Thesis process video submission

A video submission of the current thesis process. There was a strict 4-minute restriction to summarize the overall narrative of the thesis process upto this stage of the project. 

A starting point. Levels of intervention and healing

The socio-spatial wounds of Fietas may be viewed as existing at varying scales. Thus opportunity exists to intervening at different scales. 

Intervening at varying scales may be considered as a multi-level treatment to the spatial woundedness. Through considering the built environment in terms of levels, as well noting the various agents that are active on those levels enables one to also place oneself in the relevant position to intervene. 

While the city of Johannesburg has an overall vision for the city, setting the guidelines (such as the corridors of freedom development) for the levels below, for the sake of this project, the delimitation of intervention are within the neighbourhood scale of Pageview and Vrededorp.

 A starting point

The public realm, the shared spaces of the neighborhood of Fietas is the starting point for intervention in healing the socio-spatial wounds. This refers to the shared spaces at a neighbourhood scale. 

Whilst being on major routes to and through the city, the neighbourhood is not programattically benefiting from that proximity. These are factors are all seen as opportunities in seeking to design towards a sens of spatial balance and well-being, healing the spatial wounds of the neighborhood. 

The demolished sites that remain also hold potential in being redeveloped and offer opportunities for new spatial and programmatic interventions relevant to the context. These also hold opportunities to capture and spatially represent the rich history of the neighbourhood.  

Neighborhood Framework

In considering the notion of “comprehensive” treatment, a multi-layered approach is adopted in the proposals at an urban scale.

Among these layers include the first stages of development taking place within the major routes of Fietas (8th, 14th and 17th street moving from East and West,, as well as Krause, De-la-rey and Solomon Street from North and South). These major routes frame smaller “sub-neighbourhoods” within Fietas which all bear a unique and distinct character, while also serving as linkages.

Developments meeting at an intersection provide opportunity for mixed use developments, The intersection on 8th Street and Krause street is where one finds opportunity for intervention.

The process of healing a wound

In considering the notion of “Healing” the socio-spatial wounds of Fietas, one considers the idea of healing as a process.  Healing may be understood as meaning to restore something to a sound, stable condition (Webster). 

In the experience of a deep wound, the sking undergoes an autonomous process of healing and restoring itself. To facilitate this natural process of the skin healing itself, and to ensure greater success at restoration, various catalysts are used. 

Catalysts such as band-aids, plasters, casts, stitching, ointment, etc are used not necessarily due to any healing properties they inherently have, but rather because of their catalytic effect to fast-track the body’s natural systems of healing. These catalysts bear the largest effect in the first stage of healing, (Hemostasis) in which the body reacts to stop blood loss and begin repairing the skin. 

The notion of healing may be considered as a metaphore to describe the response to the socio-spatial woundedness existent in Fietas. In responding to the socio-spatial wounds in Fietas, architecture may be considered as a catalyst to facilitate the healing process.

In instances of severe physical wounds, the resultant trauma calls for relieving not just the physical wounds, but the psychological effects of the wounds also. A comprehensive healing approach is thus followed in such instances, to deal with the long terms effects. 

Comprehensive healing refers to a multifaceted, systematic appraoch to dealing with the results of a variety of health issues, from substance abuse, to cancer. The notion of comprehensive healing may also be borrowed as a metaphor, in referring to an approach to healing that attempts to go further than the surface of a condition, but also the resultant effects thereof. 

Focused Design intention

After the spatial exploration exercises, I decided to take a bit of a step back to focus my overall design intention more. While I found myself responding on a number of various things things, I had not yet fixed on one overall design intent, which was making it slightly difficult to progress. 

From the exercises, I considered what was driving the various decisions being made. 

Substance abuse and it's impacts in Fietas.  

From the number of site visits and interaction with residents at the Jan Hofmeyer community center, as well as through an unscripted documentary on the neighborhood, I found that substance abuse has been a contributing factor to the various difficulties in Fietas. 

Responding to this condition has been a major driver in the intent to explore how architecture can respond to the social opportunities. 

I consider what are some of the major causes behind some issue of substance abuse in Fietas. Understanding that architecture may not necessarily be the solution to all the problems of the neighbourhood, 

I considered which of the contributing factors have spatial implications (Orange dots). This is where I see opportunity for intervention. 

One of the major cause of the substance abuse, both in Johannesburg and in Fietas in particular is largely due to what is termed "Post-apartheid Woundedness." This was supported by an article I read on the subject of Youth “Woundedness” and the substance abuse crises in South Africa. Below are a few quotes from it:

"While there are many factors contributing to this state of affairs (generally), we must apportion some of this to the “woundedness” of our nation, post – apartheid...

Substance abuse is a national crisis threatening the very fabric of our society. In responding to this crisis, we need to address our “woundedness”."

Youth “Woundedness” and the substance abuse crises in South Africa – A contribution towards understanding this “Wicked” Problem! - Jerome September, Youth Connector at the Citizens Movement

What became particularly interesting with Fietas is that the "woundedness" (caused by the demolitions under the apartheid group areas act) caused not only the social woundedness, but it is also very evident spatially.

Socio-spatial woundedness in Fietas, the scars of the apartheid demolitions of the 1970's

The "social woundedness" that exists in Fietas (substance abuse, crime etc) is very related to the what caused the "spatial woundedness" (decay, void spaces) also. The scars that remain are not only emotional scars, but also spacial.

The demolitions which took place drastically altered the condition of the previously thriving, multiracial neighborhood.

A bit of Fietas, before the demolitions of the 1970's

These considerations, in getting a better understanding of the real nature and cause of the substance abuse ni Fietas, as well as its related conditions, helped focus the design question in arriving at a relevant architectural intervention:

In considering this question, I look to address the spatial woundedness found in Fietas, in view of the fact that it is also associated with some of the social conditions found in the neighborhood.

I consider the intervention metaphorically as being a catalyst: In the same way a bandage doesn't necessarily heal a wound, but is necessary to facilitate the body's natural process of healing,

This idea is to be explored further.

Site visits & Updates:

Site visits and update 

Site visit 3-4
To gain entrance into the community and find out more about the social aspects, I got a chance to volunteer at the Jan Hofmeyer community center (Soup Kitchen). This was my tool for immersing myself into the site. 

Jan Hofmeyer Community Services Board 

A bit about the community services

• Founded in 2000 by Frances Botha and Rosaline Wallace (Residents of Fietas)
• Non-Profit Company Serving residents of Jan Hofmeyer, Vredepark and Vrededorp neighbourhoods
• Soup Kitchen Serves 350 people (ave.) daily
• From young children to elderly residents. 

Change Agents

The community center appears to serve a valuable role in the neighbourhood. In providing a daily meal for the residents, the center seeks to make a positive contribution to the neighbourhood and residents. 

The managers at the centre see themselves as agents of positive change in the Fietas. 

“Even If we can make a change in the life of one person, that goes a long way...”

-Rosaline -  Owner at the soup kitchen

Jan Hofmeyer Community Services. various initiatives serving residents

From a few of the community members spoken to at the soup kitchen, as well as from the the volunteers at the centre, I received a deeper insight into the various issues faced by the community as well as where some of the issues happen. 

Substance abuse. 

Substance abuse seems to stand out as a prevalent issue related to the various challenges in the neighborhood.

Visiting the centre a few times has been a great help in learning more about Fietas, more especially with regards to the social realities in Fietas

Opportunities for intervention

A few points/ findings that seem to stand out from the engagement with the community 

• The crime and drug condition
• Majority of young people being unemployed
• A reported sense of entitlement among a number of local residents
• Discouraging environment and public realm
• Prevalence of elderly people 

Another Opportunity: 8th Street, Active transport route and
early stages of Corridors of Freedom development. 

 From Here

From here I look to going deeper into considering these conditions, their causes and possible responses. In breaking them down I intend to consider which of them have spatial implications and opportunities to intervene. 

Site Visit 2: Lunch time activity

Site visit: 11:30 - 13:00, Tuesday 

Just got back from another site visit. Going into it, the main intention was to try and identify the social patterns/ systems taking place around the site.

What I did

• Started of by taking a walk around the possible sites to find out who were the main actors around the immediate site. Taking photo's along the way. 

• At first I only saw people passing through the site (with very little other activity), and decided to take another walk around the neighborhood.
• In this second walk, I started documenting what activities were taking place on the plots that were left over after the demolitions from the forced removals, hoping to find further clues.

Things I found 
There are various trades/ industries within Fietas that use some of the old plots to operate their businesses. A discussion with a carpenter revealed a broader network of those who work within various trades and how they interact with each other and the rest of the neighborhood. 

Activities on previously left over sites:

• Dumping 
• Carpenters workshop
• Vacant/ Closed off and unused 
• Scrap yards
• Mechanic/ Car repair
• Brick yard
• New private developments 
• Outdoor "social" activities. (Gathering, drinking, drying yards)
• Pedestrian Shortcuts

Interesting encounter

I then went back to my initial possible site to further observe activity, sitting down to sketch what activities I saw and record peoples activities. 

While sketching, 2 of the local residents passing by paused to see what I was doing. This was somewhat of a breakthrough opportunity. This discussion was possibly the most fruitful part of the site visit. 

Patric and Dirkie
Through the discussion with the 2 residents, I got to find out the the most about the locals and their practices. 

• Long time residents of Fietas, 20-30 years 
• Staying in flats adjacent to the possible

Walk up residential, home to some residents who eat at the soup kitchen 

• Related to the Community Center worked with previously in the FADA joint community project. 
• Because it was around lunch time, a number of the local residents came out to go to the soup kitchen for an afternoon meal. These are very familiar to each other and I was introduced to some of them. 
• Through the impromptu discussion with the residents, one found clues to a greater network, not easily seen at the surface level. "I can show you where all the other young people.

Sketch of Dirkie from memory

• I was welcome back to the community centre and to Dirkies private residents for the next site visit. "I can show you where all the things are happening..."
• A number of the local residents are skilled and able. (Trade abilities, various skills, bilingual). Although the environment offers very little opportunity.

Serious social challenges

From the discussion, one found out more about a few of the social challenges prevalent in Fietas. 

• "Be careful, or they will rob you"
• A majority of young people are engaged in drugs and associated crimes to support their habits. 
• Crime. One of the residents had been recently robbed, (across from the cemetery) a seemingly prevalent issue.

Opportunities

From my interaction with the few local residents, I see opportunities for exploration in the network of residents who get their afternoon meal at the soup kitchen, most especially young people.

• Contacts made offer opportunity for first hand experiences with locals
• The fact that much of this activity  was taking place immediately adjacent to the 
• One considers the concern with the nature of some of the issued faced. 

Opportunity for exploration also exists in the various trades/ industries that operate on the vacant sites within the Fietas neigbourhood. 

Thesis process: Who are the "community"

With my thesis looking at how the social realities of a place can inform architectural design, my challenge now is to identify the social patterns behind Fietas.

In the Ecosystem of Fietas, Who are the agents?

I have been able thus far to look at Fietas objectively (from a distance as an outside observer), but I find myself asking myself who are the people of Fietas, and what are their practices and rituals. 

Basically trying to understand the "software" (socio-cultural systems) behind the "hardware" (built form, and urban fabric) of Fietas. 

One is able to detect clues from the built form as to who the various agents are (i.e. residents, shop owners etc). But this is still very surface. Finding and unpacking the social patterns is the next step...