Heal : a shelter for the homeless in Tshwane : investigating a suitable living environment for the healing and rehabilitation of people in crisis

Abstract

The dissertation investigates suitable living environments for the healing and rehabilitation of people in crisis in South Africa, focusing on the human experience of space. Through the understanding of the problem and the context, the product of the investigation is a shelter for the homeless in the city of Tshwane. The shelter can be defined as transitional housing for the adult urban homeless and their children, which focuses on the healing and ultimate rehabilitation of homeless people, including the reintegration of these people into society. The significance of the project is that the development becomes a metaphor for the reintegration of people into society. The project aims to empower people to become contributing members of society and discontinues the cycle of destitution by providing an opportunity for economic activity and by improving the physical environment of the homeless as well as the physical environment of the community in general.