Sport as a catalyst for rural youth development: a proposed sports centre for Ndwedwe.
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Date
2016
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Abstract
This dissertation investigates how Sports and Architecture can be used to alleviate the
challenges of youth in rural areas and create a catalyst for their personal and social
development. The focus of this research study is Ndwedwe, a rural town in Kwa Zulu
Natal, South Africa.
Empowerment, Place Theory, Placemaking and Ecological Systems Theory were
investigated to develop a theoretical framework to inform the design. To fulfill the
objectives of this research study literature on Sports; Youth development; and the
potential Social, Economic and Physical impact of Sports Facilities on rural
development were investigated to develop criteria to analyze precedents, case studies
and data from key informants.
The outcomes of this research were that Sport and Architecture can be used to
catalyse the development of rural youth by applying a strategy of Positive Youth
Development. Sport provides the structured activity to engage and inspire the youth
and is integrated with tailored development programs to address their individual
needs.
Rural areas have a lack of facilities that can act as social hubs for the community. A
Sports Centre that is designed to be accessible, inclusionary and includes a variety of
community services and activities can act as a social hub for the community improving
social cohesion.
Rural areas are characterised by poor local economies. The Sports Centre can have a
positive Economic impact attracting spending from outside the community by
including revenue earning services such as Tourism and providing economic
opportunities for the local economy by including market and trading spaces.
Rural areas are generally sparsely populated. Sport spaces can attract people in
sufficient numbers to generate the appropriate density required for other
developments. Physical impacts can be achieved by an appropriate urban design
response creating linkages with other key locations in the context as well as coordinating
the development of associated land uses in entertainment, dining and the
service sector.
The conclusions and recommendations of this research provides guidelines for the
appropriate architectural and urban design response to formulate a design solution for
rural areas in Kwa-zulu Natal, South Africa.
Description
Master’s Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.