RESEARCH ARTICLES

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    Corporate final nodal destination choices in the exodus from Johannesburg Central Business District
    (International Structural Engineering Construction Conference (ISEC) Press, 2017) Khatleli, Nthatisi
    The opening up of the invisible barriers after the fall of apartheid in South Africa led to massive internal migrations and relocations to bigger cities. Johannesburg as the biggest economic hub not only in South Africa but in Africa, pulled the majority of the new opportunity seekers from across the Africa continent. This uncontrolled influx led to overcrowding, increased crime and grime in the city center of Johannesburg. The loss of value of property in this part of the city led to a lot of corporate organizations relocating to budding economic nodes in and around Johannesburg. The study seeks to understand the processes that were applied in deciding the suitable new Headquarters for these blue chip companies. The new nodes that accommodated the new relocators have over time assumed identities of their own in terms of the type of companies that are mostly found in these areas. Although these identity nuances are not pronounced at first glance, they are accentuated with greater scrutiny. The study sought to see if there is a fit between the independent observation of the characteristics of these locations and the perceived attractors to the blue chip firms. This was achieved by interviewing the executives of these companies and sending emails to some in order to understand the processes and triggers affecting their decisions. It was generally observed that prestige and locational characteristics that complemented the company’s ethos were the overriding triggers in deciding on the final nodal destination.
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    The impact of obsolescence in health public private partnership projects
    (International Structural Engineering Construction Conference (ISEC), 2017) Khatleli, Nthatisi
    Obsolescence is a major challenge in Infrastructure implementation around the world. South Africa has been implementing PPPs close to 20 years now and some of the first projects will soon come to closure as the end of their term is drawing nigh. Obsolescence is generally mitigated by stipulating that there should be a general overhaul of the facility very close to the end of term in order to preserve and elongate the economic life of the project. However, the health projects are very much dependent on the ever-changing technological developments for their optimal performance. Some of the new technological equipment might require infrastructural adaptations. Through interviewing designers, managers and clients the research sought to garner information that could be helpful for future projects in this sector and that could be adapted to other sectors as well. Although it was found that obsolescence was not properly catered for, the experiences of the aforementioned respondents were valuable in proposing general considerations in future projects. It is hoped that lessons will be instructive and beneficial to the other countries which are new to the PPP procurement method, especially when it comes to the implementation of the health facilities.
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    How Rapid Urbanisation, Neighbourhood Management Affects Living Conditions. A Survey of Agege Local Government Area, Lagos, Nigeria
    (Canadian Center of Science and Education, 2014-11-23) Ijasan1, K.C.; Ogunro, V. O.
    This paper explores the issues around urbanisation, neighbourhood degeneration and its effects on the living condition on the residents of Agege area of Lagos, Nigeria. This paper traces the historical background of the area, examines the meaning of neighbourhood degeneration and explores factors responsible for neighbourhood degeneration. The paper adopts quantitative data collection strategies of investigation, and compares these with past literature on the issue. From the survey of 120 households in the area, the study realized street hooliganism; destitution, bad roads and considerable inequality in the distribution of wealth as the greatest problems in the area. It concluded on the need for holistic approach by government to fast-track housing conditions improvement in the entire areas. Moreover, the redevelopment of the area needs to be community-led participatory planning where all stakeholders harness ideas that can be used to improve the present situation of the area.