Environments by Design
Abstract
This paper explores Apartheid spatial patterns in South African cities and how the socio-economic consequences of fragmented environments have been further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The study is located Pretoria and will use maps to illustrate how the city is divided and how our paths almost never cross, yet our bodies, and their capacity to host a virus, do. Apartheid planning is powerful, efficient and persistent. The spatial realities mean that large numbers of the population spend hours, and a significant portion of meager salaries, on transport getting to job opportunities, while children are left unattended at home. For many, this also means walking in the early hours of the morning through the gaps in the city fabric, the industrial areas, and cross the busy highways – their routes never acknowledged, surfaced, serviced or celebrated – to get to their menial jobs and then follow the same route back at dusk while others observe this daily migration from the comfort and safety of their cars, COVID-19 has further exposed our levels of privilege and disadvantage. Apparently as some of us lost their jobs and businesses, some of us have thrived.
These spatial divides no doubt wound, deeply. It has been claimed that successful urban contexts work for both the rich and the poor yet we have not managed to develop visions that are powerful enough heal these divides. By utilising maps as a visual tool, and by overlaying these maps showcasing divisions, routes and gaps as well as historical transformations, or lack thereof, a narrative will be presented across space and time. It will be shown how people inhabit the city and move through it currently – and also how a different future may be visualised to allow healing, resilience and anti-fragility at a global, national, local and personal level.
Amira Osman is a Sudanese/South African Professor of Architecture at the Tshwane University of Technology and SARChI: DST/NRF/SACN Research Chair in Spatial Transformation (Positive Change in the Built Environment). Amira believes that the architectural profession has a critical role to play in the achievement of buildings, neighbourhoods and cities that are more equitable, beautiful and functional, creating environments that are livable and lovable and offering people a better chance at improving their lives and livelihoods; this has been the driving force behind Amira’s work and she has spent most of her career advocating for these principles. Amira obtained a PhD in Architecture (University of Pretoria, 2004), she was a convener for the World Congress on Housing (2005), the Sustainable Human(e) Settlements: the urban challenge (2012), the 9th International Conference on Appropriate Technology (9th ICAT)(2020) and she served as UIA 2014 Durban General Reporter and Head of the Scientific Committee for the International Union of Architects (UIA) and the South African Institute of Architects (SAIA). She is a joint coordinator for the international CIB W104 Open Building Implementation network. Amira has extensive experience curating international events, coordinating complex programmes, exhibitions, conceptualising content and managing diverse teams.
Francine van Tonder is a South African qualified architect, lecturer, specification writer, startup owner, and Level 1 CrossFit coach. She holds a Master in Architecture from the Tshwane University of Technology and a Master in Business Leadership from the University of South Africa. She is currently reading towards a Doctor of Architecture at the Tshwane University of Technology. She is a Sessional Lecturer at the University of the Witwatersrand and a Part Time Lecturer at Tshwane University of Technology. Furthermore, she provides the service of specification writer to many architectural organisations in Gauteng, South Africa.
2:00 pm - 3:30 pm
Friday 18th June, 2021