Lines, Landscapes & Lore : Waterval Boven as a case study for regenerative heritage remodelling as a strategy for small towns rejuvenation

Abstract

Approaches to heritage management in a South African context are often riddled with questions of ownership and who holds the rights to narrate which heritage (Mnyaka & Minkley, 2015, p. 57). As a result there is often an absence of awareness to the potential the built heritage has in the economic and social sustainability of a given place and or its potential to rejuvenate these if used as a resource for (re)development.

This dissertation will explore regenerative remodelling of heritage as a strategy to revitalise the economy, ecology and the cultural as well as the social landscape of the 19th century railways town of Waterval Boven in Mpumalanga, South Africa.

Regenerative remodelling theory is situated at the intersection of heritage, resilience and future perspectives for the rejuvenation of place. The dissertation is an exploration of this intersection through a bio-technology based additive manufacturing industry as a catalyst for an ecological and sustainable industry that will see the rejuvenation and future proofing of post-company/industry small towns in South Africa.