The adaptive reuse of lost and wasted spaces within the eThekwini Municipality : a case study of the Durban Esplanade and The Point .
Loading...
Date
2012
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
This research study addresses the issues associated with lost and wasted urban spaces.
Lost and wasted spaces refer to areas which have no human activity or proper human
interaction. They are the leftover unstructured landscape at the base of buildings. They
also include abandoned buildings, waterfronts, train yards, vacated military sites, and
industrial complexes. The research outlines the causes of lost and wasted urban spaces
which occur within the eThekwini Municipality and urbanised spaces in general. Through
the use of case studies and precedent studies, the research study investigates the various
techniques, technological advances and approaches that could alleviate wasted spaces in
the city. The Durban Esplanade and Point Waterfront development constitute the main
case study areas; however, to fully understand how and why lost and wasted spaces occur
within the urban environment, various other spaces which make up the cityscape were
also investigated. For example, the city transport infrastructure and green spaces do not
form part of the case studies, but have been included as part of the research into lost and
wasted spaces.
The research study seeks to take the issue of lost and wasted urban spaces a step further
by combining it with issues related to sustainability. Through the use of the case studies,
various possible solutions and alternatives to the alleviation of lost and wasted urban
spaces are outlined and investigated. Examples of how lost and wasted urban spaces
could be transformed from problem areas to spaces of opportunity are also explored. This
was achieved by making use of computer-aided design and graphic illustrations to indicate
the possible solutions that could form part of a holistic approach to the issues surrounding
lost and wasted spaces in the built environment. The current planning legislation is
outlined in order to provide a thorough understanding of the interconnection between environmental and sustainability issues which relate directly to the cause of lost and
wasted spaces. Furthermore, the research study highlights the involvement of various built
environment disciplines, including planners, architects and urban designers and
investigates their role in the alleviation of lost and wasted urban space.
Description
M.T.R.P. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2012.
Keywords
Space (Architecture)--KwaZulu-Natal--Durban., City planning--KwaZulu-Natal--Durban--Designs and plans., Urban renewal--KwaZulu-Natal--Durban., Domestic space--KwaZulu-Natal--Durban., Land use--KwaZulu-Natal--Durban., Urbanization--KwaZulu-Natal--Durban., Theses--Town and regional planning.