Exploring food security as a catalyst for the adaptive reuse of architecture towards an agricultural hub in the inner city of Durban.
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Date
2019
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Abstract
Currently over half of South Africa’s population lives in urban areas and this number is
projected to continually increase. As a result, cities are exploring sustainability and resilience
as a method for future development. “Zero Hunger” is one of the most important Sustainable
Development Goals established by the United Nations. Although the availability of food in
Durban is abundant, issues of accessibility, stability and utilisation are evident as a result of
socio-economic, environmental and built form adversities. In conjunction, urban decay in the
inner city is a growing challenge, fuelled by the impact of a lack of transformation,
specifically in postmodern and apartheid city planning.
The aim of this dissertation is to explore aspects of food security as a generator for
revitalising and regenerating obsolete buildings. This research uses the theory and concept of
resilience as a primary base for establishing a link between issues of food security, and the
decay and underutilization of existing buildings. Previous works and current policies
regarding food security in South Africa are outdated and documentation on resilience in
Durban focuses on the peri-urban and rural domains failing to address these issues within
inner-city environments.
The research for this study follows a qualitative approach. Relevant literature and precedent
studies are investigated to determine functions for food security and strategies for adaptive
reuse. Local case studies are explored, through personally conducted interviews with local
fresh produce traders, and project leaders involved with inner city regeneration, as a means
for understanding these concepts in the context of Durban.
The research shows that dimensions of food security can be linked to various elements of
Durban’s socio-economic, environmental and built-form capacity. In addition, underutilised
space can be repurposed as a platform for localised jobs, employment and skills, imperitive
for improving food security. This calls for an agricultural hub which can facilitate functions for
business start ups, small to medium agricultural producers, informal fresh produce traders
and people vulnerable to food security for an improved quality of life.
Description
Masters Degree in Architecture. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.