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Declaration Acknowledgements Abstract Contents List of Figures
Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the Masters degree in Architecture (M. Arch Professional). Nelson Mandela University School of Architecture Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) South Africa
All rights reserved. Except for the inclusion of brief quotations in a review. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means electronically, mechanically, or by photocopying, recording or otherwise without the written permission of the publisher.
First published in September 2021 Busang Makhele
Figure 01: (COVER PAGE) Love for soccer in Alexandra Shanty town (Kim Ludbrook, 2012) Figure 02: (RIGHT) - Image of author (Author, 2021)
A C K N O W L E D G E M E N T S Heavenly Father, thank You. It is by Your grace and the strength You have given me that I was able to make it this far. To my Father and Mother, you are the epitome of strength, persistence and unconditional love. Thank you for allowing me to be the man I am today. I would also like to thank the rest of my family and show immense gratitude for the love and continued support that you have given me in all my endeavours. To my spiritual parents, thank you for the spiritual guidance and continued prayers. To my friends, thank you for being the people that you are, I appreciate you all. Thank you to my classmates, all previous and new. It was great having people around who could relate to the struggles in architecture. Finally, thank you to my lecturers, Andrew Palframan, Riette Kotze and Clayton Goddard for the invaluable guidance and creating a conducive environment for growth. To all my previous lecturers, your support and guidance is greatly appreciated.
Thank you!
Figure 03: Street cricket (The Cricket Monthly, 2015)
abstract The post-apartheid city is an unfinished product. It is simultaneously being made and unmade. South African urban environments reinforce and reflect urban segregation and inequality. They are characterised by the remanence of the apartheid city defined by sprawl, placelessness and monotony. Nowhere else has this reality been truer and more visible than in township settlements. Townships settlements are the polar opposite of suburbia. They are typically situated on the outskirts of urban environments with unpleasant living conditions characterised by the lack of public facilities and spaces, adequate resources and under-utilised left-over space. The poor urban conditions in township settlements is where this treatise has decided to position itself. The treatise will use both primary and secondary data resources collected from site visits, observations made, analytical maps and diagrams. The secondary data, includes books, precedent studies, articles and academic journals. The findings indicate that in order for the design intervention to be appropriate and successful, it is important that principles which improve urban qualities and a sense of place and belonging are engaged with and understood, in order to cater to the needs of the community. In conclusion, the intention of this treatise is to design a Community Sports Centre in Alexandra Township, Johannesburg as a means of improving the urban quality by restructuring and reframing public and community space in the township.
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contents precursor
a b s t r a c t i
i nt r o d u c t i o n xii part 01
r e s e a r c h m e t h o d o l o g y 05
C h a p t e r 1.1
Introduction to the Theoretical Positions
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1. 2
Theoretical Positions
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C h a p t e r
0 2
2.1
Introduction
2.2
Understanding the Nature of the Building Through the Exploration of Type 28
2.3
Identifying the Principles of Analysis
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2.4
Precedent Analysis - Sports Facilities
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2.5
Precedent Analysis - Community Resource Facilities
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2.6
Precedent Analysis - Education Resource Facilities
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2.7
Conclusion on the Spatial and Physical Principles
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c h a p t e r
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0 1
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0 3
3.1
Introduction to the Contextual Analysis
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3.2
Setting the Scene: Johannesburg
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3.3
City as Place for Sport and Recreation
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3.4
Site Selection
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3.5
Selected Site
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3.6
Contextual analysis
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3.7
Site Analysis
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3.8
Existing Infrastructure and Site Conditions
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c h a p t e r
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4.1
The Nature of Good Public Space in Urban Environments 118
4.2
The Role of a Sports Facility in a Township Community
4.3
The Nature of a Sports and Resource Facility as a Civic Symbol in a Township Community 122
4.4
Sustainability + Materials and Tectonics
c h a p t e r
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126
0 5
5.1
Formulating the Design Brief
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5.2
Accommodation Schedule
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c h a p t e r
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6.1
Defining the Issues
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6.2
Urban Framework Strategies
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6.3
Site Strategies
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6.4
Spatial Urban Framework
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contents (con.) 6.5
Design Strategies
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6.6
Design Development
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c h a p t e r 7
Final Design and Presentation
0 7 166
bibliography
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D e c la r at i o n s
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list of figures Figure 01: (COVER PAGE) - Love for soccer in Alexandra Shanty town (Kim Ludbrook, 2012)
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Figure 02: (RIGHT) - Image of author (Author, 2021)
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Figure 03: Street cricket (The Cricket Monthly, 2015)
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Figure 04: Theoretical position lens (edited by Author, 2021)
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Figure 05: (ABOVE) Ebenezer Howard, the Garden City model of 1998 ( Walaa & Ahmed, 2016)
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Figure 06: (BELOW) The South African urban environment following the implementation of the group areas act of 1950 (Author, 2021) 15 Figure 07: Perry,s neighbourhood unit (left), the new urbanist idea of traditional neighbourhood and Doug Farr’s updated sustainable neighbourhood unit (ArchDaily, 2021)
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Figure 08: (01) Nike Football Training Centre (ArchDaily, 2010)
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Figure 09: (02) Arena do Morro (Area, 2014)
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Figure 10: (03) IIM Sports Centre (ArchDaily, 2019)
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Figure 11: (ABOVE) Map of Klipspruit, Soweto (Edited by Author, 2021 from Google Earth)
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Figure 12: (TOP-RIGHT) Programme plan (Author, 2021)
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Figure 13: (MIDDLE-RIGHT)Organisational plan (Author, 2021)
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Figure 14: (BOTTOM-RIGHT) Section (Author, 2021)
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Figure 15: (RIGHT) Interior view of Team wall space (Rufproject n.d.)
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Figure 16: (FURTHER RIGHT) Interior view of gym facility (ArchDaily, 2010)
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Figure 17: (BOTTOM-RIGHT) Exterior view from parking (ArchDaily, 2010)
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Figure 18: 3D view from soccer grounds indicating materials (Author, 2021)
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Figure 19: (ABOVE) Map showing the context of the building (Google Earth, 2021)
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Figure 20: (TOP-RIGHT) Plan showing movement and programme (Author, 2021)
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Figure 21: (MIDDLE-RIGHT) Plan showing organisation of spaces (Author, 2021)
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Figure 22: (BOTTOM-RIGHT) Section (Author, 2021)
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Figure 23: (TOP-RIGHT) Interior view of the sports hall (ArchDaily, 2014)
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Figure 24: (MIDDLE-RIGHT) Interior view showing additional spaces (ArchDaily, 2014)
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Figure 25: (BOTTOM-RIGHT) Exterior view showing building in context (ArchDaily, 2014)
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Figure 26: 3D exterior perspective of building (Author, 2021)
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Figure 27: (ABOVE) Map showing the context of the building (Google Earth, 2021)
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Figure 28: (TOP-RIGHT) Plan perspective (ArchDaily, 2019)
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Figure 29: (MIDDLE-RIGHT) Sectional perspective (ArchDaily, 2019)
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Figure 30: (BOTTOM-RIGHT)Section (Author, 2021)
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Figure 31: (TOP-RIGHT) Exterior view towards the courtyard (ArchDaily, 2019)
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Figure 32: (MIDDLE-RIGHT) Walk-way view showing the connection of spaces (ArchDaily, 2019)
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Figure 33: (BOTTOM-RIGHT) External view towards courtyards (ArchDaily, 2021)
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Figure 34: (BOTTOM) 3D perspective view showing the choice of material (Author, 2021)
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Figure 35: (04) External view of the Ubuntu centre (ArchDaily, 2011)
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Figure 36: (05) External view of Thusong centre (Makeka design works, n.d.)
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Figure 37: (06) External view of Helenvale multi-purpose centre (The Matric Urban Designers and Architects, n.d.) 46 Figure 38: (ABOVE) Map showing the context of the building (edited by Author, 2021)
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Figure 39: (TOP-RIGHT) Movement and programme plan (Author, 2021)
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Figure 40: (MIDDLE-RIGHT) Plan showing the organisation of spaces (Author, 2021)
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Figure 41: (BOTTOM-RIGHT) Section (Author, 2021)
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Figure 42: (RIGHT) Interior view of community hall (ArchDaily, 2011)
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Figure 43: (FURTHER-RIGHT) Roof top community garden (ArchDaily, 2011)
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Figure 44: (BOTTOM-RIGHT) External view showing the relation to the street edge (ArchDaily, 2011)
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Figure 45: (BOTTOM) 3D perspective view of the centre showing the choice of material (Author, 2021)
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Figure 46: (ABOVE) Map showing the context of the building (edited by Author, 2021)
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Figure 47: (TOP-RIGHT) Movement and programme plan (Author, 2021)
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Figure 48: (MIDDLE-RIGHT) Organisational plan (Author, 2021)
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Figure 49: (BOTTOM-RIGHT) External view of the building (Makeka design works, n.d.)
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Figure 50: (RIGHT) 1-4 Interior views showing the different spaces (Makeka design work, n.d.)
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Figure 51: (BOTTOM-RIGHT) External view of the building (Makeka design work, n.d.)
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Figure 52: (BOTTOM) 3D perspective view showing the choice of material (Author, 2021)
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Figure 53: (ABOVE) Map showing the context of the building (edited by Author, 2021)
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Figure 54: (TOP-RIGHT) Plan showing the building programme (Author, 2021)
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Figure 55: (MIDDLE-RIGHT) Organisational plan (Author, 2021)
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Figure 56: (BOTTOM-RIGHT) Section (Author, 2021)
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Figure 57: (TOP-RIGHT) Interior view through the pedestrian ‘street’ (The Matrix, n.d.)
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Figure 58: (MIDDLE-RIGHT) Interior view of community hall (The Matrix, n.d.)
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Figure 59: (BOTTOM-RIGHT) Exterior view looking towards public plaza (The Matrix, n.d.)
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Figure 60: (BOTTOM) 3D Perspective of the centre showing the choice of material (Author, 2021)
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Figure 61: (07) External perspective view of the Sao Paulo Library (ArchDaily, 2011) 60 Figure 62: (08) External view perspective of the Seattle Central Library (ArchDaily, 2009) 60 Figure 63: (ABOVE) Map of the building’s context (Google Earth, 2021)
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Figure 64: (TOP-RIGHT) Plan showing movement (Author, 2021)
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Figure 65: (MIDDLE-RIGHT) Plan showing the organisation of spaces (Author, 2021)
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Figure 66: (BOTTOM-RIGHT) Section (Author, 2021)
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Figure 67: (TOP-RIGHT) Terrace view (ArchDaily, 2011)
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Figure 68: (MIDDLE-RIGHT) Interior view showing atrium space (ArchDaily, 2011)
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Figure 69: (BOTTOM-RIGHT) Terrace view with covered shading (ArchDaily, 2011)
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Figure 70: (BOTTOM) 3D perspective showing the choice of material (Author, 2021)
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Figure 71: (ABOVE) Map showing the building’s context (ArchDaily, 2009)
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Figure 72: (TOP-RIGHT) Plan showing movement (Author, 2021)
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Figure 73: (MIDDLE-RIGHT) Plan showing organisation of spaces (Author, 2021)
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Figure 74: (BOTTOM-RIGHT) Section (Author, 2021)
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Figure 75: (TOP-RIGHT) Interior view of atrium space (ArchDaily, 2011)
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Figure 76: (MIDDLE-RIGHT) Interior view of the lounge (ArchDaily, 2011)
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Figure 77: (BOTTOM-RIGHT) Interior view showing the cafeteria area (Author, 2011)
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Figure 78: (BOTTOM) 3D perspective showing the materials of the building (Author, 2021)
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Figure 79: Comparative matrix table (Author, 2021)
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Figure 80: (LEFT TO RIGHT) Gauteng province - Metro scale (Author, 2021)
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Figure 81: The City of Johannesburg municipal region which the site is located in - Sub metro scale (Author, 2021) 74 Figure 82: The location of Alexandra Township in the region - Precinct scale (Author, 2021)
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Figure 83: Metro scaled map analysing city as place of township(Author, 2021)
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Figure 84: Metro scaled map analysing city as place of sport and recreation (Author, 2021)
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Figure 85: Analysis of the most populated township communities in the City of Johannesburg district (Author, 2021) 82 Figure 86: Analysis of the most populated township communities in the City of Ekurhuleni district (Author, 2021) 84 Figure 87: Analysis of the most populated township community in the Sedibeng district (Author, 2021)
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Figure 88: Aerial view of Alexandra Township (edited by Author, 2021)
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Figure 89: Aerial perspective view of Alexandra Township (edited by Author, 2021)
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Figure 90: Sub-metro contextual analysis - Movement network, building land-use and the natural systems
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(Author, 2021)
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Figure 92: The segregation between Alex and surrounding suburbia using industrial buildings (Author, 2021) 92 Figure 91: Composite sub-metro contextual analysis (Author, 2021)
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Figure 93: The Juskei river separating Alex (old Alex) from East Bank (new Alex) (Author, 2021)
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Figure 94: (LEFT TOP-BOTTOM) Precinct contextual analysis of the site - Movement network, natural systems, land-use and the grain of fabric maps (Author, 2021)
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Figure 95: (BELOW) Composite of the contextual analysis (Author, 2021)
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Figure 96: (LEFT TOP TO BOTTOM) Contextual analysis of the site - Movement network, land-use,the grain of fabric and the contour and cadastral maps (Author, 2021)
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Figure 97: (BELOW) Composite of the contextual analysis (Author, 2021)
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Figure 98: (LEFT TO RIGHT) Movement route maps. The map at the sub-metro scale, shows the primary vehicle routes surrounding the context. While at the precinct and local scales, the maps shows the various different vehicular routes (Author, 2021) 99 Figure 99: (LEFT TO RIGHT) Land-use maps. At the sub-metro scale, the map shows the surrounding suburban areas around the township which is separated by industrial and commercial buildings that is visible at precinct scale. Additionally, at precinct and local scales, the maps show that the context is made up of predominantly residential housing with a spread of school facilities (Author, 2021) 99 Figure 100: (LEFT TO RIGHT) Maps of the natural systems at the sub-metro and precinct scales show that the systems appear more as barriers separating Alex (old Alex) from East Bank (new Alex). At the local scale, the map shows the lie of the land (Author, 2021) 99 Figure 102: (LEFT TO RIGHT) Grain of fabric maps. At the sub-metro scale the map shows the type of buildings that make up the context which is predominantly single storey housing. At the local scale, the map shows the grid iron layout that the context was built in and furthermore, shows the high level of density that has been produced by the informal backyard housing (Author, 2021) 99 Figure 101: (LEFT TO RIGHT) Composite maps of the contextual analysis from the sub-metro scale, to the precinct and local scales (Author, 2021)
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Figure 103: Composite of constraints and informants at the precinct scale (Author, 2021)
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Figure 104: Section across 13th Avenue showing the street edge and the relationship between the street, pedestrians, informal housing and the soccer field (Author, 2021)
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Figure 105: Section across the primary vehicular route (M40 road) showing the hard edge created by the school’s boundary wall which has influenced the development of informal trading space along the road (Author, 2021)
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Figure 106: Section across 13th avenue showing the hard edge created by the school’s boundary wall which influenced the development of informal trading and further shows the relationship between the street and residential edge (Author, 2021) 103 Figure 107: Section across the street between the two schools on either side. This shows the relationship between the street edge and pedestrians (Author, 2021)
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Figure 108: Sketched 3D perspective of the context (Author, 2021)
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Figure 109: (TOP-LEFT) Analysis in plan diagram showing the existing infrastructure on the site and the surrounding spaces (Author, 2021)
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Figure 110: (TOP-RIGHT) Analysis in 3D perspective diagram showing the existing infrastructure on the site and the surrounding spaces (Author, 2021) 107 Figure 111: (LEFT) Perspective view of Thusong Youth Centre showing the lack of public interaction with the building and definition along Ring street (Author, 2021) 107 Figure 112: (LEFT) View towards the soccer grounds showing the surrounding spaces and the relationship the site has with the rest of the context (Author, 2021) 107 Figure 113: (TOP-LEFT) Analysis in plan diagram showing the different spaces on the site, the energies and the relation to surrounding spaces (Author, 2021) 109 Figure 114: (TOP-RIGHT) Analysis in 3D perspective diagram showing the different spaces on the site, the energies and the relation to surrounding spaces (Author, 2021)
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Figure 115: (LEFT) View towards the Thusong Youth Centre and the sporting spaces. This shows the separation between the two public community facilities (Author, 2021) 109 Figure 116: (LEFT) View towards the soccer grounds showing the lack of public interaction the space has with its surrounding. Additionally, the view also shows in conditions of the street edge (Author, 2021) 109 Figure 117: (TOP-LEFT) Diagram of the site showing the section lines across the various spaces (Author, 2021) 111 Figure 118: (MIDDLE) Section A-A across the site showing the high school boundary wall creates the edge to the open left-over space and additionally shows how boundary walls have been used to separate the sporting spaces and the residential units. Furthermore, the section diagram shows how the existing sporting spaces have been carved out of the landscape because of the slope of the land (Author, 2021) 111 Figure 119: (BOTTOM) Section B-B across the site showing the various spaces separated by boundary walls
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ad the landscape. In addition to this, it also shows how the sporting spaces have been carved out of the landscape (Author, 2021)
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Figure 120: (TOP) Analysis in plan diagram showing the existing infrastructure and site conditions, the energies and the relation to surrounding spaces (Author, 2021) 112 Figure 121: (ABOVE) Perspective view of Thusong Youth Centre (Author, 2021)
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Figure 122: (RIGHT TOP-BOTTOM) Images of the various spaces that make up the Thusong Youth Centre. The spaces are as follows: 01 - View from the admin block and flexible working space 02 - Atrium/ Foyer area 03 Multi purpose hall 04 - Classroom 05 - Computer space 06 - Office space 07 & 08 - Art classroom (Author, 2021) 112 Figure 123: (TOP-LEFT) Analysis in plan diagram showing the existing infrastructure and site conditions, the energies and the relation to surrounding spaces (Author, 2021)
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Figure 124: (ABOVE) Perspective view of the Boys & Girls Club existing building on the site (Google Earth, 2021) 115 Figure 125: (LEFT) Perspective views of the left-over open space creating a lack of definition along the street edge. The space is edged by the school boundary wall (Google Earth, 2021) 115 Figure 126: (TOP) Harare urban park (VPUU, 2015)
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Figure 127: (LEFT) Recreation spaces in the park (VPUU, 2015)
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Figure 128: (BOTTOM LEFT) Pedestrian walk-way that connects the park to surrounding public spaces in the area(VPUU, 2015) 119 Figure 129: (BOTTOM) ‘Active boxes’ (VPUU, 2015)
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Figure 130: (RIGHT)The Ubuntu centre is quite prominent in its context because of its scale (ArchDaily, 2011) 122 Figure 131: (BOTTOM) The high levels of sensitivity in the way the building is integrated within the context (Peter Rich Architects, n.d.) 122 Figure 132: (TOP) The scale of Usasazo school is intentionally lowered towards the edges of the street to enable it to relate more to the pedestrian scale (Architype, n.d.) 125 Figure 133: (MIDDLE) Scaled down to relate to pedestrian and the use of light material to enable visual connection into the building (ArchDaily, 2011)
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Figure 134: (BOTTOM) Permeability is achieved through the use of material (Peter Rich Architects, n.d.)
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Figure 135: The Slindokuhle community centre uses recycled and other simple materials that are readily available to create innovative architecture
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Figure 136: Slindokuhle interior view into the community hall
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Figure 137: Sketched 3D perspective of the context (Author, 2021)
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Figure 138: Accommodation schedule (Author, 2021)
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Figure 139: Composite map of constraints and informants at precinct scale showing the spatial issues (Author, 2021) 139 Figure 140: Lack of adequate space to promote self-trade (Google Earth, 2021)
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Figure 142: Decaying industrial buildings (Google Earth, 2021)
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Figure 144: Poorly structured taxi rank (Google Earth, 2021)
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Figure 141: Undefined street edges (Google Earth, 2021)
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Figure 143: Expansion of informal housing (Google Earth, 2021)
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Figure 145: Unfriendly pedestrian walk-ways (Google Earth, 2021)
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Figure 146: Decaying sports field (Google Earth, 2021)
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Figure 148: Informal trade along pedestrian walk-way and high walls enclosing site from the public (Author, 2021) 141 Figure 150: Potential to take advantage of the influx of people (Google Earth, 2021)
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Figure 147: Underutilised open and left over space (Google Earth, 2021)
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Figure 149: Uncontrollable expansion of informal housing along main vehicle movement route (Author, 2021) 141 Figure 151: Lack of pedestrian friendly streets (Google Earth, 2021)
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Figure 152: Composite map of urban framework strategies at precinct scale (Author, 2021)
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Figure 153: 01 and 02 - 3D Site strategy (Author, 2021)
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Figure 154: Urban spatial framework at precinct scale (Author, 2021)
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Figure 155: Urban spatial framework strategy at design scale (Author, 2021)
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Figure 156: 3D of the urban framework strategy at design scale (Author, 2021)
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Figure 157: (ABOVE) Urban spatial framework at precinct scale showing where sections are cut in the intervention (Author, 2021)
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Figure 158: (BELOW) 01 - Urban design section of the proposed intervention across Alfred Nzo road which is intended to define the street edge (Author, 2021) 152 Figure 159: (TOP-RIGHT) 02 - Urban design section of the proposed intervention across Rooth street which is intended to prioritise pedestrians (Author, 2021) 152 Figure 160: (MIDDLE-RIGHT) 03 - Urban design section of the proposed intervention across 13th Avenue (Author, 2021) 152 Figure 161: (BOTTOM-RIGHT) 04 - Urban design section of the proposed intervention across the M40 road which shows the regenerated industrial buildings and a defined edge that is pedestrian friendly (Author, 2021) 152 Figure 162: Design strategy (Author, 2021)
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Figure 163: (TOP) Conceptual site organisational strategy (Author, 2021)
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Figure 164: (BOTTOM) Conceptual section (Author, 2021)
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Figure 165: (TOP) Conceptual site organisational strategy 02 (Author, 2021)
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Figure 166: (BOTTOM) Conceptual section 02 (Author, 2021)
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Figure 167: Final site organisational strategy (Author, 2021)
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Figure 168: (TOP LEFT TO RIGHT) 01 - Four storey residential apartment flats in the context (Google Earth, 2021) & (Author, 2021) 161 Figure 169: (MIDDLE LEFT TO RIGHT) 02 - Alexandra hostel along Alfred Nzo road (Google Earth, 2021) & (Author, 2021) 161 Figure 170: (BOTTOM LEFT TO RIGHT) 03 - The Alexandra cultural centre (Google Earth, 2021) & (Author, 2021) 161 Figure 171: (LEFT) Resource centre ground floor plan (Author, 2021)
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Figure 172: (MIDDLE-LEFT) Resource centre first floor plan (Author, 2021)
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Figure 173: (BOTTOM-LEFT) Resource centre section (Author, 2021)
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Figure 174: (BELOW) Community sports centre floor plan (Author, 2021)
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Figure 175: (BOTTOM-RIGHT) Community sports centre section (Author, 2021)
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Figure 176: Final design bird’s eye view perspective (Author, 2021)
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Figure 177: Site plan of the final design resolution (Author, 2021)
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Figure 178: (TOP-LEFT) Ground floor plan of the Community Resource facility (Author, 2021)
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Figure 179: (TOP-RIGHT) First floor plan of the Community Resource facility (Author, 2021)
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Figure 180: (LEFT) South-west elevation perspective of the Community Resource facility (Author, 2021)
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Figure 181: (ABOVE) Perspective view towards the Community Resource facility from Ring road (Author, 2021) 173 Figure 182: (LEFT) Perspective view towards the Community Resource facility from the Netball courts (Author, 2021) 173 Figure 183: Ground floor plan of the Community Sports facility (Author, 2021)
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Figure 184: Sectional perspective B-B through the Community Sports facility (Author, 2021)
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Figure 185: (BOTTOM-LEFT) Detail 01 - Gutter and Wall detail (Author, 2021)
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Figure 186: (BOTTOM-MIDDLE) Detail 02 - Typical Wall and Foundation detail (Author, 2021)
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Figure 187: (BOTTOM-RIGHT) Detail 03 - Tiered Seating detail (Author, 2021)
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Figure 188: North-east elevation perspective of the Community Sports facility (Author, 2021)
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Figure 189: South-west elevation perspective of the Community Sports facility (Author, 2021)
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Figure 190: (LEFT) Perspective view of the forecourt between the Community Resource and Sports facilities (Author, 2021) 181 Figure 191: (BOTTOM-LEFT) Perspective view of the forecourt (Author, 2021)
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Figure 192: (BOTTOM-RIGHT) Perspective view of the Public Square (Author, 2021)
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Figure 193: (LEFT) Perspective view towards Public square (Author, 2021)
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Figure 194: (BOTTOM-LEFT) Perspective view towards Public Square from the Community Sports facility entrance (Author, 2021) 183 Figure 195: (BOTTOM-RIGHT) Perspective view towards the Public Square from glazing along the Boxing gym (Author, 2021) 183 Figure 196: Portfolio presentation panel presented at Treatise final exam (Author, 2021)
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introduction “Unlike the idea of the city as an ideal, completed self-sufficient body that dominated Western thought since the Renaissance, the post-apartheid city is unfinished, open-ended and provisional. It is being made and unmade at the same time.” (Lindsay Bremner, 2007 cited by Slessor, 2010) The city can be defined as an urban space where people are able to experience the different opportunities that arise from the gathering of a large group of people. It is the relationship produced by the various activities and energies that occur between the urban inhabitants and the urban environment (Hajer and Reijindorp, 2001. However, in South Africa, urban environments reflect and perpetuate inequality and the considerable imbalance in access to such opportunities for all people who inhabit these environments. The South African urban environment is built on the ideological ideas of the Modernist City planning model derived from the Garden City model, which served as the foundations of the Apartheid city. “The colonial programmes were refined and new measures adopted to separate first, the Black indigenous population from the remainder, and later the White population from other groups. This involved not only a major structuring of legal constraints upon the population as to where people may live, work and enjoy recreation, but a major exercise in land use zoning to achieve the aims of the legislators.” (Christopher 1987: 195). While the national imposition of apartheid was instilled through an ideological order of white supremacy and minority control from 1948-1994, so were the modes of capitalism maintained by a racialised hierarchy that not only secured and
exploited a cheap labour force, but also created a spatial ordering society through segregation and suburbanisation. Division and distance were fundamental elements to the apartheid politics and society because minimising the presence of nonwhite people in white neighbourhoods was essential (Hall, 2012). These ideologies created segregated urban environments that were and continue to be drastically fractured and fragmented, privileging some while oppressing the rest. The apartheid city exemplifies the concept of intentional exclusion by design (Maylam, 1995). For many years, the planning ideology of modernism and the political ideology of separate development of the apartheid era controlled the planning and design of settlements in South Africa. These modernist and apartheid ideologies resulted in the establishment of monofunctional settlements that were segregated and environmentally sterile (CSIR, 2005a: 01). This underpinned the establishment of townships and molded South African cities in the distinct manner that we see today. Township was a name used to denote non-white areas that for many decades, served as the ideal environment for housing the underclass of people of colour (African, Coloured and Indian). (Jurgens, Donaldson, Rule and Bahr, 2013) & (Pernegger and Godehart, 2007: 06- 07). The apartheid regime developed numerous major townships but it was after 1950, that resulted in a significant expansion period. All people of colour were obliged to live in townships as a result of the implementation of the Group Areas Act of 1950, which mandated the strict separation of race groups through law that stated that each group should
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have its own residential area, divided by a strong physical barrier. The barrier was either natural, such as a ridge or a river or it was man made through the construction of a business or industrial zone. That legislation served as the foundation for the formation of townships and produced environments of exclusion and containment that continue to perpetuate inequality and oppression to this day (Pernegger and Godehart, 2007: 07). Townships are the polar opposite of ‘white’ suburbia. They were designed as dormitory communities with condemnable living conditions characterised by the absence of adequate urban components such as services infrastructure, transportation systems, public facilities and spaces and high levels of inconvenience to access adequate resources because these environments were established on the outskirts of the city, resulting in an urban exterior that is purposefully isolated from the urban interior (city centre) by natural or man-made buffer zones. The different resources present in urban interiors provide a variety of options that force residents in urban exteriors to rely on that environment regardless of the boundaries that exist between the two spaces. The typical spatial condition of many township settlements is made up of predominantly residential spaces with a number of standard schools that lack adequate resources and facilities. In the absence of physical public space for social interaction, the street is reserved as a space for both collective action and recreational pleasure, which has remained a significant part of postapartheid township life (Western, 1996 cited by Louw, 2018: 381). Although, apartheid has been abolished, many people in South Africa continue to experience segregation and oppression in their environments because of their economic standing, which generally still coincides with the various race groups.
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African citizens being the urban poor while white citizens remain regarded as the society’s elite and despite various development interventions in townships with the intention to improve the lives of residents, many people move to other parts of the city or opt to use facilities outside the township. This reveals, that what has been developed has not met the desired quality of life for many residents and because of this lack of appropriate development, townships lose the impetus for improvement continuously, leaving the inhabitants without the financial means with no other alternative but to use the inadequate facilities available to them. “Rebuilding the townships cannot occur in isolation from integrating strategies. The intention is to move actively away from the segregation of different parts of the city and to ensure equity across the urban landscape, thus offering all urban residents access to opportunities and facilities.” (Department of Housing, 1997: 13 cited by Pernegger and Godehart, 2007: 07)
The problem is stated as follows; the poor urban spatial condition in townships that remain unchanged in post-apartheid South Africa, that continue to perpetuate inequality and oppression. Hence, the aim of the treatise is the design of a community sports centre in Alexandra Township, Johannesburg. In order for the aim to be successfully realised, the following objectives must be achieved: • Determine what constitutes as quality urban space in the post-apartheid South African township through the theoretical underpinning that frames the lens upon which the treatise is viewed. The study begins with Henri Lefebvre and Edward Soja’s exploration of spatial justice
through geographic landscapes. This idea is further explored by contextualising it, in the South African landscape. Having understood the spatial injustice, the theories of New urbanism, placemaking, inclusive design and the role of public space in urban environments is studied in order to establish what makes quality urban space. • Analyse the typological concerns of a community sports centre that also provides additional resources that are needed in the community by understanding the programmatic and physical requirements through precedent study. • Determine an appropriate site for intervention by analysing the city of Johannesburg as place of sport and recreation. Thereafter, understand the selected site at sub-metro, precinct and local scales in order to determine the constraints and informants that are fundamental to the design development. • Research the design principles that are relevant to understanding the role of a sports facility and the nature it should have as a civic symbol in a township. In addition, understanding the nature of good public space in urban environments.
introduction
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research methodology A research methodology refers to the strategy in which research and general study material is systematically conducted and arranged in order to generate and ensure valid and reliable data (Scribbr, n.d.). It provides answers to what data needs to be collected and how that data needs to be collected and analysed to ensure that the chosen methods are the best suitable for the research in order to achieve the set aims and objectives (Jansen and Warren, 2020). There are two types of research approaches that can be distinguished in research methodology, which are qualitative and quantitative methodologies (Scribbr, n.d.). Qualitative data collection can be described as an approach to research that focuses on collecting and analysing textual and word (spoken or written) data. It is commonly used where the aims and objectives of the research is of a subjective and exploratory nature, that might be used to understand the perception of people and/or place which allows the research to be conducted in a flexible manner that can often be adjusted to develop new knowledge. A quantitative data collection approach focuses on measurement and testing using numerical data which is used when the aims and objectives of the research are of a confirmatory nature. It is concerned with the generation of data based on the quantity and thereafter, the data being analysed in a formal and rigid manner. This research approach is often factual and rational in nature and gets converted into numerical results (Jansen and Warren, 2020) & (Scribbr, n.d.).
collection in a subjective and exploratory manner by collecting and analysing word and often perceptive data, such as how people perceive and often use space. The data leads to an architectural product as the final drawn conclusion to the research. There are two types of data source that is collected – primary and secondary data (Jansen and Warren, 2020). Primary data alludes to original first-hand information that will be acquired and used by the researcher for the first time and this includes, all the observations from site, the generating of analytical maps, photographs, diagram sketches, various interviews and critique discussions. Secondary data alludes to information that has not been generated by the researcher but has been collected and interpreted by someone else (Jansen and Warren, 2020). The secondary data that will be used involves literature including academic papers (journals, dissertations etc.), articles, architectural work (precedents), reviews and online publications which will be analysed and documented for the purpose of drawings conclusions that will produce a sound architectural response (Jansen and Warren, 2020) & (Scribbr, n.d.). In this treatise research, both primary and secondary data resources will be used.
Therefore, architecture in its nature falls exclusively within the paradigms of qualitative methodologies and this is because it involves the process of data
research methodology
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p ar t
01
RESEARCH
c h ap t e r
01
t o wa r d s q u al i t y u r b an s p a c e This chapter introduces the treatise’s theoretical positions. It establishes a line of argument guided by principles and ideas that form the lens through which the treatise is perceived. Spatial justice introduces Henri Lefebvre’s and Edward Soja’s theories of unjust geographies and how they contribute to dehumanisation in urban environments. Following that, the ideas of New urbanism, placemaking in architecture, and the role of public space are discussed using the theories of Jill Grant, PPS, David Dewar, and Roelof Uytenbogaardt, Maarten Hajer, Arnold Reijindorp, and Jan Gehl in order to establish design principles that promote good quality urban space and design.
Figure 04: Theoretical position lens (edited by Author, 2021)
1.1
Introduction to the Theoretical Positions
In the same way that architecture always reflects the society it serves, the reminiscence of the apartheid city continues to be visible in what was meant to be the new South Africa, as exemplified by the sprawl and segregation in our urban environments afflicted by numerous and long-standing economic and political problems associated with lowincome areas and townships (Marschall & Kearney, 2000: 01). South African post-apartheid cities are predominantly plagued by fragmentation, disconnection and urban sprawl that have created left-over space as a result of the modernist city planning model used in the apartheid era’s urban development approach. This model intended to categorise activities and split them into separated zones of use (CSIR, 2005a: 01) and the apartheid system exploited these concepts to incorporate (among other things) racial isolation of the population. The implications of post-apartheid cities are poor urban environments, that are overcrowded, lack adequate resources to aid in improving the lives of inhabitants and lack the spaces that encourage selfemployment and trade, in order to enable micro economies to thrive in a community marked by high levels of unemployment, a severe lack of opportunities and poverty. The general long-term effects of these difficulties are disjointed and unsustainable urban environments that perpetuate previous inequitable constructs (Dewar and Uytenbogaardt, 1991: 10) and nowhere, have these effects been more visible than in low income areas and township communities. The issue of the urban condition in township settlements is the premise upon which this treatise is based.
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1. 2
Theoretical Positions
“Questions of justice cannot be seen independently from the urban condition, not only because most of the world’s population lives in cities but above all because the city condenses the manifold tensions and contradictions that infuse modern life.” (Swyngedouw, 2006 cited by Soja, 2010: 01) ‘The Right to the City’ is a politically contentious concept developed by Henri Lefebvre in his book of the same name, Le Droit a la Ville, which serves as the overarching theory that has guided the research for the treatise. In the book, Lefebvre introduces this idea that is centred on human rights in an urban context. The idea emphasises the consequential geography of urban life as well as the need for people who are most badly impacted which are the urban poor, by the urban conditions, to gain more control over the design and development of urbanised space. The right to the city entails more than merely having access to urban resources and opportunities but it also entails citizens participating collectively in the production of the urban environment. (Lefebvre, 1968 cited by Soja, 2010: 06) This theoretical concept is obligated to the reinvention of the forms, functions, and structures of the city, as well as the social requirements inherent in urban life (Lefebvre, 1968). Lefebvre’s writings had a significant impact on current geographers and urbanists such as Edward Soja, who based his concept of spatial injustice on Lefebvre’s ideas. Spatial injustice will be explored further by using the South African city as a case study to better comprehend the concept.
The long-standing prejudice in fulfilling the mass transit demands of the poor in LA (Los Angeles) was founded in a larger pattern of discriminatory investment that had affected the geography and built
environment of large cities. The struggles for transit equity and justice, as well as environmental racism, were evocative starting points for a broader investigation of spatial justice as a theoretical idea by Edward Soja. The concept of justice, however it is defined, has a significant geographical and spatial representation that is more than a background reflection or set of physical features to be descriptively mapped. This indicates that the geography or spatiality of justice is a necessary and important component of how justice and injustice are socially formed and evolve over time. The spatiality or specific geography of justice and injustice has an impact on society and social life similarly to the manner that social processes model the spatiality or specific geography of justice and injustice (Soja, 2010: 02- 05). Soja elaborates on the concept of space and how it evolved from an emphasis on flat cartographic concepts of space as a container or stage of human behaviour, or just the physical dimensions of a fixed form, to an active force shaping people’s lives. A renewed intensity on particularly urban spatial causation has evolved in order to investigate the generative effects of urban agglomeration that are not limited to everyday behavior. Soja goes on to say that the space in which humans live is not an empty void. It is always overflowing with politics, philosophy and other forces impacting our lives and forcing us to engage in geopolitical struggles. Taking the socio-spatial dialect seriously entails acknowledging that the geographies in which we live have both negative and positive effects on almost everything we do (Soja, 2009: 02) & (Soja, 2010: 19). Upon establishing the concepts of justice and space, the theoretical concept of spatial justice refers to an intentional and focused emphasis on the spatial or geographical elements of justice and injustice. As a starting point, this entails
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the equitable and fair allocation of socially valued resources while offering the freedom and opportunity to utilise them within the urban space. It is neither a replacement for, or an alternative to, social, economic or other forms of justice, but rather a way of viewing justice from a critical geographical viewpoint (Soja, 2009: 02). Spatial justice cannot be achieved simply by transferring land to those who have been displaced. It is necessary to reconfigure space in order to reflect on the socio- economic inclusion of formerly marginalised and dispossessed communities (Louw, 2020: 247). As a result, according to this viewpoint, there is always a relevant spatial aspect to justice, and all geographies contain representations of justice and injustice built into them. Spatial justice can be understood as both an outcome and a process, as geographies or distributional patterns that are just or unjust and as the process that produces these outcomes. Locational discrimination, created through the biases imposed on the urban poor because of their geographical location is the fundamental basis upon which the production of spatial injustice and the creation of lasting spatial structures of privilege and advantage lie. The political organisation of space is a particularly fundamental source of spatial injustice, from geographical apartheid to institutionalised residential segregation, the imprint of colonial geographies of social control and the development of other fundamental spatial structures of privilege at all scales, from the local to the global. The normal workings of an urban system, the daily activities of urban functioning are a key source of inequality and injustice since the accumulation of locational decisions in a capitalist economy tends to lead to the redistribution of real income in favour of the rich over the poor. Racism, patriarchy, heterosexual bias, and a variety of other forms of spatial and locational discrimination intensify this redistributive injustice. Geographically uneven growth
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and underdevelopment provide another framework for analysing the processes that produce injustices, yet as with other processes, intervention becomes necessary only when this irregularity rigidifies into more permanent systems of privilege and advantage (Soja, 2009: 0203).
The South African urban structure as we know it, was affected by three planning models, all of which originated from and were inspired by Ebenezer Howard’s Garden City model, which was developed as a solution to the difficulties related to urban congestion following the industrial revolution. Howard’s model was based on ways to combine the benefits of city and country living (Howard, 1985 cited by Sharifi, 2016: 04). His vision was focused on combining the best aspects of urban and rural environments, which would be built into a system of interconnected, self-sufficient and reliant new towns encompassed by a greenbelt, situated around a large main urban area and linked to major arterial routes. These were the earliest attempts in introducing the concept of separate neighbourhood (zone) planning. The use of the land was divided into three zones: industrial, residential, and commercial. Residents would live in detached homes on big plots of land, while commercial and employment zones would be centred along the major arteries (Sharifi, 2016: 04). The second concept was the Modernist city planning model, which like the Garden City model, developed from concern about the dismal living standards in cities. The key concepts of this model were to create separate zones for commercial and industrial activity to generate order and a sense of containment and internal sprawl. The Apartheid Group Areas Act of 1950, which sealed the deal on urban segregation, was the final model. This model, greatly influenced by the Garden City model, was intended to separate and isolate racial groups and create a city environment
that white people considered as their own cultural realm (Lemon, 2000: 199- 200) that did not integrate with the other races.
Figure 05: (ABOVE) Ebenezer Howard, the Garden City model of 1998 ( Walaa & Ahmed, 2016) Figure 06: (BELOW) The South African urban environment following the implementation of the group areas act of 1950 (Author, 2021)
The Garden City and Neighbourhood models were developed in response to the failure of cities in the mid-twentieth century, which were characterised by infinite sprawl, racial conflicts, economic stagnation, traffic congestion, and decaying infrastructure. Planners created Neo-traditionalism as a kind of Postmodern Urbanism in the early 1980s. While the Modernist planning model contributed to the creation of monotonous urban spaces burdened by inequality, urban sprawl, dysfunction and left-over space the Neo-traditional model would be a recreation of historic American neighbourhoods prior to the automobile’s rise in popularity and suburbanisation’s dominance. This new way of thinking was distinguished by human scale, which related to proximity, compactness, walkability, visible boundaries and active centres. (Basiago, 1996; Gillette, 2010; Sharifi, 2016: 07) Among the different Neo-traditionalist approaches, none has had greater appeal and spread than New Urbanism.
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Figure 07: Perry,s neighbourhood unit (left), the new urbanist idea of traditional neighbourhood and Doug Farr’s updated sustainable neighbourhood unit (ArchDaily, 2021)
“New Urbanism is both an urbanistic practice and a theory of urbanism” (Beauregard, 2002: 184 cited by Grant, 2007: 04). The principles and ideas of New Urbanism encompass a new approach of thinking about urban design and development. It is an ideological and utopian movement that seeks to improve social and environmental conditions in urban environments. This new way of thinking will be discussed using Jill Grant’s book, Planning the Good Community, and David Walters’ book, Designing Community. In some ways, the spread of New Urbanism has been similar to the quick spread of Garden City concepts that were introduced a century ago, but what has fuelled the enthusiasm in New Urbanism? The author believes that, it is because of the pursuit in creating good urban space. The twentieth-century city appears to have no boundaries, flowing relentlessly over the landscape with no structure, and it is frequently characterised by suburban traffic and a rising dissatisfaction among its citizens with the placelessness of the urban environment (Grant, 2007: 03- 04). As a result, it has produced urban sprawl with monotonous,
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car-oriented urban environments with commercial strips that look the same everywhere, producing what James Kunstler refers to as the “geography of nowhere” (1993 cited by Grant, 2007: 04). New urbanism centres its theoretical development on a few key concepts, with a focus on issues concerning community, organic connections and the built form. Community is a key notion for New Urbanism since it serves as the ultimate goal for design interventions in many ways. It is of the conviction that welldesigned neighbourhoods are necessary not only for beautiful urban form, but also for thriving communities (Walters, 2007: 144). The goal of New Urbanism is to make space more conducive for good social interactions. It is an attempt to create environments that are centred on people and their positive relationship to those spaces and the people they share them with. Spaces that are close to home that provide opportunities to shop, educate, play and work. This approach to design intervention involves creating bustling, safe streets with people socialising (Grant, 2007: 19). This method frequently places a strong emphasis on the public sphere. The core of New Urbanism is high-quality design that results in appealing streets, parks and squares. A public realm
necessitates outdoor places that inspire civic pride and accommodate a variety of functions (Cusumano, 2002 cited by Grant, 2007: 56). It necessitates a humancentred design approach. Furthermore, in efforts to create good urban environments and communities in which people live, scholars such as Haworth (1963: 22 cited by Grant, 2007: 23) have given the matter considerable thought and state that, a good community is one that, by providing its residents with a wide range of opportunities and options for significant activity, it also encourages their growth and development of whatever potentials. Furthermore, Lynch adds to this line of thought by stating that effective settlements strengthen the continuity of a culture and the preservation of its people by providing a sense of connection in time and space, allowing for the individual development of the residents (1981: 116117).
The emphasis in sustainable development and healthy communities was another key thread in the new urban strategy. Although there is no single and/ or general definition to characterise sustainable development, the common thread has been an emphasis on the significance of integrating environmental, social, economic and institutional considerations. The environmental criteria raise awareness on ecological restrictions and improve intergenerational equality of the intervention by promoting resource efficiency and reducing climate change. The social criterion aims, among other things, to increase community livability and interpersonal equality of development by acknowledging and acting in response to the needs of the diverse community groups. The economic criteria seeks to improve the development of self-sufficiency and economic wellbeing by creating employment and self-employment opportunities while encouraging investment. Finally, the
institutional criteria seek to establish that the different stakeholders are involved in the design process and that institutional aid is present for the successful execution of design interventions. This contributes to an increase in the acceptability and viability of interventions. (Sharifi, 2016: 02) In conclusion, New Urbanism challenges traditional approaches to designing and creating urban environments, which are typically vehicle-oriented. It advocates a strategic design thinking on resource issues and social equality, with the intention of returning to the public the ability to live in good communities. New Urbanism is centred on people, giving a feeling of place while prioritising the urban poor. This through providing resources in close proximity, enabling walking and building stronger urban identities in order to contribute to the development of the quality of life for all the residents in the community.
In the book Creating Vibrant Urban Places to Live, Dewar and Uytenbogaardt state that the means by which positive urban qualities can be achieved, is through a design driven process of place-making as opposed to the modernist principles that have produced the fragmented and sterile environments that we experience in township settlements. Place and settlement-making is a collaborative method for organising the public environment in order to optimise agreed values and encourage creative patterns of use, giving particular attention to the physical, cultural and social identities that define a place and support its continual evolution. The ethos of place-making as a principle in design intervention, promotes a constant attempt to deepen the connections between people and the places they share, as both are an overarching idea and a hands-on method to enhancing urban environments. It fosters a strong sense of place, which can have an impact
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on people’s physical, social, emotional and ecological health, as well as the health of the community in which they live. It is context specific, communitydriven, adaptable, dynamic, flexible and inclusive. Place-making begins when interventions of urban environments are centred around people and not primarily, for cars and retail centres (Project for Public Spaces, 2007b).
According to Shibley, all efforts to successfully establish “community” involve a non-totalitarian approach for placemaking that has the ability to both confirm and oppose the prevailing elements of society that influence settlement patterns (1998: 80). Achieving a sense of “Community” is an important objective in settlement design, which should always prioritise public (the greatest good) over private individual interests. Place-making is the process by which all humans modify the environments we find ourselves in, into places where we may live. Although the term “place” is frequently used as a location for nostalgia or remembrance and thus construed as an idea, it should also be understood as a physical space on the earth. Such is the case with cities, suburbs, shopping malls and industries, which are the conditions that humans have created in order to carve out a place for themselves on the planet, changing certain places into distinct, inhabited areas in which to live, work, and play. This is done not only as individuals, but also as groups of people, making place-making about more than simply people’s relationships with their surroundings, it also fosters relationships among people in places. (Schneekloth and Shibley, 2000: 132- 133)
Understanding place is essential for comprehending human intellect, behaviour, and social relationships. However, the importance of the urban environment in psychological processes
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is frequently overlooked in favour of personal qualities (Toolis, 2017: 186). According to Lineu Castello, in his book titled Rethinking the Meaning of Place: Conceiving Place in Architecture, states that people feel better in particular spaces (2016: 02). This means that different people perceive space differently because some spaces stand out within the larger space that people use. These are generally the spaces that are thought to have certain attractive qualities. As a result, these spaces are recognised as places by their users. They have characteristics that allow them to be viewed as a place within the larger expanse of the urban environment. Place perception can occur as a result of apprehension of socio-cultural stimulation, morphological-imaginary stimulation such as natural assets, reputation, and fantasy representation and finally, enjoymentfunctional stimulation such as enjoyment, comfort, and pleasure, all of which result from the interaction of people and the environment they inhabit (Castello, 2016: 02- 09). The importance of placemaking, although centred in deepening the relationship between people and the places they use, should not be viewed as the single most important element, but should also embrace the objectives and the manner in which people experience the space. According to Erin Toolis, a psychologist focusing on social issues states that, psychology has a significant role to play in identifying and understanding the systems that can disrupt the social injustice of privatisation of public spaces, which contribute to the perpetuation of racial, economic, and social inequality in our communities (2017: 184).
In her article, “Theorising Critical Placemaking as a Tool for Reclaiming Public Space”, she provides a threepart theoretical framework for achieving critical placemaking in urban areas. The first section is inspired by environmental
psychology and focuses on the interaction between person and place. Kurt Lewin (1943/1997, cited by Toolis, 2017: 186) was among the earliest psychologists to highlight the role of the environment in explaining human behaviour, claiming that behaviour is a product of the connection between people, their conditions and physical environment. The environment influences how we think. Moreover, place can nurture a sense of belonging and identity, purpose and attachment (Louw & Altman, 1992 cited by Toolis, 2017: 187) by fostering what is known as ‘place attachment,’ which produces an emotive connection with a place that creates a sense of belonging through common social, historical, cultural and physical factors and activities. In addition, empirical evidence suggests that a stronger sense of place is associated with a higher sense of pride, community relationships, and collective efficacy (Toolis, 2017: 186- 187).
The second section is based on narrative psychology, in which place-making can serve as a platform for discourse. People of colour in South Africa were depicted as foreigners, not belonging or not complete citizens of society, propagating narratives that serve as the justification for dehumanisation, exclusion and delegitimisation. The narratives told in, about, and of the places where we live are critical to understanding how they are produced, what consequences they have for individual and social identities and perceptions of belonging and how they might be modified. Public spaces contain normative practices, structures and symbols that contain stories about who we are, where we came from, and where we are heading (Thomas & Rapport, 1996 cited by Toolis, 2a017: 188). Creating a space for members of communities from various social standings and perspectives to meet each other allowing for the development of more inclusive community narratives, which could be shared stories held in common by that
group to remind them of their shared values, beliefs, individual and collective identity (Rappaport, 2000 cited by Toolis, 2017: 188). Place-making can integrate personal and collective narratives in this way, contributing to a stronger sense and perception of community and belonging. Toolis contends that in order for placemaking to bring together the relationship between place, the narrative of place and its people, it is necessary to draw on community psychology concepts such as conscientisation and empowerment. This is because it offers itself well to conceptualising and theorising how shaping the urban environment and the social ties they foster aid in redefining participation boundaries and promoting social change in society (Toolis, 2017: 189). Conscientisation is described as the gathering of consciousness with the intention of developing historical knowledge about individual self and the community they belong to, so producing a distinct perception and providing a feeling of one’s temporal and spatial location in society (Montero, 2009: 73-74 cited by Toolis, 2017: 189). Empowerment, on the other hand, is described as the collective participation and developmental method through which disadvantaged or oppressed groups and individuals attain more control over their lives and surroundings while being able to achieve life goals and acquire basic rights and resources, while experiencing less social and economic marginalisation (Maton, 2008: 05 cited by Toolis, 2017: 189).
The fundamental purpose of critical place-making is to be viewed as a strategy for accessing and changing public spaces into those of great inclusion, narrative and democratic engagement for all members of that community.
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The quality of exclusivity taints urban environments. Krzysztof Nawratek discusses this aspect of our urban surroundings in his book Radical Inclusivity. According to Nawratek, current politics, which are defined by two perspectives, have a huge influence on our cities. The first is neoliberal and post-political technology, which masks any class struggle with a “we are all in this together” slogan, and the second is Schmittian conflict language, which separates the world into a “us” and a “them.” This is visible in many urban contexts, where post-politics produce public areas that exist exclusively to serve surrounding commercial spaces and the Schmittian language of conflict, which offers us neighbourhoods, private streets, and introverted retail spaces (Nawratek, 2015: 09). Inclusivity is not a foreign concept in design, yet the core of architecture contradicts this viewpoint. According to Nawratek, nothing is more exclusive than a building or a city because they have been established as an outcome of attaining extreme separation (Nawratek, 2015: 15). The city (the urban) and the rural, culture and nature, what’s inside and what’s outside, yet contemporary architecture has made use of principles such as flexibility, openness, and embracing variety, which is represented in multipurpose use. Architecture in the urban environment should not be designed and created to simply appease the interests and needs of the intended users, but it should also engage with the larger urban environment as a whole, capable of embodying community and promoting activity. Essentially, it must be sensitive to the larger urban environment which it shares. This broader topic needs to be considered both physically as the urban context for architecture and socially, politically, and culturally. In order to be inclusive, architecture must be physically comprehended within the context of the urban environment and inclusive of the social political sphere while also being part of the cultural environment (Nawratek, 2015: 16- 22).
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Alexander goes on to say that no one can exist without constant natural interaction with the members of society (the interaction between people). As a result, emphasising the significance of social space in promoting social inclusion. There are three main principles for creating successful social space. The first is space that produces a feeling of belonging and identity, which defines image and space, the second is activity, which relates to functions that promote engagement and finally, the relationship that an individual has with regard to the level of walkability and proximity to their immediate surroundings. Social inclusion is encouraged through environments that are connected with circulation areas, which aid in the maintenance of social interaction. When social spaces overlap, it creates a location that is ideal for public interaction causing these urban interaction zones to establish a flow of movement that would become a journey through space. This flow of movement will be formed by the continuity of people passing through (Alexander, et al. 1977: 618- 619).
Public-ness is a concept that defines the parts that renders one area as more accessible and appealing than the next, so distinguishing the quality of one space from another. The same space might be viewed and used differently by individual users depending on their perception of the space due to the diverse social interactions and backgrounds of different people. This suggests that there is a different level of public-ness for various people, just as one spatial experience may be more appealing to one person than another. Since the late 1980s, the aspect of public space has been a subject of intense interest. It has frequently been used as an essential element to urban renewal schemes all around the world and gained widespread support with the introduction of New Urbanism principles in the 1990s.
(Hajer and Reijindorp, 2001: 01). The role of public space is an extremely significant element in urban environments. Public space is the most essential element of social infrastructure and should be seen as the social outdoor “room” in urban environments, because places of greatest interaction are places of greatest social opportunity as highlighted by Dewar and Uytenbogaardt. (Dewar and Uytenbogaardt, 1995: 18). The concept of public space and its significance is expanded upon by, the Project for Public Spaces Organisation and states that public space, is multi-dimensional. When it is appropriately designed for a particular urban environment, it has the potential to provide spaces that can be used by different people for many different reasons at various times of the day and year. The public realm is where life takes place; it is where people gather to socialise, play, buy and trade. It is the space used for movement, in how people commute to work, run errands and return home and when we allow it, public space can be a medium for creativity, expression, and experimentation (Project for Public Spaces, 2007a: 01). Public space, occupies a unique place in society. It is the space where we encounter the proverbial ‘other’ and where we relate to the behaviour, ideas and preferences of others. It is a space of social relations going beyond our own circle of friendships and, of family and professional relations (Hajer and Reijindorp, 2001: 12). Reijindorp and Hajer in their book, In Search for a New Public Domain argue that we cannot expect classic examples of public places like Barcelona and Paris to be replicated in our modern context. They introduce the idea of ‘cultural geography,’ which refers to a new way of perceiving public space. Cultural geography is more than just a re-creation of previously successful public spaces with underlying layers of an overly sanitised and aesthetically pleasant environment and so due to the alienation portrayed
in the articulated environment, these spaces tend to lack character and soul, distancing and deterring the user from being a participant in the space due to the absence of the cultural configuration layer. Space functionality tends to be de-void of varied cultural areas, resulting in friction and energy that may only be formed in that context. The energy and friction generated by the overlap of subcultures and diverse social groups presented in a space creates a more active public space, which in turn raises the degree of public-ness in space (Hajer and Reijindorp, 2001: 33-39). “An elemental point about good urban spaces: Supply creates demand. A good new space builds a new constituency. It stimulates people into new habits - al fresco lunches - and provides a new path to and from work, new places to pause.” (Whyte, 1980: 16) A great public space cannot be assessed solely by its physical qualities but it should also serve as a platform for social interactions. According to Jan Gehl, in Life Between Buildings: Using Public Space, Through the architecture, one must be able to tap into the emotional, social, and visual responses of the user. Architecture that encourages social inclusion tends to create more vibrant areas within the various spaces in urban environments. These environments have the ability to enhance the user’s ideas, feelings, and behaviour. It enhances the user’s mental health and allows individuals to connect with other people in the community while celebrating their differences. Successful public spaces that foster social contact are generally distinguished by qualities that promote visual connection, integrate circulation spaces and provide interactive spaces that can encourage people to interact socially. These spaces ensure passive safety, diverse and socially acceptable environments. (1987: 15) Public space is a vital community resource in which function and how the space is experienced should always takes
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precedence over form. When individuals of all ages, abilities and socio-economic backgrounds can not only access and enjoy a place, but also play an important role in its development, identity and preservation, genuine success of the public space will have been achieved (Project for Public Spaces, 2007b).
“Whatever your interests may be, they can be significantly advanced by adopting a critical spatial perspective.” (Soja, 2010: 02) Our geographies can enhance and prolong segregation, oppression, exploitation and encourage repressive forms of cultural and political dominance and exacerbate all types of discrimination and injustice. It is because of these reasons that, when addressing the existing spatial conditions that are prevalent in township settlements, it is necessary to focus not only on the infrastructure that is not available but importance should also be placed on achieving positive urban qualities. The infrastructure needed should be an addition to the positive urban qualities created. In addressing the current urban conditions, the goal should be to achieve place in settlements which do not only support the complex patterns of human needs and activities characterising urban life, but also enrich those activities and generate a wide range of social and economic opportunities, strengthening the connection between people and the places they share in the community.
In this manner, interventions are able to provide a sense of human dignity, freedom and equality in order to progress to and achieve universal human rights that are not bound by time and place. This is demanded by the reality of the conditions under which the majority of people live.
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c h ap t e r
02
t h e nat u r e o f c o mm u n i t y s p o r t s r e s o u r c e c e nt r e s
and
This chapter intends to provide insight to what a community sports and resource centre is and how it functions. It begins by outlining the rationale for the choices of typology, the history of such facilities and the significant functions they play in urban environments. Thereafter, carefully selected precedent studies will be analysed and discussed using principle ideas that will frame the investigation.
2.1
Introduction
“Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else can. Sport can awaken hope where there was previously only despair.” (Nelson Mandela, at the Laureus Sports’ Awards Ceremony, Monte Carlo in 2000) Sport, whether in the form of competitive physical activity, or play, has historically played an essential part in all communities. Sport and play are human rights that must be upheld and enforced on a global scale because it is increasingly being recognised and exploited as a low-cost, high-impact instrument in humanitarian, development and peace-building efforts, not just by the United Nations’ system, but also by non-governmental organisations, governments, development agencies, sports federations, military forces and the media. Sport can no longer be regarded as a luxury in any community, but rather as a crucial investment for the present and future, particularly in emerging countries. (UNESCO, 2018) UNESCO expands on the concept of sport as a basic necessity for all people, regardless of ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, language, religion or any other aspect. Every human being has the right to an equal opportunity to participate in sport and physical exercise in a safe manner, especially children of preschool age and young women and girls who have historically been discounted. This is a fundamental need because when people are given the opportunity to participate, it can help them develop their physical literacy, well-being and overall health. At the same time it improves their mental health, psychological well-being, selfesteem and self-efficacy by reducing stress, anxiety and depression. It can also help with social well-being and the ability to form and strengthen community bonds and relationships with family, friends and classmates by instilling a
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sense of belonging and acceptance. This fosters a positive social attitude and behaviour while bringing people from diverse cultural, social and economic backgrounds together to pursue common goals and interests. Furthermore, the UNESCO charter emphasises the importance of having access to proper facilities and equipment for sporting activities, which is often beneficial for the broader economy by creating jobs in that community. (UNESCO, 2015: 02-03). Sport has the potential to provide a universal framework for teaching values and thus helping in the development of soft skills required for responsible citizenship (UNESCO, 2020). Sport is a symbol of inclusion and integration in historically segregated and disadvantaged communities.
As important as sport and its facilities are in impoverished communities, the availability of resources fulfill a crucial part in urban life. Many urban areas continue to face significant challenges in providing equal access to educational resources for their inhabitants on the one hand, and improving the quality of education on the other. It is for these reasons that a community sports centre by itself, would not reach the potential it could and cater to the complete needs of the community in which it will be located.
consequences for the general public (Sitepu, 2010: 02). This is especially noticeable during the current global pandemic, when people are asked to participate in online schooling and working remotely. This means that individuals are expected to have technological capabilities such as internet connection, email access and a mobile phone in order to work and learn effectively from home, but according to Stats SA, the population living in poverty (i.e. persons living below the 2015 Food poverty line of R441 per person per month) in 2015 was 55,5% (Statistics South Africa, 2017). This suggests that more than half of the population live in poverty which consequently means that a large number of people are unable to adapt to the shift to remote online learning and working. Based on current conditions, this percentage has undoubtedly increased, implying that individuals who were previously disadvantaged are increasingly repressed and left behind. It is for these reasons that quality education and the resources that support it are a fundamental human need for everyone. As a result, the decision was made to design not only a community sport centre as the intervention, but also an educational resource centre.
Education is called upon to alleviate poverty, to lead the way in directing social and economic transformation and to act as a vehicle for individual selfimprovement. Education can also be used to turn traditional communities into learning and educated communities. It is regarded as an essential component of national development in many nations, not only as a feature of economic growth but also as providing all people with the opportunity to improve their lives (Sitepu, 2010: 01-02). Furthermore, technological advancements have had far-reaching
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2.2
Understanding the Nature of the Building Through the Exploration of Type
Adequate sporting and resource facilities are crucial infrastructure in any urban environment. This is especially true in township communities, where current community centres and sporting facilities are unable to meet the needs of the community because they lack the relevant facilities and the required equipment. The programme type for the treatise has been determined through investigation into the issues prevalent in many township communities and therefore underpins the need for an intervention that will generate quality urban space and provide community members with urban opportunities. This led to the programmatic typology of a Sports and Resource Centre. The typology is to be explored as a vehicle for restructuring and re-framing public and community space in township settlements. Through precedent studies, the essential design principles of a community sports and resource centre will be analysed and discussed. The buildings were chosen, based on two primary sets of criteria. The building type and its location. The intention was to determine what constitutes an appropriate design intervention that is situated in low-income areas and townships.
2.2.1 Community Sports Centres To further understand how the programmatic typology evolved into the modern-day community sports centre, what they entail and what role they might play in township communities, we need to first understand and distinguish between community centres and sports centres. • Community Centres: A community centre is a facility that is specifically designed for people,
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groups, and organisations in certain areas to meet and participate in activities. (Collins English Dictionary, n.d.). Community centres can be traced back to the early 1900s in the United States, when settlement workers and activists met after school hours in school buildings for social activities (Smith, 2002). They were known as social centres and were viewed as vital spaces, regarded as vehicles for local democracy in any city. Clifton Child, the organiser of the first centre in New York in 1912, stated that, “A community clubhouse and acropolis in one; this is the Social Centre. A community organised about some centre for its own political and social welfare and expression; to peer into its own mind and life, to discover its own social needs and then to meet them, whether they concern the political field, the field of health, of recreation, of education, or of industry; such community organisation is necessary if democratic society is to succeed and endure” (Fisher 1994: 17 quoted by Smith, 2002). These “social centres” grew in popularity and as the number of people who used the spaces increased, so did the demand for a permanent building that could be used outside of school hours, leading to the development of free-standing community centers that served as a basis for social, welfare, and diversified educational activities. These facilities allowed unemployed people to work and organise for the benefit of the community. (Smith, 2002). In 1938, the National Council of Social Services (NCSS), which was responsible for promoting work on new estates, issued a news release outlining community centres in an early paper. The news release
stated that a Community Centre is a building that serves a community organised in an association that is responsible for the building’s management, provides facilities for the development of the recreational, cultural and personal welfare of members of that community and also serves as a meeting place for voluntary organisations or other groups in the community that require accommodation. (Mess and King, (1947: 73 quoted by Smith, 2002) and so, following the war, The Ministry of Education publication (1944) stated that, in attempts to rebuild and redevelop urban areas, the allocation of common facilities for the reasonable and pleasurable use of leisure is a crucial component of the country’s education system; and volunteer effort, unaided, is completely incapable of meeting the needs for recreational and social amenities (Smith, 2002). This highlighted the importance of community centres in urban areas. Although community centres played an important role in the urban environment, Mess and King (1947:76, as cited by Smith, 2002) believed that the building’s quality was a major factor of the centre’s performance. They further stated that, “a good life, is dependent upon good buildings” (Mess and King, 1947: 76 quoted by Smith 2002). This had considerable impact on the design and building of community centres. They began to include more spaces, such as large halls for community meetings, social spaces where people could gather for social events, theatres, games areas, restaurants, and a variety of smaller meeting rooms (Smith, 2002). Community centres continue to be places where local social and
political activities take place, as well as a place where members of the community can arrange inclusive social events.
• Sports Centres: A sports’ centre is a facility where people can go to participate in or practice various sports, generally indoors (Collins English Dictionary, n.d.). The more modern type of sports’ centre began at the same time as community centres, in the 1900s, when school athletic facilities were used by the community beyond school hours. The more popular such facilities became, the more permanent spaces for all-day sports were created and built. They were created simply for utilitarian purposes. They were shed-like structures constructed with steel portal frames or trusses to achieve uninterrupted internal areas. Sports’ centres ultimately became a vital element of urban communities, providing opportunities for residents to connect and interact with one another through leisure activities (Smith, 2002). Building adequate sports facilities in township communities has become critical because, in addition to the health benefits received by those who use these facilities, sport is being used as a tool for development, social inclusion, and a means to combat violence, discrimination, crime, drug and alcohol abuse by providing young people with an alternative option. As a result, community sports centres can be defined as a facility where individuals of all ages and athletic backgrounds can attend for leisure and sporting activities.
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It typically includes flexible spaces for non-sporting interests such as community gatherings and/or social interactions. Community sports centers have evolved into places for recreational, educational, cultural and community activities within the urban environment.
2.2.1 Educational Resource Centres: A resource centre by definition, is a facility that provides information, equipment, and support (Collins English Dictionary, n.d.). A resource centre’s typology might vary depending on the sort of activity it hosts, which is why it can be compared to a community centre when its role is generalised however for this treatise the resource centre will be focused on as an educational aspect of resource. Historically, the earliest programmatic typology of an educational centred resource centre was the library, which was originally a private structure dedicated to an individual, monastery, or college which has today evolved into a structure that loosely and casually houses the various tentacles of knowledge electronically and physically. However, as the library develops under the influence of the computer, the architectural anchoring of the physical and spatial attributes have broken free from the constraints of building which has become increasingly significant. These exist in space, not in rooms, and are embodied in common theatre knowledge. As important as the library’s electronic screens have become, there is no doubting that the library’s social purpose in fostering a feeling of identity and community is as significant (Edwards, 2009: xi-22). The primary function of the library is now to make such knowledge available while fostering discussion and reflection on it. Nowadays, everyone has access to electronic information at their homes, businesses, airport terminals, schools, and so on. The internet has freed the
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library and altered its functional balance. The modern library must promote multimodal access to information while also encouraging the creative application of knowledge. This was not thought necessary when libraries served as primary storage facilities, but now that information is readily available and abundant, the question is one of knowledge usage and dissemination (Edwards, 2009: xi-22). As in the new paradigm of learning and the access to resources, people become the active subjects in the provision of resources based on the individual’s needs. It has to be noted that people have different characteristics and so, they have differing requirements. This means that it is important to provide facilities that are able to cater to the different needs of all the people through resources and materials which include access to the internet, instructional video programmes, physical and digital books, graphic materials and studios (Sitepu, 2010: 03-04). As an architectural programme, a resource centre is public in nature and works best when connected to the movement flows of users in the urban environment. It needs to create appropriate spaces with the necessary information, equipment and/or support for the given needs of the public. It is a place where resources can be accessed by those occupants who need them the most.
In conclusion, it is evident that the role of a 21st century sports and resource centre will need to extend beyond its functional origins in order to meet the requirements of the community in the context in which it will be located. The programmatic typology of the building will be investigated through a series of precedent studies.
2.3
Identifying the Principles of Analysis
Particular issues pertaining to the understanding of the nature of an appropriate intervention have been identified. The precedent analysis will be conducted using these set of issues in order to understand the typology and nature of a Community Sports and Resource Centre. The issues that have been identified are as follows: • Context and Urban Placement The setting in which the design is located is referred to as contextual and urban placement. It includes the particular and immediate surroundings in which the design lies and interacts. The analysis will look at how well the building is integrated or separated within the urban fabric, as well as the inferences that have informed the design.
might be achieved and treated by incorporating multiple thresholds.
• Physical Expression This alludes to the study of the physical form of the building which includes the materiality and tectonics that make up the building’s aesthetic and form.
• Public Space Design This will analyse and provide insight into how the building has used appropriate urban space design in order for the building to have a public component to it and how well it interacts with the public domain.
• Programme and Movement This is an analysis of the several types of spaces within the structure. This will provide insight into the types of spaces necessary, which will aid in the development of an accommodation schedule. The circulation of the user within the building is referred to as movement which will also be analysed.
• Organization of Spaces This refers to the arrangement of the various spaces and how they interact with one another. Furthermore, the organisation of the areas will reflect the various levels of privacy that activities take place in, as well as how they
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2.4
Precedent Analysis - Sports Facilities Three precedents that are centred around sport will be analysed and discussed further, in order to reach an understanding of the type.
Figure 08: (01) Nike Football Training Centre (ArchDaily, 2010) Figure 09: (02) Arena do Morro (Area, 2014) Figure 10: (03) IIM Sports Centre (ArchDaily, 2019)
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01
02
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01
NIKE FOOTBALL TRAINING ACADEMY Location:
Klipspruit, Soweto, Johannesburg
Architects:
Design Space Africa in association with RUF Project
Date:
2010
The Football Training Centre, located in the Soweto township of Pimville, was an existing football training facility for roughly 1 200 youth clubs managed by the Soweto Football Association. The aim of the new centre was to refurbish the existing and transform it into a state of the art high-performance and life skills centre for the advancement of soccer, specifically for the youth of Soweto. (Design Space Africa, n.d.)
Context and Urban Placement The design is located in a fine-grained context dominated by single-storey buildings. It is situated along a major vehicular artery that extends across Soweto and serves as a connecting route to surrounding regions. The University of Johannesburg’s Soweto campus is located along this vehicle route, resulting in a facility that is easily accessible and close to supporting activities and facilities, which has enhanced its sense of integration into the context in which it lies.
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Figure 11: (ABOVE) Map of Klipspruit, Soweto (Edited by Author, 2021 from Google Earth) Figure 12: (TOP-RIGHT) Programme plan (Author, 2021) Figure 13: (MIDDLE-RIGHT) Organisational plan (Author, 2021) Figure 14: (BOTTOM-RIGHT) Section (Author, 2021)
Programme 01 - Grounds Staff
02 - Facility Storage
03 - Catering
04 - Product trial
05 - Storage
06 - Training gym
07 - Storage
08 - Player’s tunnel
09 - Storage
10 - Office storage
11 - First aid/ physio 12 - Security office 13 - Product
14 - Exhibition
15 - Viewing deck
16 - Player’s lounge
17 - Team Wall
18 - Office
19 - Consultation room 20 - Classroom Organisation of Spaces The spaces within the building are organised in a linear and open layout that emphasises connectivity, integration, and ease of access. The areas are clearly visible and linked by the cutting of the mass. This visual continuity between interior spaces generates a sense of transparency between activities. The cut opening connects the change rooms to the fields while simultaneously separating the public from the more private spaces.
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Public Space Design The facility is intended for private use only. It is utilised specifically by soccer youth clubs under the administration and as a result, the centre has not included any public interaction other than approved spectators, resulting in a non-existent public space design.
Figure 15: (RIGHT) Interior view of Team wall space (Rufproject n.d.) Figure 16: (FURTHER RIGHT) Interior view of gym facility (ArchDaily, 2010) Figure 17: (BOTTOM-RIGHT) Exterior view from parking (ArchDaily, 2010)
Physical Expression The building is characterised by its pure rectangular form, which contrasts with the architectural typology prevalent in the context it is situated in. While the form is distinctive, the careful use of certain materials was chosen to better integrate the building into its surroundings. To soften the more robust components, the building uses light natural materials such as a timber screen.
Figure 18: 3D view from soccer grounds indicating materials (Author, 2021)
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02
ARENA DO MORRO Location:
Natal, Brazil
Architects:
Herzog & de Meuron
Date:
2014
The gymnasium “Arena do Morro” in Mae Luiza, Natal, Brazil, was the first project developed and completed as part of the larger urban proposal for “A vision for Mae Luiza.” The intervention takes place in Mae Luiza which is not your average ‘favela’ (translated as township); its identity and character have been shaped by the community’s unique natural location as well as the creativity of its residents. The conducted urban study found the missing underdeveloped urban activities in the community, resulting in an appropriate design. (Area, 2014)
Context and Urban Placement Arena do Morro is located in a lowincome, densely inhabited, coarse grained and vibrant urban environment. It is located on Mae Luiza’s main street, near to the beach front. The centre is also close to schools and a soccer field, allowing it to integrate with the surrounding environment and existing facilities.
Figure 19: (ABOVE) Map showing the context of the building (Google Earth, 2021) Figure 20: (TOP-RIGHT) Plan showing movement and programme (Author, 2021) Figure 21: (MIDDLE-RIGHT) Plan showing organisation of spaces (Author, 2021) Figure 22: (BOTTOM-RIGHT) Section (Author, 2021)
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Programme 01 - Entrance
02 - Teachers lounge
03 - Change rooms 04 - Seating 05 - Sports hall 06 - Entrance 07 - Multi-purpose rooms 08 - Foyer area 09 - Storage 10 - Multi-purpose room 11 - Entrance 12 - Ablutions
Organisation of Spaces The spaces within the building are organised around the central multipurpose sporting court, with secondary educational, cultural, and social spaces surrounding it. This also establishes a threshold separating public and less public space within the building. The interior perimeter is defined by an undulating independent wall that follows the tiered seating steps around the court and creates the circular form of the free-standing and more private spaces. The circular volume emphasises the community nature of these spaces and the activities that take place within them.
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Public Space Design The centre makes use of the entire site. The curvilinear wall edge facing the street offers a pleasant façade with lowered side-walls where people can sit. The two ends of the elongated pitched roof open up to the neighbourhood and embrace visitors. As people get closer to the building’s volume, its scale visually disappears due to its materiality and architectural design.
Figure 23: (TOP-RIGHT) Interior view of the sports hall (ArchDaily, 2014) Figure 24: (MIDDLE-RIGHT) Interior view showing additional spaces (ArchDaily, 2014) Figure 25: (BOTTOM-RIGHT) Exterior view showing building in context (ArchDaily, 2014)
Physical Expression The building’s roof is a prominent aspect in the design. Its form is extruded throughout the entire building area, resulting in a single shape determined by the site borders. The roof introduces a new scale in Mae Luiza while also establishing a relation to the widely used traditional practice of using a large roof to produce large public space in Brazil’s North eastern regions (ArchDaily, 2014).The building is simple and open, expressing and reflecting the local and readily available materials found within this context. The roof is made of corrugated metal sheeting, and the manner it was constructed enables for continuous air circulation and daylight to enter while keeping rain out. Concrete blocks are used to construct the curved walls.
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Figure 26: 3D exterior perspective of building (Author, 2021)
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03
IIM SPORTS CENTRE Location:
Bengaluru, India
Architects:
Mindspace
Date:
2016
The IIM Sports Centre is located in Bengaluru, India. The center was designed to be close to the existing student hostel blocks, and the proposal incorporates queues from the site. The design was planned with considerable care because the form of the structure is significantly influenced by the terrain and the existing trees on the site had to be preserved. The main and secondary access points were designed using trees as focus points, with the design emerging from those constraints. (ArchDaily, 2019)
Context and Urban Placement The IIM sports center is located on the campus of Bengaluru University, along with the student hostels. The campus is situated in the city’s central business district and appears as an intermediate space separated by a major vehicle route. A fine-grained single-storey urban environment condition creates an edge along the University’s north-eastern boundary which is separated by vast fields of natural vegetation. While the CBD, located on the campus’s western-south
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edge, has large buildings and numerous residential units with a much coarser urban condition. The school is located along a major vehicular route, making it conveniently accessible and wellintegrated within its context. Figure 27: (ABOVE) Map showing the context of the building (Google Earth, 2021) Figure 28: (TOP-RIGHT) Plan perspective (ArchDaily, 2019) Figure 29: (MIDDLE-RIGHT) Sectional perspective (ArchDaily, 2019) Figure 30: (BOTTOM-RIGHT) Section (Author, 2021)
Programme Indoor sports and recreational spaces: - Squash and table tennis rooms - Competitive swimming pool area - Kids pool
- Jacuzzi
- Billiards room
- Music room
- Badminton court Outdoor sports anc recreational spaces: - Basketball and Tennis courts - Outdoor stage Change room and ablutions Equipment rooms and Storage Organisation of Spaces The change is gradual, beginning with the pergola-covered double height, which serves as the primary circulation axis and progressing to an open verandah and eventually, the enclosed sports’ hall. Cultural activities are held on the large stairs and platforms located in the sporting complex, which also connects the building to the landscape. The intended aim was to create a harmonious interaction between the building, the people, the site and environment. The use of communal spaces for staff and students encourages both formal and informal connections. (ArchDaily, 2019
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Public Space Design The centre’s approach to public design is emphasised by the use of multiple courtyards and tiered landscaping between the many recreational activity zones. They make use of a mix of open and covered spaces, which enhances the perception of integration and connectedness between the various spaces.
sense of an integrated space. The design makes use of natural stone floor finishes and vivid colours are painted on the wall to break from natural material used and to add a bit of vibrancy to the design.
There is visual continuity from the various spaces throughout the centre, allowing the public to interact with the different spaces more easily. Natural stone and greenery are used to provide comfortable public places.
Physical Expression The IIM Sports Centre can be described as a non-building that emerged from the landscape in which it is located. The building’s main materials are stone and exposed reinforced concrete, which contribute to integrating the new and existing materials in terms of having a single language. The vertical and horizontal planes are created through the open and closed spaces, which further contributes to this
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Figure 31: (TOP-RIGHT) Exterior view towards the courtyard (ArchDaily, 2019) Figure 32: (MIDDLE-RIGHT) Walk-way view showing the connection of spaces (ArchDaily, 2019) Figure 33: (BOTTOM-RIGHT) External view towards courtyards (ArchDaily, 2021) Figure 34: (BOTTOM) 3D perspective view showing the choice of material (Author, 2021)
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2.5
Precedent Analysis Community Resource Facilities
Three precedents that are centred around providing community resources will be analysed and discussed further, in order to reach an understanding of the type.
Figure 35: (04) External view of the Ubuntu centre (ArchDaily, 2011) Figure 36: (05) External view of Thusong centre (Makeka design works, n.d.) Figure 37: (06) External view of Helenvale multi-purpose centre (The Matric Urban Designers and Architects, n.d.)
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04
05
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04
UBUNTU CENTRE Location:
Zwide, Port Elizabeth
Architects:
Field Architecture
Date:
2010
The Ubuntu Centre, which is located in the township of Zwide in Port Elizabeth, was designed and built to address the community that had been ravaged by HIV and Aids, decimating families and derailing children’s lives due to the lack of appropriate infrastructure and proper resources to support the residents’ needs in combating the illness. The facility was built to address the societal challenges that were prominent in the community and to create a model for sustainable development that starts with the environment and extends to the preservation of life.
Context and Urban Placement The centre is located in a township context with a fine-grained single-storey urban condition. It is located near a major vehicular arterial route as well as other civic infrastructures such as educational and commercial facilities, resulting in a well-integrated building that is easily accessible and connected.
Figure 38: (ABOVE) Map showing the context of the building (edited by Author, 2021) Figure 39: (TOP-RIGHT) Movement and programme plan (Author, 2021) Figure 40: (MIDDLERIGHT) Plan showing the organisation of spaces (Author, 2021) Figure 41: (BOTTOM-RIGHT) Section (Author, 2021)
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Programme 01 - Resource/ Computer learning centre 02 - Entrance
03 - Staff lounge
04 - Reception/ entrance hall 05 - Multi-purpose hall 06 - Parking 07 - Kitchen 08 - Flexible & expandable meeting rooms 09 - Pediatric HIV/ TB clinic 10 - Courtyard & to rooftop veg. garden 11 - Pharmacy
Organisation of Spaces The spaces are arranged in such a manner that they are accessed through a central atrium space carved from the mass, which not only connects the interior spaces to one another but also to the exterior space. Every section of the building is used by the centre, as evidenced by the neighbourhood rooftop garden, which feeds students on a daily basis.
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Public Space Design The building’s distributed mass allows pedestrian paths to continue uninterrupted throughout the structure, creating the entrance voids which are a continuation of the pedestrian footpath rather than entrances that do not relate to the context being made along the façade. This has resulted in a very wellintegrated design that fosters a sense of communal ownership, allowing the facility to be an intrinsic part of the people. The building’s edge facing the public has been created with a lower scale that is more akin to a human scale and the façade has been handled with glazing and mesh, allowing the building to engage with the public realm by establishing a visual connection.
Figure 42: (RIGHT) Interior view of community hall (ArchDaily, 2011) Figure 43: (FURTHER-RIGHT) Roof top community garden (ArchDaily, 2011) Figure 44: (BOTTOM-RIGHT) External view showing the relation to the street edge (ArchDaily, 2011)
Physical Expression The folded concrete forms, read as independent volumes that lean on one another for support, conveying the symbolic concept of ‘Ubuntu,’ which means “I am because you are.” ArchDaily (2011). The Ubuntu center, has a distinctive shape that contrasts the finegrained single-storey that we often see in the context of many township settlements. Within its surrounding context, the centre establishes a formal hierarchy.
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Figure 45: (BOTTOM) 3D perspective view of the centre showing the choice of material (Author, 2021)
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05
THUSONG SERVICE CENTRE Location:
Khayelitsha, Cape Town
Architects:
Makeka Design Lab
Date:
2010
The Thusong Service Centre is located in Khayelitsha, a township on Cape Town’s renowned Cape Flats. It is the first of a planned sequence of new institutions for the township to provide civic order where none previously existed. Despite the misleading title, the structure is a sport and social centre. (Slessor, 2010)
Context and Urban Placement The Thusong Service Centre is situated on a major vehicular arterial route, adjacent to commercial, office, educational and health care facilities, as well as the railway train station. As a result, the building is well-integrated into the urban environment.
Figure 46: (ABOVE) Map showing the context of the building (edited by Author, 2021) Figure 47: (TOP-RIGHT) Movement and programme plan (Author, 2021) Figure 48: (MIDDLE-RIGHT) Organisational plan (Author, 2021) Figure 49: (BOTTOM-RIGHT) External view of the building (Makeka design works, n.d.)
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Programme 01 - Male ablutions 02 - Storage 03 - Female ablutions04 - Office 05 - Office
06 - Office (Trainer)
07 - Security
08 - Office
09 - Training room
10 - Services
11 - Services
12 - Passage way
13 - Office
14 - Office
15 - Training room
16 - Female ablutions
17 - Plant room
18 - Main entrance
19 - Male ablutions 20 - Training room 21 - Services
22 - Kitchen
23 - Storage
24 - Refuse area
Organisation of Spaces The spaces within the centre are arranged around the building’s central space, which is a double volume basketball and netball hall with a single bank of seating on one side. The central space’s geometry and size reveal its hierarchical structure while the secondary, modulated spaces surround the hall on three sides, support the main space and in order to articulate and liven the façade, these areas are extruded outwards.
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Public Space Design The building is extroverted, with covered terraces that allow it to be more open to the public. The center incorporates forecourts and glazing to provide visual continuity, allowing the public to feel connected to the spaces within the structure.
Figure 50: (RIGHT) 1-4 Interior views showing the different spaces (Makeka design work, n.d.) Figure 51: (BOTTOM-RIGHT) External view of the building (Makeka design work, n.d.)
Physical Expression The expression of the Thusong Service Centre differs significantly from the finegrained and single-storey urban condition present in Khayelitsha, allowing it to stand out. The building defines itself as extroverted and foreground, yet it uses a careful combination of light materials such as glass, timber pergolas with an over sailing sawtooth roof and heavy materials such as gabion and concrete walls to relate more to its context. The building is essentially a light weight structure that is functional, but it is also grounded by the use of heavier materials. The structure represents a dignified expression of a civic facility in a township that attains a distinctive civic presence.
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Figure 52: (BOTTOM) 3D perspective view showing the choice of material (Author, 2021)
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06
H E L E N V A L E M U LT I - P U R P O S E C E N T R E Location:
Helenvale, Port Elizabeth
Architects:
The Matrix Architects & Urban Designers
Date:
2014
The former Helenvale community centre was an isolated building on a barren, rocky site in the heart of the township. After careful consideration and extensive collaboration with the client and the community, it was decided that the full civic potential of the site could only be realised by removing the structure and replacing it with a more legible and unified new facility. (The Matrix Urban Designers and Architects n.d.)
Context and Urban Placement The centre is located in the heart of Helenvale, a low-income settlement on Port Elizabeth’s outskirts. It is close to several local schools, retail establishments and a police station. The proximity of the centre to supporting civic facilities, has given it a high degree of integration into the urban fabric and the civic aspect of the building and in addition, because the centre is located on a major pedestrian and vehicular route, it is easily accessible and wellintegrated into the community it serves.
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Figure 53: (ABOVE) Map showing the context of the building (edited by Author, 2021) Figure 54: (TOP-RIGHT) Plan showing the building programme (Author, 2021) Figure 55: (MIDDLE-RIGHT) Organisational plan (Author, 2021) Figure 56: (BOTTOM-RIGHT) Section (Author, 2021)
Programme 01 - Entrance
02 - Boardroom
03 - Community hall 04 - Offices 05 - Circulation
06 - Storage
07 - Change rooms 08 - Change rooms (F) 09 - Service
10 - Storage
11 - Stage
12 - Refuse
13 - Caretaker flat
14 - Multi-use hall
15 - Control room
16 - Entrance
17 - Sports field
18 - Car parking
Organisation of Spaces The spaces are arranged around a centralised internal pedestrian ‘street’ that is open to the public and draws people in from the public plaza. The street creates a transition from public to other public or more private places within the building, resulting in an exceedingly public and hierarchical feature in the centre.
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Public Space Design One of the main objectives of the design was to improve the township’s legibility by integrating the building and the urban characteristics of the area through the design of a community plaza that connects an urban park to the facility. Furthermore, one of the design’s primary features is the pedestrian “street,” which emphasizes the centre as a public facility.
using easily available materials commonly used in the context which includes timber, steel, metal sheets, unplastered and plastered brick allowing the building to relate to its context. High ceilings with clerestories allow natural light to enter into the interior spaces while a combination of steel and timber structural systems support the wide spanning roof.
The plaza and forecourt sections gather pedestrians and ferry them beneath a covered arrival area that connects to the pedestrian street, continuing through the building and existing on the other end.
Physical Expression In contrast to the fine-grained backdrop, the building is extroverted and foreground in nature. The building’s integration with its surroundings is achieved by the use of certain materials and tectonics. The building’s appearance contrasts with the prevailing utilitarian archetype of recreational facilities in townships, giving it a stronger feeling of civic hierarchy. The building’s edges are well sized to ensure that it responds to pedestrians. The choice of materials is uncomplicated,
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Figure 57: (TOP-RIGHT) Interior view through the pedestrian ‘street’ (The Matrix, n.d.) Figure 58: (MIDDLE-RIGHT) Interior view of community hall (The Matrix, n.d.) Figure 59: (BOTTOM-RIGHT) Exterior view looking towards public plaza (The Matrix, n.d.) Figure 60: (BOTTOM) 3D Perspective of the centre showing the choice of material (Author, 2021)
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2.6
Precedent Analysis Educational Resource Facilities
Two library building precedents will be analysed and discussed further, in order to reach an understanding of the type.
Figure 61: (07) External perspective view of the Sao Paulo Library (ArchDaily, 2011) Figure 62: (08) External view perspective of the Seattle Central Library (ArchDaily, 2009)
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07
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07
S A O PA U L O L I B R A R Y Location:
Parque da Juventude, Sao Paulo, Brazil
Architects:
Aflalo/ Gasperini Arquitetos
Date:
2010
The Sao Paulo library is located in the Parque da Juventude neighbourhood of Sao Paulo, Brazil. The library, which was formerly a prison, now aims to invite people from all over the city to enjoy the new entertainment and cultural activities offered by the facility. The former Carandiru penitentiary complex has been transformed into a modern youth park, serving a different type of spatial demand. (ArchDaily, 2011)
Context and Urban Placement The Sao Paulo library was once a prison. It is located in the city with a course grained urban fabric that is made up of residential units and commercial facilities. The library is situated on a campus with a university and a park. In addition, it is in close proximity to a hospital and along a major vehicle route with various transport stops, accentuating its sense of public-ness, ease of accessibility and well integration within its context.
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Figure 63: (ABOVE) Map of the building’s context (Google Earth, 2021) Figure 64: (TOP-RIGHT) Plan showing movement (Author, 2021) Figure 65: (MIDDLERIGHT) Plan showing the organisation of spaces (Author, 2021) Figure 66: (BOTTOM-RIGHT) Section (Author, 2021)
Organisation of Spaces The interior of the building is spacious, allowing great flexibility within its layout. The columns and beams that make up the building’s structure are uniformly spaced. The building’s layout on the ground floor is comprised of various public library spaces, and continues on the upper floor, which is comprised of additional reading and multimedia rooms with a focus on differently abled persons. The threshold in the building is created by the building storey. The upper level contains covered terraces on the east and west sides, which are the building’s most private parts. The library is also set up as a bookstore, with the primary goal of attracting non-readers as well.
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Public Space Design The old Carandiru penitentiary complex’s last standing wing, in which the library is situated, has been transformed into the new Youth Park. The library within the park is attracting visitors from all over the city to take advantage of the new entertainment opportunity and cultural experience.
Figure 67: (TOP-RIGHT) Terrace view (ArchDaily, 2011) Figure 68: (MIDDLE-RIGHT) Interior view showing atrium space (ArchDaily, 2011) Figure 69: (BOTTOM-RIGHT) Terrace view with covered shading (ArchDaily, 2011)
Physical Expression The building’s form is rectilinear, with curtain wall glazing on the ground floor, making it public and easy to interact with. The terraces are covered with a pergola constructed of eucalyptus and polycarbonate material, creating a comfortable environment for an outside reading space and live performances. The remaining terraces are covered by a tensile structure that gives the appearance of a tent. It connects to the café and covers the seating area and performance spaces. Pre-molded panels with textured finishes were used for the rest of the building’s exterior. Figure 70: (BOTTOM) 3D perspective showing the choice of material (Author, 2021)
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08
SEATTLE CENTRAL LIBRARY Location:
Seattle, USA
Architects:
OMA and LMN
Date:
2004
At a time when libraries are perceived to be under threat from both a shrinking public realm on the one hand and digitisation on the other, the Seattle Central Library creates a civic space for the circulation of knowledge in all media, as well as an innovative organising system for an ever-growing physical collection. The library’s different programs are intuitively organised across five platforms and four flowing “in-between” planes that together define the building’s characteristic faceted shape, providing the city with an inspiring edifice that is sturdy in both its elegance and logic (OMA, n.d.).
Context and Urban Placement The Seattle Public Library is located in the heart of the city, surrounded by high rise buildings that accommodate a variety of activities. It is close to a major vehicle arterial route that connects it to the rest of the city. There are numerous transportation hubs nearby, making it conveniently accessible.
Figure 71: (ABOVE) Map showing the building’s context (ArchDaily, 2009) Figure 72: (TOP-RIGHT) Plan showing movement (Author, 2021) Figure 73: (MIDDLE-RIGHT) Plan showing organisation of spaces (Author, 2021) Figure 74: (BOTTOM-RIGHT) Section (Author, 2021)
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Organisation of Spaces In today’s libraries, flexibility is envisioned as the establishment of generic floors on which nearly any activity can take place. Programmes are not separated, and rooms or particular areas are not given distinct personalities. The library strangles the very attractiveness that distinguishes it from other information resources in this form of flexibility. Seattle Library has a great deal of flexibility, which it achieves by cultivating a more refined approach and organising itself into spatial compartments, each of which is dedicated to and equipped for specialised tasks. Each platform is a programmable cluster that has been architecturally specified and is configured to provide maximum devoted performance (ArchDaily, 2009).
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Physical Expression By genetically engineering the superposition of floors in a standard American high rise, the building emerges as both sensitive and contextual, where the geometry provides shade or unusual amounts of sunlight, where desirable and contextual, where each side responds differently to a particular urban condition or ideal views and iconic expression (ArchDaily, 2009).
Figure 75: (TOP-RIGHT) Interior view of atrium space (ArchDaily, 2011) Figure 76: (MIDDLE-RIGHT) Interior view of the lounge (ArchDaily, 2011) Figure 77: (BOTTOM-RIGHT) Interior view showing the cafeteria area (Author, 2011)
Figure 78: (BOTTOM) 3D perspective showing the materials of the building (Author, 2021)
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2.7
Conclusion on the Spatial and Physical Principles
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Figure 79: Comparative matrix table (Author, 2021)
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c h ap t e r
03
t h e t h e
nat u r e s i t e
o f
This chapter introduces the multi-layered study into the physical context of the treatise. The study begins with the analysis of Johannesburg as a place of sport and recreation in order to determine the various township settlements that will be investigated. The chosen site for the design intervention will be the result of the process. Following the selection of the site, the urban structure and spatial challenges of the context will be discussed through several map scales, resulting in the constraints and informants map that defines the spatial issues of the site, which will ultimately inform the design intervention.
Figure 80: (LEFT TO RIGHT) Gauteng province - Metro scale (Author, 2021) Figure 81: The City of Johannesburg municipal region which the site is located in - Sub metro scale (Author, 2021) Figure 82: The location of Alexandra Township in the region - Precinct scale (Author, 2021)
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3.1
Introduction to the Contextual Analysis
The treatise is concerned with the spatial inequalities evident in post-apartheid South African township settlements and low-income urban areas, which continue to marginalise and segregate people. Despite the fact that urban environments in the new South Africa have evolved and improved, they still lack desirable characteristics of good urban space. However, township settlements have been ignored, prolonging the poor urban conditions that are defined by the high levels of inequality, injustice and resource scarcity. The study conducted in order to create theoretical perspectives has structured the analysis that the author will utilise to comprehend the chosen site. The theoretical positions have set the stage for the spatial injustice and urban segregation imperatives produced by modernism, colonialism, and apartheid political ideologies, which have resulted in this geography of injustices and separated urban environments. In this treatise, the focus is on Johannesburg. The city of Johannesburg is counted as having the largest population in South Africa (Galal, Statista 2021) and this is largely because of the commerce and industry (the economy) in the city.
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3.2
Setting the Scene: Johannesburg
The discovery of diamonds and gold induced fundamental changes in the various city’s economies and societies. The capitalist and industrial economic systems laid the foundation for racial segregation in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, as well as apartheid legislation in the late 1940s (Worden 1994: 34 cited by Mears, n.d.: 03). The development of the diamond fields in Kimberley and the Witwatersrand gold mines in Johannesburg changed South African society. These advances resulted in the formation of new industrial spaces, as well as new labour and agricultural produce requirements. This had a profound influence on rural societies both near and distant from the mines. South Africa had developed a capitalist and industrial economy as well as a society (Worden 1994: 37 cited by Mears, n.d.: 03). Johannesburg had a more complicated urban society than Kimberley, and by 1914, it had grown to a population of over a quarter of a million people. By then, the Witwatersrand had accounted for 40% of global gold production, which was directly related to the increase in population because of the cheap African workforce that was required (Van Onselen 1982: 02 & Worden 1994: 34 cited by Mears, n.d.: 04). Johannesburg today, is a mining, manufacturing and financial hub. The city is home to all of the mining companies, as well as the Chamber of Mines, which regulates the industry. The mining industry is served by a sizeable engineering sector, while local manufacturers in Johannesburg manufacture a wide range of items, from textiles to specialty steels. The city is home to the headquarters of nearly all of the country’s banks, insurance companies and building societies (Campbell, n.d.). It is because of these industries and economies that many poor individuals migrate to Johannesburg in
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search of better prospects and a better living, resulting in densely inhabited clusters throughout the city. Many people that migrate to Johannesburg face the unfortunate reality of unemployment and poverty, leading to an increase in the number of informal settlements in township communities because that is what becomes available.
Based on the architectural aims and site criteria for the treatise, a variety of township settlements will be analysed in order to select an appropriate site for intervention. The author will be investigating the City as place for Sport, Recreation and Resources.
3.3
City as Place for Sport and Recreation
The process of site selection begins from an analysis of the city’s most densely populated areas and this is done because this is where the largest number of individuals have been affected by the legacy of the apartheid system and thus, it is where the intervention would have the greatest positive impact. The analysis is supported by the consolidation of the site selection criteria and architectural intentions that will influence the suitability of the selected site.
3.3.1 Site Selection Criteria: • The quality of the urban structure that existing sport and recreational spaces are situated in and the relationship that the spaces have to the surrounding context. • The level of integration within the urban fabric. • The various architectural opportunities.
3.3.2 Architectural Intentions: • One of the main issues in township settlements is the lack of public space. The street ends up being the public space, so the design intervention will have to address this issue by edging and activating public space in order to create a better public realm in the context.
• Challenging the nature of existing sporting and resource facilities which have failed to address issues that are prevalent in township settlements and have produced buildings that are selfreferential, act as destinations and lack the element of being an integral part of the urban fabric.
Following the selection of an appropriate location, a detailed investigation of the setting will be carried out. The analysis requires the use of several contextual scales. Namely from a macro scale to a micro scale (precinct), and eventually to a site scale analysis. The intention at the macro scale is to analyze the spatial urban form conditions, legibility of connections, movement routes, and spatial segregation exerted on the precinct by natural and manmade barriers that structure the urban environment and have ultimately influenced the spatial experience of the precinct and the quality of its urban environment. At the micro scale, the goal is to further analyse the surroundings and identify the intensities of activity as well as the various user groups found on the site. Furthermore, there will be a study of the built form, natural systems, micro connections, the level of isolation and/ or integration of the site and movement patterns in the context. Inferences will be derived from the analysis and a subsequent study of the precinct which will determine the role of the site and therefore the constraints and informants which will indicate an appropriate design response that emerges from the site.
• Furthermore, the design intervention will need to contribute to community place making. • Designing a building that fosters the community by doing more than just providing the necessary facilities.
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3.3.1 Metro Scale The following contextual mapping is within the metro scale of the city. The intention at this scale is to analyse the city as place of township in order to establish the various densely populated townships.
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A - Hammanskraal B - Soshanguve C - Atteridgeville D - Mamelodi E - Bronkorstspruit F - Diepsloot G - Tembisa H - Randburg I - Alexandra J - Daveyton K - Hillbrow L - Soweto M - Carletonville N - Orange farm O - Katlehong P - Tsakane Q - Vanderbijlpark
Figure 83: Metro scaled map analysing city as place of township(Author, 2021)
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3.3.2 Metro Scale The following contextual mapping is also within the metro scale of the city. However, the intention of this map is to analyse the various sporting and recreational spaces in townships.
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A - Diepsloot B - Ivory Park C - Tembisa D - Alexandra E - Daveyton F - Soweto G - Kwa thema H - Katlehong I - Vosloorus J - Tsakane K - sebokeng
Figure 84: Metro scaled map analysing city as place of sport and recreation (Author, 2021)
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3.4
Site Selection
3.4.1 01 - City of Johannesburg municipal district
diepsloot
ivory park
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Figure 85: Analysis of the most populated township communities in the City of Johannesburg district (Author, 2021)
Alexandra
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3.4.2 02 - City of Ekurhuleni municipal district
tembisa
daveyton
kwa-thema
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Figure 86: Analysis of the most populated township communities in the City of Ekurhuleni district (Author, 2021)
vosloorus
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3.4.3 03 - Sedibeng municipal district
sebokeng
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Figure 87: Analysis of the most populated township community in the Sedibeng district (Author, 2021)
01
02
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Figure 88: Aerial view of Alexandra Township (edited by Author, 2021)
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Figure 89: Aerial perspective view of Alexandra Township (edited by Author, 2021)
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3.5 Selected Site 3.5.1 Setting the scene: Alexandra Township Alex is chosen as the most suitable site for the design intervention and the reason behind this is because the township presents the worst-case scenario. It has the least aspects of the site selection criteria and architectural intentions which consequently presents the most opportunity. The poor location of many townships on the outskirts, as well as their limited transportation links to cities, is one of the worst features of spatial exclusion. However, the geographical relationship of townships to cities and towns are dependent on the patterns and direction of the urban area and economic expansion and because of this, most cities have grown so much that pre-apartheid townships are no longer on the outskirts. Such is the case of Alexandra Township (Pernegger and Godehart, 2007: 07- 08).
infrastructure has become overcrowded and is unable to serve the entire community, resulting in backlogs in the provision of fundamental services. The lack of job opportunities and the community’s infrastructure remaining inadequate and underfunded, have resulted in the significant crime and environmental degradation in Alex (Greater Johannesburg Metropolitan Council, GJMC, 2000:3; Kotze & Mathola, 2012:245 cited by Mbanjwa, 2018: 09).
The close proximity of Alex to new economic activity nodes that have emerged outside of the historic central business districts has resulted in neither integration nor significant developmental benefits. It has resulted in extreme overcrowding with a lack of provision of critical facilities in the community.
Alexandra Township is one of South Africa’s oldest townships, having been founded in the early 1900s by a wealthy white farmer who established it as a local settlement for black people. The township quickly became a residential magnet for individuals from rural areas as well as migrants from surrounding countries seeking employment opportunities on the mines. Later on, as wealthy suburbs grew around Alex, the area became even more appealing to newcomers (City of Johannesburg, 2014 cited by Mbanjwa, 2018: 09) resulting in the overcrowding we witness today. The 800-hectare township, which includes East Bank, has an estimated population of more than 700,000 people in an area that was initially built for 70 000. As space became scarce, the rapid development of Alex’s population and overcrowding resulted in an increase in the number of shacks built in residential backyards and over fences. As a result,
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3.6
Contextual Analysis
3.6.1 Sub-metro Scale
Figure 90: Sub-metro contextual analysis - Movement network, building land-use and the natural systems (Author, 2021)
Figure 91: Composite sub-metro contextual analysis (Author, 2021)
Figure 92: The segregation between Alex and surrounding suburbia using industrial buildings (Author, 2021)
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Figure 93: The Juskei river separating Alex (old Alex) from East Bank (new Alex) (Author, 2021)
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3.6.2 Precinct Scale
Figure 94: (LEFT TOP-BOTTOM) Precinct contextual analysis of the site Movement network, natural systems, land-use and the grain of fabric maps (Author, 2021) Figure 95: (BELOW) Composite of the contextual analysis (Author, 2021)
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Schools
Industrial
Community Based
Grave Yard
Religious
Sports Grounds
Municipal
Medical
Police Department
Main Vehicular Movement Route
Taxi Rank
Secondary Vehicular Movement Route
Commercial
Tertiary Vehicular Movement Route
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3.6.3 Local Scale
Figure 96: (LEFT TOP TO BOTTOM) Contextual analysis of the site Movement network, land-use,the grain of fabric and the contour and cadastral maps (Author, 2021) Figure 97: (BELOW) Composite of the contextual analysis (Author, 2021)
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Schools
Sports Grounds
Community Based
Main Vehicular Movement Route
Religious
Secondary Vehicular Movement Route
Municipal
Tertiary Vehicular Movement Route
Police Department Taxi Rank
Informal Housing
Industrial
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3.6.4 Summary of the contextual analysis
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Figure 98: (LEFT TO RIGHT) Movement route maps. The map at the sub-metro scale, shows the primary vehicle routes surrounding the context. While at the precinct and local scales, the maps shows the various different vehicular routes (Author, 2021)
Figure 99: (LEFT TO RIGHT) Land-use maps. At the submetro scale, the map shows the surrounding suburban areas around the township which is separated by industrial and commercial buildings that is visible at precinct scale. Additionally, at precinct and local scales, the maps show that the context is made up of predominantly residential housing with a spread of school facilities (Author, 2021)
Figure 100: (LEFT TO RIGHT) Maps of the natural systems at the sub-metro and precinct scales show that the systems appear more as barriers separating Alex (old Alex) from East Bank (new Alex). At the local scale, the map shows the lie of the land (Author, 2021)
Figure 102: (LEFT TO RIGHT) Grain of fabric maps. At the sub-metro scale the map shows the type of buildings that make up the context which is predominantly single storey housing. At the local scale, the map shows the grid iron layout that the context was built in and furthermore, shows the high level of density that has been produced by the informal backyard housing (Author, 2021)
Figure 101: (LEFT TO RIGHT) Composite maps of the contextual analysis from the sub-metro scale, to the precinct and local scales (Author, 2021)
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3.6.5 The role of the site
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Figure 103: Composite of constraints and informants at the precinct scale (Author, 2021)
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3.6.6 Sections of the context
Figure 104: Section across 13th Avenue showing the street edge and the relationship between the street, pedestrians, informal housing and the soccer field (Author, 2021)
Figure 105: Section across the primary vehicular route (M40 road) showing the hard edge created by the school’s boundary wall which has influenced the development of informal trading space along the road (Author, 2021)
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Figure 106: Section across 13th avenue showing the hard edge created by the school’s boundary wall which influenced the development of informal trading and further shows the relationship between the street and residential edge (Author, 2021)
Figure 107: Section across the street between the two schools on either side. This shows the relationship between the street edge and pedestrians (Author, 2021)
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Figure 108: Sketched 3D perspective of the context (Author, 2021)
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3.7
Site Analysis
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Figure 109: (TOP-LEFT) Analysis in plan diagram showing the existing infrastructure on the site and the surrounding spaces (Author, 2021) Figure 110: (TOP-RIGHT) Analysis in 3D perspective diagram showing the existing infrastructure on the site and the surrounding spaces (Author, 2021)
Figure 111: (LEFT) Panoramic view of the existing community facility on the selected site. The perspective further shows how Thusong Youth Centre lacks public interaction and moreover the lack of street definition along Ring street (Author, 2021)
Figure 112: (LEFT) Panoramic view of the existing soccer field and additional sporting spaces, showing the surrounding spaces and the relationship the site has with the rest of the context (Author, 2021)
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Figure 113: (TOP-LEFT) Analysis in plan diagram showing the different spaces on the site, the energies and the relation to surrounding spaces (Author, 2021) Figure 114: (TOP-RIGHT) Analysis in 3D perspective diagram showing the different spaces on the site, the energies and the relation to surrounding spaces (Author, 2021) Figure 115: (LEFT) Panoramic view of Thusong Youth Centre, showing the disconnection between the centre and the sporting spaces which has created a separation between the two public facilities (Author, 2021)
Figure 116: (LEFT) Panoramic view of the sporting spaces which further shows the lack of public interaction the space has with its surrounding. Additionally, the view further shows the conditions of the street edge (Author, 2021)
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A
B
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Figure 117: (TOP-LEFT) Diagram of the site showing the section lines across the various spaces (Author, 2021) Figure 118: (MIDDLE) Section A-A across the site shows the high school boundary wall which creates an edge to the left over-space and additionally shows how boundary walls have been used to separate the sporting spaces from the youth centre and the residential units. Furthermore, the section diagram shows how the existing sporting spaces have been carved out of the landscape (Author, 2021) Figure 119: (BOTTOM) Section B-B across the site showing the various spaces separated by boundary walls ad the landscape. In addition to this, it also shows how the sporting spaces have been carved out of the landscape (Author, 2021)
s e c t i o n
a - a
s e c t i o n
b - b
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3.8
Existing Infrastructure and Site Conditions
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Figure 120: (TOP) Analysis in plan diagram showing the existing infrastructure and site conditions, the energies and the relation to surrounding spaces (Author, 2021) Figure 121: (ABOVE) Perspective view of Thusong Youth Centre (Author, 2021)
Figure 122: (RIGHT TOP-BOTTOM) Images of the various spaces that make up the Thusong Youth Centre. The spaces are as follows: 01 - View from the admin block and flexible working space 02 - Atrium/ Foyer area 03 Multi purpose hall 04 - Classroom 05 - Computer space 06 - Office space 07 & 08 - Art classroom (Author, 2021)
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Figure 123: (TOP-LEFT) Analysis in plan diagram showing the existing infrastructure and site conditions, the energies and the relation to surrounding spaces (Author, 2021) Figure 124: (ABOVE) Perspective view of the Boys & Girls Club existing building on the site (Google Earth, 2021)
o
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Figure 125: (LEFT) Perspective views of the left-over open space creating a lack of definition along the street edge. The space is edged by the school boundary wall (Google Earth, 2021)
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c h ap t e r
04
p r i n c i p l e e x p l o r at i o n s The intention of this chapter is to study the principles that guide the relationship between good quality urban space and design. This analysis is furthered by the investigation of the principles that characterise an appropriate design that responds to and emerges from the context in which it is situated.
4.1
The Nature of Good Public Space in Urban Environments
Public space is a crucial element for urban environments, it represents a space where celebrations might be held and where people can gather for social and commercial exchange. Public spaces are the “front porches” of public institutions and the heart of a community. Public space can take different forms and a variety of factors influence its performance. These factors are elements of multi-functionality, scale, clarity of role and definition, enclosure and comfort. (Dewar and Uytenbogaardt, 1995: 18-19)
4.1.1 Multi-functionality: The idea of multi-functionality is essential to the design of public spaces. All public spaces in terms of their social role, are expected to perform a range of practical purposes, while the emphasis of each function varies. For example, roads are usually always necessary to handle both pedestrian-based activities and various kinds of vehicular movement, thus the emphasis will vary, but they are only exclusively pedestrian or vehicular in specialised circumstances. The best public spaces are those that allow a variety of activities to take place within them and positively accommodate those activities by recognising the requirements and comfort of persons taking part in them.
4.1.2 Scale: This refers to a human-scaled space. The lateral scale and the intensity of use are related. Large open spaces with a desolate sense are neither enjoyable nor safe. Excessively crowded areas, on the other hand, are stressful. Scale should consequently, be informed by the structural and spatial significance of the place. The uses that will be next to the
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area should inform the size and nature of the space to the greatest extent possible. The height of neighbouring buildings also has an effect on scale, because height alters the pattern of sunshine and shadow, which can result in a dwarfing effect. Spaces that are flanked by buildings or defining components that do not exceed walk-up height are the most pleasantly scaled around public space.
4.1.3 Clarity of role and definition: Public space should be easily visible, with a clear distinction between the public and private realms. When the role of the space is unclear, it is frequently neglected and misused ending up being a dumping area for waste.
4.1.4 Enclosure: Positive public space should be welldefined and have a sense of enclosure. Furthermore, the way that edges are created has quite a big impact on the nature and feel of a space. Edges can be accomplished in a variety of methods, including the use of vegetation, structural components such as walls and colonnades and a variety of additional combinations of these.
4.1.5 Safety and Comfort: At the most basic level, the quality of public space is determined by the extent to which it provides protection from, or the opportunity to enjoy, natural elements, which should be influenced by orientation and the way in which edges are created. It is also determined by providing a sense of safety to all who use the spaces. The Harare Peace Park in Khayelitsha is a project completed by VPUU and was conceptualised from the high levels of crime that was identitfied in the area.
Figure 126: (TOP) Harare urban park (VPUU, 2015) Figure 127: (LEFT) Recreation spaces in the park (VPUU, 2015)
Figure 128: (BOTTOM LEFT) Pedestrian walk-way that connects the park to surrounding public spaces in the area(VPUU, 2015) Figure 129: (BOTTOM) ‘Active boxes’ (VPUU, 2015)
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In this intervention, public space is used to address a societal issue by creating ‘active boxes’ which are pockets of activity space in order to positively occupy perceived dangerous spaces.
Furthermore, a study conducted by the Project for Public Spaces evaluated a number of public spaces and found that the most successful of those spaces generally had the following four principles, the spaces were easily accessible, people were engaged in activities there, the space was comfortable and it was a sociable place. (Project for Public Spaces, 2009)
4.1.6 Access and Linkages: This refers to the space’s accessibility and how well connected it is to its surroundings and other important places in the area, both visually and physically. The space is characterised by the edges around it, which fulfill an important role because that is what holds the space together. Highly accessible public spaces are typically located in close proximity to public transportation.
4.1.7 Comfort and Image: This pertains to how people perceive the space in terms of aspects of safety, cleanliness and the availability of seating. Furthermore, this pertains to the ability to provide individuals with a public space in which they are free to enjoy and express themselves.
4.1.8 Uses and Activities: The fundamental building blocks of public space are activities. They are the reason people choose to be in that space and keep returning because good space is
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used space. It is also what distinguishes a space being special and unique. With that being said, in order to attract different user groups of people, the space should offer a variety of activities that allow the space to be used throughout the day and people to fully participate.
4.1.9 Sociability: This pertains to the capability of a space to allow people to meet and socialise. When people are able to see friends, meet, greet and feel at ease conversing with strangers, they tend to experience a deeper sense of place or commitment to their community and to the space that promotes these types of social activities.
4.2
The Role of a Sports Facility in a Township
Many townships in South Africa have suffered the repercussions of an oppressive system. This is a system that segregates and maintains inequalities while producing significant disparities in the quality and quantity of community public facilities. South African townships, have gone through some developments and improvements in the urban environment over the last 26 years, and while this is true in many townships, the facilities that are constructed are done so with the well-intended purpose of improving the narrative in townships and addressing some of the issues in society, but the reality is that many of these urban interventions have failed because of the lack of an appropriate design response and the urban infrastructure required to support these facilities. People in township settlements lack access to vital resources and urban infrastructure, such as sporting facilities, and where such facilities do exist, they are rarely successful or realize their full potential due to low building quality. They are constructed in a utilitarian manner by mass producing portal-framed shedlike structures that are distributed and dispersed throughout townships. As a result, these types of sporting facilities in townships lack any civic hierarchy or meaning that such buildings may express, as they frequently operate as introverted places concealed behind the confines of gates and thus lack any interaction with the public space. As a consequence, the community views these facilities as a misuse and waste of resources and money. These are resources which could have been better invested in the community by providing homes for residents. Additionally, the community frequently regards these facilities as substandard copies of existing facilities in far more affluent areas, leading to
vandalism and deterioration of these facilities. A community sports centre in a township must serve the needs of the community in which it is located. It must be a catalyst for development as well as a resource to reduce the consequences of unemployment and poverty, which include drug and alcohol abuse, violence and crime. Under the circumstances, a community sports centre situated a township will be clearly distinguishable from one in a greater tax bracket income location, where it is more privatised and functions more like a ‘sports club’. A community sports centre in a township should strive not only to provide suitable sporting facilities, but also to support the community in which it is located by offering resources to better the lives of the people who live there. The building must interact with the people by addressing their necessities while also encouraging social equality and good urban integration within the community. The facility should aim to restructure the urban environment by enhancing the notions of spatial and formal dominance that is typically lacking in these environments, by stimulating integration and inclusivity. The facility should attempt to provide a pleasant urban public space as a platform for beneficial social interactions and more so, the facility should attempt to provide a sense of identity, belonging and pride for the community in which it is located.
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4.3
The Nature of a Sports and Resource Facility as a Civic Symbol in a Township
Civic structures are extensions of a community and exist primarily to serve that community. When they are properly designed and function in their true civic purpose, they can provide areas for celebration, social, economic and political exchange and interaction among the general public. “Great civic spaces are really great public places.” (Project for Public Spaces, 2009) Civic buildings in the urban landscape serve as the basis of civil society and are one of the pillars of democracy. They frequently have the capacity to foster and define a community’s identity by instilling a deeper feeling of pride within that community, similarly to how the Mandela House Museum has instilled a sense of identity, culture and pride in the community of Soweto. “Without great public places, there would be no great cities.” (Project for Public Spaces, 2009) Civic buildings enable regular and meaningful contact between citizens, give comfort in public spaces, and attract a diverse population. Civic buildings, such as community sports facilities, museums, community centres and colleges, have the potential to anchor the community, bringing people together both physically and symbolically by providing resources, gathering and meeting spaces, and spaces that encourage open communication dialogues (Project for Public Spaces, 2009). The role of a Sports’ and Resource Centre as a civic symbol will be explored through studying various principles.
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4.3.1 Placement within the Urban fabric: When designing a civic building, proper placement within the urban fabric is critical. Civic buildings must be properly integrated into the urban context of the community they will serve in order to be successful. This means that it cannot function as an independent destination, but must be located near other supporting infrastructure as well as other civic buildings. It is necessary to pay close attention to the placement of civic buildings in order for these facilities to be easily accessible via vehicle routes and pedestrian activity. These facilities should always encourage equality of access for all and if possible, preference should be given to pedestrian mobility and public transportation routes, reducing reliance on private transportation and encouraging greater walking opportunities. Furthermore, by favourably contributing to and shaping the urban environment, the building’s placement should contribute to enhancing any existing sense of urban legibility. Figure 130: (RIGHT)The Ubuntu centre is quite prominent in its context because of its scale (ArchDaily, 2011) Figure 131: (BOTTOM) The high levels of sensitivity in the way the building is integrated within the context (Peter Rich Architects, n.d.)
4.3.2 Urban Presence:
4.3.3 Scale:
Townships are often monotonous in nature, with urban sprawl and a finegrained urban environment. They are typically composed of single-storey, lowcost housing typologies. As a result, a civic building in such an environment should stand out as a place of significance and importance in the community by exuding a strong sense of urban presence. The manipulation of size, shape, materiality, form and tectonics to contrast or integrate the structure with its surrounding setting can generate urban presence.
Townships often have a fine-grained nature of the context and because of that, it is critical for the appropriate scaling of large structures. More so in townships where the built form is generally comprised of single-storey housing, and so the design of civic facilities should strive to achieve a sense of an appropriate urban scale in order to be well integrated but also, maintain a level of hierarchy. This can be accomplished by articulating smaller scaled spaces closer to the public edges in order to interact more with pedestrians. The public edge will be reduced while the street facade will be activated.
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4.3.4 Relation to the Public Environment: Forecourts are frequently used in successful civic buildings located in townships to facilitate the interface and engagement that people have with the buildings. The majority of township public buildings are significantly isolated and secluded from the public environment. Their onsite location and organisational strategy reflects an introverted attitude. These facilities do not interact with the street and instead function as objects within a field of space. This is part of the reason why they frequently fail. Civic buildings must be built as public facilities and recognised as such in order for them to successfully define and improve the structure of the urban environment in township communities.
4.3.5 Relation to pedestrians: There is a severe shortage of articulated public space in townships as a result of bad urban design and because the street is the primary structuring element of organisation in townships It is frequently used as the public space. Although vehicular routes are important, walking is the major form of commuting for many community members due to high levels of poverty and unemployment. As a result, it is critical that infrastructure is designed with pedestrians in mind, rather than vehicles. Civic buildings must be an extension of this necessity by fostering beneficial interactions between building edges and people. This will encourage the community to interact with the building and make use of the newly established urban space.
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4.3.6 Permeability: Permeability can be a powerful instrument in the context of a civic building in a township. It can be utilised to offer a sense of civic transparency and openness, allowing the community it serves to feel part of the interior and hence a sense of ownership of the facility. Permeability can also be used to successfully blur the distinctions between the building’s interior and outside spaces, so extending the public realm into the building.
Figure 132: (TOP) The scale of Usasazo school is intentionally lowered towards the edges of the street to enable it to relate more to the pedestrian scale (Architype, n.d.) Figure 133: (MIDDLE) Scaled down to relate to pedestrian and the use of light material to enable visual connection into the building (ArchDaily, 2011) Figure 134: (BOTTOM) Permeability is achieved through the use of material (Peter Rich Architects, n.d.)
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4.4
Materials and Tectonics + Sustainability
4.4.1 Materials and Tectonics Materials and tectonics are investigated here in order to understand how the use of particular materials that relate to the context might aid in producing meaning in the architecture. Standard materials are often regarded as not being exciting for new architecture, but the author believes that standard, simple and often referred to as boring materials can be used in innovative ways that creates vibrancy but still continues to give depth and meaning to a design.
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Figure 135: The Slindokuhle community centre uses recycled and other simple materials that are readily available to create innovative architecture Figure 136: Slindokuhleinterior view into the community hall
4.4.2 Sustainability • Orientation When investigating the concept of sustainability in building design, one of the most essential things to consider is orientation. Through the optimal use of sun and wind conditions, proper building orientation can lessen the overall impact of the building on the natural environment and human health. Buildings oriented east-west have a better chance of performing well since they have fewer surfaces exposed to low-angled light and west sunshine. • Using renewable resources To lower building operating expenses, renewable resources should be explored whenever possible. Resources such as freely available solar energy, as well as the collection and storage of water for diverse functions in the structure, can be completely utilised.
4.4.3 Passive design strategies
• Power production: The use of natural resources to power the building is referred to as power production. When power generation is considered early in the design process, minimal on-site electricity is required. • Thermal energy storage: By including heavy finishes in the floors and walls, a building’s bulk can be used to store thermal energy and to slowly release it over the day. • Rain water collection: The collection of rain water run-off, which gets stored and recirculated in the building for daily use.
• Natural ventilation: The quality of air within a building can be kept in good condition by strategically placing windows to provide continuous air circulation in the areas. If this is done successfully then the building will always maintain acceptable levels of fresh air
Some of the passive design strategies to be investigated include: • Evaporative cooling: Unlike standard HVAC systems that rely on recirculating interior air, evaporative cooling may generate 100 % perfect fresh and clean air from outside at no cost. This sort of cooling is also helpful to the health of the individuals who spend time in that space since it generates water vapour from the air, which increases humidity.
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p ar t
02
DESIGN
c h ap t e r
05
d e s i gn b r i e f p r o g r amm e
and
This chapter outlines the formulation of the brief and an accommodation schedule with the required programme.
Figure 137: Sketched 3D perspective of the context (Author, 2021)
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5.1
Formulating the Design Brief
Many township settlements, as previously established, have poor urban conditions characterised by a lack of sufficient resources and facilities, high levels of spatial segregation, placelessness, a lack of identity, and environments burdened by left-over space. The chosen programme established in Chapter 02 emphasises the significance it has in addressing some of the issues that are prominent in township communities. When designed appropriately, it has the potential to produce great urban space that improves the lives of community members by providing the necessary facilities and resources. The existing community and sports centres in township communities rarely achieve their intended purpose, as evidenced by the analysis discussed in Chapter 03. This analysis reveals the typical disconnection, spatial sprawl, and placelessness of spaces in township settlements, but it also reveals the potential of left-over and privatised space, as is the case in Alexandra township. The site is made up of existing infrastructure centred on community spaces.
known community of Alex. Recreational, cultural, and artistic activities will need to be fostered by community-based organizations. As a result, it is critical that the intervention considers the social and environmental implications.
The ideas and outcome of the architectural intention, need to be evaluated. The architecture should not be an object in space but, it will need to emerge from the contextual inferences drawn from the site. It needs to be of that place. It is imperative that the architecture emerges from the site and integrates appropriately within the surrounding context. An appropriate design will promote good urban qualities and space in Alexandra Township.
As a result, the project concept is to create a sport and resource precinct that organises the site’s existing facilities in order to develop a design centred on enhancing Alex’s urban conditions. However, in order for this intervention to reach its full potential, the Johannesburg Development Agency will need to collaborate with the private sector (private investment) and communitybased organisations. The rationale behind this is to incorporate community members in the design process in order to cater to their specific needs as the people who live and experience the conditions of the site, as well as the people who will use and experience the developed intervention. The intervention will need to increase awareness about the heritage and reconstruction of the well-
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5.2
Accommodation Schedule
The programme is defined by the architectural intentions of the design. Resulting in the three main types of spaces that the design will engage with in the intervention.
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c h ap t e r
06
D e s i gn d e v e l o p m e nt This chapter will provide a graphic overview of the translation of previously discussed research intentions, into the design of a Community Sports Centre in Alexandra Township through the aid of sketches and diagrams. It also includes the proposed urban spatial framework as well as the design strategy and development process.
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6.1
Defining the Spatial Issues
The existing poor urban planning conditions of Alexandra township coupled with the lack of development and investment in the township has produced an impoverished environment. Alex is characterised by high levels of overcrowding as a result of the informal housing, which it has become infamous for. This uncontrolled expanding of informal housing has created poor street edges that often obstruct pedestrian and vehicle movements. The high levels of density and lack of public and recreational space, has often made the street the public space where children play and members of the community experience social life. However, the term street is loosely used to define what are actually roads that prioritise vehicles creating unfriendly pedestrian space. Additionally, the township is edged and separated from the surrounding suburban areas by decaying industrial buildings that are no longer in use. Addressing these spatial issues is where the urban framework intervention positions itself.
Figure 139: Composite map of constraints and informants at precinct scale showing the spatial issues (Author, 2021)
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Figure 140: Lack of adequate space to promote self-trade (Google Earth, 2021)
Figure 141: Undefined street edges (Google Earth, 2021)
Figure 142: Decaying industrial buildings (Google Earth, 2021)
Figure 143: Expansion of informal housing (Google Earth, 2021)
Figure 144: Poorly structured taxi rank (Google Earth, 2021)
Figure 145: Unfriendly pedestrian walk-ways (Google Earth, 2021)
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Figure 146: Decaying sports field (Google Earth, 2021)
Figure 147: Underutilised open and left over space (Google Earth, 2021)
Figure 148: Informal trade along pedestrian walk-way and high walls enclosing site from the public (Author, 2021)
Figure 149: Uncontrollable expansion of informal housing along main vehicle movement route (Author, 2021)
Figure 150: Potential to take advantage of the influx of people (Google Earth, 2021)
Figure 151: Lack of pedestrian friendly streets (Google Earth, 2021)
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6.2
Urban Framework Strategies
The following map highlights the most important roads in the context. This is done to establish levels of access in and around the site. Additionally, it shows areas in the community with the largest concentration of people and the intention for this is to establish movement of people and where activity generally happens. Node These are potential nodes where movement routes meet and therefore provides the potential to intensify energies Secondary vehicular movement route (Alfred Nzo Road) This road also connects to the entry points into Alex from East bank and the commercial and industrial areas on the west. Taxi rank | School | Resource centre | Police department Schools High school and Primary school institutions Main vehicular movement route (M40 road) Tertiary movement route (13th Avenue) The busiest pedestrian route. This route connects areas with the most concentration - The taxi rank and schools. TVET College
Figure 152: Composite map of urban framework strategies at precinct scale (Author, 2021)
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6.3
Site Strategies
The existing sporting facilities are enclosed by boundary walls and a fence, decreasing the level of publicness and interaction with the public. The first strategy is to remove the boundary walls and fences. The walls separate the sporting spaces from the community centre that currently exists on the site. Once the boundary walls are removed, the site will be able to open itself up completely and emphasizes its publicness while allowing for a better relationship with the existing community infrastructure. The final strategy involves assessing the valuable infrastructure on site, which will determine what is kept and repurposed and what will be demolished. This will help establish and create the potential relationships within the different buildings and spaces.
Figure 153: 01 and 02 - 3D Site strategy (Author, 2021)
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6.4
Design Strategies
The design strategies, parallel the organisational strategies. The design ideas developed from the re-organisation of the site. The primary driving idea in the intervention is the consolidation of the different spaces and the various buildings that are separated by boundary walls on the site. Once the boundary walls are removed, it is important to establish the valuable infrastructure so that they are conserved and repurposed to fit the intentions of the intervention. As a result of the process, it is concluded that the community centred buildings are valuable infrastructure that already possess particular energies and so, the idea is to enhance those energies and the energy from pedestrians by concentrating it in a defined public space edged by public infrastructure. By doing so, space and edges are defined resulting in more legible and quality urban space.
Figure 154: Design strategy (Author, 2021)
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6.5
Design Development
6.5.1 Conceptual Form Strategy The intention in the form of the building is to reflect the character of place while contrasting the fine grained nature of the context. The reason behind that is to achieve formal hierarchy and develop an appropriate public building. The intention will be achieved in various ways. The context is made up of predominantly residential housing and so, in order for the intervention to relate appropriately to the context, its from will make use of pitched roofs and standard material found in the context. However, in order for the pitched roofs to work in this particular type of building, the roof will need to be able to span long distances and allow natural light and ventilation inside the spaces.
Figure 155: (TOP LEFT TO RIGHT) 01 - Four storey residential apartment flats in the context (Google Earth, 2021) & (Author, 2021) Figure 156: (MIDDLE LEFT TO RIGHT) 02 - Alexandra hostel along Alfred Nzo road (Google Earth, 2021) & (Author, 2021) Figure 157: (BOTTOM LEFT TO RIGHT) 03 - The Alexandra cultural centre (Google Earth, 2021) & (Author, 2021)
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Figure 158: (TOP) Conceptual site organisational strategy (Author, 2021) Figure 159: (BOTTOM) Conceptual section (Author, 2021)
01
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6.5.2 Conceptual Site Strategy + Sections
Figure 160: (TOP) Conceptual site organisational strategy 02 (Author, 2021) Figure 161: (BOTTOM) Conceptual section 02 (Author, 2021)
02
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Figure 162: Final site organisational strategy (Author, 2021)
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6.5.3 Final Site Organisational Strategy
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fac il it y
6.5.4 Plans and Sections Development Figure 163: (LEFT) Resource facility ground floor plan (Author, 2021) Figure 164: (MIDDLE-LEFT) Resource facility first floor plan (Author, 2021) Figure 165: (BOTTOM-LEFT) Resource facility section (Author, 2021)
Figure 167: (BOTTOM-RIGHT) Community sports facility section (Author, 2021)
s p o rts
fac il it y
Figure 166: (BELOW) Community sports facility floor plan (Author, 2021)
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c h ap t e r
07
f i nal d e s i gn and p r e s e ntat i o n This chapter presents the conclusion of the treatise in the final design of a Community Sports Centre in Alexandra Township, Johannesburg.
Figure 168: Urban spatial framework at precinct scale (Author, 2021)
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7.1
Spatial Urban Framework
The intention of the framework is to enhance and improve the existing energies in the context in order to create quality urban conditions in the township. Industrial Buildings The industrial sector in Alex is idle and what is left is decaying buildings that are remnants of the past. The framework includes the regeneration of the buildings resulting in the restoration of the industrial sector in order to create employment, while re-purposing some of the buildings as residential housing. This aids in addressing two of the most prominent issues in the community. Commercial Precinct Opportunity exists for the development of a commercial precinct because of the existing high concentration of energy around the taxi rank area, so this is where commercial activity would be more feasible. Mixed-use Buildings The proposal of mixed use buildings is intended to create better street edges that accommodate pedestrian movement. Sport and Resource Precinct The final proposal is a sport and resource precinct. Currently existing are sporting spaces and community centred facilities that present great opportunity. In addition to this, is the opportunity for a public square and urban park because of the need for public space in this community and so, the intention is to provide a space where people can come, meet and socialise. This public space connects to and from other supporting spaces by pedestrian orientated streets.
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Figure 169: Urban spatial framework strategy at design scale (Author, 2021)
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Figure 170: 3D of the urban framework strategy at design scale (Author, 2021)
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Figure 171: (ABOVE) Urban spatial framework at precinct scale showing where sections are cut in the intervention (Author, 2021) Figure 172: (BELOW) 01 - Urban design section of the proposed intervention across Alfred Nzo road which is intended to define the street edge (Author, 2021) Figure 173: (TOP-RIGHT) 02 - Urban design section of the proposed intervention across Rooth street which is intended to prioritise pedestrians (Author, 2021) Figure 174: (MIDDLE-RIGHT) 03 - Urban design section of the proposed intervention across 13th Avenue (Author, 2021) Figure 175: (BOTTOM-RIGHT) 04 - Urban design section of the proposed intervention across the M40 road which shows the regenerated industrial buildings and a defined edge that is pedestrian friendly (Author, 2021)
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Figure 176: Final design bird’s eye view perspective (Author, 2021)
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The final design comprises of a consolidated site of community and public space. The design is made up of two components, the Community Resource facility and the main building, the Community Sports Facility. The image of the left (figure 177) is the site plan of the final design showing the where both components of the design are situated. The two spaces edge the streets and activate the public square through maintaining visual continuity and the fluidity of public outdoor to indoor space.
Community Resource Facility This building is the re-use and extension of the existing building which was intended to provide adequate resource spaces that are needed in the community by a diverse range user groups. Community Sports Facility This building is made up of indoor sports spaces for recreation and competitive events. The intention through the chosen sport disciplines was to provide sporting that could positively impact and change the lives of all participants, by teaching life skills (swimming), promoting healthier lives (public gym) and a sense of discipline (boxing).
Figure 177: Site plan of the final design resolution (Author, 2021)
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Figure 178: (TOP-LEFT) Ground floor plan of the Community Resource facility (Author, 2021) Figure 179: (TOP-RIGHT) First floor plan of the Community Resource facility (Author, 2021) Figure 180: (LEFT) South-west elevation perspective of the Community Resource facility (Author, 2021)
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Figure 181: (ABOVE) Perspective view towards the Community Resource facility from Ring road (Author, 2021) Figure 182: (LEFT) Perspective view towards the Community Resource facility from the Netball courts (Author, 2021)
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Figure 183: Ground floor plan of the Community Sports facility (Author, 2021)
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Figure 184: Sectional perspective B-B through the Community Sports facility (Author, 2021) Figure 185: (BOTTOM-LEFT) Detail 01 - Gutter and Wall detail (Author, 2021) Figure 186: (BOTTOM-MIDDLE) Detail 02 Typical Wall and Foundation detail (Author, 2021) Figure 187: (BOTTOM-RIGHT) Detail 03 - Tiered Seating detail (Author, 2021)
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Figure 188: North-east elevation perspective of the Community Sports facility (Author, 2021)
Figure 189: South-west elevation perspective of the Community Sports facility (Author, 2021)
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Figure 190: (LEFT) Perspective view of the forecourt between the Community Resource and Sports facilities (Author, 2021) Figure 191: (BOTTOM-LEFT) Perspective view of the forecourt (Author, 2021) Figure 192: (BOTTOM-RIGHT) Perspective view of the Public Square (Author, 2021)
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Figure 193: (LEFT) Perspective view towards Public square (Author, 2021) Figure 194: (BOTTOM-LEFT) Perspective view towards Public Square from the Community Sports facility entrance (Author, 2021) Figure 195: (BOTTOM-RIGHT) Perspective view towards the Public Square from glazing along the Boxing gym (Author, 2021)
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Figure 196: Portfolio presentation panel presented at Treatise final exam (Author, 2021)
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bibliography 01. Books • Lineu Castello (2016). Rethinking the Meaning of Place Conceiving Place in Architecture-Urbanism. Routledge. • Dewar and Uytenbogaardt (1991). South African cities : a manifesto for change. Cape Town: Urban Problems Research Unit, University. • Dewar, D. (n.d.). Livable Cities: A Brief Assessment of the Performance of Contemporary South African Towns and Cities. pp.57–77. • Dewar, D. and Uytenbogaardt, R. (1995). Creating Vibrant Urban Places to Live : A Primer. Cape Town: Headstart Developments, pp.1–57. • Edwards, B. (2009). Libraries and learning resource centres. Oxford, UK ; Burlington, Ma: Architectural Press. • Gehl, J. and Koch, J. (1987). Life Between Buildings : Using Public Space. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold Company. • Gehl, J. and Koch, J. (2011). Life between buildings : Using Public Space. Washington, DC: Island Press. • Grant, J. (2007). Planning the good community : New Urbanism in Theory and Practice. London: Routledge. • Hajer, M.A. and Reijindorp, A. (2001). In search of new public domain : analysis and strategy. Rotterdam: Nai Publishers, Cop. • Marschall, S. and Kearney, B. (2000). Opportunities for relevance : architecture in the new South Africa. Pretoria: University Of South Africa. • Oldenburg, R. and Da Capo Press (2005). The great good place : cafés, coffee shops, bookstores, bars, hair salons, and other hangouts at the heart of a community. Philadelphia: Da Capo Press, [Post. • Soja, E.W. (2010). Seeking spatial justice. Minneapolis: Univ. Of Minnesota Press. • Whyte, W. (1980). The social life of small urban spaces. New York: Project For Public Spaces.
02. Treatises • Fijac, J., 2015. The design of a Football Academy and Community Sports Centre for Kwazakhele, Port Elizabeth. Port Elizabeth. Nelson Mandela University. M. Arch (Professional). • Gopee, Y., 2019. The design of a Community Sports Centre at Case Noyale Village
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Busang Makhele 2021