Sports architecture as a catalyst for social revitalisation: towards a multipurpose sports facility for KwaDukuza.

Abstract

The purpose of this dissertation is to determine the impact of lack of social revitalisation as a problem to the urban context. This dissertation will therefore investigate the significance of sport in society and the built form, and how it can affect the relationship between people and space by its overall social, economic, and architectural responses to the urban context. The aim of this research topic is to understand how ’sports architecture can be a catalyst for Social Revitalisation in the urban context of KwaDukuza how to revitalise it via a catalytic tool of sport in the aid of an architectural response in the built form. The objectives of this research will suggest outcomes of how an architectural response such as a Multipurpose Sporting Facility will address issues centred on community of KwaDukuza to catalyse urban revitalisation. These responses to the social, urban, and architectural aspects of social revitalization will be harnessed by a thorough investigative study of theories, concepts, literature, precedent studies and relevant fieldwork in the form of questionnaires and interviews that will enforce the ideal approach and design guidelines towards Multipurpose Sports Facility. It was found that sport does have a positive role in Social Revitalisation. The research showed that not only does sport unite people and break down social barriers, but the built environment in which sport takes place can greatly affect how successful the integration is.