Thakasani Manqele
Memory Lekgoathi
Designing a responsive environment in ladysmith & OLIEVENHOUTBOSCH
Project Description
VISION: Developing Ladysmith into a distinctive, self-sustainable and modern town that connects a variety of active land use with public space through the site’s history but also possessing multiple qualities of a responsive environment.
AIM: The aim of the proposed concept is to enhance the rich history of Ladysmith to a richer and sustainable future where public space is fully
utilised during the day and night.
Objective
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Enhancing walkability through pavements and esplanades
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Clear front/back distinctions to replace unsuitable buildings
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Diverse secondary uses including nighttime facilities that could accommodate various needs of local residents
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Increasing visual appropriateness by the introduction of contextual and use of cues
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Large focus on buildings located on the corners of important paths to enhance legibility.
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Main Idea of UDF: Ungaz' Ncishi​
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The UDF seeks to produce a sustainable environment and town, using green-roofing as a key element in improving the air quality in the city. Selected buildings will possess this technique due to limited designs of the buildings currently in Ladysmith.
Although all the developed buildings will have this quality as new buildings will be renovated. This green roofing will assists in mitigating water runoff and sewer overloads.
Due to the enhancement of activity that already occurs along Murchison Street, the introduction of public transport lanes and stops is important. This lane will be strictly for public transport and buses will stop in these stops hourly or half hourly dependent on the level of activity.
Sidewalks and pedestrian passages have been included to increase mobility. Robots will play an important role in assuring flow of traffic and mobility in the area.
The change in land use will introduce triple storey buildings and a renovation of the current 2 floor buildings. Mixed land use will allow activity during both the day and night as some restaurants will serve as night clubs.
The same restaurants will consist of outside tables that will allow customers to enjoy fresh air and the visual appropriateness of the town. The use of esplanades and sidewalks along the streets will provide pedestrian safety and accessibility.