Working within the South African built environment has extra challenges beyond the scope of designing and building well. 

Speaking at the 2024 Cape Town DAS event, Dr Luyanda Mpahlwa of Design Network expressed the need for the South African architectural fraternity to embrace the social responsibility of overcoming spatial inequality and promoting inclusive cities. 

Questioning the status quo 

Dr Luyanda Mpahlwa, director, adj. professor (UCT ACC), architect and design principal at Design Network. Photo credit: Simon Watson

Dr Mpahlwa raised some interesting questions surrounding identity, authenticity and social responsibility. 

What is the South African identity? Do we need it? What does the future of South African architecture look like? 

What is authenticity when looking at the future of architecture, and which buildings and places resonate with local communities? Where does colonial heritage and influence end? How do architects create an authentic experience in cities and places, or memorable places and spaces? How can we teach Architecture which responds to our unique environment of unequal and fragmented urban conditions? 

The architect’s role in society 

Spatial divide is still evident in South Africa’s cities. Dr Mpahlwa feels that architects have a social responsibility for spatial justice. 

“Buildings can transform, but without understanding where we as people are within the broader context, how can architecture aid in this transformation?” he asked. There is a responsibility to be advisors to growth and no longer perpetuate spatial injustice. 

He encouraged thought leadership and awareness of the social responsibility issues around the role of architecture in the process of urbanisation. Now is the time to bridge the gap between theory and practice. 

A crisis in architecture 

There is a tendency to build in the same ways as always in the past and to follow what has been done before. However, this produces architecture that doesn’t address change or local needs. 

“Our task is to create buildings for human benefit and comfort – bridging the divide between spatial transformation and spatial justice,” explains Dr Mpahlwa. “That architecture is the least visible profession in thought leadership and public discourse on spatial justice, and transformation of the built environment is a crisis for the profession.” 

Social movements are advocating for spatial justice and supporting the use of public land for social good, instead of being privatised. In Cape Town, the Young Urbanists group and other social justice movements are engaging city officials, developers and decision makers at the highest levels, including the mayor. “Where is the architect’s voice?” Dr Mpahlwa asks. 

Historic influence 

The urban footprint of South African cities still largely reflects the legacy of apartheid spatial planning of the 1960s. It continues the social divide between communities that characterises urban areas. 

Apartheid spatial planning still defines many South African cities. Source: R. J. Davie 1981

Given our celebration of 30 years of democracy, what is the plan for the next 30 years, and what is architecture’s role in this journey? 

Architects cannot influence national policies – however, there should be an expectation that the voices of architects should be heard, especially for the transformation of the built environment towards liveable, equitable and inclusive cities. The issue of spatial justice and geographic equity has to inform our strategies for the next 30 years. 

Urban settlements 

Settlements are happening without architects’ inputs, with no integrated development plan and seemingly with no plan at all for the influx of people into urban areas. 

Johannesburg is a city in decline, with urban decay eroding the central business district. The JHB CBD which has played an historic role in industrialisation and the economy of South Africa, has been replaced by new urban nodes which have become wealthy and well serviced economic hubs, Sandton, Rosebank, Melrose Arch etc with Midrand developing new urban nodes at Waterfalls etc. Yet looking at Alexandra township which borders Sandton, and other similar settlements in the periphery of our cities and metros, it is a clear example of the need for the cities, local authorities, provincial governments, developers, civil society and professionals to work together and find solutions. Political will is a key requirement to develop integrated, inclusive and sustainable cities. 

Architects, Urban Planners have a responsibility to be advisors to growth, and no longer perpetuate urban sprawl spatial injustice.

This is a problem most of our urban centres face, in South Africa but also throughout the African continent. Africa represents 16,6% of the global population, with more people migrating into cities from rural areas. Currently about 100 million people reside in cities across Africa, and the cities are not planned for such high population numbers, and this results in the informal cities emerging, and residing alongside the formal city. 

Looking ahead 

Dr Mpahlwa believes that research, theory and practice are needed to develop spatial policymaking, and for the transformation of South Africa’s urban areas and in a wider context, addressing urbanisation in Africa. Professionals and policy makers must “work with the affected communities,” he said. “Ask who you are building for” also as a way of “assessing the needs.” 

Urban renewal can be seen in projects such as the Maboneng precinct in Johannesburg. It aims to bring people back to the city, to live, work and play, by developing and promoting arts and culture, as well as reviving abandoned buildings and bringing back street life where integration is fostered. However, if these initiatives remain isolated from broader urban revitalisation and not supported with better management of cities and municipalities, they are likely to remain islands which will not be sustainable in the long term. 

“We have not yet seen a large-scale public investment towards spatial reconfiguration and transformation of our cities, rural towns or villages. I believe our cities and urban centres need large investments for revitalisation!” he says. 

Imizamo Yethu, Hout Bay, Cape Town, 2019, Unequal Scenes. Image credit: Johny Miller https://unequalscenes.com/south-africa

Formalising the informal 

Cities are the hubs of a nation’s economy, both formal and informal. The urban challenges of African cities facing rapid urbanisation include: 

• Inaccessible and unaffordable cities
• Limited access to financial markets. 
• Mobility challenges. 
• Formalisation of the informal city and urban sprawl. 
• Land availability. 

The solution: Public and private sector investment towards the revitalisation of cities, involving broader civil society. A crisis of infrastructure collapse is evident in many African cities, yet the informal sector thrives. The City of Johannesburg is no exception and the crisis is deepening. What strategies can be implemented to unlock the economic potential of the informal economy? 

Robust urban development strategies are needed, with the objective of transforming urban environments. 

“All this must translate into actionable initiatives, supported by urban policy, effective governance and investment towards ‘bridging the spatial divide’ in our society,” Dr Mpahlwa concludes. “Architects need to speak up, to overcome the existing spatial divisions that we have, and to stop perpetuating it in new developments and projects without consideration of inclusivity and sustainability of our cities. This is a call to action! What legacy do we want to leave behind?” 

“What is the role of architects and urban planners in transforming urban development in South Africa,” asks Dr Luyanda Mpahlwa. They should be advisors and thought leaders, driving the move to more equitable spatial development and inclusivity in our urban environments. 

Dr Luyanda Mpahlwa spoke at a recent DAS CPD event.  

To hear more of these types of conversations, join our DAS CPD events. Click here for more info. 

For more information, contact Design Network: 

Tel: +27 21 419 0601 

Email: info@designnetwork.co.za 

Website: https://www.designnetwork.co.za/