1.4 Statements

Fig 4: Exposing historical layers as a regeneration intervention. (By author, 2021)

1.4.1 Main research question

The main research question that arises from the problem statement and aims is: how would programmaticengaging architecture that is user-orientated connect derelict urban spaces back to the active urban fabric in the Pretoria CBD, and how could a programme be implemented to reflect the site’s identity?

1.4.2 Sub research questions

The research question can be broken down into three sub-research questions:

a) Are there relationships between programmaticengaging architecture and users within a building to enhance a creative experience?

b) What measures could be employed on a disconnected site to renew it and reintegrate it into the active urban fabric?

c) Can an architectural programme be introduced in the twenty-first century that reflects the site’s identity and could be sustained with time?

1.4.3 Site Intentions

The selected site is Berea Park, a disconnected derelict site located south of the Tshwane CBD entrance. (See Fig. 9 on page 20.) The intentions of this study regarding the design intervention for this site are as follows.

a) As only a portion of Berea Park may be used for the design intervention, a master plan will be proposed to indicate the revival of the existing sports field and the proposed new programme for the existing buildings next to the site selected.

b) The identity of Berea Park will be the focus of the memories and histories that drive the architectural programme. A small portion of the surrounding context will be analysed simultaneously to enhance the new programme.

c) Berea Park in the twenty-first century is predominately used for recreational activity. Thus, only a portion of the entire site may be selected to propose the intervention.

d) Berea Park has three neglected buildings. Only one will be selected to be incorporated into the proposed architectural intervention with the selected portion of the site, which will be phase 1. A conceptual and explorative design on the reuse of the remaining existing buildings will be presented as phase 2.

1.4.4 Research methodology

This study employs constructivist-epistemological worldviews, where epistemology can be expressed as the theory of how one gains knowledge.

A constructivist worldview argues that multiple realities exist, depending on the observer(s). This worldview provides a dynamic research method for gaining an in-depth understanding of how to regenerate derelict urban spaces to connect them with the active urban fabric. Reductionism, which closely resembles a substratum of constructivism, plays a role as a research method in gaining this understanding by breaking down the “whole” into smaller components, which are then critically understood before creating a “new whole” (Steup & Neta, 2020).

The research includes qualitative studies and is based on an analysis of secondary data (Public domain). The research question formulated for this study (see 1.4.1 above) could be interpreted subjectively, and, thus, a constructivist worldview with a qualitative study method could assist in generating meaning from the data collected.

The study objectives were achieved by interpreting the world’s engagement and understanding the setting by visiting the context and gathering information personally. This involved making use of an inductive approach to research, which advocates observations to gain information.

Following the inductive research approach, the datacollection methods used were sampling, secondary data of texts and pictures, mapping, case studies, literature reviews, and interpretation. This approach aided the critical understanding of the site, theory and the surrounding context to be analysed, compared, validated and then interpreted.

The outcome was the qualitative representation of the findings as a series of writings, diagrams, themes and patterns, maps and sketches to highlight the relationship between interesting architecture and derelict urban spaces as a strategy for regeneration. This research methodological approach was used to contribute to new understandings and knowledge to regenerate derelict urban spaces back to the urban fabric.

The secondary data and historical time-lines were then analysed in depth to establish a special cause-andeffect relationship to produce a new architectural programme to sustain the identity and proposed building of the site.

1.4.5 Reductionism

Fig 5: Representation of reductionism ,Exploded camera technification, adapted by author 2021, from Speedyspares