Understanding public interest design as an architectural tool in Post-Apartheid South Africa : case study of Warwick Junction

Abstract

In spite of significant political changes in the nation, the population of South Africa continues to suffer from the enduring consequences of a segregated urban environment, where architecture served as a tool of oppression and control (Landman & Badenhorst 2015, Todes 2015). The efforts made by architects to tackle these issues often go unnoticed and become marginalised, even within mainstream professional circles. As a result, cities face considerable difficulties in attempts to dismantle and overcome the oppressive structures that persist (Landman & Badenhorst 2015). The paper thus aims to investigate how the intentions of Public Interest Design have been frustrated by the lack of local government support within Warwick Junction, in a post apartheid South African context.

A case study was executed in Warwick Junction, Ethekwini, drawing on ethnographic data, collected in the field including seven of the nine existing markets in the Warwick Junction transport and trading hub, to create a nuanced understanding of intricate systems at work within Warwick Junction, and how these systems are unsupported by local authorities as a result of globalisation. The insights from this case study highlight the crucial significance of local government in service delivery and citizen support within the framework of post-apartheid South Africa. It reveals that local authorities hold the power to shape the on-the-ground realities, either positively or negatively. This underscores the nuanced understanding of how local government's involvement is vital in addressing the diverse needs and challenges faced by citizens, as well as driving transformative change in the post-apartheid era.

The ethnographic data collected on site is interpreted through the lens of Public Interest Design (PID), where a nine point design taxonomy set out by Kim (2018) plays a vital role in understanding the important principles considered when designing for the public’s interest. The research explores the complex repercussions of a dysfunctional government system, and aims to understand the importance of local authorities in the implementation of PID (Karim 2018).

The comprehensive framework set out by Kim (in Karim 2018) serves as scaffolding for the implementation of PID. However, when considering its application in the specific context of South Africa, particularly in Warwick Junction, Ethekwini, where supportive local authorities are lacking, this case study exposes the need to understand the role of local authorities in addressing exclusionary urban landscapes. The current consequences of an unsupportive local authority hinder the realisation of the theoretical ideals of PID, highlighting the necessity for a nuanced understanding of this relationship. This underscores the complexities of PID within the South African context and highlights the significance of incorporating local identities into the implementation of inclusive design processes.