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Assessment of the impact of Mdantsane Urban Renewal Programme 2002-2007Peter, Ntombentle Cordelia January 2008 (has links)
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.
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[EM]Powerment: industry as regenerative architecture: a biomass power plant & environmental education centre in AlexandraBroadhead, Leanne Hazel January 2016 (has links)
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
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An analysis of Cape Town Municipality's approach to urban regeneration in the central business district and other business nodesLiebenberg, Christiaan Rudolf 12 1900 (has links)
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.
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Langa community needs assessment studyMpetsheni, Yandiswa D. 04 1900 (has links)
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.
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Turning points : exploring power transitions in an incremental upgrading process in Enkanini, StellenboschWessels, Berry Steenkamp 04 1900 (has links)
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.
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Reimagining the city, rewriting narratives: music, suburban youths, and inner city redevelopment in Johannesburg, circa 2015Mullins, Amanda January 2016 (has links)
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
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Globalization--South Africa--JohannesburgRyninks, Guy J 03 March 2016 (has links)
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.
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Invert city: designing for homeless women in HillbrowCarew, Julia 10 September 2014 (has links)
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.
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[re]Mapping the airport: business conference centre & hotel at LanseriaDean, Jennifer 07 October 2014 (has links)
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).
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Thank you for slowing down: Slow down. Sit still. Clear your mind. At the Urban Meditation Time MachinePappas, Stephen Nicholas January 2017 (has links)
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
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