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Trenches is a magazine that has a vision of understanding informality in urban settlement.The main objectives of this magazine is to demostrate the processes and activities that occur in informal settlements while also portraying the self-indepedency within the residents.

As a way of understanding the processes and activities that depicts self-reliancy, this magazine will use Diepsloot as an area of focus. The magazine, will discuss what led to the development of Diepsloot and how self-reliancy is being seen in space.

Then I make it back, man, basically Modimo O refile’

Symbolism of past and future

“Y’all stuck in the same figure, jenge under pan”

“STACK INTO THE CEILING”

Legend Shacks

Diepsloot is an ‘informal settlement in the City of Johannesburg. The settlemememnt developed due to relocation of people from honeydrew, Alexandra and Zevenfontein. From there the residents developed for themselves shacks which over time increased and resulted to formation of settlement.

‘The pain and struggle does not define Diepsloot’

1/Gauteng

2/Johannesburg

3/Diepsloot in 2000

4/Diepsloot in 2011

Symbolism of personalisation of space

“Sizoziphandela”-We will hustle for ourselves

Visual clue: Self made architectural style

Residents of Diepsloot presonalise their shacks to portray the dreams they have of staying in a double storey buildings. The built double storey shacks are made up of used material such as corrugated iron, foil, steel and wires.

Visual clue: Purpose

Ground floor of the double storey shacks are used as garages for their old cars that are no longer in use and as a patio. Bobwires are mostly used in ground floors as they are considered to be strong and can prevent intruders from breaking in.

Visual clue: Artifacts

Fields and receational areas are used for spining. In their personalisation of fields they have created a culture in Diepsloot of making people high in excitement.

For this settlement, residents make it a priority to enjoy the space they have, through coming up with ideas and developing norms for themselves.

Residents of Diepsloot dispose garbage next to rubbish bins, and not inside. This makes streets look untidy and unclean, as this can result to health hazards.

As there is growing independency within residents of Diepsloot, the state provides them with basic services such as water as that is out of their ability.

Shacks of artists are depicted through the use of artwork from the outside.

‘Modimo o refile ’

Representation of comfortability

Taking comfort in invented spaces to the next level

“Since we don’t have parkinglots, i will park anywhere”

The lack of parking areas in the roads, results to the appropriation of edges of the roads.

“WE MAKE OURSELVES COMFORTABLE HERE”

For residents of Diepsloot to feel comfort with the change in weather patterns, they use foil to make their shacks warm.

“The foil keeps my house warm”

Pedestrians of Diepsloot are already used to the uneven gravel surface. The rough texture of the surface would have caused discomfort for someone who does not stay in Diepsloot but because they have adapted to this, they are comfotable.

“CHEATED ON MY FEARS BROKE UP WITH MY DOUBTS.”

“WHO SAYS GRAVEL PAVING ARE A DRAG?”

‘Grocery made cheap!’

Informal settlements such as Diepsloot are examples of economic hubs. Variety of uses and economic activities act as evidence of how informal settlements are independent.

Soma

‘Street Vending made cool’

‘Juicymeat? Juicy cornish!’

Metaphoric representation of selfmade dream chasers

‘Buy your zinc and build your multi storey shack’

Dreams and inspiration from formal markets is what motivates and drives residents of Diepsloot. These dreams are depicted by the use of symbology and logo, such as pictures of items that are sold in big supermarkets.

As much as informal settlements are unplanned, residents of Diepsloot know that their supermarkets,selling of cornish and car wash have to be close to busy roads, for their businesses to receive recognition from people from Diepsloot and from other areas.

‘Making business moves, all day err’day.’

G’s Car Wash

Representation of human desires and goals

Dream chasing in different market spots

repertoire’

Conclusion

Informal settlements are unplanned, but they do have elements of urban planning such as, personalisation of space, comfortability in invented spaces, and signage in variety of uses.

Through quiet encroachment, Diepsloot has changed the narrative of it being called the ‘deep ditch’.

‘Ke phela soft but my raps is hard You should check out my

Reference list

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Bentley, I., (1985). Responsive environments: A manual for designers. Routledge

Brown University, n.d. Available at: https://tinyurl.com/ e5p7zamd (Accessed : 7 April 2023)

Carmona, M., Heath, T., Tiesdell, S. and Oc, T., (2004). Public places urban spaces. Urban Design Quarterly, 90, p.40.

Davies, L., (2000). Urban design compendium. English Partnership UK.

Fabricius, D., (2011). Looking beyond informality. Architectural Design, 81(3), pp.144-149.

Jacobs, A.B., (1984). Looking at cities. Places, 1(4). https://tinyurl.com/e5p7zamd