Abstract:
Although national and local spatial development frameworks and approaches are satisfactory in their aspirations, very few practices translate down at street levels. This is often more severe within the less affluent urban settings, like Mamelodi. For example, Khalambazo neighborhood in Mamelodi, is severely stunted in its ability to meaningfully contribute to the local cultural-economic futures because it is structurally and spatially limited.
The historic context and fragmented urban relationships do not allow for cultural-economic emergence to spontaneously take place. As an antidote, communal/collective entrepreneurship is often seen as a catalyst which generates livelihood, liveliness and longevity within communities. However, without anchoring the identity of the place, livelihood and liveliness cannot be sustained.
As a means of combating this condition of urban sterility, this dissertation proposes the design of a new communal market & recycling facility within Khalambazo. Through the celebration of the existing and essential characteristics of the market typology coupled with principles of placemaking, this new communal facility offers perspective as to what is possible while working within the lines of the NDA and will act as a precedent for further interventions in similar contexts.
