Reviving a street culture along Lunnon lane

Abstract

The objective of this disssertation is to explore how identity of place can be made explicit in an urban landscape. The University of Pretoria (UP) is situated in Hillcrest, a highly urbanised suburb of Pretoria, the capital city of South Africa. It is within the long-term vision of UP to expand the main academic campus toward the sports campus, LC De Villiers, in the East. The current incoherent design language of the eastern wing of the university's campus shows a lack of an initial masterplan. The site presents multiple layers of urban design issues which this dissertation investigates and resolves. This study proposes to revive a pedestrian-friendly street-culture along Lunnon Lane where users feel a sense of belonging. It sets out to achieve this through establishing a permeable and welcoming periphery of the university's main campus. Various urban design principles were researched and served as guidelines throughout the design process. A synthesis of four main design goals assisted in the process of decision-making: to reveal lost heritage, to accommodate an adaptable programme, to encourage interaction and public activation, and finally to encourage stewardship through sustainable green practices. By "student-scape" the author refers to a landscape shaped by the activities and patterns of the everyday student-life.