LIST OF APPENDICES
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION
1.4. SCOPE OF THE STUDY
1.4.1. Hypothesis
There are major issues present in South Africa (and the world) that could give rise to the dystopian societies and environments as depicted in fiction; there is also a
prevalence of industrial sites in South Africa that are falling into disuse. The hypothesis for this research is that by actively engaging with the dystopian nature of such sites (their “badness”) one may be able to rejuvenate them into useful urban spaces that comment on the underlying issues in South Africa.
1.4.2. Research Scope and Limitations
The scope of this research is defined by the exploration of a predictable and possible future landscape in the South African context. This exploration will focus on the phenomenon of brown field sites with the goal of generating tools for positive architectural intervention on these sites. Research into brown field sites will be
accomplished through social and architectural texts on the subject of urban decay; the
- 9 -
scope of this is limited by the relevance to brown field sites and comparisons to dystopian narratives.
This dissertation focuses on the theory behind dystopian novels and films [as well as architecture] for the purpose of finding design clues that may help identify a way of designing for dystopian sites; that being said the scope of dystopian theory will be limited mostly to the theory of a ‘critical dystopia’, as defined by Tom Moylan [Moylan
& Baccolini in Molade 2008: 12]. It should be noted that the best way to illustrate the notion of ‘critical dystopia’ will be done through the analysis of popular literature and film that covers the subject. It is through the research of ‘critical dystopia’ that one will be able to identify the positive aspects within dystopian narrative and therefore be able to discuss the idea of a “productive dystopia” [Productive Dystopia 2013]; the
productive aspect will allow for the identification of real world concepts and techniques that apply to the rejuvenation of dystopias.
One will try to establish connections between the fiction of dystopia and the real world dystopia that exists within the built environment; to do so the theory of narrative within both storytelling and architecture will be covered, it will be the linking structure
between story and architecture.
As the research focuses on the reclamation and rejuvenation of brown field sites; the key to this research is the creation and uncovering of connections/parallels that exist between brown field sites and the dystopian landscapes. It follows that to best depict these connections case and precedent studies of: rejuvenated brown field sites, dystopic environments and adaptive reuse will be of importance.
In order to further clarify the intention of this research several assumptions need to be made clear.
• Firstly as the assumes that the need for land will become a pressing issue in South Africa’s future; as it has in other areas of the world in current times.
- 10 -
• There is an assumption that the readers of this dissertation have at least some relation to the ideas and images of dystopian worlds; even if they have not been conscious when viewing them in movies or in novels.
• That the demolition of brown field sites to allow for entirely new architectural intervention results in wasted opportunity, history and character.
• The research also relies on the assumption that the way people experience architecture and space is completely subjective and therefore the effects of architecture on public behaviour or beliefs is, at best, difficult to quantify/qualify.
1.4.3. Definition of Key Terms
The following non-conventional terms will appear in text:
Utopia: The “dream” [Doxiadis, 1966: xix] or unattainable (no place) paradise.
Dystopia: Typically an imaginary place, dream, which is bad in nature; characterized by squalor, overcrowding and general human suffering. The nature by which it is bad may vary depending on the aspect of current society or realities that the dystopia is born from.
Dystopic: Dystopian in nature.
Narrative: Can be considered as a synonym for ‘story’ and can be defined as the organisational method for recounting events or situations that can be true or fictional.
Dystopian Narrative: A particular type of story that falls within the genre of science fiction and is characterized by a scary or oppressive setting.
Remediation: The correction or repair of something that is bad or broken, it remedies the situation.
- 11 -
Phytoremediation: The correction or repair of an environment that has been damaged through various forms of pollution, this process is done using plants to control and remove the
pollutants. [See Appendix B for further information, including information of bioremediation]
Brown Field Sites: These are sites that have been contaminated in some way and it is this contamination that hinders the redevelopment of the site. Typically the sites are disused industrial sites that are contaminated by existing structures and harmful waste products.
‘Other’: This term will often be used when referring to the marginalized members of society;
the homeless, the criminal etc.
Sci-Fi: Science fiction is a genre of fiction that deals with the futuristic, extraterrestrial and unexplained. “Sci-Fi is largely based in writing rationally about alternative possible worlds or futures.” [Science Fiction, 2013] There are notably few Sci-Fi authors in South Africa.
Catalyst: refers to a single action or architectural intervention that brings about further actions and change; it is a beginning.
Urban: in, relating to, or characteristic of a town or city. [Stevenson, 2011] By this definition what is considered urban need not lie within the limits of a city and could in fact be in a rural area; a mining complex for example can be described as an urban environment.
Rejuvenation: making something better then it currently is; restoring the vitality of something.
In the architectural sense it is the fixing of a space/area that may otherwise be disused.
- 12 - Figure 1.5 Structure of research [Source: by author].