Sport as a catalyst for rural youth development: a proposed sports centre for Ndwedwe.

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.