Research Articles (Construction Economics)http://hdl.handle.net/2263/17422024-03-28T22:36:58Z2024-03-28T22:36:58ZMonitoring the condition of public sector fixed infrastructure in South AfricaWall, K.http://hdl.handle.net/2263/950032024-02-29T22:47:58Z2023-12-01T00:00:00ZMonitoring the condition of public sector fixed infrastructure in South Africa
Wall, K.
Infrastructure is designed and built to deliver a
service, but how well the infrastructure is operated
and maintained is a major determinant of how
effectively it is able to deliver that service. Despite
this, much of the South African infrastructure
owned by the public sector is not kept in a good
condition. The article describes 25 years of highlevel
effort – including the conducting of research,
the compilation of guidelines, and the passing of
legislation – to improve the condition of public sector
infrastructure. Inter alia, it introduces and describes
the ‘infrastructure report card’ concept and how that
has been applied in South Africa. It also highlights
current texts on infrastructure asset management
and suggests some examples of infrastructure asset
management planning.; Infrastruktuur is ontwerp en gebou om ’n diens te
lewer, maar hoe goed die infrastruktuur bedryf en
onderhou word, is ’n groot bepaler van hoe effektief
dit in staat is om daardie diens te lewer. Ten spyte
hiervan word baie Suid-Afrikaanse infrastruktuur wat
deur die openbare sektor besit word, nie in ’n goeie
toestand gehou nie. Die artikel beskryf 25 jaar se hoëvlakpoging – insluitend die uitvoer van navorsing, die samestelling van riglyne en
die aanneming van wetgewing – om die toestand van openbare sektor-infrastruktuur te
verbeter. Dit stel onder andere die konsep “infrastruktuurverslagkaart” bekend en beskryf
hoe dit in Suid-Afrika toegepas is. Dit beklemtoon ook huidige tekste oor infrastruktuurbatebestuur
en stel ’n paar voorbeelde van infrastruktuur-batebestuurbeplanning voor.
2023-12-01T00:00:00ZA comparison of low-cost housing units for varying climatic regions in South Africa : a knowledge management approachVan Tonder, FrancineRwelamila, P.D.http://hdl.handle.net/2263/947572024-02-20T22:48:30Z2024-01-01T00:00:00ZA comparison of low-cost housing units for varying climatic regions in South Africa : a knowledge management approach
Van Tonder, Francine; Rwelamila, P.D.
PURPOSE – One of the greatest challenges faced by the 1994 post-apartheid government in South Africa is the
housing problem that has persisted for almost 30 years into democracy. Innovation in research and practice is
required to address this problem. This paper aims to discuss the aforementioned objective.
DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH – This paper presents an argument for housing knowledge management as
one part of a much larger system of housing provision and critically compares information variations on one
hypothetical, low-cost housing unit adapted for varying climatic regions. It aims to enquire if there is an overlap
in information.
FINDINGS – The findings do confirm a noteworthy overlap in the information of the varying units. Therefore,
knowledge management of the information would prove effective and may contribute in part to housing
provision.
RESEARCH LIMITATIONS/IMPLICATIONS – The study is limited to assessing the information changes made to the
contract documentation of the housing unit.
SOCIAL IMPLICATIONS – The paper argues that knowledge management of this overlapping information could
impact housing provision by providing knowledge power to those affected by the housing problem.
ORIGINALITY/VALUE – The findings are a unique perspective presented through a knowledge management lens.
In addition, the said knowledge management lens provides a platform to raise additional questions. When
seeking answers to these questions, it is expected that research sub-themes would be identified focussing
further research studies towards finding answers.
This paper emanates from a conference paper that formed part of ‘Architectural, Spatial and Infrastructure Planning, and the Fourth Industrial Revolution’ at the WBC2022 World Building Congress held in Melbourne Australia, 27-30 June.
2024-01-01T00:00:00ZModelling and experimental investigation of a vapor compression system under steady state regimeSanama, ConradXia, Xiaohuahttp://hdl.handle.net/2263/920402023-08-25T22:48:36Z2022-02-01T00:00:00ZModelling and experimental investigation of a vapor compression system under steady state regime
Sanama, Conrad; Xia, Xiaohua
The main objective of this work is to establish a
detailed modelling technique to predict the refrigerant
conditions such as pressure and enthalpy of a Vapor
Compression (VC) system. The steady state modelling
techniques of VC systems suggested in many research works
are usually not easy to reproduce due to lack of detailed
methodology and to the multitude of analytical or
computational schemes that could not be assessed objectively.
This work has addressed this issue by introducing a
modelling method developed from first principles and
adaptable to different type of prediction problems. The
validation of the model results with experiments was
satisfactory. The model outputs such as the refrigerant
evaporating pressure as well as the enthalpy at each junction
are in agreement with experimental data. The proposed
modelling technique could be adopted with other existing
mathematical models of the components of a VC system. The
modelling method could help to determine the optimal
parameters of a VC system used to design and test optimal
control strategies at low cost to improve the system’s
efficiency. This work could also be used for modelling of VC
systems with complex configuration such as systems with
single condenser and multiple evaporators.
2022-02-01T00:00:00ZA model for integrated tourism infrastructure planning in the South African public sectorWall, K.Chettiar, ShamillaLaryea, Samuelhttp://hdl.handle.net/2263/902872024-02-29T09:22:43Z2022-10-01T00:00:00ZA model for integrated tourism infrastructure planning in the South African public sector
Wall, K.; Chettiar, Shamilla; Laryea, Samuel
Tourism infrastructure is considered critical for tourism growth and destination competitiveness. Within the complex South African public sector planning system, the responsibility for infrastructure and tourism planning lies with multiple departments at national, provincial and local government spheres. Tourism infrastructure needs can therefore best be addressed through integrated planning. Private sector investment in tourism infrastructure usually follows public sector investment. This paper presents the results of a qualitative, multimethod study. The research question was: “What are the key elements of a model for integrated tourism infrastructure planning undertaken by the South African public sector?” The study proposes three key elements of the model - a National Tourism Spatial Development Framework: Regional Tourism Masterplans and a Tourism Infrastructure Strategy and Plan. A People component has also emerged as being significant for effectiveness of the model. The study further confirmed that the model will support the integration of tourism, economic, spatial and infrastructure planning and development. Application of this research is intended to integrate public sector tourism infrastructure planning in South Africa which in the long term should yield greater public sector investment, stimulate greater private sector investment, and ultimately support the growth and competitiveness of the tourism sector.
2022-10-01T00:00:00Z