The Hospital Hill : a development proposal for regeneration

Abstract

The Hospital Hill is characterised by illegibility,under-utilised space and lack of circulation control. Hospital Hill contains the Medical campuses of the University of Pretoria, as well as the Tshwane District Hospital. The Tshwane District Hospital is in the process of being upgraded to a Regional Hospital. This upgrade has profound implications on spatial organisation within the Hospital Hill Precinct and relationships between institutions and users. This design aims to improve the spatial connectivity between the Tshwane Regional Hospital and the Campuses of the University of Pretoria through the application of a series of open spaces for the benefit of public health. The hypothesis was tested and applied through the following methodology: • Analysis of site specific design indicators • Compilation of a user profile • Literature • Investigation of theories of restorative benefit and the experiential landscape to determine characteristics of an environment that could be beneficial to public health • Precedents and previous studies An open space development framework was compiled for the Hospital Hill. The Master Plan area focused specifi cally on the interface between the campuses of the University of Pretoria and the Tshwane Regional Hospital. Dr. Savage Plaza was identifi ed as the most important activity node of the Hospital Hill. This area was developed up to Sketch Plan design, applying some of the principles identifi ed in the theory, to argue for the development of open spaces with the potential to benefit public health. The Technical Investigation involved the development of a maintenance strategy for the open spaces. It includes the details of the hydrological systems applied at the Dr. Savage Plaza (stormwater detention feature, erratic fountain). Sreet furniture and edge details were investigated.