Urban Farm

A Community Development Scheme

Ashendran Kuppan

BArch Hons 2021

Supervisors:
Unit Leader: Naadira Patel
Unit Leader: Sarah de Villiers
Unit Assistant: Nothando Lunga

UNIT 18^︎︎︎
Hyperreal Prototypes: Supersurfaces

My MDP is focused on urban farming, an experience through community building. Architectural discourse has often found itself divided between the professionals in the field and the people who inhabit the spaces that are created by architects. The theories that exist in the architectural world create an illustration that the formation of places transcends the material dimension of surfaces and involves characteristics such as sociability, usages, activities, access, connections, comfort, and image, to generate bonds between people and create a sense of place or home.

By digging deeper and critically understanding the Unit's core aim (being Supersurfaces), this broader research project aims to engage with theoretically thinking about space – both public and private, and political, through an architectural intervention and contemporary design. A quote from Invisible Cities by Italian writer and journalist, Italo Calvino: “The eye does not see things but images of things that mean other things.” What is community? What is development?  Community development seeks to empower individuals and groups of people with the skills they have to effect change and growth within their communities.

I have focused my site on the Berea precinct, within the Durban CBD, more specifically the Bulwer Park. Bulwer was originally zoned as residential, however, over time it comprised mixed use developments. The site is positioned adjacent to high volume pedestrian and vehicular movement, in close proximity to educational institutions, working and social hubs. The site houses vendors and traders from within the local Durban community. These traders erect their stalls early every morning to serve the passerbys within Bulwer precinct. The site holds a variety of advantages to allow for better use by the traders as many of them plant their produce on the ground next to their stalls to allow for freshness throughout the day.

The project aims to create a space that allows community members to congregate harmoniously and peacefully, a space that allows one to feel safe and at one with nature, but will also serve as a source of income to those within the community, increasing jobs and improving livelihoods.

My proposal is to create an urban farming scheme to aid the already existing traders currently on site, by morphing, moulding and cutting the site to allow for improved usage on multiple levels for farming crops. The site plan depicts the use of space for traders and vendors, and areas for farming crops; communal spaces for social interaction and, finally at the rear of the site, an admin block for offices to rent and storage units for traders to store fresh produce. Designated parking at street edge will reduce the level of vehicle movement onsite for both safety and space.

Materialistically, the overall spatial design is completely natural due the cutting and filling of the site. Construction of the admin and storage block will be that of brick and mortar to hold the rear bank through a retaining wall section. Glazed storefront glass is proposed in conjunction with shading devices to reduce harsh lighting. Natural timber will be used for the construction of trading stalls.

The Bulwer Park site holds a variety of positive elements for betterment and growth for the community, thereby bringing people together to create jobs and the development of their community. Urban farming may well be a true indicator of ubuntu.

Keywords:
Productive Surfaces, Community Building, Farming Scheme, Enhanced Livelihoods

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