The ties that bind : the past in the present, linking the Pretoria inner city with its natural context

Abstract

The forgotten infrastructure in cities are seen as sites which hold potential for rejuvenation. Some of which consist of heritage buildings which form important tangible links with the history of the city. The integration of such buildings with the city is crucial for sustainable development and for the appreciation of the past within the present. The project looks at the Staatsmuseum in the Pretoria CBD as one such example, of forgotten infrastructure within the city which holds heritage significance. The old museum sits in-between an oasis of natural wonder on one side, and an oasis of urban city life on the other. This positioning is highlighted as a key feature of the project as it allows the symbiotic relationship between built fabric and nature to be explored and emphasised. Nature forms a key driver for the programme. This programme promotes the education of the natural world. The current methods adopted to teaching children about the natural world are challenged. The project in turn aims to create a shared resource facility for wider use by the Pretoria Zoo, schools around the city, and the general public.