Bridging the past and the present “Rediscovering Prieska's forgotten cultural landscape”

Goeieman, Deidre Danielle

Bridging the past and the present “Rediscovering Prieska's forgotten cultural landscape”

Thesis / Dissertation

2025

Publisher

University of Cape Town

Department

School of Architecture, Planning and Geomatics

Faculty

Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment

Abstract

The phrase “place of the lost she-goat,” derived from the Koran and associated with the Khoi people, originally referred to a location where farmers settled after rainstorms. This area, overseen by a village management board since 1882 and granted municipal status in 1892, became known for its semiprecious stones and as a vital crossing point for travelers (C K Rumboll & Partners, 2018). Historically, many locals worked at the nearby Koegas mine, which extracted blue asbestos. However, a phenomenon termed the “lost generation” has led to shifts in marginal spaces, with the Korana community noting rural-to-urban migration that diminished daily activity in these neighborhoods. Geospatial analyses suggest that the location of the lost she-goat has the potential to reshape the social geography and character of Prieska, a small town in the Northern Cape, which is the focus of this research. The physical and economic developments along “Loots Boulevard” (Main Road)—the main route to and from Prieska, crossing the Frans Loots Bridge—may serve as an urban spine, aiming to elevate the town's status relative to its surrounding areas. This study seeks to uncover Prieska's forgotten spaces, which are essential to its identity. These “lost spaces” (Trancik, 1999) include undeveloped areas in the town center, neglected pedestrian paths, abandoned railways, riverbanks and unmaintained memorial and aloe gardens. Key factors contributing to the town's fragmentation include outdated zoning policy, institutional neglect of the public urban environment and the abandonment of central industrial and military sites (Trancik, 1999). The research conclude in a design approach for a 2040 Framework, focused on reclaiming everyday spaces for Prieska's residents. Utilizing a family tree spanning four generations, the project emphasizes my personal childhood experiences through a narrative dialogue with family members. This study explores the complex process of reimagining Prieska—rich in cultural heritage yet marred by neglected sites—by transforming underutilized areas into vibrant, functional spaces that reflect and preserve the town's unique identity. The strategy aims to restore the town's physical environment while awakening the shared stories that define it