The dissertation investigates how non-profit organisations (NPOs) can function more efficiently by sharing resources and services. The design responds with the strategy of service integration, by transforming the facilities of POPUP, a single NPO, into a shared services hub for multiple NPOs. POPUP is a People Upliftment Programme in Salvokop, Pretoria, and serves the under-privileged communities of Pretoria with skills development courses. The dissertation aims to create restorative environments for these students and explores the theoretical approaches of regenerative design, biophilic design and restorative environmental design. The premise of the investigation is that humanity has an inherent inclination towards nature and that a healthy human-nature connection enables the healing process. Furthermore, the dissertation follows a contextual approach that responds to the railway heritage significance of Salvokop, the urban condition of disconnection from the Central Business District, as well as the self-restoration of the natural landscape. The study seeks to regenerate the human-nature connection, a manifestation of the connection between the current natural landscape and the urban condition. In this way, restorative environments are created that contribute to the regeneration of people. / Dissertation MArch(Prof)--University of Pretoria, 2014 / Architecture / MArch(Prof) / Unrestricted

An essential part of bioarchaeology is the study of diet and nutrition and its effects on the general health of a person. Interpretation of nutritional and metabolic disease related pathologies often provide additional insight into the daily social and cultural practices of people. It is therefore also an essential part of understanding differences amongst past populations from archaeological contexts and provides an alternative means for cross referencing historical accounts. In this study the skeletal remains of 36 Chinese indentured mine labourers, who worked and died on the Witwatersrand mines during the period AD 1904-1910, were assessed for any signs of metabolic or nutritionally related signs of disease. Historical information suggests that these indentured Chinese labourers came from poverty stricken communities in China where disease and malnutrition were often encountered. Once in South Africa they were again subjected to the harsh living and working conditions associated with mining. Analyses suggest that all 36 individuals were males between the ages of 16 and 45 years, with the majority being of young adult age (20-34 years). Pathology that could be observed included a high prevalence of nutrition-related changes and linear enamel hypoplasia which suggests that the Chinese miners had been subjected to long periods of malnutrition and illness throughout childhood continuing into adulthood. Nevertheless, a large proportion of lesions associated with malnutrition showed some degree of healing. A high frequency of traumatic lesions, specifically peri-mortem fractures, was observed and may have contributed to the death of many of the Chinese miners. It therefore seems that even though the healing of pathological lesions associated with malnutrition indicated a period of improved nutritional intake, possibly during their time on the Witwatersrand mines, the high prevalence of peri-mortem fractures attests to the hazardous working conditions associated with deep-level mining. In order to aid in the interpretation of skeletal pathology associated with metabolic and nutritional diseases non-specific signs of disease observed in a cadaver skeletal sample with known causes of death (related to specific metabolic or nutritional diseases) were compared to pathology observed in the Chinese miners. This provided pathological patterns which enabled a better interpretation of the pathology observed in the Chinese skeletal remains. / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2014. / am2014 / Anatomy / unrestricted

The problem addressed in this thesis was identified in a real life context in which an attempt was made to re-constitute a BSc Computer Science degree programme. The curriculum was modelled on the ACM/IEEE Computing Curriculum of 2001. It was further required to comply with accreditation requirements as defined by ABET’s Computing Accreditation Commission. Relying on a spreadsheet, the curriculum was iteratively and manually evaluated against the ACM/IEEE curriculum specification. A need was identified to automate or at least semi-automate this process. In this thesis a generalisation of the problem is presented. Curricula are modelled as directed graphs (digraphs) in which graph vertices represent curriculum elements such as topics, knowledge areas, knowledge units year- levels or modules. Edges in the graph represent dependencies between these vertices such as belonging to grouping or pre-requisites. The task of curriculum comparison then abstracts to a task of digraph comparison. A framework, the Graph Comparison Framework, is proposed. The frame- work comprises of components which are used to guide the digraph comparison process. The so-called Graph Trans-morphism algorithm component is the only component in the framework which is mandatory. The algorithm converts the information from one of the digraphs being compared into the structure of the other. This conversion enables the graphs to be compared as graph isomorphisms. All digraphs are modelled as sets of triples, making it possible to subtract one digraph from another using the set minus operator. The resultant difference sets are used by components defined in the framework to quantify and visualise the differences. By modelling curricula as digraphs and applying the framework to the di-graphs, it is possible to compare curricula. This application of the framework to a real-world problem forms the applications research part of the thesis. In this part, domain knowledge of curriculum design is necessary to apply to the curriculum being developed in order to improve it. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2014. / Computer Science / unrestricted

The dissertation investigates the design of an electronic-waste material recovery facility in the north western precinct of the inner city of Tshwane. It aims to explore the re-configuration of the industrial typology within a contemporary network society, and make apparent it’s changing role and form, influenced by a globalized industrial paradigm that is increasingly decentralized, immaterial and knowledge intensive. It suggests a hybridity of type and process, where value in terms of the local and the material is investigated as an expression of the new industrial ethos of innovation, information access, collaboration and transparency. / Dissertation MArch(Prof)--University of Pretoria 2013 / Architecture / MArch(Prof) / Unrestricted

Ultra wide band (UWB) is an extremely promising wireless technology for researchers and industrials. One of the most interesting is its high data rate and fading robustness due to selective frequency fading. However, beside such advantages, UWB system performance is highly affected by existing narrowband interference (NBI), undesired UWB signals and tone/multi-tone noises. For this reason, research about NBI cancellation is still a challenge to improve the system performance vs. receiver complexity, power consumption, linearity, etc. In this work, the two major receiver sections, i.e., analog (radiofrequency or RF) and digital (digital signal processing or DSP), were considered and new techniques proposed to reduce circuit complexity and power consumption, while improving signal parameters. In the RF section, different multiband UWB low-noise amplifier key design parameters were investigated like circuit configuration, input matching and desired/undesired frequency band filtering, highlighting the most suitable filtering package for efficient UWB NBI cancellation. In the DSP section, due to pulse transmitter signals, different issues like modulation type and level, pulse variety, shape and color noise/tone noise assumptions, were addressed for efficient NBI cancelation. A comparison was performed in terms of bit-error rate, signal-to-interference ratio, signal-to-noise ratio, and channel capacity to highlight the most suitable parameters for efficient DSP design. The optimum number of filters that allows the filter bandwidth to be reduced by following the required low sampling rate and thus improving the system bit error rate was also investigated.

This dissertation explores the potential of new public landscapes developed in small scale lost, or latent spaces within the urban fabric of Pretoria, in order to change the CBD into a living city that encourages urban regeneration through tactical intervention. The urban voids of Pretoria will be mapped and a site developed using a series of tactical interventions. The exploration of current pop-up trends and guerilla urbanism as a vehicle for urban renewal provides the basis for the phasing process. C13/4/48 / Dissertation ML(Prof)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Architecture / ML(Prof) / Unrestricted

This thesis explores an alternative method of making Architecture based on ideas presented by Bruno Latour in “Give me a gun and I will make all buildings move” and concepts discussed by Peter Eisenman within “Diagram: An Original Scene of Writing.” The static nature of representation within Euclidian Space requires a re-evaluation of the generative qualities inherent within diagrams. Managed through an identified mechanism, the thesis investigates the excavation of potential within Pretoria Central’s lost spaces by generating programme, response and resolution from elements inherent in the diachronic context. / Dissertation MArch(Prof)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / Architecture / MArch(Prof) / Unrestricted

The purpose of this dissertation was to explore how a landscape architect may help to address environmental decay and the threat of food scarcity that are the results of rapid urban growth. For this urban renewal scheme, it is proposed that the underutilized open spaces within the city are reclaimed and interconnected in order to maximize their potential, forming a continuous landscape network. It is believed that this landscape network needs to function beyond mere beautification in order to be successful and productive. A multifunctional strategy is thus brought forward, as emphasis is placed upon providing for food security and realizing the city’s wasted resources. Along with related economic and ecological advantages, ways in which open space may be more sustainably managed are explored. Acknowledging the sheer lack of municipal funds, community involvement is believed to be the catalyst of this vision. Surrounding neighbourhoods are hence proposed to be the maintainers of their surrounding open spaces, decreasing the monetary pressures on the authorities. Emphasis is placed on ways in which communities may be incorporated through designing for flexibility, pride of ownership and sense of belonging. A new identity that ties in with the original genius of place is ultimately promoted through this meaningful utility parkland. An abandoned stretch of land along the Walker Spruit between Pretoria’s Sunnyside East and Clydesdale suburbs served as a model for testing the hypothesis of a spatially continuous, linear and productive community park. / Dissertation ML(Prof)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Architecture / Unrestricted

Many urban poor are living lifestyles prescient of a future with little to no accessible fossil fuels, a future lacking easy access to electricity, flowing water, and food security. Scientists such as David Holmgren warn that the rest of society may face a similar scenario. According to the Association for the Study of Peak Oil and Gas (ASPO 2008), the peak of oil discovery happened in the 1960’s. In 1981 the world started using more than what was found in new fields and since then the gap between discovery and production has been ever widening, many countries have already passed their peak, which indicates that a global peak is imminent. This dissertation investigates a new typology for urban living. An area south of Marabastad, in the north-western quadrant of the city of Pretoria is selected as the wasted landscape for testing the hypothesis that a drosscape has the potential to be designed and developed into an agrarian conservancy to support a society in need of sustainable, innovative places. Part One of the dissertation investigates agriculture as a method for returning the site to some utilitarian efficiency. However, landscapes contain the potential to be more than functional tracts of land with no meaning. Thus Part Two of the dissertation investigates the fact that a creative approach to the implementation of city farming in the Steenovenspruit drosscape can ingrain in the modern industrial city a place with which the inhabitants can identify, where form does not only follow function but also enhances and expresses the celebration of man’s working relationship with the land, as well as celebrating the historic traces evident on the landscape. A palimpsest emerges out of the faint residue of past uses, displaying traces of the character the site once had. The dissertation proposes that by capturing the essence of these past layers of productive use and further enriching the palimpsest by introducing traces of farming and gardens, meaning and experiential use of the land will be returned to the people of Marabastad. The dissertation also proposes that through this experiential use the community is once again able to leave traces on the landscape and lift the site out of limbo and once again into the process of place-making, or refounding. A conservancy is proposed for the Steenovenspruit drosscape which combines the concept of palimpsest and the poetic nature of farming across a number of city blocks, connecting Marabastad and the CBD. The conservancy encapsulates a variety of land uses including residential and gathering traces, however the core of the conservancy centres around a historical city block which formed part of the old Pretoria townlands and which morphs once again into productive landscape. / Dissertation ML(Prof)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Architecture / ML(Prof) / Unrestricted

Plant-based meat (PBM) fulfills the criteria set by the European Union regulations for the product to be sold in the EU and is currently a highly consumed conventional meat substitute in the region. Whereas, cell-based meat (CBM), as of July 2023, does not fulfill the criteria set by the EU regulations for the product to be legally sold in the EU. This is due to CBM companies not submitting the required Novel Food application to EFSA to recieve market approval. Therefore, CBM is currently not legally sold in the EU and not consumed in the region. This thesis analyzes the impact of EU regulations and consumer behavior, and how these factors affect the growth of the PBM and CBM markets. The restriction of the thesis, the PBM and CBM markets, has been chosen due to them being the primary forms of alternative proteins that are a more sustainable choice to conventional meat. The intention of the thesis is to bring attention to the interplay between law and business, and the implications of their interconnectedness. The thesis is written with the aspiration to answer the question; to what extent have EU regulations and consumer behavior affected the expansion of the plant and cell-based meat markets? To this end, we began with determining if the legal criteria of the regulatory framework applicable to PBM and CBM constitute equal regulatory conditions for the markets to expand in the EU. The regulatory framework referred to in the thesis is restricted to the primary legislations applicable to alternative proteins, which are the Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) Regulation (EU) No 1829/2003, Novel Food Regulation (EU) 2015/2283, EU Food Law Regulation (EC) No 178/2002, Food Information to Consumers Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011, and EU labeling requirements. We then conducted a collection of previous research on both the PBM and CBM markets restricted to sustainability, retail market, consumer behavior, financial investment, development, and production processes and costs. Thereafter, we compared the previous research and the aforementioned EU regulations to conclude the impacts of the regulations and the differences in the legal application between PBM and CBM. We also conclude how consumer behavior impacts the growth of a market in addition to the regulatory requirements, and showcase their combined effects on the market. The results suggested that compliance with EU regulations determines if the products are authorized to be legally sold in the EU while consumer behavior influences market acceptance and the extent of growth. The key regulatory difference affecting the ability of CBM to comply and experience similar growth to PBM is the Novel Food Regulation, due to it categorizing cell-based products as novel foods. As of May 2023, no companies in the EU have submitted a Novel Food application to EFSA for CBM.