INFLOW: Spatially Integrating Local Water Capture into Gugulethu and Surrounds, Cape Town

Mclachlan, Julia

INFLOW: Spatially Integrating Local Water Capture into Gugulethu and Surrounds, Cape Town

Thesis / Dissertation

2018

Abstract

function. A severe drought in recent years has placed pressure on the water supply infrastructure, with dams at times, precariously low. To address this, stormwater harvesting is being considered as part of diversification strategies aimed at augmenting the current water resources. This local water capture strategy however, needs to be spatially integrated into settlement, as argued by Dewar (2017). Stormwater infrastructure systems have however, generally been considered as purely utilitarian public works services, designed to drain water as rapidly as possible from impermeable surfaces of built up areas. They are not spatially integrated into urban settlements and ultimately create barriers that divide space and segregate communities. Buildings have in response, turned their backs on these channels and they have become dumping grounds, unsafe and neglected. It is therefore necessary to design sustainable stormwater infrastructure systems that not only capture and store water, but also serve as multi-functional public open space systems that are integrated with the fabric of the urban settlement. The research explores the notion that lines of movement are flows of energy. A continuous uninterrupted line however, acts as a barrier as it limits crossings, interaction or access. Conventional stormwater and vehicular networks are continuous lines of flow, focussed on uninterrupted movement, whether of vehicles (in mobility routes) or surface water run-off (in canals). They act as barriers, limiting crossings and impeding spatial integration. They create along their edges, what Jane Jacobs refers to as 'border vacuums' (Mehaffy, et al, 2015:206). To remove these barriers of flow, the research design proposal applies the 'accessibility surface' (Dewar and Louw, 2016:25) to movement and surface water systems (including stormwater) as a means of removing barriers and generating access, opportunity and spatial integration. In this water sensitive urban design approach, stormwater infrastructure functions as a hybrid system, serving 'cultural, social and ecological functions' (Morrish and Brown, 2008:141) within settlements, providing varied opportunities as part of a multi-purpose public open space. The term 'Inflow', is applied to define and encapsulate the approach: the movement of both water and people into space in the pursuit of place-making opportunities. To test the hypothesis, the design research applies the 'accessibility surface' of movement and surface water systems to the Zeekoe Catchment of Cape Town. The study area is focused on the Big Lotus 'River', a canal constructed to drain water from Cape Town International Airport as well as the areas of Gugulethu, Nyanga and surrounds. It devises a spatial development framework that guides and informs the three-dimensional spatial aspects of an urban design framework. It further tests this notion of 'inflow' at a precinct scale exploring various details. The design research concludes that an 'Inflow' approach that stitches the surface water systems (including stormwater) into the settlement as part of an 'accessibility surface' provides a suitable basis for structurally and spatially integrating local water capture into settlement. Furthermore it addresses the problem of barriers of flow that spatially segregate and reduce accessibility by providing greater permeability and accessibility according to a hierarchical system. 'Inflow' therefore creates the opportunities for stopping or pause moments that allow for permeability and improved access to opportunity

Keywords

Urban Design

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