A market and urban farm for the empowerment of women street traders in the Tshwane CBD

Abstract

The informal economy is growing at a rate at which the formal economy is failing to accommodate workers and opportunities. This phenomenon can no longer be seen as just a temporary condition. Although arising from the failure of the formal, the informal could be the way to urban resilience in that it supports and promotes local economies, brings social capital as well income generation. It is adaptable, flexible and always responsive to the current condition using very little, often recycled means. The concept of architecture as infrastructure was explored in order to design a building that would be a valuable resource in the Bosman Street Station Precinct in the Tshwane CBD. The idea of urban farming in this context was explored as a way to also address the growing food security concerns affecting the poor and vulnerable. The project aims to be an empowerment tool for women street traders. Women are the most marginalised members of this sector, often being pushed into small-scale survivalist activities due to the many household and childcare responsibilities. Women street traders often have more challenges than their male counterparts such has being seen as easier targets for crime as well as harassment. Mother street traders often have to take their children to work. The aim of this dissertation is for the design of a safe market space for women street traders which also has play learn areas suited to small children.