Koketso Mohale

An urban renewal project that focuses on rebuilding the economy of Tzaneen by revitalizing old buildings. The main driver of the town is farming and now some farms are being abandoned the same way as these buildings.

Buildings in a small town such as Tzaneen show a lack of concerns about Green Building and environmental consciousness. Old malls and shopping centres are abandoned for newer and fashionable shopping centres with no sign of regenerating and renewing the abandoned economy. This leaves room for informal traders to operate in these abandoned spaces, leading to a decrease in property value within the economic hub of the Town.

This project investigates the different methods of urban regeneration and explores theories in relation to Sustainability, Environmental Ecology, and green design, to develop a solution that could help in re-generating abandoned urban spaces. By designing a building that would help revive the farming industry which would have an immediate and contextual economic impact on the town. By exploring the current activities that are on the site, this project will further look at options to have an inclusive program for the informal traders as part of the solution to creating a well-balanced, inclusive, and vibrant economic hub.