The Jukskei Center and Trail by Dominique Segura

Alexandra Townshi The Jukskei Center and trail

Alexandra Township The Jukskei Center and trail by Nicki Segura 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 : Design and Research Faculty Chris Harnish Philadelphia, Pennsylvania May 2016

Research

Thesis

Jukskei Trail

Jukskei Center

Critique Reflection

44 3

Alexandra’s complex contextual situation How to connect people to the architecture ? The issue of identity through architecture is well anchored in South Africa’s history. Architecture of the colonial era and apartheid era have shaped the country’s urban environment. Today in a post apartheid context new urban and architectural projects should respond to local climate, local culture and offer a dignifying design to the users and surrounding community. Theories of criticial regionalism guided the research, the program and design proposal. The design of an environmental learning center and a trail along the Jukskei river offers a sustainable and innovative building to Alexandrans and places Alexandra on the map of Johannesburg’s parks and trails.

IMPORTANCE OF IDENTITY AND URBANISM IN ALEXANDRA A PLACE WHERE NON WHITES OWNED LAND The rectangular piece of land had been a farm around the turn of the century on the outskirts of a tinier Johannesburg. When a widow tried to sell the farm, no whites wanted it. So in 1912, a land development company obtained special permission to sell the areas to blacks, making Alexandra one of the few places in South Africa where blacks had the right to own property. A PLACE OF RESISTANCE 1960, the government clamped down on opposition parties with a state of emergency and it was decided to remove Alexandra altogether and rebuild the area as a "hostel city".

THE URBANISM OF THE APARTHEID GOVERNMENT Twenty-five hostels were to be built, each housing 2 500 people, for single men and women, and blacks living on white properties throughout the northern suburbs were to be moved into these hostels. Several phases of demolitions were set and took place.

During Apartheid : Architecture and urban planning were critical to implementing apartheid policies. Design practices were used to the benefit of the state and directly expressed its power. The socio-economic divide between the habitants translated into spatial divide with the townships, the informal settlements, the suburbs and the center neighborhoods. Post Apartheid : Johannesburg also experienced a “white flight”. The whites previously living in the modernist style neighborhoods moved to the nothern suburbs. These neighborhoods in the city became squats and centers of criminal activity. Rapid urban growth and housing policy generated development nodes which are currently on the peripheral of the townships. The developpement of these nodes which broke ground on vacant lands where prioritized over upgrading of the townships and the decaying neighborhoods in the city of Johannesburg itself. Today townships infrastructures are slowly being upgraded but the lack of access to basic services is still an issue in certain areas.

Officials examine Johannesburg ‘Native Townships’ plan. Apartheid Museum Photograph: Apartheid Museum

IDENTITY THROUGH THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT “In physical terms, ‘region’ means a boundary of space defined by the extremes of culture and nature”. Vincent Canizaro

THE POLITICAL REGION : GAUTENG

SOUTH AFRICA

THE NATURAL REGION : HIGHVELD

JOHANNESBURG PARKS

“The Biggest Man Made Forest.”

LONEHILL KOPPIE RIETFONTEIN NATURE RESERVE

NORSCOT KOPPIES PP EN

KO W IT

UG LAS

BR YA N

GOLDEN HARVEST PARK

ST O

RIVER CLUB GOLF COURSE

RS RIK VE

TE IN SP RU IT

DT O

COR

IET ER

LE T T

ROSEBANK MALL

KILLARNEY GOLF COURSE ZOO LAKE

ROYAL JOHANNESBURG GOLF COURSE

JOHANNESBURG BOTANICAL GARDENS

ALBERT’S FARM

But Alexandra ?

ALEXANDRA

OX FO

MELROSE ARCH

EMMARENTIA KE

SM U TS

TG PO

JA N

SANDTON CITY

N IA

VI CTO

TH KA

M1 HYDEPARK CORNER

PR EL LE

AYS TO N

R IVO

HEND

M FO N

L IC

RWO ER D

REP

JA N

BR AA

DELTA PARK

R IV

P R ETOR I A M A I N

IJ D

SANDTON

R IV

STR

N3 M1

RANDBURG

CRESTA CENTRE

NI O

SU M M

WILLIAM NICOL

BRYANSTON COUNTRY CLUB

RIVON IA

MA IN

NORTHGATE DOME

JOHANNESBURG ZOO

GILLOOLEY’S FARM

NI2

HARVEY PARK MELVILLE KOPPIES

THE WILDS

WESTDENE DAM

BRUMA FLEA MARKET

TH PER

ELLIS PARK STADIUM

BRAAMFONTEIN CEMETERY

Y WA AD

B RO

BRIXTON CEMETERY

ETO H IG H

EASTGATE SHOPPING CENTRE

RHODES PARK

JOHANNESBURG SOW

The Johannesburg Development Agency established a framework with specific guidelines for open spaces recommended with a certain density. Here Alexandra falls completely off the chart as it has more than 3000 habitants per km2.

WAY

M1 SOWE TO

HECTOR PIETERSON MEMORIAL

AY HIG HW

GOLDREEF CITY

N3 WEMMER PAN

N17

FNB STADIUM

N3 MANDELA MUSEUM

N17 NI2

SOWETO OLD POTCH RD

NI2 SOUTHGATE MALL

LDE

IG NH

NI2

AY HW

KLIPRIVIERSBURG NATURE RESERVE

ALEXANDRA RECREATIONAL AND GREEN SPACES

To create open green space within Alexandra it would imply demolishing informal settlements but the river could become this larger breathing space for the rest of the township if it is appropriately developed with considerations for safety issues and environmental issues.

CURRENT PROJECTS AND INIATIVES : REGIONAL REGIONAL SPATIAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK: 2010/11 Administrative Region E Johannesburg Open Space Framework As densities increase, the need to preserve and manage the finite open spaces is increasingly important. In Region E, this is an important consideration, because of rapid development and existing backlogs of open spaces. Development guidelines related to open spaces are contained within the Open Space Framework document and the SDF and developments must address these aspects in the conceptualisation, design and construction phases. The above-mentioned framework mentions three types of networks which include Ecological Network, Social Open Space Network, and Open Space Network. In terms of the Open Space Network, Region E has specific proposals.

Quantitative Guidelines for Social Open Spaces : a minimum of 6-8 ha per 1000 population â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;breathing spaceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; is required.

Quantitative Guidelines for Ecological Open Space : Ecological open space needs protection simply based on their intrinsic value and the related irreplaceable ecological services rendered.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Regionalism should open up possibilities for understanding where and with whom one lives. It should encourage awereness of local climate and the changing of seasons. Lastly it should open up the possibility of shared purpose, in which the concerns of here are understood as linked to there : ecologically, economically and socially. â&#x20AC;?

Vincent Canizaro

The development and renewal of the Jukskei river can emphasize a sense of geographic and cultural identity

for Alexandra Township, furthermore renforcing connections to the larger Johannesburg urban area through its natural element.

The development of a master plan for the Jukskei river answers to the need for green public open space in this overcrowded urban context as well the urgent need to address the extreme ecological degradation of the river. EXISTING ISSUES

ALEXANDRA

OPP NAL EGIO

O RT

UNI

LOC AL APPLIC

TY L

A OC

EN LB

R TO AC AL

AT I O

EFITS

BENEFITS OF NATURE, GREEN SPACE AND SCIENCE DISCOVERY CENTERS

learners in informal environments “experience excitement, interest, and motivation to learn about phenomena in the natural and physical world.”1

There is evidence of a longer-lasting impact on children’s science identities from more intensive informal science programming, such as museum-based youth development programs.2

Increasing evidence suggests that access to nature and green space provides children with a myriad cognitive, emotional, and physical benefits, such as increased ability to concentrate, improved academic performance, reduced stress and aggression levels, and reduced risk of obesity.4

Research has shown that regardless of race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status, early childhood experiences in nature significantly influence the development of lifelong environmental attitudes and values.3

The U.S. National Research Council (NRC) published Learning Science in Informal Environments: People, Places, and Pursuits (LSIE). “Making a Difference: The Public Value of Science Centers.” ASTC Dimensions (2010) 4 Strife, Susan, and Liam Downey. “Childhood Development and Access to Nature: A New Direction for Environmental Inequality Research.” Organization & Environment. U.S. National Library of Medicine, n.d. Web. 13 Feb. 2016. 1,2

PRECEDENT IN AFRICA SCHOOL IN GANDO

The design for the Primary School evolved from a lengthy list of parameters including cost, climate, resource availability, and construction feasibility. The success of the project relied on both embracing and negating these constraints. In order to maximize results with the minimal resources available, a clay/mud hybrid construction was primarily used. Clay is abundantly available in the region, and is traditionally used in the construction of housing. These traditional clay-building techniques were modified and modernized in order to create a more structurally robust construction in the form of bricks.The clay bricks have the added advantage of being cheap, easy to produce, and also providing thermal protection against the hot climate. Despite their durability, however, the walls must still be protected from damaging rains with a large overhanging tin roof. Many houses in Burkina Faso have corrugated metal roofs which absorb the heat from the sun, making the interior living space intolerably hot.The roof of the Primary School was pulled away from the learning space of the interior though, and a perforated clay ceiling with ample ventilation was introduced. This dry-stacked brick ceiling allows for maximum ventilation, pulling cool air in from the interior windows and releasing hot air out through the perforated ceiling. In turn, the ecological footprint of the school is vastly reduced by alleviating the need for air-conditioning. Although the plans for the Primary School were drawn by Francis, the success of the project can be attributed to the close involvement of the local villagers. source: http://www.kere-architecture.com/

PRECEDENT IN SOUTH AFRICA SMITSWINKEL TENTED CAMP Designed by Makeka Design Lab Location : Cape point 2009

The mission for the construction of this tented camp for SANParks is to build under strict sustainable and ecological principles, summarized in the mission statement: â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;touching the earth lightlyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. The two key aspects under which the project was developed are environmental and social sustainability.Visitors of the camp will be informed and educated about the sustainable background of the development and how each individual can contribute to saving the environment through awareness and lifestyle. For several camps along the Hoerikwaggo trail the client has employed people from local communities who have limited or no building skills. These people are trained in various trades such as carpentry for board walks, building structures or in stone masonry for rock walls, etc. The result is a practical example of sustainable job creation and skills development in local communities. A local artist/craftsman was employed to manufacture some of the light fittings, using materials from the actual site. In summary, the Smitswinkel Tented Camp provided the opportunity to insert a collection of delicate structures into a breathtaking and very sensitive environment, using natural materials from the immediate surroundings, in an effort to have the minimum impact on the site. Touching the earth lightly. source: http://www.makekadesigns.com/

PRECEDENT IN JOHANNESBURG Dorothy Nyembe Environmental Education Center Designed by EarthWorld Architects Location : Soweto 2003 The programs offered in this buidling are aimed at school groups that deal with a wide range of environmental issues from curriculum-based topics such as animal classification, through waste and water, to biodiversity issues. Community programs that directly address environmental issues includes illegal dumping and wetland degradation. Programs also aimed to empowering people to take action within their communities to improve their environment, by growing food gardens and setting up feeding schemes, for example. source: http://www.ewarch.co.za/

ENVIRONMENTAL RENEWAL : PRECEDENT IN JOBURG

ALEXANDRA

JUKSKEI RIVER

Braamfontein Spruit

Jukskei river

TO JOHANNESBURG

CURRENT PROJECTS AND INIATIVES : NATIONAL Kids in Parks Now in its eighth year of implementation, KiP is a partnership programme between the National Department of Environmental Affairs, SANParks and Pick n Pay stores. This programme provides opportunities for learners and educators to use national parks as learning environments. Approximately 5000 learners per year from disadvantaged communities have visited national parks. Furthermore, learner support materials aligned to the national school curriculum are developed to strengthen the educational experiences of kids.

Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa The Eco-Schools programme is an international programme of the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) that was developed to support environmental learning in the classroom. The programme is active in 58 countries around the world and has been implemented in South Africa since 2003 by WESSA. The programme is aimed at creating awareness and action around environmental sustainability in schools and their surrounding communities.

Youth Environmental Service The Youth Environmental Service entails the involvement of unemployed young people in activities which provide environmental service that benefits the community whilst they are also provided with opportunities for personal development, accredited training and exit opportunities. The environmental service involves bringing about solutions to environmental problems inclusive but not limited to erosion, waste, deforestation, biodiversity management, education and awareness etc. The implementation of the Youth Environmental Service is comprised of the following stages: Appointment of Implementing Agents by the department following the established procurement processes. The implementing agents should have expertise in the environment field. May be competent in ( Waste Management, biodiversity Management, Environmental Education, etc) The identification of communities where the programme will be implemented should take into consideration the following factors: - Existence of environmental issues within the community. - The communities should be disadvantaged or un-serviced communities - Willingness of the community to receive environmental service - Support by local government - Availability of young people to participate in the service Business Plan development and evaluation Recruitment strategy - Training & personal development - Service Activities - Mentorship and - Placement strategy

CURRENT PROJECTS AND INIATIVES : LOCAL Greater Alexandra Chamber of Commerce and Industries (GALXCOC) Project : Vincent Tshabalala/ London Corridor Concept

Adopt a River (AaR) program by City Parks, Rand Water Foundation and the national Department of Water.

Objectives : Creating a commercial corridor for the development of local economy and community engagement. How : Cleaning the road of litter and overgrown vegetation along the road and Jukskei River Working with Joburg Water and Joburg Roads on cleaning the drainage systems along the road Installing waste bins in strategic areas Create proper trading spaces for the informal traders along the road Work with the 5 schools along the road in terms of addressing things like painting, broken windows etc Establish workgroup to look at a sustainable programs

STAKEHOLDERS Workstream Steering Committees Members

Joburg City Parks Academy

Community Engagement and Waste Management ( Litter) CoJ Pikitup, CoJ Region E, GALXCOC, Adreach Foundation / Trashback, Wet Afrika, CoJ EISD ( Waste), CoJ DED Water Quality Management CoJ EISD ( Water Management), CoJ Region E, WetAfrica, GALXCOC, BRACE, Clarity Group Greening CoJ CityParks, CoJ EISD ( Open Spaces), GALXCOC, CoJ, DED, Region E

Source : galxcoc.co.za

The academy was aimed at addressing the skills gap by providing young people with relevant skills, and alleviating poverty through creating sustainable jobs.

The Jukskei river is a place of cultural activities, of traditional bathing rituals, of baptism but also where kids like to go play despite their parents concerns. Teenagers after school and adults will relax by the river, to cool off in the dry season. The river is divided into several zones defined by the different existing pedestrian and vehicular bridges.

N 24

ZONE 1 3

LON

D ROA N DO

ZONE 2

ENTRANCES

EET

LT STR E V E S O

6 5

JUKSKEI RIVER

50m 100ft

ZONE 3

ENTRANCES 9

9 8

JUKSKEI RIVER

REET

LT ST OSEVE

27 50m

ZONE 4 & 5

ENTRANCES

JUKSKEI RIVER

50m 100ft

JUKSKEI TRAIL PROPOSAL osho Mop

NATIVE PLANT BUFFER ZONE BETWEEN TRAIL AND ADJACENT HOUSING

ADDITION OF GABIONS FOR FLOODING DEFENCE AND EROSION INTRODUCTION OF RIPARIAN WETLANDS FOR RIVER BANK RESTORATION

e Roos

st velt

50m 100ft

ENVIRONMENTAL LEARNING CENTER

50m 100ft

TRAIL LENGTH :

4.25KM

on Lond

Rd EXISTING PATH ADDED PATH

100m 200ft

Entrance to the trail on London Road The intersection between the Jukskei river and London Road, recently renamed Vincent Tshabalala Road is the southern anchor point to the proposed river trail. The site is a crossing between the old Alexandra higly dense and poorer neighborhoods and the newer housing developments on the East Bank. The area comprises of a recreational zone with a outdoor swimming pool, a tennis court and basketball court, as well as a mental health clinic. The existing park entrance is adjacent to a parking space, the park is available for private events like wedding, and other social gatherings. To emphasize the entrance to the trail a pedestrian extension to the existing bridge is proposed, a bus stop with seating and a large signage map which could become a illumunating object at night.

Health clinic EAST BANK

Gated park entrance

O LOND

AD N RO

50m 100ft

N 30

SITE PLAN 20’ 40’

N NDO

D ROA

SITE PLAN

The water filtering system of the Jukskei Center The Jukskei Center is a large filtering system for the river. The main building holds a living machine and learning space where the users can be educated on the benefits of water reuse, the available systems, the natural habitat and the existing issues. The rainwater is caught on the roof and directed into the building. The greywater from the occupant usage is also directed to the living machine and filtered. The overall system is a filtering loop, the water is pumped from the river and after being filtered through a series of retention ponds with wetland vegetation which naturally filters and catches the pollution from the water, it is either put back into the river or used for the irriguation of the plant and tree nursery. In the context of Alexandra where access to drinkable water is still a luxury for some household, the design of the Jukskei center optimizises all rainwater, stormwater and grey water usage .

RAINWATER CATCHMENT

REUSE FOR IRRIGUATION

RAINWATER CATCHMENT

Section with water reuse system

CATCHMENT WATER RUN OFF AREA : 1748m2

CATCHMENT PERVIOUS PAVING & RAIN GARDEN AREA : 650m2

CATCHMENT ROOF RUN OFF AREA : 600 m2

Site rain water catchment

WATER PUMPED FOR JUKSKEI

Entrance to the Jukskei Center

Interior view of the center

During the design process and after considerations from the mid-

term review the project was relocated from the youth precinct in the middle of Alexandra along London Road to the site adjacent to the Jukskei river which I believe made the project stronger in its connection between the users and the surrounding the natural environment. At the final review the jurors pointed out that this project could be futher developped with studies of the landscape created along the trail. A collaborative effort with a landscape designer could indubitably improve the overall design of the trail and consider all possible solutions plausible to make this project a long term renewal plan for the Jukskei river. This environmental learning center has the potential to bring awareness of the current ecological issues and the potential solutions to learners of all ages. This project could not only have an positive eclogical impact but also a social and economic impact on the township. Access to green space and leisure in a safe and healthy environment should not be a privilege for the richer neighborhoods. This open space is intended to be for all types of users, Alexandrans and the people of Johannesburg.

Bibliography Findley, Lisa. “South Africa after Apartheid: From Township to Town.” Places Journal. Web. Braid, Mary. “Will the Whites Return to Johannesburg?” The Independent. Independent Digital News and Media. Web. Maboja, Wilhelmina. “The Changing Face of S.Africa’s Townships.” - CNBC Africa. Web. Sanders, Paul. “Defining a Relevant Architecture in South Africa.” Arq: Architectural Research Quarterly Arq 4.01 (2000): n. pag. Web. Frampton, Kenneth “Towards a critical regionalism” 1981 Timothy Slaper, “The Triple Bottom Line : What it is and how does it work ?” Indiana Business Review 2011 Hosey, Lance “The Ethics of Bricks” Metropolis, 2005.

Photos page 1 Goldblatt, D. #450. Alexandra - 2015 Retrieved from http://www.goodman-gallery.com/exhibitions/450 page 4 Singyuin, C. Streets of Alexandra, Gauteng, South Africa - 2010 page 5 Tarkastad, J. May Day Rally Alexandra, Gauteng, South Africa - 2012 page 13 and page 32 Harnish,C. Jukskei river, Alexandra, Gauteng, South Africa - 2014