Informal Production Networks

Abstract

The relationship between industry and the city is a damaged one. However, with its existing mix of residents, industry and commerce (albeit segregated from one-another) Pretoria West holds the potential for a unique relationship between industry and the citizens of Pretoria. Only by understanding the role that these industries play within the greater context of the city can the rich character and culture of a place be ampli ed and solidi ed in a development plan. Catalyzed by its heritage, development becomes a manifestation of the character of place that will attract further growth and simultaneously embrace the existing stakeholders. e existing industrial built-environment is often misshapen and illegible and whilst it is di cult to organize (and navigate) the seemingly disorganized site, it is possible to resolve; through understanding historic boundaries and development patterns that can be utilized as organizational grids. In this case historic erf divisions and consolidations can be utilized as an organizational tool at a large scale and should serve as a guide to where future structures should be erected in order to maintain a legible built environment. When designing future additions, understanding the historic expansion of these industrial buildings holds the key to a harmonious relationship between old and new. With minimal architectural intent these buildings supply little for the architect to grapple onto, but with material spans and structural repetition forming the underlying ordering principle; it is possible to create a logical and ordered extension of the past.

Die verhouding tussen industrie en die stad is beskadig en as gevolg word industrië stelselmatig verwyder van die stad. Die mengsel tussen inwoners, industrie en handel in Pretoria Wes (albeit geissoleer van mekaar) gun egter die potensiaal tot ‘n unieke verbandskap tussen industrie en die inwoners van Pretoria. Slegs deur die rol te erken wat die industrië speel ten opsigte van die stad se groter konteks, kan die karakter en kultuur van so ‘n omgewing versterk en vasgevang word in ‘n ontwikkelings plan. Erfenis dien as katalisator vir ontwikkeling van die karakter van plek wat in beurt verdere nansiële groei sal aanhits. Die bestaande industriële bou-omgewing is misvorm en onvoorspelbaar. Alhoewel so ‘n omgewing nie aan die individie toeleen om weg te vind of organiseer nie, is dit moontlik deur die ontginning van historiese grense en ontwikkelings patrone wat kan dien as organiseerings mates. Historiese erf indelings en konsolodasies kan gebruik word om te dien as ‘n gids vir toekomstige toevoegings, om sodoende die nuwe argitektuur uit die bestaande te laat vloei. Die resultaat is ‘n leesbare en geordende bou-omgewing. Die ontwerp van die nuwe verbeelding steun op die morfologie van die bestaande omgewing om ‘n harmoniese verhouding tussen oud en nuut te skep. Materiale se span afstande neem die rol van die onderliggende orde stelsels aan as gevolg van die gebrek aan aansienlike argitektoniese bedoelings in die bestaande omgewing. Sodoende is ‘n leesbare en logiese uitbreiding van die verlede en na die toekoms moontlik in ‘n omgewing wat ontstaan het sonder ontwerp vir ervaring van mense.