Integrating urban wastelands, islands, and landmarks of modernity into current urbanity

Abstract

Current city growth patterns are largely influenced by the practices and theories of the past, particularly functionalist theory. New intentions and proposals are constantly confronted with this legacy of the past, constituting a challenge for positive change, often tipping the balance for standard solutions. Urban wastelands are the result of both, zoning, and town planning requirements, which in the particular case of South Africa have also been used as barriers. These spaces are undefined, often derelict and/or inaccessible; they pose a major issue and a source of conflict among the communities. Current city planning has been unable to deal with these spaces in an effective manner, which in turns include the structures, often stand-alone ones that struggle to find a use or larger meaning for the greater context. It is necessary therefore, to re-envision the role these spaces can play in creating continuity of the urban fabric, generating a meaningful place that includes the immediate community as a viable solution for re-integration. This thesis explores a strategy for addressing these issues at the urban scale, and an architectural strategy for integrating derelict building in the specific scale.