Chapter one set the scope for the research to follow by providing background information, stating the assumption and setting the questions and aims for the project. The primary question stipulated in chapter one set out to investigate environmentally responsible architecture and how it influences society and space within cities, the intention of the design is to incorporate the findings into a South African context, specifically Durban to act as a catalyst for further development. The aim of the research was met through the exploration of the principles and application of environmental rehabilitation and how that can influence sustainable development.
Chapter two looked at literature that focused on connections between man, nature and architecture in order to find a happy medium between the three and promote the ways in which all three can successfully co-exist. The literature review incorporated the theoretical and conceptual framework that was introduced in chapter one in order to further analyse the research and create a more defined understanding. The literature focused on the importance of environmental rehabilitation and how vital it is to incorporate sustainable principles in the built environment. An attempt has been made towards sustainable architecture and recreating the connection between man and nature but the disconnect is still clearly visible.
Chapter three analysed the literature through the use of precedent studies and how they further the understanding of the research. The precedents used relate to the literature review and show the success of the research in built form.
105 Chapter four illustrates a case study with the aim of providing information as to how this research attempts to adapt to a South African context. The case study is analysed through the same lenses used to analyse the precedent studies which in turn relates back to the research gathered in the literature review.
The answers to the questions asked in chapter one begin to conclude the research and provide insight for the design that follows.
Primary Question:
How can the implementation of environmentally responsible architecture within the Durban CBD enhance the social aspects within a city?
The literature focused itself around the inclusion of natural environments within cities and the additional benefits that this brings, one of those benefits include the increase of social spaces and activities as seen through examples and precedent and case studies above. Environmentally responsible architecture fits into the momentous and popular sustainable movement as a step in the right direction with regards to looking after our planet and the natural environment which is the direction in which many industries are heading but that doesn’t necessarily mean that it goes hand in hand with social status. Through the analysis of precedent studies, it is not essentially the environmentally responsible architecture that improves or creates social space but it is, in fact, the implementation of activity within this setting that allows for the space to populate. The sustainable architecture merely provides a canvas for space to develop into social sustainable space.
106 Secondary Questions:
1. What are the benefits of the relationship between man and the natural environment and why is there a disconnect?
The connection and disconnection between man and the natural environment was analysed in the literature review and focused on the primary and initial connection that man had with the natural environment and how civilisation grew and ultimately grew away from nature.
Essentially, man created a man-made world and nature did not seem necessary. The sustainable movement has highlighted the importance of incorporating nature into mans daily life which has popularised and started to increase man’s attraction to nature.
2. How can architecture and the natural environment sustainably co-exist?
The precedent and case studies above represent architecture and natural environment that have managed to find a happy medium between the two. One Central Park in Australia co- exists with nature through the implementation of sustainable principles so much so that it is difficult to tell where one ends and the other begins. Sustainable principles become a link between architecture and the natural realm and allow architecture to be gentle to nature instead of reckless.
3. How can the built environment promote a sustainable social space for Durban?
In isolation, the built environment is just that, the built environment, but once other factors are considered and included social spaces can form which can then become sustainable social space. Sustainable social space forms a necessary part of achieving a holistic sustainable outcome which transpires from the relationship between man and nature and, in turn, represented within space. The implementation of sustainable design principles within the built form as well as the inclusion of the natural environment aids the promotion of sustainable social spaces within a city.
107 The research aimed to explore the principles of environmental rehabilitation and how its application within the built environment can influence sustainable development through the assumption that natural resources are on the verge of depletion and cannot sustain the growing population. Environmental rehabilitation within cities promotes the inclusion of natural environments in urban space which, in turn, promotes positive change. These positive changes should include flourishing natural eco-systems that thrive on the grounds of architecture. Based on the review of literature, site observations, the analysis of precedents and case studies and a qualitative analysis of man, nature and built environments, it can be concluded that the implementation of environmentally responsible architecture within cities can encourage social environments and promote sustainable lifestyles and developments. The results indicate that man has a deep and fundamental desire to connect with nature so the inclusion of these environments in cities will be beneficial on many levels. These levels include a better quality of life and a more sustainable lifestyle which helps to protect nature. Environmental rehabilitation becomes a platform that restores land in order to sustain natural eco-systems, while the integration of environmental rehabilitation through architecture proposes a built environment that promotes the coexistence of natural eco-systems and social spaces for human interaction. Thus, recreating the connections between man, nature and architecture.