A sustainable architectural approach towards energy: through a renewable energy research facility on the Durban harbour.

Abstract

With population increase placing a strain on natural resources, so comes the energy demand. Energy is a necessity however; the energy demand has resulted in a rapid depletion of non-renewable resources. This increase in energy consumption is seen within the industrial sector of South Africa. The lack of social consciousness and research on sustainable energy development has contributed to the biophysical and socio-economic challenges within the industrial sector of South Africa, namely the Durban Harbour. This dissertation will analyse the biophysical and socio-economic challenges that have resulted in the development of energy within the Durban Harbour and how sustainable development has contributed to the city’s green economic growth. The theoretical and conceptual framework of sustainability, hedonistic sustainability and hybridity, will aid the proposal in establishing a balance between renewable energy development and sustainable architecture within the Durban Harbour. A sustainable architectural model will be explored as a renewable energy research facility, that will be used as a tool to establish a social link through education and research, to create an interdependency on hybrid sustainable energy development, and mitigate biophysical and socio-economic challenges.