Ukubutha-Towards a New Social Architecture in South African Townships

This thesis seeks to investigate an underdeveloped urban community on the periphery of a former township in Pretoria, South Africa. The community is situated along the border of Mamelodi, one the oldest and seventh biggest township in the country. The township was created under the Apartheid regime specifically for the alienation of physical race and culture residential divisions. Although vibrant with economic and social activity, thousands of people on the site have limited access to adequate sanitation or water, and have no electricity. Ukubutha is a Zulu term meaning to ‘gather’. The project name describes the intentions of an architectural response to crisis. The role of architecture is to mediate between the social needs of township communities without formal access to water, or sanitation and electricity. Although the South African crisis revolves around water and sanitation, Ukubutha recognizes the interconnectedness of needs and activities that improve standards of living.