same athletes have to travel abroad to compete and train at such facilities. South African athletes and the sports of rowing, canoeing and kayaking would thus benefit greatly from having access to locally based regatta facilities. KwaZulu-Natal has a proud sporting heritage and is synonymous with water sports as a result of its favourable climate and geographic location. This coupled with various other established sporting infrastructure, makes it the ideal Province for hosting major sporting events. Both Durban as a city and KwaZulu-Natal as a Province, have an impressive track record for hosting large sporting events. The Province has future aspirations of hosting major sporting events including the Commonwealth Games and the Olympics Games, with Durban soon hoping to be bidding to host the 2020 Summer Olympics. To host such events will require the design of many specialised sporting facilities for the city and will include the need for an international regatta centre. In my opinion, the best site for such a centre in KwaZulu-Natal is at Camps Drift in Pietermaritzburg. The requirements for an international regatta centre are both highly technical and very specific as set out by the respective world sporting governing bodies. These requirements need to be strictly adhered to in order for the Centre to be considered to be of an internationalstandard. The challenge will be to design architecture that is functional in achieving these set criteria while, remaining relevant to the social, economic and environmental context of its design. Thus the purpose of this research document is to determine a relevant architecture for the design of an International Regatta Centre for KwaZulu-Natal. / Thesis (M.Arch.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2010.