Browsing by Author "Ordor, Uche"

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    Open Access
    An investigation into the effect of COVID-19 on the spatial dimension of a South African university town: the case of Westdene
    (2023) Macua, Kamau; Ordor, Uche
    This research explores the effect of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on the spatial dimension of Westdene, a residential neighbourhood adjacent to the largest campus of University of Johannesburg (UJ), the Auckland Park Kingsway (UJ APK) Campus, defined as a university town. Notably, studies on university towns conceptualised the associated social, cultural, economic and physical factors, collectively referred to as the spatial dimension, through studentification and destudentification. More specifically, studentification and destudentification were used to describe transformations within university towns attributable to increasing and decreasing student populations, respectively. Although reports highlight effects of COVID-19 on various aspects of society, there is no empirical evidence on its effects on the spatial dimension of Westdene; this university town is located in Johannesburg, the largest city in South Africa. This paucity thus warrants an investigation into the effect of COVID-19 on the spatial dimension of Westdene, through the conceptual lens of studentification and destudentification. To provide answers to the theoretical concepts, an embedded single-case study approach, employing a multi-method qualitative research approach, was adopted for the empirical exploration. This research design enabled the investigation of real-world contextual conditions within Westdene, using interviews and field observations. The interviews focused and reflected on the experiences and interpretations of owners of UJ-accredited privately owned student accommodation (POSAs), owners/representatives of local businesses, and members of community engagement and policing forums. Photographs taken in the field complemented the interviews by depicting various aspects of and within Westdene relevant to the study, including: UJ APK Campus and its associated student facilities; identifiable private student housing; local businesses; public space and infrastructure; general state of the environment; and neighbourhood safety and security measures. Notably, the rationale for the choice of the techniques and procedures encapsulated by the effective research methodology were underpinned by theoretical concepts of effective research designs and ethical research. The findings in respect of the spatial dimension of Westdene prior to the COVID-19 pandemic primarily supported studentification literature, given various occurrences noted in Westdene, including: rapid population and demographic restructuring; increased criminal activities; incompatible lifestyles; increased business activity; and increased physical and environmental issues. Contrastingly, the advent of COVID-19 led to various occurrences noted in Westdene that primarily supported destudentification literature, including: student depopulation; fluctuating levels of criminal activities; decrease in student activities; decreased business activity; and decreasing neighbourhood maintenance. Notwithstanding these occurrences, some current and potential ‘positive' occurrences were also noted in Westdene, which invalidated the proposition that COVID-19 (only) negatively affected the spatial dimension of Westdene. These findings thus bring to the fore further critical propositions, buttressed by the existing body of knowledge, for which further research is required.
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    Open Access
    An investigation of real estate as an asset class for pension funds portfolio investment in Botswana
    (2024) Mapira, Fungisai; Ordor, Uche
    Pension funds hold the largest share in global capital markets and prudently invest in diverse income-generating assets to meet their current and future liabilities. Real estate is held in pension fund mixed asset portfolios to match long-term liabilities. The viability of real estate as an investment asset is defined by its qualities of hedging against inflation, portfolio diversification, risk reduction, capital appreciation and steady income flows. The current pension fund regulatory framework in Botswana allows for a minimum of 30% of funds to be invested locally where real estate holds a 2% investment stake. The study seeks to investigate the viability of real estate as an asset class for pension funds in Botswana and ascertain factors which influence its allocation in their portfolios. A qualitative multiple case study approach was used to gather data through semistructured interviews of five key stakeholders from five Botswana pension funds. Interviewees were asked questions centered around their Organisations' investment strategies and interest towards real estate assets. Pattern matching was used for data analysis by matching theoretical patterns to empirical findings. The findings revealed that real estate is a viable asset class for pension funds in Botswana and is incorporated in their investment strategies. In addition, there is increased investment appetite towards real estate though the local market offers limited options resulting in high and expensive bids against the few attractive assets. This calls for the generation of more viable investment options in the local real estate sector and the Botswana government has initiated investment regulations for pension funds to invest more capital within the Botswana market by the year 2050.
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    Open Access
    Bus rapid transit oriented approach to land use change: a case of Hatfield
    (2025) Sikhwari, Mashudu; Ordor, Uche
    The post-apartheid administration of South Africa inherited a disjointed and sprawling urban land use pattern amid the pressures of growing urbanisation. The current urbanisation rate significantly exceeds urban planning agencies' capacity to supply infrastructure for a burgeoning population, hence intensifying sprawl. In search of solutions, drawing from literature and examples from other emerging economies, the South African government advocates for the implementation of Transit Orientated Development (TOD) by leveraging existing investments in mass public transit, such as Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) services. TOD promises a global shift from sprawling, fragmented cities to compact, inclusive mixed-use projects. The City of Tshwane Integrated Development Plan (IDP) stipulates utilizing the A Re Yeng BRT service as a catalyst for TOD-led land use change. This research explores how the A Re Yeng BRT system serves as a catalyst for land use change in Hatfield. A literature review was conducted to shed light on the key concepts of Transit-Oriented Development (TOD), Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), and Land Use Change. Qualitative data was collected from multiple sources, including archival records, direct observations by the researcher, and interviews with relevant stakeholders. The research found that the exemplary BRT-oriented development (BRTOD) land use change patterns and characteristics are present in Hatfield. However, no evidence could be found which suggests that the BRT system serves as the catalyst for these land use changes. Insights from the data collected suggest that other external forces, such as the University of Pretoria and the Gautrain, serve as stronger catalysts. The A Re Yeng BRT service presently remains as a means of transportation.
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    Impact of the BRT on accessibility to employment opportunities; case of Witsand: Atlantis, Cape Town
    (2023) Marimira, Sharon Tsitsi; Ordor, Uche
    Witsand is a settlement located 40km from Cape Town Civic Centre making it a peripheral area within Cape Town. The community faced social exclusion in that, the area had no direct public transport services linking them to the city centre. They had no train services and had to rely on minibus taxis that connected them to Dunoon and from there interconnected to different areas of employment. As such they also suffered from economic exclusion because they had to pay higher fares as minibus fares charge higher costs than conventional buses. The residents had to endure long commune distances to and from work and consequently spent significant amounts of their time traveling. Cape Town Municipality created “the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)” system MyCiTi, to help address the inequality issues within the city for low-income settlement. Therefore, the research aimed to evaluate the impact of the BRT on accessibility to employment opportunities for the residents in Witsand, Atlantis in Cape Town. The study is based on Witsand as it met the criterion of being a low-income settlement and being located at the urban fringes of Cape Town. Household surveys, in-person observations, and computer research (Geographical Information Systems, GIS) were used to gather the data for the study. The study shows that, before MyCiTi started to operate in the area, most of the residents restricted their employment areas to local employment opportunities like Atlantis centre, Atlantis industrial and Witsand. Currently, the BRT has provided people with various possibilities to access jobs in the Central Business District or civic centre and other sub-nodes, such as Century City, and Table View because the routes take inhabitants straight to these nodes without the need to interchange to other modes. There has been growth along the northern corridor of Cape Town in residential and commercial activities. MyCiTi fares are more affordable than different options of transportation like Sibanye and minibus taxis, and this has arguably enabled the residents to travel more, to areas of employment and even have multiple jobs. Furthermore, MyCiTi is dependable and safe as the system has reliable bus schedules making it easier for commuters to plan their journeys and be more flexible. However, in terms of travel time, there are no changes from before MyCiTi was developed. This is because the spatial structure of Cape Town encourages long travel distances. The thesis was case based and as such the findings may not be generalisable. The thesis seeks to add to the debate of creating equitable inclusive cities that are accessible for both low- and highincome residents.