Alexandra Tourism Proposal | Thesis

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Network Tourism: Making Tourism Relevant to Daily Life in Developing Urban Contexts

alexandra TOURISM

Above: Youth Precinct Tour (2013)

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Network Tourism: Making Tourism Relevant to Daily Life in Developing Urban Contexts by Olivia Cervasio

Project presented to the Faculty of the Department of Architecture College of Architecture and the Built Environment Philadelphia University In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of BACHELOR OF ARCHITECTURE Design 10: Research and Design Faculty Chris Harnish Philadelphia, Pennsylvania May 2015 2


Table of Contents Design Research 4. Design Research Statement 5. Thesis Abstract 6-7. Research Objectives/Investigative Methods 8-9. Poverty Tourism & Issues in Alexandra Township 10-11. Introductory Project Concept Diagrams 12-13. Thesis Statement (Programmatic Intent) 14-15. Network Tour Design Objectives and Design Brief 16-17. Current Tourism Strategies in Alexandra Township

Design Proposal (Process Through Different Scales) 19-23. Small Scale: Satellite Security Nodes Through Alex 25-31. Large Scale: Tour Network Master Plan 33-41. Medium Scale: Node for Walking & Bike Tour Break 42-59. Focus - Tourism Hub: Community Education & Cultural Experience 60-61. Tour Sequence & Summary

Design Conclusions (Analysis/Critique of Completed Project) 62. Analysis: Thesis in Relation to Design Proposal 63. Summary of Thesis Goal 64. Further Development 65-66. Bibliography

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Design Research Statement As tourism becomes more of a presence in Alexandra Township in Johannesburg, South Africa, the need to organize the existing tourism infrastructure becomes more of a necessity. In May of 2013, I visited the township to discuss with the community about what types of program are appropriate for redeveloping the eNtokozweni Community Centre site along London Road. We discussed the possibility of developing the eNtokozweni site as a starting point for a walking tour. At the beginning of this semester, I researched the reasons why community centers in this context tend to fail and become underutilized. I decided that my thesis would be to come up with a tourism strategy that examines existing tourism across the entire township, but add nodes of intervention at various scales to create a holistic proposal with a variety of benefits. My goal for this project was to challenge the notion of ‘poverty tourism’ that exploits, rather than includes, individuals who live in the township. Instead, I wanted to be able to have locals engage with tourists to create a long-lasting discussion between tourists and citizens, as well as provide educational, cultural, and economic opportunities for the community. The proposed program improves economic opportunities, enables youth participation, and encourages cultural recognition. The intent is that even without the presence of tourism, the center would still be used by the community. The main architectural focus for the project includes the large scale intervention for the start of the tour at the eNtokozweni site followed by a master plan proposal of a potential tour route. Also included are the medium scale public space pavilion as well as satellite security nodes that can be found at historic sites and in specific areas throughout the rest of the township. A lot of my preliminary research was qualitative from the charrettes that we participated in, getting feedback from the community on what types of programming would be appropriate for a community center. From there, I looked at the existing tour structure in Alexandra. I found various examples of tour types and some buildings in which they originate from. I believed, however, that the location at the eNtokozweni site along London Road was the more logical and accessible location for tours to originate, and the program could be more specificially geared towards tourism and cultural education, however still functional when tours are not in session. Since this project mainly focuses on program, I looked to precedents mainly for the their program spaces and presence in/impact on their surrounding communities. I even conducted an interview with one of the youth from the township, where I helped to interpret an innovative design solution for market space infrastructure with additional programmatic features of cultural expression/education and security. The main concept was to overlap program in terms of both the user, and the use. From research, I began to produce, creating mapping studies for the overall master plan, and material/spatial collages for the medium and small scale proposals. From these iterative processes, I constantly checked to ensure my design goals and thesis were coherent with the design, adhering to programmatic guidelines and opportunities for ‘commerce,’ ‘expression,’ ‘discussion,’ ‘employment,’ ‘security,’ ‘public space,’ and ‘education.’ From my experience having visited the township, along with mapping and site analysis of eNtokozweni, I was able to program the site to be well-used for tourism as well as everyday life. Finally, I ended with a diagram and map of a tour route proposal that distills and unifies all of the information presented in the project, as a collective idea. 4


Thesis Abstract Creating a network on a variety of scales as a methodology for making tourism a relevant concept for citizens by providing specific programming, addresses multiple issues in developing townships, such as youth unemployment, security, outlets for cultural expression, and reclaiming public space. This project considers the needs for public space components devoted to youth development and the local economy in developing urban contexts. This project aims to continue the research findings conducted in the township of Alexandra in May of 2013, in hopes of designing a functioning and well-used community and youth center. The overall intent is to provide educational, economic, and expressive opportunities for Alexandra’s youth through programming suited for enduring community spaces, with or without the presence of tourism.

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Research Objectives

1. Take feedback received from the participatory design charrette in Alexandra Township in May 2013 and implement a strategy for a viable walking tour (image shown on page 7) and cultural tourism center. 2. Challenge the notion of ‘poverty tourism’ by creating a solution that addresses multiple issues and is as relevant to the community as is an experience for tourists. 3. Disprove negative stereotypes and engage tourists with local community members while providing economic opportunities in a community.

Investigative Methods

1. Research failures of community center programming in the context of Alexandra Township.

PARTICIPATORY DESIGN

2. Ask the youth of Alexandra what types of programs they would want in a community center for after school (community charrette shown to the right). 3. Make sure program is appropriate for tourism and everyday use. 6

COMMUNITY CHARRETTE


Walking Tour

Proposed Route Start During Participatory Design Charrette

DISPLAYED INFORMATION

LIGHTING

SEATING

YOUTH TOUR GUIDES

PERMEABLE PAVING 7


“Poverty Tourism” Defining the Term

EDUCATION TRAVEL (learning)

exposure trips

vision trips, immersions, donor tours

study abroad

service-learning, cultural exchange, student research

slum tours

POVERTY TOURISM1 (development tourism)

TOURISM (leisure)

VOLUNTEERISM (labor)

community tours

slumdog tourism, ghetto tours, disaster tours, poverty safaris, poverty porn

commercial voluntourism

volunteer vacations

non-profit voluntourism

service tourism

short-term volunteer trips

missionary safaris church mission trips

“Slum tourism turns poverty into entertainment, something that can be momentarily experienced and then escaped from. People think they’ve really “seen” something — and then go back to their lives and leave me, my family and my community right where we were before...Nor do the visitors really interact with us. Aside from the occasional comment, there is no dialogue established, no conversation begun. Slum tourism is a one-way street: They get photos; we lose a piece of our dignity.”2 8

1 2

Morshed, “Poverty Tourism.” Morshed


Issues in Alexandra Needs for a Holistic Solution

rape

drugs

NEED FOR SECURITY

theft

YOUTH DEVELOPMENT youth unemployment

lack of education

How does ‘poverty tourism’ solve these issues?

ability to profit from youth talent DESIRE FOR CULTURAL RECOGNITION

youth participation untapped potential

putting residents ‘on display’ 9


10

“poverty tourism�

tourists

citizens


exploitive ‘poverty tourism’

strategy

genuine ‘network tourism’

11


The current discussions in Johannesburg provide a new focus on public space. Issues around public artworks and performance should be seen in relation to the spaces in which they are located. The development of public art and performance should should/encourage the reclaiming of public space.3

Thesis Statement

Integrating tourism into the daily life of locals reduces exploitation and provides cultural & spatial relevance.

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“JOHANNESBURG: “RECLAIMING PUBLIC SPACE” THE DEVELOPMENT OF A POLICY FOR PUBLIC PERFORMANCE AND PUBLIC ART”

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tourism strategy

public space economic expressive educational

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“Network Tourism” Holistic Approach to Tourism in Alex

instills pride

CITIZENS

fosters understanding

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UNEMPLOYED CITIZENS

NETWORK TOURISM (integrated strategy)

creates jobs

YOUTH

enables participation TOURISTS

Intent: Improve public space for tourism and everyday experiences in the community of Alex.


Design Objectives

1. Ensure that the program is used by tourists, citizens, and especially the youth after school during tours as well as when tours are not in session. 2. Provide Alexandrans the opportunity to sell goods and express themselves and their culture both for themselves and to the benefit of tourists. 3. Create innovative and functional program space that facilitiates learning for both youth and visitors.

Design Brief

1. Remote Sites (small scale: node characteristics) 2. Tourism Network (large scale: master plan sequence) 3. Public Space Intervention (medium scale: programming) 3. eNtokozweni Site (tourism hub: tour start & site interaction)

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Existing Tour Types Alexandra Township

Bicycle Tours4

2-Hour Tour: -introduction -visit a shebeen -school heritage site -township overview -hostels -Mandela’s house 4-Hour Tour: -introduction -visit a shebeen -school heritage site -township overview -lunch break -hostels -Mandela’s house -OHD House -beer tasting

Maboneng Township Art Experience5

-goal to end poverty in townships by 2030 through ‘art tourism’ -transform township homes into galleries with art display -next public art festival to come to Alexandra Township on November 28, 2015

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16

4 5

“Alexandra Johannesburg 2 or 4-Hour Bicycle Township Tours” Maboneng Township Arts Experience


Youth Tour Guides & Cultural Performances Precedent Strategies for Youth Participation

The Alexandra Township Rhythm Route tour takes visitors to local restaurants and Nelson Mandela’s House. Street performers express their cultural heritage formed around music and dance.6

CULTURAL RECOGNITION

6

YOUTH INVOLVEMENT

“Alexandra Township”

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The Kliptown Youth Centre in Soweto greets tourists with a cultural performance from the youth in the township. Following the performance, the youth bring tourists through the township to see housing conditions and the state of infrastructure and environment.

what about the issue of security? 17


18


SMALL SCALE

Satellite Security Nodes Through Alex

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The VPUU (Violence Protection through Urban Upgrading) is a design strategy aimed at violence prevention through a series of “active boxes” that serve as ‘eyes on the street.’ Each satellite center has opportunities for employment and public spaces for sports and recreation. Street lights and sidewalks add a level of security and make each node a safe place for community events.7,8

murder rate reduced by 39% in 20058

security

node 20

7 8

Reichert, “Open Architecture Network.” James

7

Khayelitsha Lookout Towers


node

The Nelson Mandela house located in Soweto is fronted by the materials and text as shown in the image to the left. In addition to Alexandra Heritage Site plaques, there should also be consistent, well-designed spaces that mark the location of and entrance to heritage sites. Citizens walking in the community may feel a sense of pride knowing that they are passing through the tour, while the tourists know that a formal space is marking a point along their journey through Alex.

landmark

Nelson Mandela House Tour

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Security Nodes

Located at Tour Stops & Throughout Alex

Satellite Node Characteristics

This network could even begin to expand past the confines of the walking tour to include nodes throughout the township on a smaller scale intervention. These signposts could be displayed in front of tuck shops on street corners, offering nodes of safe public interaction and gathering spaces. Satellite nodes would include bike parking to encourage sustainable transit, street lighting, and maps/other informative signage to orient the community and tourists. These more ‘active’ elements may even replace the plaques that only act as signage for heritage sites.9

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9

“Alex History Written in Plaques”

9

CORNER TUCK SHOP

ALLEYWAYS

PUBLIC RESTROOMS


Security Node

Potential for Self-Guided Tours Along Network & Added Safety Benefits to Community

solar panel (lighting)

community artwork or neighborhood information/history as part of a selfguided bicycle tour emergency assistance bike parking community news & events

23


24


LARGE SCALE

Tour Network Master Plan

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Current Strategies Tourism in Alex

Alexandra Heritage Centre

The Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA) is looking to revive this once abandoned project. The building program will have an exhibition area and facilities for employment training and development.10 “To mark Alex’s centenary two years ago, a decision was taken to grow the township as a tourism destination. The AHC and Mandela’s Yard were among the prominent places earmarked for redevelopment in this drive. The City of Joburg describes the heritage centre as something of an architectural masterpiece and a potential tourist attraction that will create a substantial amount of jobs if used properly.”11

“Alexandra Heritage Centre” “Pushing Ahead with Alex Heritage Centre” 12 Douglas, “Township Cycle Tours: Entrepreneur (22) Showing Tourists the ‘real’ South Africa.” 10

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“...he saw an opportunity in introducing his home to others – not just the usual tourism sites, but the lifestyle and people.”12

11

ALEXANDRA HERITAGE CENTRE

AFRICAN PUBLIC BICYCLES


Context: Sandton Where are the tourists coming from?

In

2010

tourism arrivals

between January and September jumped by

16.8%

compared to the previous year.13

Alexandra Heritage Ctr.

Proposed Tour Start More Accessible to Tourists

13

Court, “On Your Bike! Township Startup Hits High Gear with Cycling Tour.”

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Township Tour Alexandra Heritage Sites

Heritage Sites14

-Kings Cinema -Alexandra Health Committee Building -Alexandra Beer Hall -St. Hubert’s Catholic Church -Mandela’s Place, Alexandra -Anglican Mission School -PLD Hall -African Methodist Episcopal Church -Msomi Gang Headquarters -Mbuku ‘Joe’ Nlanhla’s Home -Amalgamated Primary School

0

28

14

Ball, “Kings Cinema.”

1

km N


Township Tour Ekala Eco Bike Tours

Bike Tours15

-Alexandra Roman Catholic Church -Nelson Mandela Yard -Alexandra Cemetery -Tsutsumani Village -Alex Beer Hall

0

15

“Alexandra Township Tour”

1

km N

29


Township Tour

JDA Redevelopment of Roosevelt Street

Roosevelt Street Development16 -cycle lanes -pedestrian lanes -solar-powered light-emitting diode lighting -hawker stalls -benches -shrubbery -closed-circuit television cameras installed along the route

0

30

16

Greve, “JDA Breaks Ground on R130m Pedestrian Bridge Linking Sandton, Alexandra.�

1

km N


Township Tour Youth Precinct as Tour Start

Youth Precinct

The proximity to the transit hub along London Road makes the youth precinct an ideal starting point for tours, as well as creates foot traffic through the youth precinct, which is an added security feature. The chosen site is a central node that becomes a part of the existing tour infrastructure in Alex, as well as encourages the participation of youth by providing them a public space in the community that fosters creative expression, provides economic opportunities, and facilitates meaningful discussions and dialogue between the tourists and community members.

Proposed Township Tour Additions Tourism Training Centre Youth Precinct Walking Tour Tourist Pavilion & Public Space View JDA Redevelopment in Alex

tuck shop scale

youth precinct tour start transit stop

0

1

km N

31


32


MEDIUM SCALE

Node for Walking & Bike Tour Break

33


Existing Public Space Alexandra Township

SELLING STATIONS TUCK SHOP

RESTROOMS 34

HAZARD SPACE


ABANDONED STRUCTURE

HAZARDOUS DEBRIS

POP-UP MARKETS

8th Ave. & Selbourne St.

35


PUBLIC FORUM

RESPITE AREA

INFORMATION DISPLAY BIKE PARKING

PUBLIC SPACE

H

GATHERING SPACE

COMMUNITY GARDEN SECURITY

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

PERFORMANCE SPACE

AFTER-SCHOOL SPACE

ARTISTIC RECOGNITION

YO U T

36

NEIGHBORHOOD “ICON”

S

PUBLIC RESTROOMS

SOUVENIR SHOP

C

SELLING STATIONS

“MEMORY WALL”

N IZE IT

TO

ISTS R U


node

This project is a proposal for a day-laborer station to facilitate the informal process of acquiring work while also providing a public place. The program includes a vending station, public restrooms, seating, artwork & information displays, and a flexible classroom environment.17

17

scale 17

AIA San Francisco “Day Labor Station”

17

Public Architecture’s Day Labor Station 37


Pavilion Site Program Analysis Diagram

Program

T 8th s

tall

UE

N AVE

gs

ce

spa

nity mu ll wa

n

rde

ga

din

d foo ding e v n

um

br br

for

B SEL

ven

NE

R OU

EE R T S

com

Performance Tour Parking Space..........4,520 sf Boxing Bike Parking......................300 Room sf Welcome Forum Space....................1,880 Area sf Memory Wall Vending Stalls (8)..............300 sf Forum Restroom Public Space (2)..........300 sf Tourism Training Facility Kitchen..............................650 sf Craft Selling Wall’..............750 ‘Community Stalls sf Gallery Community Garden.........1,900 sf Performance Space /Community Garden Plaza

e bik king r pa or ce a tdo an ou form plaz r & e p ce spa

N

38


This pavilion is a tourist hub that acts as a public space for the citizens of Alex when tours are not in progress. This space is meant to provide a common gathering place for both tourists and citizens to engage in meaningful cultural exchanges and conversation.

Economic Opportunity & Cultural Expression

concept collage

SECURITY NODE

MARKET STALLS

COMMERCE EXPRESSION

Craft Stalls

COMMUNITY GARDEN

Goal:

TO CREATE AN ADAPTABLE AND VERSATILE PROGRAM/STRUCTURE THAT CATERS TO BOTH TOURISTS & CITIZENS AND ENHANCES ABILITY TO DISPLAY ARTWORK AND CULTURAL EXPRESSION FOR YOUTH AND TRAVELING ARTISTS 39


EXPRESSION DISCUSSION

Community Garden Outdoor Space & Memory Wall

concept collage

“MEMORY WALL”

COMMUNITY GARDEN

Goal: 40

TO SHOWCASE THE BEAUTY OF ALEX WITH A COMMUNITY GARDEN AND A ‘MEMORY WALL’ FOR TOURISTS TO DESCRIBE THEIR EXPERIENCES WHILE VISITING THE TOWNSHIP, AS A REMINDER OF WHAT IMPACT ALEX HAS ON THOSE WHO VISIT


DISCUSSION EMPLOYMENT

Performance Space & Forum Cultural Performances & Platform for Discussion

concept collage

PERFORMANCE SPACE

TO GARDEN & MEMORY WALL

Goal:

TO CREATE A SPACE THAT FACILITATES DISCUSSION AS WELL AS ACTS AS A PLATFORM FOR YOUTH CULTURAL EXPRESSION BOTH DURING TOURS, AS WELL AS WHEN TOURS ARE NOT IN SESSION 41


“In the case of tourism, the national Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT) recognises the absence of adequate training and education as a major stumbling block to the development of tourism in South Africa and identifies as “perhaps the greatest deficiency in the tourism industry” the absence of education and training opportunities for previously neglected groups...Several scholars have stressed the importance of tourism training in the developing world.”18

focus

TOURISM HUB

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Community Education & Cultural Experience

“If you design a building that responds to the critical problem of the disorganized tourism industry in Alex, it will last for years - people of Alex will understand what it is.” 18 Kaplan, “Skills Development for Tourism in -Warren Alexandra Township, Johannesburg.” Radebe, resident


tours

Visitor Experience Center Commercial Development Route Development Marketing Development

PROGRAM

visitor center tour guide station craft retail space SMME incubator commercial activity “Gateway Development� need for formalized route19

program 19

Camdeboo Township Tourism Programme Pre-Feasibility Report

19

Camdeboo Township Tourism Program 43


Youth Precinct Context

THUSONG

THREE SQUARE

D

LON

SCHOOLS ITE S IN

44

MA

S

ES C C A

eNTOKOZWENI TRANSIT STOP

D

OA

R ON


eNtokozweni Site Context

K WAL ING R TOU TE ROU RT STA

ED S O P O R P R TOU T R STA TION A LOC

D

OA NR

O

D LON TRANSIT STOP

N

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“The tour begins at Alexsan Kopano: In keeping with the Sho’t Left campaign – and South African Tourism’s focus on domestic tourism during Tourism and Heritage month in September – we’re encouraging tourism stakeholders to enjoy seeing Alex from a tourist’s perspective, discovering all the places of historic and cultural significance in this vibrant township. It is intended that this intervention will lead to the development and promotion of the Alexandra Culture and Heritage Route, driving tourists and visitors to Alex to enjoy spending time there and experiencing its heritage.”20

Multi-purpose community center PROGRAM

large hall office block computer training center library Internet cafe tuckshop (food retailer) 22 offices 10 activity rooms rentable rooms (community organizations) 5 public telephones outdoor amphitheater21

community center

program 46

20 21

“Taking a Trip round Alex” Wilson

Alexsan Kopano Centre


“Throughout the year, there will be various themes that will be talked about on community platforms. One of the topics is safety and security; residents will discuss ways of alleviating crime. Other topics will be published on the day of the project’s launch. Cultural and sporting activities will also be staged. Well-known sports people and musicians from the township will be invited to participate. Motsumi explains that sports and cultural activities will play an instrumental role in creating social cohesion. Young and upcoming entrepreneurs will learn business skills at a business expo planned to take place after the launch.”22

program

Alexandra Interpretation Centre Peter Rich Architects

PROGRAM exhibition space jazz archive library training facilities shops restaurants 2 urban squares23

community center 22 23

“Tourism Plans for Alex” “Alexandra Interpretation Centre / Peter Rich Architects”

Alexandra Heritage Centre

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1. Nelson Mandela Exhibit (2,268 sf) 2. Tour Parking (3,956 sf) 3. Bike Parking/Storage (2) (400 sf) 4. Stage (2,400 sf) 5. Community Garden (4,672 sf) 6. Outdoor Cafe Seating (800 sf) 7. Cafe (800 sf) 8. Forum (3,200 sf)

Site Plan

eNtokozweni Site Tour Start Proposal

9. Flexible Workroom (2,000 sf) 10. Classrooms (4) (300 sf) 11. Offices (2) (300 sf) 12. Welcome Area (800 sf) 13. Bathrooms (2) (150 sf) 14. Outdoor Space & Seating (2,772 sf) 15. Market

3.

3.

2.

4.

5.

12. 1.

11.

14.

9.

13.

14TH Avenue

8.

11.

10.

10.

7.

10.

6.

10.

15.

London Road 48

20 0

60 40

N


Program Diagram eNtokozweni Site Tour Start Proposal

economic

educational

expressive

public space

educational economic London Road

public space 20

0

14TH Avenue

public space

economic

public space

expressive

expressive

60

N

40

49


South Elevation

Cafe & Exhibition Panels Along London Road Market

EXHIBIT

50

MARKET

CAFE


North Elevation Forum Seating & Public Space

GARDEN

CAFE

FORUM

ENTRY

51


East Elevation

Public Space & Forum/Performance Space

MARKET

52

CLASSROOMS

FORUM

STAGE


West Elevation

Nelson Mandela Boxing Room & Tour Bus Parking

TOUR PARKING

MANDELA EXHIBIT

53


Exhibit Display & Flexible Security Along London Road

“Challenge the status quo for employment infrastructure.” -Warren Radebe, resident

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SECURITY EXPRESSION

Information Panels


Flexible Information Display

Variations of Market Stall Display Panels Along London Road

1

2

3

4

5

55


Industrious “Warehouse” Feel for Training Youth Tour Guides

EDUCATION DISCUSSION

Open Workroom & Classrooms

“Create a learning environment for the youth that is more industrial...a place they can make their own.” -Warren Radebe, resident

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Interior Perspective

EXPRESSION EDUCATION

Mandela Exhibit

57


Activated Public Space for Tourists & Citizens

58

PUBLIC SPACE COMMERCE

Corner Cafe


Community Events & Cultural Performances for Tours

“Create a center that the people of Alex can experience, work at, ...love.” -Warren Radebe, resident

EXPRESSION DISCUSSION

Outdoor Performance Space

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Tour Outline - Alex Network Tour Sequence Diagram: Connecting Nodes Throughout the Township

30min.

Tour Heritage Sites 5

4

1hr. START 1hr. 30min. Drop off at transit stop/ parking at eNtokozweni

Pavilion Stop: Lunch/Forum 6

Continue Along to Youth Precinct

Walk Along Roosevelt St.

7

END

Nelson Mandela Exhibit

2

30min. Meet youth leader.

1

Conclude at eNtokozweni site for performance and food/ beer tasting at the cafe.

30min.

60

3

See Tourism Training Facility

=

4hrs. Existing TourNelson Condition

Mandela Exhibit

Added Tour Program

Medium Scale Intervention


Jukskei River Development Along Roosevelt St.

ALEXANDRA TOWNSHIP

Alexandra Heritage Sites Ekala Eco Bike Tours Medium Scale: Tour Rest Stop Small Scale: Security Nodes Youth Precinct Large Scale: Tour Start Transit Stop Along London Road Tour Route

tuck shop security node

youth precinct tour start transit stop

L

on ond

d

Roa

km N

61


ANALYSIS

Thesis in Relation to Design Proposal

Being able to continue the design of a project I have seen in person was rewarding. It took my a long time until I landed on the redesign of the eNtokozweni Community Centre, but I feel as if it could not be complete without an assessment and branding of the entire tour network proposal, which was my process throughout the semester. I think the research helped me to push the design further from just a building to an entire system that deals with many issues. The scope of the project allowed me to examine various scales, from the broader urban community plan to the more tactile human scale of the individual. By creating a lifestyle and integrating a system into my project, I believe I was able to make tourism relevant to daily life.

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urban

tactile

community

individual


Thesis Statement

Integrating tourism into the daily life of locals reduces exploitation and provides cultural & spatial relevance.

Goal:

TO CREATE A SPACE THAT FACILITATES DISCUSSION, EDUCATION, AND COMMERCE FOR BOTH CITIZENS & TOURISTS, AND ACTS AS A PLATFORM FOR CULTURAL AND HISTORICAL EXPRESSION BOTH DURING TOURS, AS WELL AS IN EVERYDAY LIFE

63


Further Development If I were to continue working on this project, I would send the final slideshow presentation to the community of Alex and get their feedback. It was also suggested by professor Harnish that I send in the presentation to either the JDA or other stakeholders in Alex/ Johannesburg in order to create funding for the development of the eNtokozweni site and overall youth precinct master plan. I would also develop the finer details of certain parts of my project, like the flexible display panels along London Road (as well as maybe suggest a prototype to be considered in use in the township), and the security nodes throughout the community.

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“Alex History Written in Plaques.” City of Johannesburg - Alex History Written in Plaques. The City of Johannesburg, 11 Nov. 2010. Web. 19 Feb. 2015. “Alexandra Heritage Centre.” The Heritage Portal. The Heritage Portal, 04 July 2013. Web. 16 Feb. 2015. “Alexandra Interpretation Centre / Peter Rich Architects.” 04 May 2010. ArchDaily. Accessed 30 Jan 2015. “Alexandra Johannesburg 2 or 4-Hour Bicycle Township Tours.” Alexandra Johannesburg 2 or 4-Hour Bicycle Township Tours. Get Your Guide, n.d. Web. 16 Mar. 2015. “Alexandra Township.” Alexandra Township – Attractions. Gauteng Tourism Authority, n.d. Web. 30 Jan. 2015. “Alexandra Township Tour.” Alexandra - Johannesburg Township Tour - Bicycle Tours. Ekala Eco Tours, n.d. Web. 26 Feb. 2015. Ball, James. “Kings Cinema.” Kings Cinema | The Heritage Portal. The Heritage Portal, n.d. Web. 12 Feb. 2015. Camdeboo Township Tourism Programme Pre-Feasibility Report. Rep. Cacadu District Municipality, Aug. 2012. Web. 16 Feb. 2015. Court, Alex, and Marc Hoeferlin. “On Your Bike! Township Startup Hits High Gear with Cycling Tour.” Cycling in Alexandra: Bike Startup Hits High Gear with Cycling Tour - CNN.com. CNN, 19 Nov. 2014. Web. 26 Feb. 2015. “Day Labor Station.” Day Labor Station Wins Citation Award - Programs - AIA San Francisco. American Institute of Architects, San Francisco Chapter, n.d. Web. 01 Mar. 2015. Douglas, Kate. “Township Cycle Tours: Entrepreneur (22) Showing Tourists the ‘real’ South Africa.” Township Cycle Tours: Entrepreneur (22) Showing Tourists the ‘real’ South Africa | How We Made It In Africa - Insight into Business in Africa. Maritz Publishing, n.d. Web. 24 Feb. 2015. Greve, Natalie. “JDA Breaks Ground on R130m Pedestrian Bridge Linking Sandton, Alexandra.” Creamer Media’s Engineering Mar. 2015. Web. 7 Mar. 2015.

News, 4

James, Howard. “Features - How Citizens and Urban Design Beat Crime in Khayelitsha, Cape Town, South Africa with VPUU.” Features - How Citizens and Urban Design Beat Crime in Khayelitsha, Cape Town, South Africa with VPUU. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Feb. 2015. “JOHANNESBURG: “RECLAIMING PUBLIC SPACE” THE DEVELOPMENT OF A POLICY FOR PUBLIC PERFORMANCE AND PUBLIC ART.” City of Johannesburg Department of Arts, Culture, and Heritage Services, 17 Feb. 2005. Web. 22 Jan. 2015. Kaplan, Lucy. “Skills Development for Tourism in Alexandra Township, Johannesburg.” N.p., n.d. Web. 06 Feb. 2015. Maboneng Township Arts Experience, n.d. Web. 02 Apr. 2015. Morshed, Niaj. “Poverty Tourism.” BLUE Missions. Blue Missions Group, 13 Sept. 2013. Web. 6 Feb. 2015. “Pushing Ahead with Alex Heritage Centre.” Pushing Ahead with Alex Heritage Centre - Johannesburg Development Agency. Johannesburg Development Agency, 06 Oct. 2014. Web. 26 Feb. 2015.

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Radebe, Warren. “Network Tourism: Redefining Public Space in Developing Townships.” Personal interview. 01 Apr. 2015. Reichert, Erin M. “Open Architecture Network.” VPUU: Violence Prevention through Urban Upgrading. Open Architecture Network, n.d. Web. 16 Feb. 2015. “Taking a Trip round Alex.” City of Johannesburg - Taking a Trip round Alex. The City of Johannesburg, 30 Sept. 2011. Web. 24 Feb. 2015. “Tourism Plans for Alex.” City of Johannesburg - Tourism Plans for Alex. The City of Johannesburg, 08 Mar. 2012. Web. 17 Feb. 2015. “Violence Prevention through Urban Upgrading Project.” City of Cape Town Isisxeko Sasekapa Stad Kaapstad, n.d. Web. 26 Feb. 2015. Wilson, Merridy, ed. ALEXANDRA TOWNSHIP AND THE ALEXSAN KOPANO RESOURCE CENTRE BACKGROUND REPORT. Rep. UNESCO, n.d. Web. 30 Jan. 2015.

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Thank you! 67


Olivia Cervasio Architecture + Sustainability 2015 Thesis Final Book 68


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