20 September 2010

Public housing debate opens SA’s first architecture mega-event

A public debate titled “The state of housing in SA” marks the opening of Architecture ZA 2010 (AZA2010), the country’s first architecture mega-event which runs in Johannesburg from September 21 to 28.

AZA has collaborated with the University of Johannesburg and SHiFT for the debate that takes place at the Potato Sheds Auditorium at the Market Theatre complex in Newtown on Tuesday, September 21, at 2pm followed by the official opening of the AZA Pavilion on Mary Fitzgerald Square at 3.30pm.

The debate will draw out the successes and challenges of South Africa’s contemporary housing strategy and how it  "contributes to the national priority of restructuring South African Society in order to address structural, economic, social and spatial dysfunctionalities." (Perumal 2003).

A brief summary of the presentation "Faster, Harder, Smarter: working towards a shared vision for human(e) settlements" - delivered to the Department of Humane Settlements by Tsela Tshewu Design Team (drawn from South African Institute of Architects, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, South African Institute for Civil Engineers and their partners) as part of the Social Contract Planning and Development workstream - will form the introduction to the discussion.

Participants confirmed for the debate include Butch Steyn (DA spokesperson on Human Settlements), Dr Amira Osman (CSIR), Patrick Magebulah (Federation of the Poor), Diego Ramirez-Lovering (Monash University, Australia), Jackie Dugard (Socio-Economic Rights Institute of SA), Fanuel Motsepe (SAIA President Elect) and Heather Dodd (architect).

AZA 2010 features 100 local and 12 international architects and cultural producers of the city including luminary Spanish architect Fernando Menis, as well as South African heavyweights Peter Rich and Andrew Makin.

This multi-disciplinary cast of thinkers will stimulate discussion during conference panel discussions and master classes. Together they will offer new takes on old problems and offer new ways of viewing the city

The event has been structured to reach the broadest possible audience and to accommodate delegates at all levels. The general public has also been included thanks to a variety of events and exhibitions across Johannesburg including poetry readings, city walking tours, live music and drama performances and photography and architecture exhibitions.

Visit www.aza2010.org for the full programme.