Browsing by Author "Ntuli, Bonga."
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Item Drugs and substance abuse prevention through an awareness and skills development centre for Chatsworth.(2016) Chetty, Ronelle.; Ntuli, Bonga.Many programmes have been developed to address the pandemic of drugs and substance abuse amongst young people. All of these initiatives differ in terms of their objectives and nature of the organisations to provide services and strategies to curb drugs and substance abuse. Some initiatives are focussed on the post effects through rehabilitation and therapy, whilst others attempt to reduce the supply and availability of drugs through law enforcement. Still others are focused on changing policy and legislature to legitimise the use of drugs, and provide users over the age of 18 with special legal rights. This research is based on drug and substance abuse amongst the youth. Since the effect of drugs and substance abuse amongst young people and children differs significantly to that of adults, any of the approaches will be biased against young people. Therefore, this dissertation is focused fundamentally on the primary early intervention and prevention of drugs and substance abuse. The literature examines the damaging effects of drugs and substance abuse amongst the youth, both globally and locally. Primary prevention is one of the most sought-after approaches when dealing with adolescents. In order to pursue this approach, more positive elements need to be implemented in both individuals and their environments. This could be a step forward in reducing the perils of drug abuse and in building a more resilient youth. To further best develop an appropriate design response to this social issue, the research looks at social theory and its connection to architecture. Architecture’s obligation is to be the catalyst for this social interaction. Through design, the creation of connected environments in the urban realm must come from knowledgeable decisions, so that they may be useful to the community at large. There is nothing superfluous about this approach. Rather, it adopts the notion that architecture has a social function – that addressing the needs of people or society is of primary concern. There are many people working in the area of Chatsworth to implement various programs that create awareness and prevention of drugs and substance abuse. The simple introduction of a youth facility within the area can help initiate a platform that further encourages a positive and supportive environment to these prevention initiatives. There are currently multiple initiatives that are operational to curb the drug and substance abuse issue. However, none of these can be deemed as efficient. In dealing with the abuse of drugs amongst youth, the ideal and most effective approach would be to promote primary prevention.Item Exploring solar energy design systems in peri-urban settlements for responsive architecture: towards the design of a multipurpose upcycling skills centre in Cato Manor.(2019) Bayat, Shuaib.; Ntuli, Bonga.Presently, cities are faced with escalating global economic and social challenges in peri-urban settlements. Despite the severity of these challenges, there remains an urgent need to incorporate sustainable development approaches within urban and peri-urban municipal structural model. Together with environmental concerns, sustainable development approaches also need to include strategies to improve socio-economic issues. South African cities have inherited the burden of the apartheid city dominance, as seen by the continued urban and spatial segregation. Since the South African post-apartheid governance, the current approaches implemented towards urban and periurban development have only aggravated the issues leading to the inefficiency of modern South African cities. Within the context of the urban fabric, cities are filled with numerous socioeconomic inequalities which prevent the accessibility of basics services for marginalized communities. This is most prevalent in peri-urban areas. This dissertation investigates the possibility of creating an architectural model for developing a solar energy harvested upcycling centre which can contribute to the concept of Liveable Urbanism and ultimately empower insurgent communities to resolving their energy crises, and addressing the various socio-economic and waste pollution challenges they face. Sustainable development is the primary strategy towards Liveable Urbanism, where it is understood as a process which involves leading a society on a development pathway that is social, economic and environmentally sustainable for self-sustenance. This dissertation will further examine how the specific socioeconomic factors shape the vulnerability of the context in the Cato Manor District as an example of a peri-urban area faced with these modern socio-economic challenges. The theoretical framework of “Sustainable Development” will justify the concept of Liveable Urbanism and will include a literature research to highlight the current socio-economic challenges within these disadvantaged communities.Item Exploring the influence of traditional healing practice to space and form: a design towards a traditional healing centre in KZN.(2019) Khuzwayo, Siyabonga Wiseman.; Mthethwa, Majahamahle Nene.; Ntuli, Bonga.The World Health Organization defines traditional healing as ‘health practices, approaches, knowledge and beliefs incorporating plant, animal and mineral based medicines, spiritual therapies, manual techniques and exercises, applied singularly or in combination to treat, diagnose and prevent illnesses or maintain well-being’. Furthermore, this holistic type of healing, which is also loosely referred to as folk medicine, ethno-medicine or native healing is the oldest form of healing in which Nguni healers relied on to treat diseases long before the era of civilization. However, due to the discoveries of African colonies which instigated regulatory laws, advances in modern technology and exposure to global trends, this form of healing carries a negative connotation of being regarded as irrational, uncertified and a perilous alternative form of healing in the contemporary era. This body of works intends to focus on deciphering the notion of traditional healing, with the aim of ascertaining how architectural design can pose as a medium for furnishing the traditional healing entity with meaningful spaces and built-form that relates to the contemporary era and also investigate how architectural design can be utilized as a tool to change the negative connotation that is associated with the realm of traditional healing in the contemporary era, whilst preserving the African indigenous values, cultures, and beliefs.Item The role of architecture in providing physical & social wellbeing for the youth: a proposed youth centre in Wentworth Durban.(2018) Sutherland, Ryan Patrick.; Luckan, Yashaen.; Ntuli, Bonga.Youth Centres have been proven to promote physical and social wellbeing amongst modern youth. Previous research has proven the importance of architecture in community empowerment as mediator between user and surrounding environment. Offering great potential in economic, cognitive, physical and social development for disadvantaged youth. This research will explore the potential of a youth centre in the Wentworth Township. Situated in the industrious back of port South Durban Basin. The lush natural environment, thriving petro-chemical industry, lack of basic health amenities and excessive crime rates present interesting and challenging discussions for research. The overburdened low-income youth are challenged with great social deterrents however offer unwavering potential in their local interests. Limited government aided skills development and youth facilities have resulted in current negative socio-economic activities amongst Wentworth youth. The research to follow will engage scarce youth spaces and related popular peripheries. Exploring existing local and international literature for proposing the design of a youth centre that pro-actively participates in the lives of the youth. Stimulating local youth culture, economic empowerment and holistic development through architectural design. Limited local research carried out in South African youth centre typologies present potential for development of a local framework for inspired and appropriate youth spaces. Dealing with the specifics of the township and greater South African context. Engaging unemployment, hopelessness, scarce basic amenities, skills development, substance abuse and other related social dilemmas that exist because of poverty. The research to follow will analyse the social and built environment within a context specific theoretical and conceptual framework. Determining the role of architecture in youth wellbeing by establishing specific architectural design principles, for designing youth spaces in Wentworth. Place, culture and empowerment theories form a framework for analysing the local urban and social fabric. Concepts of youth culture, proactive design strategy and dreamscaping will orientate methods of response to potentials, and challenges established based on relevant case studies. Incorporating qualitative analysis of both primary and secondary data for the support of outcomes.Item Sustainable construction strategies and materials as a driver for built form: proposed skills development centre in KwaXimba, KZN.(2020) Mathe, Ncomekile.; Ntuli, Bonga.; Mthethwa, Majahamahle Nene.In the past, people built their dwelling houses and surroundings with available materials from their residing regions. The materials were harvested locally, affordable and environmentally friendly, resulting in sustainable development. Indigenous communities established knowledge systems to use their local materials known as Indigenous Knowledge System (IKS). However, the industrial revolution introduced industrialised materials and rejection of indigenous & sustainable construction materials and strategies (SCSM) emerged. As a result; the knowledge of SCSM is slowly eroding and failure to transmit it to younger generation will lead to an unsustainable environment and loss of historical culture. Also, the loss of skills adversely impacts community resilience as it contributes to unemployment and poverty. Consequently, industrialised materials are utilised for construction incorrectly and place people’s health in danger. The phenomenon also results in a built environment lacking cultural identity. KwaXimba, KZN experiences a high rate of unemployment caused by a lack of skills among the youths. However, indigenous SCSM is undervalued but could bring a sustainable environment in underdeveloped communities. The purpose of the study is to inform the built form: architectural and urban design, that revitalising sustainable construction strategies and materials could promote education, transfer of indigenous knowledge to the youths, preserve historical culture and accomplish community resilience through skills development centre. The study employed the use of secondary data; current literature was reviewed, and the main findings were analysed and validated against selected precedents and case studies at both global and local contexts. Also, semi-structured interviews with professional architects were conducted. The semi-structured focus group interviews with youth and old participants in rural regions of KwaXimba, KZN were also conducted. The conclusions are based on the research findings and principles for implementation in a suitable skill development centre in KwaXimba, KZN were developed. The approaches towards the built form that promote community resilience can be established through the creation of interactive spaces for cultural activities expressing local cultural identity. The traditional urban and architectural designs principles can resolve the issue through the symbiosis principles which interprets indigenous elements, including construction materials and strategies, in a contemporary manner. Therefore, IKS can be preserved through this principle. Furthermore, community engagement during construction guarantees the community ownership of the building or intervention. Thus, the skills development centre should leave a gap for the community to add their signature to the building through selected construction materials & strategies and created spaces or building functions. Then it will create a strong sense of belonging and cultural identity.Item Symbolising pride and culture in a democracy space : proposed KwaZulu-Natal Legislature.(2011) Ntuli, Bonga.; Mthethwa, Majahamahle Nene.KwaZulu Natal Legislature is an organization that requires office holders who can exercise authority, speak on its behalf, administer its business and serve its members and most importantly public affairs. Its functions are divided among elected officers, who are Members of Parliament, and the permanent officers and their staff who are employed for the House. Currently KwaZulu Natal (KZN) is in a transition period whereby the original legislative and administrative structures are still in place and operational. However the problem has been the recent amount of pressures of the new dispensation. The province is in a strange and unique situation whereby we have a parliament at Ulundi that operates as the original house of assembly operating designed for (black) governance and now a Pietermaritzburg High Court with its own Assembly house and administrative department both operating concurrently. The political problems that have risen are immense and have caused huge turmoil between the two leading political parties in the region that is the African National Congress (ANC) and Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP). As a result there were problems of duplication of staff between the two assembly houses, a duplication of services, resources. This situation has affected the local government's financial situation by having to split the salaries, benefits and additional expenses. The region of KwaZulu-Natal has for years been operating like three provinces in one. [Provincial task report team-The provincial administration of KwaZulu Natal, 1997]. Discussions of a single provincial legislature continue, but few issues have arisen like the acknowledgement of traditional leaders and arguments about where the provincial capital should be. Furthermore this has delayed the processes of drafting the provincial constitution.The shortage of space has recently been the major contributor to sudden urge for the need for a new legislature building. The Pietermaritzburg complex is currently being scattered along Langalibalele Street, with the debating chamber on one side and the administrative building located across the street. Further down is the office of the Premier. The sudden increase of the local government service structure has furthermore increased a definite need for the new building that will aim to address the current issues. It is therefore crucial for the Legislature Buildings to express the new socio-cultural paradigm that has emerged in KZN. [South Africa Report, 1995]