David Pillay

In the progress towards defining the urban environments of modern-day South Africa, the remnant history of separate development has so deeply disrupted the equality between our communities than they remain a challenge today. While there are efforts towards seeking a balance between communities, identified in the City of Johannesburg’s nodal development schemes, the approach through which they are carried out may be exhibiting limiting results. The typical strategy of these schemes favors the principles of equal development, and consequently, equal infrastructure through which this is implemented. However, the infrastructure which perform essential functions often become stuck in their original orders and neglect the opportunity to adapt and evolve to the context and history of the populations they serve. Within this research report, the City of Johannesburg’s development of Jabulani, Soweto, will be assessed and their need for improved facilities and access within primary schools will be highlighted and addressed through an architectural intervention which reimagines educational space around the principle of equity.