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Revitalising the urban fabric : transforming informal settlements through urban interiors and public interest design

Mini Dissertation (MInt (Prof))--University of Pretoria, 2024.

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Other Authors: Combrinck, Carin
Format: Thesis
Language:English
Published: University of Pretoria 2024
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access_status_str Open Access
author2 Combrinck, Carin
author_browse Combrinck, Carin
author_facet Combrinck, Carin
collection Thesis
dc_rights_str_mv © 2023 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria.
description Mini Dissertation (MInt (Prof))--University of Pretoria, 2024.
format Thesis
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institution University of Pretoria (South Africa)
language English
last_indexed 2026-06-10T12:38:54.752Z
license_str Other — see source repository
provenance_str_mv Harvested via OAI-PMH from UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository
publishDate 2024
publishDateRange 2024
publishDateSort 2024
publisher University of Pretoria
publisherStr University of Pretoria
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source_str UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository
spelling oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/99966 Revitalising the urban fabric : transforming informal settlements through urban interiors and public interest design Combrinck, Carin larameissnerroloff@gmail.com Meissner-Roloff, Lara UCTD Public Interest Design Mini Dissertation (MInt (Prof))--University of Pretoria, 2024. The rapid urbanisation in developing countries has led to sprawling informal settlements often lacking adequate infrastructure, services, and planning. Despite their resilience and adaptability, these communities are typically viewed through a deficit lens, highlighting challenges rather than innovative solutions. In South Africa’s informal settlements, the concept of urban interiority is often overlooked, creating a gap in understanding how these spaces function within the broader urban fabric. Current urban planning and policy frameworks predominantly adopt top-down approaches, neglecting the local ingenuity and resourcefulness inherent in these settlements. This study adopted a mixed-methods approach within the pragmatic paradigm, primarily focusing on qualitative methods to comprehend human behavior. Narrative analysis and action research were used for data collection, including gameplay during fieldwork, focus groups, semi-structured informal interviews, and questionnaires. Principles of Public Interest Design (PID) were applied to engage directly with community members, ensuring their voices and experiences were integral to the research process. The Human Scale Development (HSD) matrix identified fundamental human needs such as subsistence, protection, participation, and affection. The concept of Urban Interiority (UI) was explored to understand how residents creatively adapt and transform their living spaces to foster social bonds and enhance their quality of life. The findings reveal that the residents of Melusi engage in dynamic and innovative practices to adapt their living environments, demonstrating a profound understanding of urban interiority. The study highlights the significance of inclusive and participatory design approaches, showcasing how adaptive reuse of spaces and economic empowerment contribute to long-term community resilience and sustainability. This study concludes that urban interiority within informal settlements strongly exists and that it fosters community resilience, adaptability, and social cohesion. It calls for a shift from top-down approaches to inclusive methodologies that recognise and value the contributions of informal settlements to the broader urban fabric. Architecture MInt (Prof) Unrestricted Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology SDG-03: Good health and well-being SDG-11: Sustainable cities and communities 2024-12-12T12:00:45Z 2024-12-12T12:00:45Z 2025-04 2024-06-28 Mini Dissertation * A2025 http://hdl.handle.net/2263/99966 10.25403/UPresearchdata.27330717 en © 2023 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. application/pdf University of Pretoria
spellingShingle UCTD
Public Interest Design
Revitalising the urban fabric : transforming informal settlements through urban interiors and public interest design
title Revitalising the urban fabric : transforming informal settlements through urban interiors and public interest design
title_full Revitalising the urban fabric : transforming informal settlements through urban interiors and public interest design
title_fullStr Revitalising the urban fabric : transforming informal settlements through urban interiors and public interest design
title_full_unstemmed Revitalising the urban fabric : transforming informal settlements through urban interiors and public interest design
title_short Revitalising the urban fabric : transforming informal settlements through urban interiors and public interest design
title_sort revitalising the urban fabric transforming informal settlements through urban interiors and public interest design
topic UCTD
Public Interest Design
url http://hdl.handle.net/2263/99966