CHAPTER 2 ǀ SITE SELECTION, SURVEY AND ANALYSIS
2.2 SITE OPTIONS
The following sites were the two options considered for the location of the project. Each site includes a description of the site and its surroundings, a brief macro and micro analysis of the site and pros and cons for each site.
The two sites considered were:
Site 1 – Greyville
Site 2 – Overport
110 SITE 1 - GREYVILLE
GREYVILLE RACECOURSE BOTANICAL
GARDENS
DUT
DUT
OUTDOOR PUBLIC SPACE SHOPPING CENTRE EDUCATIONAL
BUS AND TAXI STATIONS CIVIL SERVICES
SPORTING
HEALTHCARE TRANSPORT ROUTES
NOISE VEGETATION
CONTOURS ROADS
Figure 61: Site 1 Micro Zoning (source: Google Maps and author) Figure 60: Site 1 Macro Zoning (source: Google Maps and author)
111 SITE 1 - GREYVILLE
ADDRESS 9 John Zikhale Road, Greyville, Durban.
ERF 3176
ZONING Public Open Space
SITE AREA 18 000 m²
SITE DESCRIPTION
LOCATION Located in Greyville, an area of great historical significance, between the CBD and residential areas such as Musgrave. The area is one of mixed functions as it includes religious buildings, schools, healthcare facilities and many sporting facilities. Situated between the Curries Fountain Sporting Grounds and Durban’s Botanical Gardens. In close proximity to public hospitals – St.
Aidan’s Hospital and City Hospital - and many high schools and a university – Sastri College, Orient Islamic School, Durban Girls Secondary School and Durban University of Technology.
ORIENTATION The site is a linear, rectangle shaped site with its longest sides facing North west and South East.
TOPOGRAPHY The site is green field, rectilinear site and which is generally flat with small mounds along the edges of the back of the site.
ACCESSIBILITY Accessible easily by both vehicle and pedestrians. Public transport is in walking distance of the site.
NATURAL
SURROUNDINGS
There is low shrubbery and a few trees on the outskirts of the site while the rest of the site is grassy – size of site allows for the potential of healing natural landscape design.
URBAN
CHARACTERISTICS
While near urban landscapes, the site is away from dense urban forms as it is located between the gardens and a field. Potential for urban design of Winterton Walk to improve urban
characteristics and make it more pedestrian friendly and safe.
CONTEXT Site located between urban and residential areas. Mixed-use area.
PROS
1. Large site: enough space for design to be deconstructed and to allow for landscape/park design.
2. Greenfield site – existing natural landscape.
3. Site allows for future expansion.
4. Site allows for privacy
5. More or less flat site - universally friendly
6. Close proximity to a general public hospital – St Aidan’s Hospital
7. Close proximity to high schools and universities i.e. Accessible to adolescents 8. Near botanical gardens – one of Durban’s lungs
9. Public transport in a 10 minute walking radius of the site - near Warwick 10. Falls between the city and residential.
11. No orientation restrictions
12. Not on a main road – away from noise pollution from traffic – allows for a more therapeutic environment.
13. Existing sport district to tap into.
CONS
1. Noise: Occasional noise from Curries Fountain.
112 SITE 2 - OVERPORT
OUTDOOR PUBLIC SPACE EDUCATIONAL
ESSENWOOD PARK ATRIUM CENTRE HARTLEY RD
PRIMARY SCHOOL
PARKLANDS HOSPITAL
RIDGE PARK COLLEGE
HEALTHCARE
SHOPPING CENTRE
TRANSPORT ROUTES
VEGETATION NOISE
ROADS CONTOURS
Figure 63: Site 2 Micro Zoning (source: Google Maps and author) Figure 62: Site 2 Macro Zoning (source: Google Maps and author)
113 SITE 2 - OVERPORT
ADDRESS 369 Peter Mokaba Ridge, Musgrave, Durban
ERF 4/508
ZONING Place of Worship and Institutional 2
SITE AREA 4500 m²
SITE DESCRIPTION
LOCATION Located on Durban’s ridge in an area which is mixed-use and bustling. Situated off Peter Mokaba Road, in close proximity to high schools – Ridge Park College - and hospitals, McCord’s Eye
Hospital, Life Entabeni Hospital and Parklands Hospital. It is also in walking distance from popular Atrium Shopping Centre. The site houses what was once a Synagogue and annex buildings.
ORIENTATION Length of the site faces North East.
TOPOGRAPHY The site is a rectilinear site which is gently sloped and has many trees of varying sizes.
EXISTING There is a small synagogue and annex buildings on site. It was recently for sale. To be confirmed as to whether it still runs as a synagogue. Front building can be renovated and included in the design, back buildings would need to be demolished.
ACCESSIBILITY The site is accessible by both vehicles and pedestrians with public transport being in close proximity. The site has two access points – one from Peter Mokaba Road and one from McCord Road.
NATURAL
SURROUNDINGS
There is existing vegetation on site – trees of varying sizes. The trees create a sense of privacy for the site.
URBAN
CHARACTERISTICS
The area would need to be improved to provide a more walkable area. Peter Mokaba Road is a busy road with not many pedestrian crossings or speed reduction methods in place. Not many street furniture or places of rest. The surrounding buildings are a mix of styles and react to the road differently. Residential buildings tend to be set back while buildings of commercial nature open up directly to the street.
CONTEXT As the site falls in a residential area there are not many high-rise buildings around. Buildings are generally low-scaled with the exception of a few – The Atrium Shopping Centre and the Coastlands Hotel.
PROS
1. Existing natural landscape.
2. Site allows for privacy – site is atmospheric.
3. Gently sloped site allows for interest design solutions.
4. Close proximity to hospitals – Entabeni, Parklands, and Mccords.
5. Close proximity to high schools i.e. Accessible to adolescents 6. Close to public transport.
7. Situated on a main road – exposure for the facility.
8. The site allows for a quiet, therapeutic environment.
9. Length of site is North East orientated.
CONS
1. Hospitals in close range are private hospitals.
2. Area would need to be redesigned to allow for a more pedestrian friendly space.
3. Medium size site – could restrict design or provision of green spaces.
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