The study sought to assess the impact of the Mdantsane Urban Renewal Programme (MURP) in Buffalo City Municipality from an analytical perspective of policy making, policy implementation, strategies and results of the programme. The aim was to analyse and evaluate the policy and implementation framework underpinning the MURP within the auspices of the national Urban Renewal Programme (URP). During the course of the study, literature was reviewed with the aim of contextualizing the study, especially given the ‘controversies’ associated with urban renewal interventions globally. As far as implementation is concerned, the institutional mechanisms, the cooperative government imperatives and the community perspectives are highlighted and reported on. Lastly, the study also proposed different policy and implementation options, as well as an implementation model. This model is advocated as an option for local government consideration with the aim of resolving the urban renewal problematique.

Thesis (M.Arch. (Professional))--University of the Witwatersrand, Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, School of Architecture and Planning, 2016. / The 21st century has been defined by urbanisation and rapid growth but seemingly not by the resultant ecological detriment. Modern communities, entrenched in anthropocentric thinking have managed to unwittingly destroy the biotic assemblage of natural ecologies, this to the detriment of their urban ecosystem. This has left modern settlements in ecological crisis. [EM]POWERMENT is an investigation of eco-industrial intervention within the 21st century paradigm. This dissertation explores the potential of eco-industry as an urban catalyst, one of altered consciousness and environmental awareness. It imagines the completion of natural cycles by industry so that a sustainable urban ecology may be realised and environmental systems regenerated. If communities are to rise above ecological crises, it is apparent that the ways in which individuals think needs to be redefined. Communities should be steered toward an eco-anthropocentric view where man and nature can exist as a harmonious system capable of regeneration. [EM]POWERMENT introduces a power generating eco-industrial catalyst within densely populated townships, rectifying the current paradox where power is not “to the people”, as our South African heritage may suggest. [EM]POWERMENT provides community upliftment through the provision of basic services and it also empowers communities through education, reconnection with nature and equity in the success of the system. / EM2017

Thesis (MS en S)--Stellenbosch University, 2002. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: According to certain writers urban regeneration as an idea encapsulates both the perception of city decline (in local economies, in the use of land and buildings, in the equality of the environment and social life) and the hope of renewal, reversing trends in order to find a new basis for economic growth and social wellbeing. Rebuilding the city, clearing away obsolete buildings and vacant sites, and producing new building forms and designs symbolised the renewal in action. But urban regeneration also has different components or evolution criteria like, the major strategy (the focus of the renewal project), an economic focus, a social content, a physical emphasis or an environmental approach. The economic change that occurred in cities throughout the world in the past decade, has been paralleled not only by the physical reshaping of the city, but it has been accompanied by institutional restructuring (the rise of new firms, new working practices and relationships designed to exploit new market opportunities). The physical, economic, social and cultural projects launched through the process of urban regeneration, reconstruct the economic, socio-cultural, political-institutional and physicalenvironmental fabric of cities. It battles urban decay and redevelop the city to such a extend that it brings back the original appeal of the city, which lured people to the central city for decades. But not all urban renewal projects are aimed at the inner city; some are launched in a much wider context and would focus on blighted or previously disadvantaged and marginalised areas. Renewal projects in Cape Town and elsewhere in South Africa in cities like Durban and Johannesburg are still ongoing and form an important part of rebuilding cities of modem South Africa. It is however important to remember that not all urban renewal projects proved to be a success, some do fail. In the Cape Town Metropole and the Central City local government has neglected many areas for much too long. Recent efforts to restore the beauty of Cape Town and really address the urban challenges that arose from the Apartheid legacy shows a commitment from the Cape Town Municipality to create a much more liveable and economic viable urban environment. This study investigated the City of Cape Town Municipality's approach towards urban regeneration in the Central Business District and other specific business nodes. A literature review gave an intellectual background to the study and helped to build a logical framework. Secondary analysis helped define the goal of the study and qualitative field research assisted the investigation through direct observation and semi-structured interviewing. The study did not aim to prove that every urban renewal project that was launched was aimed at eradicating the problems associated with the Apartheid City. An important factor to take in account is that different business areas (The Victoria and Alfred Waterfront) and nodes (The Wetton-Landsdowne Phillipi Corridor), the focus of this study, make use of different redevelopment strategies. This study focused on how and why some work and must be built upon, and delivered critique on why some failed and should convert to a more successful renewal approach. The study concluded that the City of Cape Town's approach towards urban regeneration do compare positively with redevelopment strategies followed in other parts of the world such as America and Britain. The study tried to show the direction urban regeneration could take for the future, based on an evaluation of urban regeneration evolution criteria namely: • The major strategy and orientation and key actors and stakeholders. • The economic focus. • The social content. • The physical emphasis. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Stedelike vernuwmg omvat beide die konsep stedelike verval (met betrekking tot plaaslike ekonomieë, die fisiese gebruik van grond en gebou en wat betref die kwaliteit van die omgewing) en die hoop van vernuwing of herontwikkeling, met die idee om die rigting van strategie te verander sodat 'n nuwe basis vir ekonomiese groei en sosiale welstand gevind kan word. Die herontwikkeling of opbou van die stad beteken nie net die verwydering van nuttelose en ongebruikte geboue en vakante grond nie. Stedelike hernuwing het verskeie komponenete of evolusie kriteria, soos die hoof strategie (die fokus van die hernuwingsprogram), 'n ekonomiese fokus, 'n sosiale inhoud, 'n fisiese klem of 'n omgewingsbenadering. Die ekonomiese verandering wat oor die laaste dekade in die wêreld plaasgevind het is vergesel nie net deur 'n fisiese herstrukturering van die wêreld se hoof stede nie, maar ook institusionele hervorming (die opkoms van nuwe firmas en venootskappe en nuwe ekonomiese en mark geleenthede) Die fisiese, ekonomiese sosiale en kulturele komponente wat deel vorm van stedelike hernuwingstrategieë dra by tot die heropbou en herontwikkeling van die ekonomiese, sosiokulturele, polities-institusioneel en fisiese-omgewingsfabrikaat van stede. Stedelike verval word beveg en die stad word tot so 'n mate herontwikkel dat dit die oorspronklike aantrekkingskrag van die stad herstel. Maar nie alle hernuwingstrategieë is gemik op die Sentrale Sakekern nie, sommige word in 'n wyer konteks geloods, en fokus op areas van verval, vorige benadeelde en gemarginaliseerde areas met as doelwit 'n meer interkonnektiewe stad. Hernuwingsprojekte word steeds op 'n konstante basis geloods in stede soos Kaapstad, Durban en Johannesburg met die oog op die belangrike herontwikkeling van kern areas in die stede. Dit is egter belangrik om in ag te neem dat nie elke stedelike hernuwingsprojek 'n seker sukses is nie, soos die Wetton-Landsdowne Phillipi Korridor Program. Binne die Kaapse Metropool en in die Sentrale Sakekern is kern areas vir lang tye verontagsaam en toegelaat om te verval. Die onlangse pogings (1999 - 2002) wat aangewend word deur die Kaapstad Munisipaliteit dui op 'n verbintenis van die organisasie se kant aftot stedelike hernuwing. Die organisasie, deur middel van die Stedelike Hernuwingsprogram van 2002, is ook verbind tot areas wat voorheen deur Apartheidsbeleid benadeel en gemarginaliseer is. Hierdie studie fokus op Kaapstad se benadering tot stedelike hernuwing in die Sentrale Sakekern en ander spesifieke besigheidsnodusse. 'n Literêre oorsig het gehelp om die intellektuele agtergrondmateriaal en logiese raamwerk van die studie te vorm. Sekondêre analise het die doel Stellenbosch University http://scholar.sun.ac.za van die studie bepaal en kwalitatiewe veldwerk het die ondersoek aangehelp deur observasie en semi-gestruktureerde onderhoude. Die studie sal nie probeer bewys dat elke hernuwingsprojek wat deur die Kaapstad Munisipaliteit geloods word gemik is op die uitwis van stedelike probleme geassosieer met die Apartheidsbeleid nie. Die evaluasie aan die einde van die studie poog om dit uit te wys. Dit is belangrik om te beklemtoon dat elke verskillende area wat die potensiaal toon vir herontwikkeling soos die Victoria en Alfred Waterfront of die Wetton-Landsdowne Phillipi Korridor (die fokus van die studie) volg verskillende strategieë ten einde hul hernuwingsdoelwit te bereik (ekonomiese ontwikkeling, sosiale fokus of omgewingsbeklemtoning). Die studie het wel die gevolgtrekking gemaak dat van Kaapstad se stedelike hernuwingstrategieë tog ooreenstem met herontwikkelingstrategieë in die res van die wêreld soos in Amerika en Brittanje. Die studie fokus en poog ook om die rigting aan te dui vir toekomstige stedelike hernuwingstrategieë op grond van 'n evaluering van stedelike hernuwingsevolusie kriteria naamlik: • Die hoofstrategie en rolspelers. • Die ekonomiese fokus. • Die sosiale inhoud en • Die fisiese beklemtoning van hernuwingselemente.

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2005. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Reliable and valid methods of studying needs of communities are an essential tool in the development of those communities. This study looks at different ways in which community needs could be assessed and uses two of those methods in assessing needs of the Langa community. The findings are that for a successful needs assessment, the key is, to identify a method or a combination of methods appropriate to the issues and to one's goals and resources, and implementing it well. Queeney (1995) states that one must always choose a technique that will give accurate results of the community being studied, and resources used should be cost-effective. Langa was chosen as a case study because of its diverse socia-economic structure. The type of housing that one occupies is indicative of the socioeconomic background of that person. The housing types found in Langa are shacks, hostels, public houses and private houses. The methods used in the Langa area for this study were the key informant approach and the survey approach. The key informant approach was used with community leaders in Langa while a survey was conducted with sampled dwelling units in the area. The reason for using the two methods was to get a more comprehensive picture of community needs in the area. Key informant approach Representatives of 10 of the 15 community organisations operating in the Langa area were interviewed. Priority needs for the community differed according to the organisation that key informants represented. Survey approach The total number of people interviewed using the survey approach was 425. Of the total number respondents living shacks, approximately 40% were in full time employment. In public housing, it was approximately 47% of the respondents. The private houses had by far the highest number of respondents in full time employment (73%) followed by hostels at 59%. The high number for private housing was not surprising considering that the occupants were mostly government employees. People in shacks did not have access to basic services. However, their first priority was housing. This was the same as the priority in the overcrowded migrant labour hostels. In public housing the priority need was jobs. Private housing dwellers mentioned housing for shack dwellers as their first priority. The close proximity of shack dwellers to private housing made private housing private housing dwellers aware of the conditions under which people in shacks live. Recommendations Most of the community organisation in the Langa area existed because of a need that was identified by the community. The priority needs cited by representatives of the various organisations were needed by the Langa community. In the survey approach housing and jobs were the main priorities. Priority needs raised by key informants as well as survey respondents need to be addressed urgently to ensure the development of the Langa community. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Betroubare en geldige tegnieke vir die bestudering van die behoeftes van gemeenskappe vorm In essensiële deel van die ontwikkeling van gemeenskappe. Hierdie studie ondersoek die verskillende wyses waarop gemeenskap behoeftes gemeet kan word en gebruik twee van hierdie metodes om behoeftes van die Langa gemeenskap te bepaal. Die bevindinge toon dat die belangrikste komponent vir In suksesvolle behoefte opname, die identififsering van In metode of kombinasie van metodes geskik vir die situasie is, as ook die suksesvolle implementering daarvan. Queeney (1995) stel dat die navorser altyd In tegniek moet kies wat akkurate bevindinge sal voortbring en ook koste-effektief is. Langa is gekies as In gevallestudie vanweë die diverse sosio-ekonomiese struktuur. Die tipe behuising van In okkupant is In indikator van die sosioekonomiese agtergrond van die individu. Die behuising tipes in Langa is tydelike wonings, hostelle, losieshuise as ook privaat wonings. Die metodes wat in Langa gebruik is vir hierdie studie is die sleutel informant metode as ook In opname. Die sleutel informant metode is gebruik met die gemeenskapsleiers terwyl In opname uitgevoer is in geselekteerde areas van Langa. In Kombinasie van metodes is gebruik om In meer omvattende beskrywing van die gemeenskapsbehoeftes in die omgewing te verskaf. Sleutel informant tegniek Daar is onderhoude gevoer met 10 verteenwoordigers van die 15 gemeenskapsorganisasies in Langa. Die prioritisering van behoeftes het gewissel afhangende van die organsisasie. Opname Daar is onderhoude gevoer met 425 persone tydens die opname. Naastenby 40% van die respondente woonagtig in tydelike behuising, het In voltydse betrekking. Vir respondente woonagtig in losieshuise was dit naastenby 47% van die respondente. Respondente in privaat wonings toon die hoogste persentasie respondente met 'n voltydse betrekking (73%) gevolg deur die hostel inwoners teen 59%. Die hoë persentasie vir privaat wonings is nie verbasend aangesien die inwoners meestal regerings amptenare is. Die inwoners van tydelike behuising het nie toegang tot basiese dienste nie. Hulle eerste prioriteit is dus behuising. Behuising is ook 'n prioriteit vir die inwoners van die oorbevolkte hostelle. In die publieke woning sector was die prioriteit behoefte werksgeleenthede. Die respondente in hierdie sector het ook aangetoon dat behuising vir die inwoners van tydelike behuising 'n prioriteit vir hulle is. Die nabyheid van die tydelike behusing het die inwoners van privaat wonings meer bewus gemaak van hulle omstandighede. Aanbevelings Die grootste gedeelte van die gemeenskapsorganisasie in Langa het ontwikkel uit 'n behoefte wat die gemeenskap geïdentifiseer is. Die bevindinge van die opname het getoon dat behuising en werksgeleenthede die hoofprioriteite is. Die belangrikste behoeftes wat in hierdie studie geïdentifiseer word moet dringend aangespreek word.

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study explored whether co-production of knowledge could contribute to shifting power from government to citizens in an incremental upgrading process. It is premised on the notion that such a shift is desirable. The title of the study Turning points: Exploring power transitions in an incremental upgrading process in Enkanini, Stellenbosch indicates the complex, transient and shifting power dynamics at play in the illegal settlement of Enkanini in Stellenbosch. The study was conducted within a larger transdisciplinary research framework seeking to implement socio-technical innovations, generated through a co-production of knowledge process with settlement residents, to move Enkanini towards becoming a sustainable human settlement. A case study provides an overview of engagement the residents have had with the local Stellenbosch Municipality, NGOs and academic researchers from the Sustainability Institute, Stellenbosch University. It is complemented by the personal narrative of one of the first residents who moved there in 2006. From personal observations, interaction with residents and coresearchers, meeting notes, the literature review and a grounded experience over the three-year study period, four turning points were identified. These four turning points, interpreted as bifurcations that could open up new ways of engaging with the present to determine alternative futures are explored dialectically. The initial problem for each is described, followed by the response and the resultant challenge that emerged. The four turning points were the initiation of the iShack concept, the start of the iShack Project, the iShack stakeholders meeting and the establishment of the Enkanini Research Centre. As power, in both visible and invisible forms, manifested itself in this volatile settlement and in awareness that the researchers role held power and that the researcher’s sets of knowledge, assumptions and prejudices could affect both research process and outcome, there was a need to find complementary methodologies to the main transdisciplinary research framework. Indigenous research methodologies spoke directly to power and the importance of capacity building and empowering research participants (shifting them to coresearchers), while reflexive research methodologies allowed the disciplined reflection and re-reflection to ameliorate influencing of process and outcome. In addition, each overcame the limitations of the other, in particular the limitation of transdisciplinary research that does not take power dynamics into account. This resulted in the creation of a methodological triad and a conceptual mechanism through which to view the results, termed co-arising. The three themes that had emerged during the process – understanding through knowledge co-production, capacity building through the awareness of power dynamics and engagement with the research space – are fused in this notion of coarising served by the methodological triad. The turning points, or bifurcations, were analysed through an “open” coding system used in grounded theory to minimise pre-conditions determining the outcome. Three dominant categories emerged – empowerment, identity and agency – as determinants for shifting power from government to citizens through effective coproduction of knowledge in an incremental upgrading process. The study concludes with recommendations for future research. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie wou vasstel of die medeproduksie van kennis kan bydra tot ’n magsverskuiwing vanaf die regering na burgers in ’n trapsgewyse opgraderingsproses. Dit het van die veronderstelling uitgegaan dat so ’n verskuiwing wenslik sal wees. Die titel van die studie, Turning points: Exploring power transitions in an incremental upgrading process in Enkanini, Stellenbosch, dui op die komplekse, veranderlike en verskuiwende magsdinamiek in die onwettige nedersetting Enkanini op Stellenbosch. Die navorsing is binne ’n groter kruisdissiplinêre navorsingsraamwerk onderneem wat toegespits was op die inwerkingstelling van sosio-tegniese innovasies om Enkanini in ’n volhoubare menslike nedersetting te omskep. Die innovasies is deur medeproduksie van kennis in samewerking met inwoners van die nedersetting ontwikkel. ’n Gevallestudie bied ’n oorsig van skakeling tussen inwoners en die plaaslike Stellenbosch Munisipaliteit, nieregeringsorganisasies en akademiese navorsers van die Volhoubaarheidsinstituut aan die Universiteit Stellenbosch. Dit word aangevul deur die persoonlike verhaal van een van die eerste Enkaniniinwoners, wat in 2006 daar ingetrek het. Persoonlike waarnemings, interaksie met inwoners en medenavorsers, aantekeninge by vergaderings, die literatuuroorsig en praktiese ervaring oor die studietydperk van drie jaar het vier keerpunte na vore gebring. Hierdie vier keerpunte kan vertolk word as bifurkasies wat kan lei tot ’n nuwe benadering tot die hede vir die skep van ’n alternatiewe toekoms. ’n Dialektiese verkenning van die keerpunte is gevolglik onderneem. Die aanvanklike probleem word in elke geval beskryf, gevolg deur die reaksie en die uiteindelike uitdaging wat daaruit ontstaan het. Die vier keerpunte was die bekendstelling van die iShackkonsep, die aanvang van die iShack-projek, die vergadering van iShackbelanghebbendes, en die vestiging van die Enkanini-navorsingsentrum. Aangesien sowel sigbare as onsigbare vorme van mag in hierdie onstuimige nedersetting te sien was, en gedagtig daaraan dat die navorser oor ’n magsrol beskik het en die navorser se kennis, aannames en vooroordele die navorsingsproses sowel as -uitkoms kon beïnvloed, moes bykomende metodologieë ter aanvulling van die hoof- kruisdissiplinêre navorsingsraamwerk gevind word. In dié verband het inheemse navorsing direk betrekking gehad op mag en die belang van vermoëbou en bemagtiging onder navorsingsdeelnemers (om hulle as’t ware in medenavorsers te omskep). Oordenkingsnavorsing het weer ’n geleentheid gebied vir gedissiplineerde besinning en herbesinning om enige beïnvloeding van die proses en uitkoms te temper. Daarbenewens het elke benadering die beperkinge van die ander ondervang, veral die geneigdheid by kruisdissiplinêre navorsing om magsdinamiek buite rekening te laat. Sodoende is ’n metodologiese drietal en ’n konseptuele meganisme genaamd mede-ontstaan (“co-arising”) geskep, waarmee die resultate ondersoek kon word. Die drie temas wat gedurende die proses uitgewys is – begrip deur die medeproduksie van kennis, vermoëbou deur ’n bewustheid van magsdinamiek, en betrokkenheid by die navorsingsruimte – is byeengetrek onder die gedagte van mede-ontstaan, wat deur die metodologiese drietal onderstut is. Die keerpunte, of bifurkasies, is deur ’n ‘oop’ koderingstelsel uit gegronde teorie ontleed om die invloed van enige voorafbestaande toestande op die uitkoms te beperk. Hieruit is drie dominante kategorieë afgelei – bemagtiging, identiteit en vrye wil – synde bepalende faktore vir doeltreffende medeproduksie van kennis en die gevolglike verskuiwing van mag vanaf die regering na burgers in ’n trapsgewyse opgraderingsproses. Die studie sluit af met sekere aanbevelings vir verdere navorsing.

A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Humanities, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts by Research in Music Johannesburg 2016 / This research explores the influence that inner city redevelopment in Johannesburg has had on both its music scenes and the identities of those participating in the music scenes, particularly young participants from Johannesburg’s suburbs who did not interact with the city before its redevelopment. Understanding the city’s history as well as the current lived and imagined divides between its suburbs and inner city illuminates its fragmented nature and informs the significance of the presence of suburban youths in today’s inner city music scenes. Personal and collective narratives gathered from participants of these inner city music scenes provide insight into the city’s spatial, social, and musical transitions, adding subjective voices to the city’s complex and ever-evolving history. The use of culture-led regeneration (within cultural clusters), as a model of redevelopment, has aided in the success of attracting new audiences to the inner city once eschewed by suburbanites, providing grounds for new experiences and interactions within an increasingly diverse social sphere. Due to this, the music’s diversity within these spaces is expanding too. The role of music – and in particular, alternative music – in enticing suburban youths to the inner city requires an understanding of why ‘alternative’ (or arguably, creative) people are often drawn to urban spaces, and in doing so, often become main contributors to the accomplishments and successes of redevelopment initiatives. Examining social interactions and relationships within the inner city, in comparison to those in suburban Johannesburg, exposes a unique and highly valued manner of communal bonding amongst participants that is often tied to involvement in similar music scenes. The experience of the inner city, the experience of music in the inner city, and the experience of a community of like-minded people within the inner city all combine to create new discourses about Johannesburg, as well as impacting on the identities and experiences of those contributing to these discourses. Transforming city. Transforming music. Transforming people. / GR2017

A research report submitted by the Wits School of Arts, Film and Television Department, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Masters in Film and Television. Johannesburg 2015 / In our modern contemporary time period the vast and rapid expansion of globalisation is stronger than ever, resulting in the shifting of how identities are currently being formed. In Johannesburg there has been major shifts in the socio-political realities of our nation, coupled with globalisation there is a noticeable shift in way identities are formed in our present fractured environment. These shifts are important to acknowledge as South Africa is in the process of changing its image towards of an all encompassing equal state, and so It is imperative to study how these shifts are impacting on identity formation. There are multiple difficulties in a study such as this, initiating a study on a subject/s that is itself incomplete fails to produce finite answers or outcomes. Rather many varying results are produced and compiling this information proves challenging when attempting to comprehend these findings. It is my aim to understand not only how identities are being formed within the rejuvenating city, but also how the rejuvenation of the city is impacting on the formation of identities. Because of the long-established fractured nature of Johannesburg there has been a fracturing of identities that continues even in the face of the changes that are occurring. However with the changes meant to curb these fractures I question if these fractures are in fact diminishing, remaining the same or is there actually a noticeable change occurring. Initially I consider the history of South Africa as this has evidently impacted on the city, my research is it then focused on Johannesburg, as this is the environment I live in and have formed my own identity in. I also investigate how through the use of auto-ethnography I am able to practice ‘self-expression’ staged upon my personal view of Johannesburg and the fractures I encounter. Because I use auto-ethnography as my autobiographical filming technique I have exclusive control over the film and this proved challenging as I was positioning myself in the film as a form of subjectivity. This created a problem in how I was intending to represent myself along with the fractured landscape of Johannesburg. My outcome is a self-subjective representation of myself positioned into my environment represented as my personal view. I focus on the fractures I experience within my own environment the suburbs and that of the city, also the fracture between these two spaces and the continuing fracture in my own identity and relationship with the city. My research will allow for an avenue of self-representation on a very personal and idiosyncratic level as to encourage the city to be represented as it is experienced and perceived by its inhabitants. However my production can be seen as being specific to a similar case, that being of my own, but this practice allows for the use of auto-ethnography to represent our own individual perspectives and the subjectification of ourselves as inhabitants of the city from a personal perspective rather than a generalised and broad perspective.

The city of Johannesburg has battled with the condition of homelessness for years, identifying a problem even before our emancipation from the ruthless apartheid construct (Beavon, 2004). Political measures have subsequently been implemented in order to combat its harsh effects, introducing various short-term housing policies and theoretical solutions for the homeless in the city. The temporary housing institution as a body is therefore representative, for many people, of the first step in the process toward a legitimate and permanent housing solution. However, the institution as it exists today, does so in both a social and political vacuum. The great divide between the temporary solution and the initial rungs of the social housing ladder give the user little to no option for situational improvement (Olufemi, 1998). These collective spaces for the ostracised community, through their layered autonomous nature, divorce the user even further from the community aimed to be reunited with. The institution as a typology requires investigation, interrogation and reintegration within existing and enforced political structures. The immediate accommodation answer needs to be seen both as an independent entity as well as only part of a greater strategy for a permanent, integrated and holistic housing solution. The contestation of the institution is not the argument, but rather a proposal for its deconstruction and ultimate innovative reconnection through a strategy of layered inversion. If we choose to view the city and many of its microcosmic constructs through a post-structuralist or deconstructivist lens, we begin to understand the prevalence of the disjointed other within the urban whole: The homeless woman is the city’s marginalised user. The alleyway; the silent ‘other’ to the prominent street. The vacant space is the forgotten site. And if the physicality of structure is the prominent former, the network and connections existing between built forms must be the secondary within the realm of architecture. If we connect the city’s marginalised elements, through the vessel of temporary accommodation as the initial part of an integrated housing model, the role of the institution is inverted rather than its function or programme. Therefore, the ‘exo-stution’ is the folding out and reconnection of the existing ‘in-stitution’ is an answer to the city’s detached collection of limited - where marginalised user, space and structure collectively connect street, suburb and city.

The imagery of flight remains one of the most captivating views in history. The bird’s eye view it gives to man has helped him to gain an understanding of a particular area, in addition to broadening his knowledge base. Air travel has time in sense (because of its convenience), and shaped cities, with the airport control tower becoming a dominant icon within the landscape. Its form of communication and navigation is different: having its own language, symbols that have to be comprehended before the journey of flight can begin. The map is one such device that serves as a medium between the technical and the lay – enabling a simpler understanding of a complex subject. It is dexterous in its ability to show detail, aiding the design process by highlighting key elements, summarising others, and giving clues as to the proposed site and programme. The focus of this study is to design a hub for business, as well as a facilitator for improving the knowledge of the visitor through information and networks. Specific functional elements were chosen in an attempt to supplement the existing Lanseria airport, in addition to creating an identity for a gateway into area and its surrounds. In accordance with the co-operative nature of the industry, the proposal can become a marketable feature for the developing, expanding airport. This document examines the context of aviation and theatrical explorations into its methods of communications (Chapters 1 – 2); the search for an appropriate site (Chapter 3) and the formation of programme and precedent studies (Chapter 4); leading up to the final design of the Centre and its technological aspects (Chapter 5).

Thesis is submitted in partial fulfilment for the degree of Master of Architecture (Professional) to the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, School of Architecture and Planning at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2017 / This research report intends to illuminate the effect of how we can slow down, clear our minds and come to a complete standstill in extremely fast cities. To apprehend these effects the investigation focuses contextually, around the eastern edge of Newtown Johannesburg. This site is juxtaposed within the intensity of major transport nodes. We are living in a world that is accelerating at a frightening pace, and people are not keeping up - there is very little time in one’s day to escape the rapidity, acquire peace of mind and absorb the present moment. This research report acts as a precedent for how future utopian cities can host a space that encourages a meditative-lifestyle of slowing down. I unfold three theories to help support my investigation; Lieven de Cauter’s theory on capsularisation tells us how man has turned to ‘hyper-individualisation’, closing himself off from the world and creating social barriers. The second theory I look at is non-places by Marc Augé who talks about the in between places we pass through such as petrol stations, bus stops, terminals, etcetera, and how these transient spaces have become more meaningful because one is spending more time in them due to technological advancement. I label these as delayed spaces in my thesis which is the third theory I look at by Fardjadi and Mostafavi. I engage with these last two theories by doing an evaluation on them; these include multi-faith spaces, petrol stations, bus stops, terminals and launderettes. I do so because these are spaces where people slow down and pass through within an ordinary day. I suggest how these activities, that are normally considered mundane, can be transcended through different opportunities to slow down through a meditative life-style. Within each evaluation particular lessons are acquired that are integrated in the overall building design. At one point in the research report I take a time-out from the design process to question the value of slow architecture. Much of the working world as well as universities have an uncomfortable urgency when it comes to design. There is no time to reflect on mistakes made or gain perspective on the process which leads to quick decisions without much thought, and often lack in creative depth or meaning. I touch on my own design process and thinking as an example to explain why it is important to slow down and review what has been done to be able to move forward with clear direction. In terms of the architecture for my research report, two specific concepts are unravelled; the first one is movement - how one approaches the building as well as the circulation within it. I used the labyrinth and the notion of time-frames to support this idea of slowing down from speed to stillness which determined my program. The second concept is the ‘consciousness capsules’ which host the main meditative spaces and activities in the building. These activities make up the program and they include a multi-functional gathering space, a communal library to learn about meditation and its philosophy, hand-craft workshops (such as painting, quilting and basket weaving), meditation rooms, collective yoga, a dormitory, and finally a public garden terrace at the very top accompanied by a walking labyrinth. The whole journey through the building portrays a ‘stairway to heaven’ and provides an overview of the city that allows for one to escape the bustle and re-collect ones’ thoughts and immerse in the present moment - as nothing is more urgent today than slowing down. / GR2017