Major transportation and land use problems are experienced in the Menlyn precinct in Tshwane. Current infrastructure allows motor vehicles to dominate public transport and pedestrian thoroughfare. Pedestrians and motor vehicles are placed in danger and traffic problems occur when taxis and buses make use of road lanes and sidewalks to stop. The interaction and superposition of these problems are manifested as a fracture in the urban framework, disconnecting people, environments and different transport modes from one another and the rest of Tshwane. The aim of this design proposal is to address the fractured experience in the Menlyn area. The project should respond to the poor connectivity and transport problems currently experienced in Menlyn and reinforce Menlyn as an important node within Tshwane. It is argued that a Platform Building at Menlyn could integrate the various transport systems present in the Menlyn precinct with the envisioned underground Gautrain station. / Dissertation (MArch(Prof))--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Architecture / unrestricted

This dissertation explores the potential to reorganize currently fragmented urban islands into a quality, unified civic space by means of a much needed mass transit inter-modal facility within the Menlyn precinct. It is proposed that the mass transport node be positioned above the Lois Avenue road level, in between existing retail nodes. The transport interchange shall therefore provide an elegant solution whereby Lois Avenue may be crossed, thereby allowing access to the retail nodes located on either side, as the existing sidewalks are not adequately designed for the multitude of commuters utilizing this area. In theory, this dissertation explores the possibility of Menlyn Park Shopping centre and Menlyn Piazza being an infrastructure component of urbanism with the ability, as in architecture, to form a human experience within the urban environment. This dissertation can furthermore contribute to the activity needed to make a transport interchange successful. The recently completed Gautrain and Johannesburg Bus Rapid Transport projects were investigated whereby it was identified that public transport is currently focused on getting commuters from one destination to the next as quickly as possible, while neglecting to attend to the manner in which the commuter arrives and experiences the transport node. The Transport Interchange shall also attempt to reduce the existing traffic congestion in the area which is predicted to deteriorate within the next 10 to 15 years. In conclusion, the aim of the transport interchange is to become a catalyst for increasing commuter density, while allowing improved access to, and providing more retail opportunities for, the Menlyn node as a whole. / Dissertation MArch(Prof)--University of Pretoria, 2014 / Architecture / MArch(Prof) / Unrestricted