Thesis (M. Arch.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Architecture, 1981. / MICROFICHE COPY AVAILABLE IN ARCHIVES AND ROTCH. / Includes bibliographical references. / General systems theory provides a conceptual framework for the integration of knowledge from a wide variety of specialized fields. Systems theory serves to synthesize, reconcile, and integrate knowledge making it possible to unify analytical data into broader based theories. By examining various systematic relationships, attention can be focused upon the interrelatedness of organization theory and physical planning. The juxtaposition of these two disciplines within a systems context has particular application in the design of urban settlements in developing countries. The lack of organizational capability and the inability to influence the environment contributes to the continuing cycle of poverty of the urban poor. By structuring and integrating their activities, the poor would be better able to participate in the planning and the implementation of projects which affect their lives. The development of organizational systems can increase the capacity of individuals to change their relationship to the environment to one of greater influence and control. Further, the designs of physical layouts have potential for determining social systems which enhance the idea of interrelatedness. / by Joseph V. Morog. / M.Arch.

Urban landscapes have become the dominant form ofliving environments around the world. It is now estimated that over half the world's population live in a city or urban landscape, with this figure constantly increasing (World Bank Group; 2005). Cities now dominate as economic, social and political hubs, featuring as the central core for essential functions of daily life. Because of the prominence and the ever-increasing importance cities play, they have become focal sites for future developmental interventions and opportunities. The dominance of urban living has brought with it both positive and negative consequences, as cities are the sites of great growth opportunities, but also of dire poverty and inequality challenges. Inner cities generally feature as the central focal area of urban environments, the core region of the city, and as a consequence of numerous impacting factors, are increasingly exhibiting compounded difficulties. Cities in both the North and the developing South are increasingly being placed at the front line in the international developmental arena, as sites for potential improvement and beneficial welfare. This is evident in the campaigns lead by most prominent international development agencies concentrating on urban populations and problems. They are priority sites for the eradication of growing challenges such as poverty and inequality, and for enhancing developmental opportunities. Due to the sheer number ofproblems and complicated interactions, it is increasingly evident that cities are complex entities in need of effective, efficient, equitable management and development. These are the main issues explored throughout this research. The concerns will be viewed from an international perspective, looking at current trends and debates, as well as a more detailed investigation into how they play out in the South Africa urban context. The research makes use of a case study example, Newtown Cultural Precinct in Johannesburg, to examine nuanced, localised urban complexities and possible regeneration strategies to counter them. The aim is to explore concerns and issues within a specific case study example and examine what implications these understandings may offer for other urban contexts. Numerous key findings and important conclusions were reached through the case study investigations, which hold vital lessons for future inner city regeneration projects, as well as issues pertinent to dynamic and changing urban environments. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2008.

This research is concerned with the social creation of built environments in the Third World. The absence of appropriate theoretical frameworks has hampered the research of Third World cities. Recently, however, the opportunity for applying concepts, that have to date been largely confined to the study of western cities, has increased provided they are organized in a suitable way. Drawing on concepts such as built environment, socio-spatial dialectic, and structure and agency, this research outlines and applies a framework for the study of Third World urbanization. In order to explore the interdependence between space and society this study "unpacks" the urban landscape of Harare, Zimbabwe. Working in the context of the culture of capitalism, the study traces the development of the southern African zonal urban system before establishing a typology of landscape ensembles through successive stages of the evolution of Zimbabwe's political economy. Within the current global epoch, the study focuses on a specific type of built environment -- the townhouse. As a repository of contested cultural ideas and practices, the townhouse stands at the center of often conflicting socio-economic groups defined collectively as a "structure of provision". Using interviews, archival research, and a survey questionnaire, an analysis of these groups which focuses on the production and consumption of the townhouse drew the following conclusions: On the production side, realtors have assumed a central co-ordinating role in the production of townhouses. Prior to the development of townhouses, the realtor played a more limited role in real estate market. With the emergence of the entrepreneurial developer and with the assistance of the architect, realtors have assumed a central co-ordinating role in the initiation, management, and marketing of the townhouse. Built within specific zones within the city and its suburbs, garden flats and townhouses occupy the wealthy areas of the city. On the consumption side, garden flats and townhouses are occupied by the "managerial bourgeoisie" who comprise wealthy Zimbabweans and expatriates who are predominantly White, managers and professionals. While they share some important similarities they can nevertheless, based on their consumption patterns, be divided into identifiable groups that are geographically distributed within Harare's wealthier areas. It was suggested that production and consumption are ultimately part of the same process that produces status symbols that drive the demand for consumer goods. Ultimately, however, garden flats and townhouses stand testimony not only to the wealth of their occupants, but to patterns of lifestyle reminiscent of the consumption ethic of their counterparts in the First World. In the context of a Third World city, however, their lifestyle with its show of wealth has, not surprisingly, generated concerns about safety and security among the community of garden flats and townhouse dwellers. These concerns are historically deeply imbedded not only in the region but in the culture of capitalism. It was ultimately concluded that, within the context of late capitalism, the southern African city shares similarities with its First World counterpart. / Ph. D.