Master degree project | Rolihlahla Village - Sustainable Urban Design - Jean Linhares

JEAN LINHARES

Rolihlahla village: Bottom-up process for the rehabilitation of

human settlements in Port Elizabeth, South Africa SUSTAINABLE URBAN DESIGN MASTER THESIS

2020

Master Thesis Booklet May 2020 Faculty of Engineering, LTH School of Architecture Master’s programme of Architecture, with specialization in Sustainable Urban Design Lund University, Sweden Author: Jean Linhares Supervisor: Johnny Åstrand Examiner: Peter Sjöström External advisors: Sijekula Mbanga, Paul Makasa Final Presentation Jury: Jenny Osuldsen, Nevena Krilic, Sijekula Mbanga Defence: 2020, May 14th Publication: 2020, May 28th This project is the result of the collaboration between Lund University and Nelson Mandela University All images, analysis, artwork and photographs presented in this book are done by the author unless noted otherwise in the references.

Jean Pierre A. Linhares

Rolihlahla village: Bottom-up process for the rehabilitation of

human settlements in Port Elizabeth, South Africa SUSTAINABLE URBAN DESIGN MASTER THESIS

4

acknowledgements

This thesis project would not be possible without the help and support of specialists, from a diverse range of disciplines and specific knowledge. I would like to express my thanks and gratitude to all of them, especially to:

Peter Sjöström Thesis Examiner and assoc. Professor, Architect SAR/MSA Director of SUDes, Sustainable Urban Design, Lund University Johnny Åstrand Thesis Supervisor and assoc. Professor Director of Housing Development & Management, Lund University Sijekula Mbanga External Thesis Supervisor and assoc. Professor and Chair for Sustainable Human Settlements Building and Human Settlements Depart., Nelson Mandela University Paul Makasa External Thesis Supervisor and assoc. ProfessorArchitec, PhD School of Architecture, Nelson Mandela University Fiona de Heer Urban Designer & Settlement Planner, The Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB) Thomas Foley, Zimbiwi and Michael Community leaders and residents of the Vistarus Human Settlement, Port Elizabeth, South Africa

In particular, I am deeply grateful to my family, José, Regina and Letícia, for always being my safe harbour and my source of unconditional love.

And finally, I would like to thank my amazing classmates, who over the past two years, have made SUDes a family! Nothing would be possible without your support!

5

Project Summary

Are our cities prepared for the growing and rapid urbanization expected for the coming years? How do the new social, economic and environmental challenges affect the urban context, specifically informal settlements? How can we rethink sustainable urban design in vulnerable areas? To tackle these questions, this study will have a closer look at Port Elizabeth, a coastal city in South Africa, to understand its relevance and challenges. By landing at a specific informal

6

settlement, this degree project will reflect on how collaboration is a crucial element for urban design and how it is essential when working with complex communities. These reflections will be summarized in a design proposal for a South African present informal settlement, by promoting resilience towards social inequality and climate change. It will also aim to create opportunities by, strengthening local democracy, rethinking urban infrastructure and creating development.

CONTENTS

05 Acknowledgements 06

Project summary

10 PART 01: Global urbanization and informal settlements 12 1.1 The definition of informal

(human) settlements 13 1.2. The different types of slums 14 1.3 The urbanization phenomenon and

global trends 16 1.4 Urbanisation benefits 18

20

23 25 27 28

PART 02: The African perspective on slum urbanism 2.1 A sum up of the process of urbanization in Africa 2.2. The economic and employment challenge 2.3. Africa slum urbanism 2.4. The structural obstacles 2.5 The present results and the predicted future

30 32 34

PART 03: The South African context 3.1 The world’s most unequal country 3.2 The climatic challenge

36

38 39

40 41 42

PART 04: The Nelson Mandela Bay and Port Elizabeth 4.1 City general information 4.2 Residential racial segregation in South Africa’s largest cities 4.3 The Apartheid urban planning 4.4 The social tapestry of Nelson Mandela Bay 4.5 Human settlements on ongoing studies

58 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69

PART 06: The site analysis 6.1 Site location 6.2 Site Surroundings 6.3 Site general aspects 6.4 Site History Development 6.5 Site and surroundings functions 6.6 Circulations 6.7 Topography 6.8 Primary nodes and flows 6.9 The municipality site plans 6.10 The RDP housing program

70 72 74 80 88 96

PART 07: Design strategies 7.1 The “untouchable” barriers 7.2 STRATEGY 1: The Bottom-Up approach 7.3 STRATEGY 2: Adaptable typologies 7.4 STRATEGY 3: Clustering and grid organization 7.5 STRATEGY 4 - The plan development

104 106 116 120 128 130 134

PART 08: Design proposal 8.1 Masterplan 8.2 Section A-A 8.3 Detail plan 8.4 Section B-B 8.5 A vibrant community 8.6 The results

136 PART 09: End notes and remarks 137 Concluding remarks 140 Bibliography

44 PART 05: Study visit | Port Elizabeth 46 5.1 The city 48 5.2 The nature 50 5.3 Workshops and meetings with local agencies/authorities 52 5.4 Walmer settlement 54 5.5 Vistarus settlement (chosen design site) 7

8

“You won’t believe it if I tell you, but I was born here, you know. And I never dreamed of another fancy place with big houses. I just wanted to see my neighborhood like any other suburb, with paved streets, small gardens, colored houses and hot showers” - Thomas Foley, resident of the Vistarus human settlement, 2020

9

the GLOBAL

urbanization and human SETTLEMENTS

10

01 | The global urbanization and human settlements | 2020

part 01 Proportion of world population living in slums (%), 1990-2010

80 1990

70

2000

2010

60 50 40 30 20 10 % North Africa

Sub-Saharan

Latin America

Eastern Asia

Southern Asia

South-Eastern

Africa

Introduction: A global phenomenon Vulnerable urban development is an alarming problem, but not new. Moreover, it is also not restricted to a specific place. While the number of people living in slums is slowly decreasing due to extensive affordable housing programmes, there are still nearly one billion slum dwellers around the world.

Sources: UN Habitat, 2008

Western Asia

Oceania

Asia

Sub-Saharan Africa has the largest number of slum population, amounting nearly 200 million people, this number being closely followed by Southern and Eastern Asia, as well as Latin America, where the number of slum dwellers is lower, with just over 100 million.

In September 2000, world leaders along with The United Nations have gathered to develop a series of goals for

humanity at the dawn of the new century. Along these goals, there has been one stipulating that the aim will be to “significantly improve the lives of at least 100 million slum dwellers by the year 2020.� This could be achieved by upgrading the current housing systems as well as developing policies and strategies to further prevent people from settling in these areas.

11

1.1 The definition of informal (human) settlements

What are slums and informal settlements?

While there is no single, universal definition for what we call “slums”, generally speaking they are neighbourhoods that are to a certain extend categorized as sub-standard and do not meet the minimum requirements for what we can call a reasonable standard of housing.

UN-Habitat has defined them as an area that meets one or more of these following characteristics: poor level of structural quality of housing, inadequate access to safe water, overcrowding, poor or no access to sanitation and other elements of infrastructure, insecure residential status.

Poor structural quality of housing

Overcrowding

Inadequate access to safe water

Inadequate access to sanitation and other infrastructure

Insecure residential status

Informal Human settlements Lorena Zárate, President of Habitat International Coalition, defend the right use of the term “Human settlement” instead of “Informal”. It might seem a matter of terminology, but attributing the notion of irregularity to a specific group or place implies the idea of disqualification of the problem and therefore, the ones surpassing them. It is urgent that, in a broader context, the qualification of the discussion narrows the concept as precisely as it is: human.

12

A slum consists of a household or a group of people living under the same roof lacking one or more of these five amenities

“Words matter. These ‘informal settlements’ are neither informal nor irregular— they are, above all, human settlements.”

- Lorena Zárate, President of Habitat International Coalition, 2016

Sources: UN Habitat | Habitat International Coalition, 2016

01 | The global urbanization and human settlements | 2020

1.2. The different types of slums

Deteriorated formal housing in city centre San Salvador

Illegal housing in a settlement on the urban periphery South Africa

Flooded slum Pakistan

Dilapidated informal settlement in Bangkok Thailand

Use of traditional, rural materials which do not conform to city building standards (city centre) YaoundĂŠ, Cameroon

Deteriorated formal, multi-storey buildings Cambodia

Images sources: UN Habitat | Practical Guide to Designing, Planning and Implementing Citywide Slum Upgrading Programs, 2014

13

1.3 The urbanization phenomenon and global trends

World population trends 9 billion

7 billion

6.5 billion

4 billion 3 billion

3 billion 1.5 billion

1 billion

2010

2050

World population

2010

Urban population

The phenomenon of urbanization, when studying the past, occurred in what we now call the “two waves”. The first of these waves occurred in what we call “global north”, having its initial traceable around 1750, where the urban population of global north reached the 15% mark, with 10 million people living in cities.

Thus, the urbanization process continued gradually and palatially, reaching the tipping

14

2050

2010

2050

Informal urban population

point in 1950, with 52% of the population now in urban areas, representing 423 million.

This date also represents the solid start of the second wave of urbanization, which takes place in what we call the global south.

However, this second wave is projected to happen in a substantially shorter time interval, and with a much more impactful scale. While the global north urbanization process took about 200

2010

2050

Middle class population

years, in the global south it is projected to happen in 80 years, and on a scale of 309 million to 3.9 billion at the end of 2030.

The prospects of 2050, it is estimated that the urban population will more than double, at the mark of 9bn. The middle class population more than double, while the share that lives in vulnerable areas will triple.

Sources: UN Habitat | Urban SDGs - http://urbansdg.org/, 2014

01 | The global urbanization and human settlements | 2020

First wave of urbanization in the global north

1850

1750

1950

Pop: 15m | 10% urban

Pop: 423m | 52% urban

Second wave of urbanization in the global south

1950 Pop: 309m | 18% urban

2030 Pop: 3.9bn | % urban

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1.4 Urbanisation benefits

Even with the urban growth scenario representing one of the most significant challenges of modernity, the urbanization process throughout history is seen as a significant advance. In urban settings, the population experiences an improvement in essential aspects of life.

Whether by the economic, social or educational aspect, in urban environments, the individual has access to health services, qualified job possibilities, education and sanitation. Thus, despite the phenomenon of vulnerability and disparity caused by rampant urbanization, the urbanization process itself is seen as a positive aspect of our evolution and has caused significant benefits.

16

Artwork developed by the architect Cibele GuimarĂŁes

01 | The global urbanization and human settlements | 2020

WHY IS AFRICAN URBANIZATION DIFFERENT? Edgar Pieterse, the Director of University of Cape Town’s African Centre for Cities, has a significant work on the field of African urbanization. His studies, together with major agencies and the UN-Habitat had suggested that the benefits and the urbanization process occurred differently in African countries, leading to conditions fundamentally different from the rest of the world. The question is: why?

17

the AFRICAn PERSPECTIVE

ON slum

urbanism

18

02 | The African perspective on slum urbanism | 2020

part 02

THE POPULATION OF AFRICAN CITIES WILL

DOUBLE OVER THE NEXT 20 YEARS, REACHING 900 MILLION BY 2036 African urbanization is considered the faster rate of transition of the world, with the total amount of urban population, predicted to double within one generation.

phenomena, as well as to tackle the reasons for its fundamental diferences from the rest of the world, it is necessary to break down the variable in different instances:

The conditions that created this rapidly growth phenomenon is that a vast portion of the African population lives in unsafe and unstable conditions.

- The first one being the population growth and projected demographics for the next decades.

To understand the causes and consequences of this

- The second aspect is the economic and employment scenario. It is essential for

understanding the human settlements questions, the study of the economic scenario.

- The last analysis is related to the historical context and how it impacted in the political realm—being in many cases the reason for the lack of public leadership, investments and partnerships necessary for an inclusive society and resilient community.

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2.1 A sum up of the process of urbanization in Africa

Slum population in urban Africa

Egypt

Tunisia Algeria Libya Morocco Niger Mali

Mauritana

Sudan Senegal

Eritrea

Chad

Nigeria Burkina Faso

Gambia

Djibouti Guinea Central African Republic

Guinea-Bissau

Ethiopia Somalia Rwanda

Sierra Leone Uganda Liberia

Cameroon

Côte d’Ivoire Gabon

Ghana Benin

Kenya

Tanzania

Togo Burundi

Equatorial Guinea Congo DR Congo

Total urban population by country million inhabitants, 2005

Zambia

Malawi

Comoros

65 Namibia 30 Zimbabwe 15 7

Angola

Mozambique

Botswana

Madagascar

1 0.5 Lesotho

Share of urban population living in slums

No data

20

South Africa

Sources: UNDESA, The world urbanisation prospects, The 2009 Revision, 2010

02 | The African perspective on slum urbanism | 2020

Realities of african cities

Long term under and mal-investment in cities and urban infrasctructure

Turnkey projects driven by new investors often produce unsuitable outcomes; gated communities, malls, highways and other vanity projects to boost profit

A significant phenomenon that occurs in different regions across Africa is the alarming levels of the populations living in slums.

This situation is the result of an initial condition of the long term under-investment in necessary urban infrastructure.

It creates cities with chronic conditions and problems.

This lack of investment causes

Immense pressure to address massive infrastructure backlogs through quick and dirty investments

Net effect: dramatic sprawl, ecological degradation, increasing spacial and social divides and under-investment in slum areas

a social and political pressure for the governments to accept any sort of external or private investment, creating what we can observe the other reality of African cities: the occurrence “dirty investment�, launched by the private sector with profit as the primary target.

As a result, this investments creates what urban planners and urban designers all want

to avoid; a variety of gated communities, shopping malls, highways leading to nowhere and so on. These investments and projects further aggravate the situation of segregation, increasing the gap between the rich and sparse population.

The concentration of income affects the most vulnerable population, living in periphrases of the cities.

21

Africa’s demographic transition

2010

2050

70-100

20-69

0-19 80000

60000

40000

0

40000

60000

80000

Male

To understand the scale of the demographic challenged presented in African societies, it is necessary first to observe the future trends of the demographic transition that Africa will go through.

Currently, around 50% of the African population is 19 years old or younger, and it is anticipated that over the next 40 years the labour force will grow from 400 million to 1.2 billion, leading to a total increase

22

80000

60000

40000

0

40000

60000

80000

Female

of more than three times.

Currently, 63% of urban employment is considered vulnerable activities. It is also anticipated that the proportional growth of that informal employment will occur in the vulnerable employment number.

Specialists have pointed concerns with this significant demographic shift that will be experienced in Africa, as the primary employment, liveability,

opportunities and demands for this new demographics scenarios might not be achievable unless a significant change to political and social aspects are promoted.

This phenomenon leads to a more challenging scenario: the economic and employment predictions. As the African workforce will triple over the next years, it is uncertain that new job opportunities will follow the same pattern.

02 | The African perspective on slum urbanism | 2020

2.2. The economic and employment challenge

Africa GDP growth rates 2000-2013

The economic challenge presented by the demographic shift can be visualized by looking at the employment period of 2000 to 2010.

By the year 2000, around 65% of urban employments were vulnerable activities, such as informal work or family business.

8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 2000

2002

2004

2006

2008

2010

2012

Sub-Saharian Africa Sub-Saharian Africa excluding South Africa Pre-crysis average

Employment status in Africa, 2000-2010 11%

65%

9%

63%

24%

28%

2000

2010

Unemployed

Vulnerable employment

Stable employment

Sources: UN Habitat | Susan Parnell, Edgar Pieterse, Africa’s Urban Revolution Paperback, 2014

The African GDP growth rate statistics show dramatic economic growth over the last decade. It has experienced the most rapid growth of all countries, besides China.

An interesting point to observe is that, by looking at the same employment statistics for 2010, it is possible to observe that vulnerable employment was in about 63%, experiencing a decrease only of about 2%.

It concluded that the dramatic GDP growth that the African economy experienced between 2000 and 2010 did not have a significant impact on the number of population vastly involved in vulnerable employment. A first point that leads to significant concerns about the inability of providing stable employment conditions to African cities regardless the economic growth is that, with the demographic shift, this trend is expected to become a chronicle condition. Secondly, this phenomenon creates a condition of slum urbanism.

23

Home-based enterprises Street trading

Piecemeal work With more than 60% of urban employment being considered vulnerable activities, the economic scenario for African cities has become a significant challenge for sustainable urban development.

Waste collection

24

Experts point out that “the inability to generate sufficient wage-earning jobs lead to the fact that most households will be unable to afford to live in a formal house, pay taxes or contest the ‘rules of the game’ when it comes to formal politics”.

Artwork developed by the architect Cibele Guimarães

02 | The African perspective on slum urbanism | 2020

2.3. Africa slum urbanism

Inverted economy: Majority informal Demand for services outstrip suply

Low or erratic incomes

Skewed allocation systems

Small taxes base

Insufficient private & public investment

The logic for the current scenario of African cities has as a starting point a logic of inverted economy: a concept in which the majority of activities and goods produced by the society are mainly informal.

The economic informality leads to a low level of income rates for families and society in general. As an essential economic engine is allocated in the families consumptions of goods, this economic pillar

is yet damaged by the informal market.

As a consequence, lower rate of taxes forms a shortage of a proper economic public base, with governments struggling with major taxation depravations, leading to the fourth phenomenon: the shortage of private and public investments in critical public sectors and services.

It is not only the lack of investments that is a significant

Sources: UN Habitat | Susan Parnell, Edgar Pieterse, Africa’s Urban Revolution Paperback, 2014

concern, but the limited amount of investments is also scared in dirty and political purposed investments.

This cycle creates a logic scenario in which the demands for public services, infrastructure and cities goods aways overcome the supplies, leading to an increase of informality in housing, employment and city planning, in a vicious cycle of slum urbanism.

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Vortex of exclusion produced by slum urbanism

1. Under investment in core urban infrastructure

2. Limited and uneven basic services

4. Demand continues to outstrip supply

Public health pressures

Poor educational outcomes

Stunted social mobility

5. Competition for resources and control

Under development of human capital

Precarious low wage work

Low household incomes

6. Erosion of social cohesion

The vicious cycle created by slum urbanism in Africa is well defined by the presented Vortex of exclusion. It states that one phenomenon gives the conditions or leads to the significant results of the next event, in a cycle that is difficult to break out from or to legislate against. It creates a dysfunctional urban reality in which the formal and informal, the planned and the unplanned and the governed and the ungoverned co-exists.

26

3. Informal hybrid services delivery systems

7. Clientalist politics and governance

02 | The African perspective on slum urbanism | 2020

2.4. The structural obstacles

Water

Democratic voice

Energy

Urban Polycrisis Ecosystem services

Food

Employment

As the structural conditions presented leads to a scenario in which slums urbanism is ha significant phenomenon, specialists in the urban African development also denominates the lack of public services and investments that creates the second and more alarming condition, the splintered urbanism.

This condition is the combinations of slum neglect with enclave elite urbanism.

Land

Edgar Pieterse presents the following definition:

“Splintered urbanism is a concept that captures the interrelated dynamics between the privatisation of key public services; the fragmentation of urban geographies between those who have access (a minority) and those who don’t; and the inevitable production of under-services areas known as slums.”

Sources: UN Habitat | Susan Parnell, Edgar Pieterse, Africa’s Urban Revolution Paperback, 2014

The combination of factors presented leads to a structural obstacles reality, in which: Limited state understanding to address urbanization; regulation to penalize informality; small and skewed formal economies - limited tax base; Most African countries manifest very limited substantive decentralization; and finally the costs of largescale dysfunction paid by ‘voiceless’ slum dwellers.

27

2.5 The present results and the predicted future

Rural and urban population (millions) for Africa 1950-2050

1265

858

414

257k in Slums (62%)

87 33 197

282

632

854

927

1950

1970

2011

2035

2050

Urban

Rural

The present condition of African urbanism and the logic of creating vast portions of informal society can lead to an uncertain future.

With the increasing demand for urbanization, the growth of urban population and the fast tipping point of urbanization, it is anticipated that the total number of city dwellers in Africa will surpass the rural population by middle 2030s, and it will lead to a significant

28

Source: http://www.statssa.gov.za, 2011

02 | The African perspective on slum urbanism | 2020

increase until 2050, creating a long stand condition.

The presented research shows that urbanization of poverty, as manifest in slums living conditions, combined with precarious employment, lack of public and private investment, political uncertainty, is the norm.

This condition is encrusted in African society, despite the high rates of GDP growth, and the scenario is not shifting fast enough.

As we continue in the study, most of the African population are exposed to fundamental privations, in incredible precarious lives. This condition is yet to have is specificness on each African country, but the main struggle is shared by African society as a whole. We can identify the pattern, but we do not know the specifics.

However, one of these countries has a very particular case to add on top of the urban informality conditions. It is the country in which is the subject of this thesis; South Africa.

Artwork developed by the architect Cibele GuimarĂŁes

29

the SOUTH

AFRICAn

context

30

03 | The South African Context | 2020

part 03

Fifty-eight million habitants, a wide-ranbe of ethnic groups, eleven official national languages, the risen and fall of a segregative regime, breathtaking landscapes and a climate challenge.

South Africa is indeed a country with unusual combinations of elements that add to the discussion. For the focus of this study, and as an addition to the global perspective, two primary focus about South Africa will be highlighted, as it follows.

31

3.1 The world’s most unequal country

Wealth distribuition in South Africa

The richest 10%

The poorest 60%

Hold 71% of total wealth

own 7%

Poverty: who is affected More than half of South Africa’s population (55%) live in poverty (less than $83 a month) 25,2% live bellow food poverty line (less than $37 a month)

Breaking it down

64,2% black

41,3% coloured (mixed-race) 5,9% indian | asian 1% white

While democracy has redefined freedom for all South Africans, not enough has changed in the past two decades for those living in the country’s vast townships. In fact, South Africa remains the most economically unequal country in the world, with more than half of South Africans (55.5 %) living on less than $83 a month. Income inequality may be a problem, however, the real issue is the unequal access to opportunities

32

and essential public services.

Mthandazo Ndlovu, Oxfam South Africa’s representative blames these concerning levels of inequality on the government and its continuous failures to implement a system that truly works for everyone.

He has also stated: “One would have assumed that 25 years into democracy we would have had better access to land, better access to health care, we would not have children falling into

pit latrines due to failures in the provision of ablution facilities.”

South Africa’s inequality scenario became especially known worldwide after a vast work developed by the photographer Johnny Miller. The Unequal Scenes is an initiative that captures the essence of the disparity between classes, and it has marked its presence on the front page of the Time magazine.magazine

Sources: World Bank | Statistics South Africa, Poverty Trends in South Africa: an examination of absolute poverty between 2006 and 2015, 2017

03 | The South African Context | 2020

Source: Unequal Scenes, South Africa case - https://unequalscenes.com/south-africa, 2019

33

3.2 The climatic challenge

The climate change impacts are already part of the world reality. Extreme weather conditions are being reported from different areas around the globe, and even though climate change might not be appointed as the direct cause of some phenomena, it increases the likelihood and the intensity of extreme weather events. In South Africa, extended drought periods that occurred at 150year intervals are already

projected to happen every 50 years. A recent and prolonged drought period in Cape Town has raised concerns that it might have a direct impact in urban life, especially in socially vulnerable areas, raising inequality to alarming levels.

A recent Habitat for Humanity study shows that 900 million people are living in informal settlements worldwide with limited access to basic services.

Some experts predicts that this

number might rise up until 1.6 billion, representing Âź of the global population, if different types on informal settlements are considered. A World Bank estimation points out that South Africa has the worst economic equality in the world.

The water shortage, due to climate change, is expected to increase the division between social classes even further, as the resource might not be accessible for all. According

Image Source: Weetracker, Drought to blame for rising suicide cases among farmers new initiative unveiled will partly solve this, 34

https://weetracker.com/, 2019

03 | The South African Context | 2020

to Giulio Boccaletti, Nature Conservancy’s global managing director, “Inequity plays out in water very obviously, and what we’re seeing in Cape Town risks becoming an example of that”.

Climate change is expected to lead to other extreme events in South Africa, according to a study by the Climate Systems Analysis Group of the University of Cape Town.

Despite the decrease and seasonal changes of rainfall, a higher average temperature and more frequent and intense heatwaves are expected to take place. Higher wind speeds, increase of storms frequency and sea level rise are also pointed on the study.

These events will lead to direct impacts on the city, especially to socially vulnerable areas, such as informal settlements and slums. Some of these events are already happening, for instance, extreme storms leading to flooding and settlements destructions.

Water being a scarce resource is a problem not only restricted to major South African cities.

A report published by the US intelligence predicts that global water consumption will exceed he supply by 40% until 2030. In this scenario, urban design and solutions towards climate resilience, especially in vulnerable social areas, will be an increase in demand.

Image Source: Forbes, For Southern Africa, Climate Change Is Real As Prolonged Droughts Are Creating Food Shortages, https://www.forbes.com/#b1289f82254c, 2019

35

the NELSON MANDELA BAY port elizabeth

36

04 | The Nelson Mandela Bay and Port Elizabeth | 2020

part 04

Located on the shores of Algoa Bay in the Eastern Cape Province, The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality is one of eight metropolitan municipalities in South Africa. It is and comprises the city of Port Elizabeth, the nearby towns of Uitenhage and Despatch, and the surrounding rural area. Having a population of 1,152,115 (census 2011), the municipality is considered an important hub for tourism and natural reserves.

37

4.1 City general information Port Elizabeth

Natural Reserves National / city parks Water bodies Beaches Airport Highways Local avenues / streets Railways Municipal limits

38

The central municipality city is Port Elizabeth, that corresponds to the main municipal area. The Nature reserve parks, especially along the bay, are the main attractive points for tourists, nationally and internationally.

Highways and avenues are primary connections to the municipality surroundings, as well as to the rest of the country.

Tourism represents a vital economic sector, which has increasingly contributed to job creation in recent years. The main reason is the municipality’s seaside location and its abundance of unspoiled beaches. The municipality has an airport that connects the city to important centres, such as Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town.

04 | The Nelson Mandela Bay and Port Elizabeth | 2020

4.2 Residential racial segregation in South Africa’s largest cities Census 2011

Nelson Mandela Bay

0,70 Tshwane

0,62 Cape Town

0,67 Of the six largest cities, Nelson Mandela Bay is the most segregated

0

1

Complete integration A study conducted by the Department of statistics South Africa, using the Theil’s entropy index of segregation, showed that the Nelson Mandela Bay is the most segregated city in South Africa.

The study revealed and compared different aspects concerning residential racial segregation. Tt concluded that the Nelson Mandela Bay has the most alarming data. The census is dated back from 2011, but it’s predicted to remain the same in the new census.

Complete segregation

eThekwini

0,69 Johannesburg

0,57

Ekurhuleni

0,64

Source: Report 03-18-06 - GHS series volume VII: Housing from a human settlement perspective, http://www.statssa.gov.za, 2011

39

4.3 The Apartheid urban planning Port Elizabeth

South Africa has one of the most dramatic racial segregation movements seen in history.

The impacts of segregation are reflected in various forms in South African society to this day.

Port Elizabeth had a fundamental role in what was called “The Apartheid Urban Planning model�, a method that aimed to establish specific access regions of the city according to racial differences.

The model of racial segregation adopted from the Port Elizabeth planning method became a reference for other locations, where the black population, mix races, Indians and Asians were displaced outside urban centres, towards the northern region, as can be seen from 1910 to 1950.

Source: A. J. Christopher, The Geographical Journal, Vol. 153, No. 2, pp. 195-204 - Apartheid Planning in South Africa: The Case of Port Elizabeth 40

https://www.jstor.org/stable/634871?seq=1, 1987

04 | The Nelson Mandela Bay and Port Elizabeth | 2020

4.4 The social tapestry of Nelson Mandela Bay Census 2011

Black African Coloured (Mixed) Indian / Asian White 1 dot = 1 individual

Source: http://www.statssa.gov.za, 2011

The results of Apartheid’s urban planning are seen today, as the freed society is struggling to overcome the chronic segregation of the past. The 2011 Tapestry social survey conducted by the South Africa Department of Statistics shows that racial division by neighbourhood is still profoundly accentuated.

In the study, people who perceive themselves white live predominantly in the southern

region of the city, with access to neighbourhoods equipped with urban infrastructure, access to beaches and natural resources.

The northern areas, historical regions of the apartheid era, continue to be predominantly inhabited by the black African population. A large portion of this population lives in neighbourhoods with insufficient infrastructure coverage and far from the urban centre.

41

4.5 Human settlements on ongoing studies Census 2011

Walmer Chris Hani Edonweni East Edonweni West Vistarus Enkanini Veeplaas Riemvaasmaak Polar Park

42

Currently, eight main informal settlement is being studied in the city. These studies are the result of joint action by Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, together with the Eastern Cape Department of Human Settlements (ECDHS), the Mandela Bay Development Agency and with support from Nelson Mandela University.

The purpose of this partnership is to create a set of legal, political, social and research

actions that enable the study, analysis, proposition and possibility and socialization of these settlements.

Each of these different communities has similarities in fundamental weaknesses, but with varying degrees of complexity. There are also central points specific to each location. making planning work much more complex.

04 | The Nelson Mandela Bay and Port Elizabeth | 2020

Walmer

Vistarus

Riemvaasmaak

Chris Hani

Polar Park

Enkanini Veeplaas

Edonweni West

Edonweni East

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study visit port elizabeth

march|2020

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05 | Study visit | 2020

part 05

I want to start this chapter with a personal reflection without leaving the academic purpose of this analysis. When I set out to study the case of urban development in vulnerable areas more carefully during my Bachelor, I found myself several times reflecting if such complex and structural problems of Brazilian urban life would be a unique case in the world, or if its causes and results can also be seen elsewhere in the world.

It is curious how life ends up unfolding: That memory caught me at 3 am, in the middle of the flight between London and Johannesburg.

I am writing this reflection, going to a continent I have never visited, precisely to see with my own eyes how the social vulnerabilities inherent to the neediest population are shared in a global phenomenon.

Most touchingly of this reflection, now tracing back the situation, my visit to South Africa was an experience that I will carry on as an extraordinary moment of my academic and personal career, for the rest of my life.

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5.1 The city Study visit | Port Elizabeth March 2020

The visit to the Nelson Mandela Bay and Port Elizabeth took place between the 4th and the 14th of March and was the result of the partnership between Lund University and Nelson Mandela University.

The visit was led by the Development and Human Settlements Department and the architecture department at Nelson Mandela University, through their representatives, Professor Sijekula Mbanga

46

and Professor Paul Makasa.

To better organize the flow of what was seen during the visit, we will list four significant categories for the visit, the first of which is my account of the city.

Having an urban network that spreads over more than 30km along the coast of the Eastern Cape, the city of Port Elizabeth has a rich mixture of urban spaces, relaxation, nature and recreation, being

predominantly marked by its strong connection with the sea and the old port facilities.

The city is known by South Africans as the ‘friendly city’, which refers to the “lay back” mood of an ‘easy city’. In addition, the city has a vibrant mix of layers of history, with buildings dating from the early eighteen hundreds, and antiapartheid era, in addition to contemporary development.

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5.2 The nature Study visit | Port Elizabeth March 2020

The natural landscape is one of the most attractive points in the city. Several times I found myself walking around the city being guided by the sound of the sea, the singing of birds and the vast diversity of parks and green areas.

In several areas of the city, nature and the urban fabric mix together. It is a setting in which it is difficult to establish where the urban fabric ends and

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where the exuberant nature begins. Several hike spots in the region can be accessed within 10 minutes from the city centre, making the city an ecotourism hub for South Africans and also for international visitors.

With the greater emphasis for visitors, are the beaches, which are preserved and clean, the main one being King’s Beach, where the Pier is located. Less than a 15-minute drive from

the city centre, to the south, the Cape Recife Lighthouse Natural reserve is a famous bird-watching destination, with access control for visitors.

The dunes along the coast, along with the linear park are also part of the highlights of the city’s natural resources.

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5.3 Workshops and meetings with local agencies/authorities Study visit | Port Elizabeth March 2020

The collaborative aspect of the work is the most critical asset of the study. The collaboration among different organizations proved to be the key to the success of future public policies that will result in the transformation of the human settlements scenario in the region.

As an essential part of the research, I had the opportunity to visit several governmental agencies, research, workshops

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and various actions.

The following is the list of agencies visited, meetings, workshops and actions promoted during the visit:

- Mandela Bay Development Agency; - Land Use and Planning Department;

- Nelson Mandela University;

- Human settlements visits;

- Eastern Cape Department of Human Settlements (ECDHS);

- Community leaders meetings;

- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality;

- Workshop on assessment of informal settlements;

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5.4 Walmer Human settlement 1 | Study visit March 2020

We visited two human settlements in the region. The first was Walmer, a community located about 4 km from the city centre.

This community is located in the security area of Port Elizabeth Airport and is considered a risky and unsuitable area for housing. Another risk point for the community is the high concentration of methane gas found in the soil in some regions, with a probable origin

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of the old landfill use in the area.

The community is going through a gradual process of urban recovery promoted by the municipality. The housing RDP program is partially implemented as well as basic infrastructure, such as some paved streets, clean water and a library. The number of households is uncertain, but it is estimated that 500 families live in the community today.

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5.5 Vistarus (chosen design site) Human settlement 2 | Study visit March 2020

The second community we visited was Vistarus human settlement, which will be the object of the indepth study of the project proposal for this thesis.

The community is located 13km from the city centre, being established close to the Nelson Mandela University MissionValle campus. The proximity to the university allows significant strategic advances for the

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study of the community.

Another point to note is that this community has a committee of residents who take care of the administration and the interests of residents in the region, in addition to having a strong connection and proximity to the Care Center Vistarus, which supplements the community with essential services. The community is also located close to schools, a hospital and a commercial area.

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We were welcomed by the community members, who showed us the area in detail. I had the opportunity to talk directly to the residents of the community. It was an exceptional opportunity to exchange ideas and understand a little more about their realities and needs.

The process of starting with community members is essential to a collaborative design process. Most of the residents are unemployed and unassisted, which leads to high levels of social vulnerability.

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05 | Study visit | 2020

It had rained on the morning of the day of the visit, as well as the day before, which was interesting to observe the weaknesses and the dangerous sanitary conditions of the community.

As torrential rains are frequent in the region, especially in the summer, most of the shacks are impacted by the result of the rains. Some houses are partially or even destroyed.

Circulations are also difficult to access since there are no paved streets or passageways.

The community has limited access to water. Supply points are scattered throughout the community. However, they are few and present fundamental sanitary problems.

When water is needed, community residents use buckets to capture water at these access points.

Moreover, water rationing happens frequently, and water quality is not ideal for consumption, leading to health and underlying sanitation problems.

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the site analysis

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06 | Site analysis | 2020

part 06

The study visit, as well as research on the city and the impacts of national and global effects on Human settlements, enabled a detailed analysis of the community.

The main points raised were the circulation axes, the areas of access to the site, the circulation conditions, the main functions around the site and the physical issues of the place.

After surveying the number of shacks and their positions, the community flowchart and its main circulation axes, the analyzes were developed to understand the area.

An analysis of points of interest and nodes for the community was also possible based on data collection and interviews with residents.

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6.1 Site location

The site is located 13Km away from the city centre, having one of the main north highways as the primary connection point. The main transportation method is the “taxis�, minivans privately owned and responsible for the primary connection between the neighbourhood of the city centre. There is a lack of sufficient transportation method, which leads to a difficulty for some to connect to other municipal areas.

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6.2 Site Surroundings

25 min (2,5Km)

20 min (2Km)

15 min (1,5Km)

10 min (1Km)

Nelson Mandela University (Missionvale Campus)

5 min (500m)

Quality skills and development training college

School for Hearing Impaired Salt Plan Missionvale Care Centre Police Service Industrial Sports Hospital Clinic & Rehab Commercial Post Office Schools

There is a mix of functions in the site surroundings, leading to a potential of good connections and opportunities for developments to the community.

Within 5min walking, it is possible to reach the Nelson Mandela University Missionvale Campus (future school of medicine), a school and a hospital. The site is also closely located to different schools, colleges and a Care Center.

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6.3 Site general aspects

The site has the following main characteristics: Total site area: 241.845,00m2 Total area of the site only shacks region: 180.981,00m2

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Estimated number of the total number of people who currently living in the site: 3000-5000 * the values for the number of inhabitants are estimated and may vary.

Estimated number of families living in the community today: 1257

Distance between north-south axis ends: 865m

Estimated number of family unit size: 2-7 people

Distance between east-west axis ends: 431m

Estimated total density: 12.404 - 20.674 Estimated total density (shacks area only): 16.576 - 27.627

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6.4 Site History Development

There is no exact known date for the community establishment, or the people moved from, but investigations led to the conclusion that the community was established in 1999, with people moving from a former apartheid township that was deactivated.

During the study visit, I had the opportunity to have a meeting with the Land Planning Department, in which I was presented the historical

satellites photos of the area.

Investigations from 1998, it is possible to see the site with no occupation, and in 2011, the community status as we know today.

The physical organization of the main flows established for the community follows the existing natural paths, as we can observe by comparing both images.

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6.5 Site and surroundings functions

Informal settlement

High education

Industry

Health

Basic education

Residential

Cemetery

Support

Nelson Mandela University Missionvale Campus 64

Dora Nginza Hospital

Reuben Birin School for Hearing Impaired

Missionvale Care Centre

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6.6 Circulations

The site has an exciting range of functions in its vicinity, such as Nelson Mandela University to the north, a hospital, a school for the hearing impaired to the south and the Missionvale Care centre to the west, an important node for the community.

As the primary institution of help and support for the community, the Care Center promotes activities such as workshops, qualification of manual labour, computer

courses, urban farming, and a clothing and food donation network.

The main access roads to the region are paved, with the main avenue to the south and the highway to the north. However, all internal displacement to the site is severe since there are no paved roads. Circulation is complicated mainly in times of heavy rain.

Highway Structural avenues Local roads (paved) Private roads (paved) Local roads (unpaved) Alleys (unpaved)

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6.7 Topography

The topography is a striking element on the site, especially in the central circulation axis.

The in-depth study made it possible to understand how the main circulation axes within the site are, as well as which are the most important nodes.

Among the central circulation, areas are the Care Center, the primary school on the other side of Highways and the open area for community discussion meetings, marked in point F.

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6.8 Primary nodes and flows

C

A D

A

A

F

B

E

Flow intensity

A - Accesses

C - Elementary school

E - Recreation area

B - Care center

D - Meeting point

F - Tavern

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6.9 The municipality site plans

The municipality has several plans in progress for the site, which has been going through the legal process of urban planning. The current plan is in version number 6, with previous versions also providing for a mix of social housing, RDP housing and commercial activities. The municipal plan and legislation for the site limits the number of households to 587 families that can be accommodated on the site.

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06 | Site analysis | 2020

6.10 The RDP housing program

The Nelson Mandela Bay Housing Development Agency (HDA) is the institution responsible for the RDP housing program for human settlements in the metro.

The program aims to empower the communities and to provide access to formal urban infrastructure, paved streets, sanitation and housing.

The housing program has a fixed model in which has three main bedrooms, a

Images Sources: Nelson Mandela Bay Human Settlements Report, 2017

bathroom and a cocking area.

The RPD housing is an essential program to the area, that lead to advancements in different communities, such as the Joe Slovo community presented on the photos.

However, there is still challenging to innovative urban design, as the program is designed with the traditional free house stanging model, not adapted to the different families needs.

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design

strategies

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07 | Design strategies | 2020

part 07

Understand the context and challenges

Analysis of the site specificness

Strategies development

The design proposal

The data collection studies, as well as the study visit, made it possible to delimit a line of project strategy, whose purpose is to lower the “barriers� that separate this portion of the most vulnerable population from urban life in its fullness.

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7.1 The “untouchable� barriers

Economic informality

South African human settlements residents

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Slum urbanism logic

Segrega historical plann

Lack of public and private investments

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ative l urban ning

Social vulnerability

Inefficient political regulations

Climatic risk

The first issue that needs to be addressed before starting to develop strategies is to understand the problem. The research so far has shown that the South African context of urbanization has led to a logic of producing informality.

Within the design language, we can summarize this picture if we imagine a diagram where,

Quality urban life (vision)

on the one side, we have informal area residents, and on the other, a house. The house here represents the urban achievement of a dignified life, with infrastructure, recreation, economy and culture. Between the two sides of this diagram, we have the separating barriers. These barriers vary from historical urbanization

contexts, severe economic informality, lack of investments and social policies, climate change, historical segregation and social vulnerability. The design strategies aim to overcome these barriers.

Although these barriers are often untouchable, they are not indestructible.

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7.2 STRATEGY 1: The Bottom-Up approach

increase opportunities

decrease vulnerabilities What are the actions and measures to ensure the necessary infrastructure? How can we make communities more resilient?

What are the opportunities for development?

What are the conditions for settlements to be less depending on external elements?

Informal settlements, as well as all forms of slums covered in the study, present different degrees of vulnerability.

In most cases, these are structural vulnerabilities, for instance, interrelated and interdependent difficulties.

It establishes a relationship where a specific vulnerability of the community is generated by another, which is generated by another, so on. Thus, the first step is to establish strategies

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that reduce vulnerability.

Now that alone is not enough for a sustainable proposal.

It is necessary to develop opportunity strategies that bring development, economic, cultural and educational growth to the community.

These opportunities are the key for the community to prosper in the future, sustainable practices that enable society to live together, as well as future development.

07 | Design strategies | 2020

bottom-up

top-down What needs to be provided, in terms of infrastructure, planning, policy and investments?

What can be done, independently and in partnerships to allow agility to the process and increase the community resilience?

The first strategy is called “Bottom-up�. In general, the concepts of Top-down and Bottom-up are well known.

They represent management methodologies where priority is given to what needs to be defined, planned and programmed by the whole and what can be done in practical actions by those involved.

Thus, the strategy is based on identifying measures that: Can be made feasible on the

political and regulatory scale as a basis, and practical steps that can be taken by the community.

What we can observe in the application of this methodology are many possibilities for actions that can be taken by settlement residents. These actions increase resilience while shortening deadlines and making the community less dependent on State actions only.

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Existing housing program system The current RDP housing program can be described with the items below, providing necessary infrastructure and accommodation.

energy

water

shelter

housing sanitation

education

tenure

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energy

water

shelter

housing sanitation

education

decrease vulnerabilities Assessing the system with the strategy, it is observed that it is focused on actions to reduce vulnerability.

tenure

energy

water

shelter

housing sanitation

education

top-down It is also possible to observe that the actions are promoted by the state, considered Top-down actions.

tenure

energy

water

shelter

housing sanitation

education

tenure

When evaluating the structure by the Maslow’s pyramid of needs, it focuses on physiologic and safety needs.

Source: McLeod, S. A. (2020, March 20). Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. Simply Psychology. https://www.simplypsychology.org/maslow.html, 2020

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Proposed system The proposed system aims to expand the possibilities of the current system in a matrix that combines different functions and opportunities.

vendings public transport

markets solar energy

food production fruits vegetables

practical skills

farming

water water conservation

organic reclycling

sanitation

training

leisure

tenure

GREEN

family unity

community board social connections

PLAYGROUND SPORTS ACTIVITIES

clustered units

partnerships

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PUBLIC LIBRARY education

policy making

health

skills development

shelter

housing

natural water filtration

employment social|student housing

energy

greenhouses

biogas

income

07 | Design strategies | 2020

increase opportunities

vendings public transport

markets solar energy

food production fruits vegetables

water water conservation

organic reclycling

PUBLIC LIBRARY

housing

leisure

tenure

GREEN

PLAYGROUND SPORTS ACTIVITIES

clustered units

partnerships

training

education

policy making

health

skills development

shelter

sanitation natural water filtration

employment social|student housing

energy

greenhouses

biogas

income practical skills

farming

With new elements, it is possible to observe actions that decrease vulnerabilities and increase opportunities

family unity

community board

decrease vulnerabilities

social connections

bottom-up

vendings public transport

markets solar energy

food production fruits vegetables

farming

water water conservation

organic reclycling

sanitation

PUBLIC LIBRARY

leisure

GREEN

PLAYGROUND SPORTS ACTIVITIES

clustered units

partnerships

training

education

tenure policy making

health

skills development

shelter

housing

natural water filtration

employment social|student housing

energy

greenhouses

biogas

income practical skills

As a main aspect, most of the proposed functions can be done in part or totally by the community.

family unity

community board

top-down

social connections

vendings public transport

markets solar energy

food production fruits vegetables

farming

water water conservation

organic reclycling

PUBLIC LIBRARY

housing

leisure

GREEN

family unity

community board social connections

PLAYGROUND SPORTS ACTIVITIES

clustered units

partnerships

training

education

tenure policy making

health

skills development

shelter

sanitation natural water filtration

employment social|student housing

energy

greenhouses

biogas

income practical skills

The system also proposes a total alignment with the different levels of needs.

Source: McLeod, S. A. (2020, March 20). Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. Simply Psychology. https://www.simplypsychology.org/maslow.html, 2020

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7.3 STRATEGY 2: Adaptable typologies

As one of the main elements of the Bottom-up strategy, there is the production of the urban proposal itself. This example, from the Early Childhood Development and Family Center, proposed by Asa, is a significant element. The main element of the project and initiative is the training of residents and the community in general for the production of construction. In this way, the investment in the housing

80

produiction could serve for the technical improvement of the residents, instead of being explored by a private developers. In addition to development, this concept also reduces costs and enables a political collaboration program with different stakeholders.

This collaboration can take place as the training of the workforce of the local community while also creating jobs and social dynamics.

Source: Early Childhood Development and Family Centers, Rwanda - http://www.activesocialarchitecture.com/ecd-f-centers, 2020

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As a second and essential stage of the Bottom-up Approach is the implementation of residential types. This project concept can be well seen in Elemental’s Villa Verde Housing project, proposed in Chile. In this concept, the project module has an initial consolidated base, establishing a secondary autonomy for the resident to expand the house when necessary. In practical terms, this also means that

Source: Villa Verde Housing, Chile - http://www.elementalchile.cl, 2020

the resident is free to plan the expansion of the residence according to the need. From a cultural point of view, in addition to enabling the stylization of the house, this design party also allows more than one family group to live together.

And from an economic point of view, it also has an advantage since the maintenance costs of an entire unit can be much higher than that of a typology tailored to the need.

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Housing typology 1

Initial unit 48m² unit 100m² terrain

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Stage 2 60m² unit

Kitchen

Bedroom

Living room

Bathroom

The first strategy is to work with a housing typology that is used to promote diversity and flexibility for family units, having an initial plot of 100m2; this typology can accommodate up to 2 families living together.

Stage 3 72m² unit

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Stage 4 111m² unit

Stage 5 123m² unit

Stage 6 135m² unit

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Housing typology 2

Initial unit 40m² unit 100m² terrain

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Kitchen

Bedroom

Living room

Bathroom

Stage 2 60m² unit

Following the same pattern as the typology 1, this villa is designed for families and also for households that can host students, creating an inner economy and increasing the social connection to the village.

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Stage 3 108m² unit

Stage 4 123m² unit

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Housing typology 3

Initial unit 45m² unit 100m² terrain

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Stage 2 65m² unit

Kitchen

Bedroom

Living room

Bathroom

Typology 3 seeks to integrate a larger initial space that allows expansion to serve a growing family. With additions of more rooms and rooms, this typology is ideal for large families.

Stage 3 95m² unit

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Housing typology 4

Mix units social | student housing

80m² unit + bathrooms and circulations

This typology is designed to increase density and allows student accommodation for the university.

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7.4 STRATEGY 3: Clustering and grid organization

Different traditional African village settlements clusters

Clustering houses in a courtyard format can be considered traditional in Europe and elsewhere in the global north. But in the global south, the urban form follows a much more dynamic logic.

However, when looking at traditional African villages, we have the presence of substantial elements of social integration, such as clustered units. In the historical study

by Alvin Urquhart, several

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traditional African villages and communities already preserved their organizational form of courtyard space.

These spaces were usually marked by a tree in the centre, where stories are told from generation to generation. Other elements of social interaction are also found in these shared spaces, is an extension of the units and a platform for social integration and cooperation.

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Gambwe settlement village near Pocolo

One of the elements that presents one of the main challenges concerns the high population density of the Vistarus site. In this way, part of the families that today live in the region will need to be integrated into the proposed urban project, another on the site itself or in a second phase of the program. In this way, the separation and breaking of ties of friendships can be minimized with the clustered units

Source: Urquhart, Alvin W., Patterns of Settlement and Subsistence in Southwestern Angola, 1963

strategy. With typologies that encourage coexistence and harmony between families, it can be confirmed that the social impacts of the adequacy of the urban proposal can be reversed.

With a design element that combines adaptable typologies with design elements such as clustered units, this strategy aims at social integration and better interaction between different members of the community.

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Clustered units Typology 1

Clustering the units into group models that can be developed accordingly to the strategies 1 allow a more efficient urban plan to generate social engagement, trust and livelihood to the families.

Each housing typology has its own clustering method that leads to a diversity of private and semi-private spaces.

The typology four is designed to increase density and allows student accommodation for the university.

Initial stage 9 untis

Under development

Block organization

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Fully developed

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Typology 2

Initial stage 6 untis

Block organization

Under development

Fully developed

91

TYPO 3

TYPO 4

Typology 3

3 OPYT

2 OPYT

Initial stage 3 untis

Under development

Block organization

Fully developed 92

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TYPO 4

Typology 4

3 stories 9 untis

Block organization

2 stories 8 untis

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Grid block organization

cluster typology 1

cluster typology 2

street

street

Inner courtyard

Inner courtyard

Square

circulations

c Inner courtyard

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Inner courtyard

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cluster typology 3

cluster typology 4

Square

street

Inner courtyard

Square

circulations

circulations Inner courtyard

Inner courtyard

By gathering all the blocks into this organization, establishing a matrix that allows both spatial plannings for the blocks and also inner public spaces. The clustering of house groups into a more extensive urban block frameset is n principal measure of design strategy to promote inclusiveness and link among the households.

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7.5 STRATEGY 4 - The plan development

With the first three strategies defined, the next step in the development of the proposal was the application of the strategy on the site. Thus, the first step was an in-depth study of current connections and circulations, as discussed in the analysis chapter. The site already has a system of connections and flows that works, having as primary means of connection, the avenue to

the south of the site. Following the same line of analysis, two existing circulation axes within the site also stood out. Thus, the work took place in overlapping these two existing circulation axes, which led to the system of dividing the site into different sectors. These sectors can be used in the implementation phase as a phasing strategy, and also as points of organization of the masterplan. With these

aspects defined, a new street network was proposed, which will follow the existing logic but more efficiently. And finally, strategies 1, 2 and 3 were applied to the organization of the masterplan, to compose the systems. Several mass studies of block layout have been developed to arrive at the current system. Following is this step-by-step strategy

1. The very frist step to the design proposal was to identify the current urban form of the shacks.

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2. The shacks also have a relation to the surroundings and the site, indeed limited.

3. By looking only at the circulations, it is possible to establish the current and essential pattern.

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4. As well as the main connection to access the site

5. The site has two central axis that distributes the functions and circulations 98

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6. By overlaping the current circulation...

7. ...it is possible to divide the site into sectors, in which as the srategy used to design the proposal 99

8. The study also gave birth to the new street network

9. The new strees network preserves the mains circulations that works today in the site 100

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10. But also allows a new connection system with the site surroundings

11. With the implementation of the new circulation network, the grid for the blocks was implemented.

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12. Leading to the first block mass study

13. The plan is organized to allows a main circulation system within the site 102

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14. Moreover, with is surrounding, activation essential opportunities for the masterplan.

15. The main circulation also connects the network of public spaces distributed along the project 103

design

proposal

104

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part 08

As the design concept was established based on the proposed strategies, the masterplan that follows express the gathering of the vision for the site, as well as the main idea behind the conceptual process.

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8.1 Masterplan University

A

Care center

Detailp

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08 | Design proposal | 2020

School

A Main square

Industry

plan

B Hospital B

School

N

107

Masterplan organization

The proposal is organized in the urban grid frame previously proposed, with the leading urban network organized from the central urban park that connects the site with its surroundings. The connection increases the level of social security and rescues important values of connection between the community and the city.

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Housing typologies

The set of proposed typologies are organized in order to provide an urban set that can be transformed over time, according to the needs of the community. Residential types can accommodate more than 600 families, with the added possibility of mixed residential and commercial use, as well as student housing for the university.

Housing Typology 1 Housing Typology 2 Housing Typology 3 Housing Typology 4

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Support functions

The main additional functions were implemented in a way to establish maximum support for the community, with the aim of making people more resilient.

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Health clinic

Greenhouses

Rain water tanks

Community center

Commercial

Social secutiry

Solar panels

Biogas station

Farming

Workshops

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Economic opportunities

For the community to be able to strive sustainably in the future, investment in training is essential, but also in ways to generate profit. Thus, a set of different uses has been established, which can be a source of monetization for the community.

Community restaurant Student housing Public transort - city center Community center | capacitation Weekly street fair Workshops Market 111

Public spaces

The public spaces are mainly organized along the linear park, connecting the site northsouth to the Nelson Mandela University and the school, and east-west to the hospital and Care Center.

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Main linear Park North-South path East-West path

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Economic opportunities

Sunhours

Farming

Sunhours

Solar panels Biogas stations

Temperature Max temp Min temp

The place has the condition of 230 average monthly sunhours exposure. Therefore, it is possible to take advantage of and propose a system of energy production and urban farming.

Source: Weather and Climate | Port Elizabeth - https: //weather-and-climate.com/, Port-Elizabeth,South-Africa, 2019

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Climate Opportunities - Rain

As one of the main points highlighted by the research is concerning water, a system for capture and reuse was proposed. The system foresees a set of street canals that, at first, retain rainwater and make natural filtration for use as cleaning and irrigation. The city has a significant rainfall, especially in winter, which is a factor that we can take advantage of.

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Water conservation Filtration system

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Climate Opportunities - Rain

Precipitation

Distribution system

Precipitation

Conservation tanks Once captured, the water that is not used initially will be stored in conservation tanks, for a deep treatment, becoming drinking water. Subsequent distribution is done through a distribution system as proposed above.

Source: Weather and Climate | Port Elizabeth - https: //weather-and-climate.com/, Port-Elizabeth,South-Africa, 2019

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8.2 Section A-A

WATER TANKS

health clinic

groceries

VILLAGE TYPO 2

farming

vegetated stone cha concentrate and condu

vegetated stone channel to concentrate and conduct water WATER TREATMENT IRRIGATION SYSTEM

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VILLAGE TYPO 3

WATER TREATMENT IRRIGATION SYSTEM

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farming

green house

park

community center main square

community restaurant

BIOGAS PRODUCTION

annel to uct water WATER TREATMENT IRRIGATION SYSTEM

WATER TREATMENT IRRIGATION SYSTEM

In this section, it is possible to see how the different components of strategy one are implemented and combined in practice. Another point to highlight is the use of topography as the main element to organize the project and also for the water collection and filtration system.

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119

Square

8.3 Detail plan

Multi-purpose park

Housing typology 1

Hous typolo

Housing typology 2

Biogas station

Square

Housing typology 1

Farming Housing typology 1

Housing typology 1

Multi-purpose park

Housing typology 1

Housing typology 2

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Housing typology 4 Housing typology 3

sing ogy 3

Housing typology 2 Workshops Housing typology 1

Square

Housing typology 2

Housing typology 1

Sport court

Housing typology 1

N

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Typologies that can be implemented over the time

Housing typology 3

Inner courtyard

Housing typology 3

N

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08 | Design proposal | 2020

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A diverse public space that allows a mix of functions

Housing typology 1

Farming

Reversible street

Housing typology 1

Multi-purpose park

Housing typology 1

N

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08 | Design proposal | 2020

125

Inner squares promoting livelihood and social engagement for the community

Housing typology 3

Housing typology 2

Inner square

Inner courtyard Housing typology 1

N Housing typology 1

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08 | Design proposal | 2020

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8.4 Section B-B

VILLAGE TYPO 2

WATER tanks

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VILLAGE TYPO 1

WATER tanks

BIOGAS FARMING PRODUCTION PUBLIC PARK

IRRIGaTION SYSTEM

08 | Design proposal | 2020

VILLAGE TYPO 1

VILLAGE TYPO 3

WATER tanks

SOCIAL | STUDENT HOUSING

FARMING | ENERGY PRODUCTION

IRRIGaTION SYSTEM

Section B-B shows the different residential units combined in the urban frame. The variation between public spaces, semipublic spaces and private spaces is done organically.

The various water collection and storage systems are also visible, as are the circulations and sidewalks. The central park also functions as a productive landscape, with biogas stations and urban farming.

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8.5 A vibrant community

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8.6 The results

607 units | families 1.365-2.886 people

4 housing typologies 107 clusters

6 biogas stations

7 water filtrations systems

2 water conservation tanks

1.894 m² solar panels

40.789m² farming

3 community greenhouses

9 student housing blocks 81 units

2 new public transport stops

1 health clinic 134

08 | Design proposal | 2020

1 community restaurant

1 community market

4.974m² weekly street fair

70.789m² public spaces with activities

1 community and training center

5 policy-making opportunities

1 workshop area

Resuming the design concept proposed in the bottomup strategy, it is possible to evaluate what the proposal managed to achieve. In addition to the diversity of public and private spaces, an extensive variety of support functions have been proposed, as well as actions in the field of public and social policies.

7 income opportunities 135

end notes and remarks

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End notes and remarks | 2020

concluding remarks

The in-depth study of urban development conditions in the most vulnerable regions of Africa, as well as the development of an understanding of the specific conditions of South Africa, led to an essential contribution to the detailing of the urban proposal.

what I identify as the great outcome of this master’s thesis: the transformative power of collaboration.

A collaborative work platform, exchange of knowledge, experience and ideas is the key to elucidating the urban proposal, called Rolihlahla Village.

The study trip to Nelson Mandela Bay, as well as Port Elizabeth, had a significant influence on

Rolihlahla is a term that has its meaning traced as “troublemaker�, but it is mainly known in South Africa and the

world by the one who carried the name: Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela.

As well as the essential struggles traced in the history of the South African people, the courage and collaboration needed to transform the future are present in society, which continues to fight for the best future of the nation. The small contribution to the urban prospect of this work aims at the same, essential values.

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Rolihlahla village

138

The word Rolihlahla is a very special word for South Africans. Although not well known around the world, the etymology of the word has a special meaning, which if placed in its historical context, makes perfect sense. This was Mr Nelson Mandela’s birth name: Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela.

means “troublemaker”. Mandela received this name from his father. Historically, as one of the leading historical figures in the fight for freedom, equality and an end to racism, Mandela dreamed of a world where people were celebrated not for the colour of their skin but for the content of their minds.

Communities in which have long been plagued by various structural social vulnerabilities.

The design process was based on in-depth research on the historical background.

Additionally, the study visit, analysis and the different project strategies led to the design proposal.

It is an isiXhosa name, and its meaning can be directly translate to “pulling the branch of a tree”. However, colloquially it

The Rolihlahla Village is a project proposal that is based on the vision of equality and respect for communities.

It is essential to clarify that the plan does not intend to solve the structural problem of inequality in Africa and the

End notes and remarks | 2020

nelson Rolihlahla mandela

world, but rather to guarantee conditions for a prosperous and dignified life, factors that cannot be denied to anyone.

The world is changing rapidly, as are our cities, and it is fundamental for sustainable urban designers, to ensure that our decisions and project consequences will include everyone. In the future, there will be no place for inequality any longer.

“Poverty is not an accident. Like slavery and apartheid, it is manmade and can be removed by the actions of human beings.�

- Nelson Mandela, 2005

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Rolihlahla Village: Bottom-up process for the rehabilitation of human settlements in Port Elizabeth, South Africa Master Thesis Booklet May 2020 Faculty of Engineering, LTH School of Architecture Master’s programme of Architecture, with specialization in Sustainable Urban Design Lund University, Sweden Author: Jean Linhares Supervisor: Johnny Åstrand Examiner: Peter Sjöström External advisors: Sijekula Mbanga, Paul Makasa Final Presentation Jury: Jenny Osuldsen, Nevena Krilic, Sijekula Mbanga Defence: 2020, May 14th Publication: 2020, May 28th This project is the result of the collaboration between Lund University and Nelson Mandela University All images, analysis, artwork and photographs presented in this book are done by the author unless noted otherwise in the references.

Rolihlahla Village: Bottom-up process for the rehabilitation of human settlements in Port Elizabeth, South Africa Master Degree Thesis Sustainable Urban Design

By Jean Linhares School of Architecture Faculty of Engineering, LTH Lund University