The Challenge: Practical Considerations & Possible Solutions:A. Clear understanding of how facilities are to be used and managed

1. Consider ways of mapping/tracking social processes: not merely a hand-over point but a process as shared ‘gestation and construction’2. Safety planning must begin at same time as the planning of spatial and design requirements for facilities

B. Skills transfer 1. Illustrated through development/ production of mosaics, calcrete facings, planters, tree cages, security screens, landscaping

C. Sufficient flexibility for users to adapt space for specific requirements.

1. Retro fixing of shelves etc. by tenants2. Nails / drilling resulted in punctured water pipes & severed electrical conduits/cables3. Utilise finishes/decoration to clearly identify where services are situated and where fixing to walls can take place

D. Demarcation of public space boundaries 1. Ensure no ambiguity in terms of public/private spaces2. Need to avoid conflicts between public & private spaces

E. Community driven management eg: High mast lighting1. Management of these to be community driven. 2. Renewable resource e.g. LED lightings needs to be explored

User Requirements of Places,

1.1 OWNERSHIP

This section concerns the necessary mechanisms for "place management" - promoting community ownership, responsibility, and pride. Furthermore, it takes into consideration how to design for community & public safety with priority on surveillance

& visibility as well as special needs groups.

Spaces, Buildings, & Facilities

The Challenge: Practical Considerations & Possible Solutions:A. Incorporating neighbourhood watch/leadership structures into design of all facilities.

1. Impact on previously un-occupied/ un-owned land i.e. questioning of existing boundaries2. Appreciation of new challenges & conflicts which new facilities may inadvertently foster

B. Placing of windows 1. Especially Patrol Rooms require windows to be placed sufficiently low to allow easy surveillance2. Windows must facilitate surveillance also in sitting-down position

C. Sense of safety: lighting & sight lines 1. Adequate lighting and clear sight lines instrumental to sense of safety2. Crime safety surveillance distance: 25 – 135m max3. Face recognition distance: 25m max4. Person recognition distance: 135m max

D. Rows of Trees 1. Consider trees not being placed where they will be an obstruction e.g. cutting out line of sight from pavilion behind

E. Vandalism eg: occurance at Harare Square1. Public Square should be done only after support structures/buildings are in place to enable surveillance

1.2 SURVEILLANCE & VISIBILITY

The Challenge: Practical Considerations & Possible Solutions:A. Disabled access 1. Access by physically challenged to upper floors

2. Cost and practicality issues make this most difficultB. Sense of clarity & comfort 1. Public environment to be free of obstructions and utilitiesC. Burglar guarding 1. Need secure burglar proofing to buildings generally, especially to trading

facilities and storerooms2. Additional considerations to be given to make trading facilities and storerooms burglar proof

D. Adequate insulation in habitable rooms 1. Complaints have been received of cold interior to flats in winter2. In line with sustainable principles flats must be insulated in accord with accepted good building practice

E. Recreation facilities for younger children 1. Managing play spaces in partnership with crèches to facilitate safe playF. Choices of recreational spaces 1. Recreation for passive & active activities, accommodating a range of age

groups2. Pleasant recreational spaces & seating required for groups/ individuals3. Variety of spaces within shaded, public/quiet areas

1.3 COMMUNITY & PUBLIC SAFETY

The Challenge: Practical Considerations & Possible Solutions:A. Maintenance & repairs 1. Constant maintenance and immediate repairs to damaged elements

contributes to positive sense of public environmentB. Addition of new spaces/facilities in completed buildings 1. Retrofitting of additional floors/ accommodation has been necessary to

several projects2. Need for flexibility & resilience in all facilities3. Complexity and high costs are associated with substantial retrofitting e.g. adding of additional floors and services

C. Art Works 1. Opportunities to be explored for future artworks: Mosaic works, Sculptures, Metal screens2. Managing facilities to prevent damage

D. Financial sustainability of facilities 1. Each facility needs compelling purpose and adequate space to generate break-even income2. Activities to be visible to enable presence within as well as surveillance onto surrounding territory

E. Curtain Rails to Flats 1. Curtains/curtain rails/blinds to be provided by tenants subject to conditions in leases

F. Designing for Community Functions eg: Kitchens1. Size & position relative to meeting room(s)?2. Space for food preparation?3. Food is important part of community functions

G. Wind problem in open mesh-screened spaces 1. Open mesh-screens to stairs & light boxes allow wind to blow through2. Consider enclosing stairwells

H. Store rooms/storage spaces 1. Secure/Lockable?2. Sufficient storage to be provided for tables, chairs, cleaning equipment, materials, etc

I. Cupboards 1. Adequate provision?2. Secure/Lockable?

1.4 ADDITIONAL ITEMS

The Challenge: Practical Considerations & Possible Solutions: Pictures:A. Controlling movement of vehicles/off-loading 1. Vehicles often accidentally bump into landscaping elements e.g. seating,

litterbins2. Vehicles often obstruct trading activities & movement of people3. Bollards limit acces to vehicles4. Education/co-operation of drivers

B. Permitting restricted access of vehicles 1. Service vehicles may require controlled access2. Use of removable bollards where access is needed

C. Preventing encroachment of private developments 1. Provide functional edge wall to define and hold boundary condition2. Boundary definition/edge walling/ seating

D. Off-loading by large trucks e.g. Harare Square1. Difficulty for large truck to reverse into service yards2. Requires large turning circles3. Bollards may prevent damage to other landscaping elements but are likely to get damaged/bumped over

Landscaping: Materials & Components

2.1 DEFINED ACCESS & SAFE MOVEMENT

This section addresses how landscaping can be used to define access and movement in the interest of community & public safety with the use of physical barriers. The need for safe recreational space is explored & issues of maintenance & management of facilities as well as instances of

vandalism are discussed. Furthermore, this section explores the different materials that can be used in landscaping & examines their strenghts and limitations.

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The Challenge: Practical Considerations & Possible Solutions: Pictures:A. Play equipment- Risk of public liability in case of injury 1. Display signs to be placed at play equipment in local language stating that

use of equipment is at own risk

B. Safe choices of multi-functional play spaces/play parks 1. Variety of facilities needed at appropriate safe locations to provide for different age groups of children2. Consider: Safety, Robustness, Low maintenance

C. ‘Laterite’ sports fields- Surface too rough for playing soccer 1. Surface possibly requires regular raking to remove larger stones.2. Field extensively used anyway

The Challenge: Practical Considerations & Possible Solutions: Pictures:A. Cracks in precast steps/junctions with paving 1. Cracks results in weeds growing through them which are unsightly

2. Ensure structural integrity3. Fill movement joints with silicon sealant

B. Borehole reliability 1. Disruption to borehole irrigation during peak summer months2. Harvesting of rain water3. Need for additional water storage tanks4. Municipal auxiliary connection to top-up tanks are necessary5. Possibly combination of various solutions is required

C. Possible failure of booster pumps 1. Spare Booster Pump needed2. Cost = approx R11 000.00/pump

2.2 RECREATIONAL FACILITIES

2.3 MAINTENANCE & MANAGEMENT

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The Challenge: Practical Considerations & Possible Solutions: Pictures:A. Deliberate vandalism of pre-cast concrete benches

1. Precast concrete steps are difficult to repair 2. Also accidental damage e.g. chips;3. Use more robust and thicker insitu castings4. ‘Occupy’ developments around public spaces as soon as possible to allow surveillance

B. Vandalism of bubblers & sprinklers - pop-ups & valves 1. Need to identify alternative irrigation system due to vandalism2. Potentially irrigate directly to roots which will facilitate growth3. Bubblers to be placed below finished ground level

C. Solenoid valves- unauthorized use 1. Unauthorised operation of valves2. Place valves under lockable covers

D. Stealing of bubblers 1. Informal traders believed to be tampering with irrigation system and removing bubblers in order to obtain water to wash fruit and vegetables2. Provide communal tap for use by traders

2.4 VANDALISM

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Material: Practical Considerations & Possible Solutions: Pictures:A. Tree cages (timber triangular cages and square cages)

1. Size to be adjusted to accommodate wider tree canopies2. Optimal timber cage

B. Tree cages (steel cages)

1. Detailing needs review due to buckling2. Galv. Steel/timber cage

C. Trees 1. Time of planting readjusted to May onwards to take advantage of winter rainfall thus reducing stress on plant material

D. Limited Calcrete 1. Source not renewable2. Need to find alternative material

E. Water tanks

F. Materials generally 1. Need for further investigations on choice of materials2. Re-assess choice of materials for each new project3. Maintain character of VPUU projects in general

2.5 MATERIALS & COMPONENTS

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The Challenge: Practical Considerations & Possible Solutions:A. Use of conventional materials & details recommended 1. Bricks, block, concrete, plaster & paint are cost effective & within capability of

small contractors, offering greater scope for use of local labour2. As far as possible conventional building materials & details to be specified/used

B. Minimise use of structural steel 1. High cost of material2. Difficulty with intricate details3. Introduces sub-contract element raising costs & resulting in time delay & performance4. Limits/reduces use of local labour5. Steel prone to rusting (even when galvanized)6. Steel external envelope requires cladding externally & internally plus insulation7) Fencing also prone to rusting

3.1 LABOR & COST CONSIDERATIONS

This section explores labor & cost considerations, calling for simple construction details that allow involvement of local labor suitable for community ownership & responsibility, as well as income generating opportunities. It also addresses the

practicality & sustainability since easy maintenance & repair work can be undertaken by local labor. This section also lists building materials & comments on their appropriateness in given situations & general strenghts & limitations. It advocates for

choosing environmentally friendly, readily available, & robust materials for sustainable developments.

Buildings: Materials & Components

The Challenge: Practical Considerations & Possible Solutions:A. Ceilings 1. Fixing of plywood ceilings onto purlins causes problems where ceilings

and/or electrical fittings were incorrectly installed (ex: Change rooms at Kwamfundo)2. Ceiling should be installed between purlins or below rafters3. Standard un-skimmed plaster board or fibre cement fixed to brandering less costly than plywood boarding

B. Doors: Timber 1. Structural integrity of panelled doors is questionable2. Paint is chipping due to knocks3. Doors slamming in the wind4. Specify framed, ledged and braced timber doors5. Specify sealants6. Introduce door closers or cabin hooks

C. Fixings to cladding 1. Fixings rusting2. All fixing to be galvanized and secured in accord with acceptable good building practice

D. Floors: ‘Marmoleum’ sheeting 1. Floor sheeting is scratched, damaged & stained2. Specify additional sealant to floor sheeting.3. Marmoleum floor finish easily 'bubbles' up4. Consider alternative floor finish

E. Galvanised steel 1. Steel elements rust in places2. Inadequate galvanising suspected

F. Granolithic 1. Contractors do not appear to have required skills for ‘grano’ finish2. Consider alternative finish

G. Imported products 1. Locally made vs. more environmentally-friendly2. No right or wrong: debate and research continues

H. Ironmongery 1. Problem experience with difficulties in cutting of keys2. Ironmongery should be standardised as far as possible on all projects

I. Floors- Painted finish 1. Paint chipping off grano screed2. Investigate more robust finish

J. Plaster to door reveals 1. Plaster chipped at revealsK. Plaster: internal 1. Damage to plaster walls at chair back height

2. Use face brick to chair back height;3. Install timber dado rail at chair back height

L. Plaster: rough external plaster 1. Easy to ‘engrave’ decorative plaster2. Use face bricks for external walls3. Incident occurred when facility was unoccupied

3.2 BUILDING MATERIALS (Alphebetized)

M. Rodding eyes/manholes: plumbing 1. Rodding eyes vulnerable to damage e.g. lawnmowers, ladders2. Rodding eyes require experts to un-block drains3. Use of manholes preferable:4. Investigate pre-cast manholes

N. Rodding eyes/manhole covers in trafficable areas 1. Rodding eyes and manhole covers to be placed flush with trafficable surfaces

O. Roller shutters vs. glazed doors 1. Roller shutters on their own do not form appropriate fenestration to facilities used also as offices e.g. Live-Work Units.2. Glazed doors/windows also to be used to external openings

P. Roller-shutters 1. Security problem due to ease of breaking securing bolt2. Need for more secure bolt block

Q. Staircase treads 1. Chipping in grano plaster on face of treads2. Suggestion to use steel angles to protect face of grano3. Steel angles is costly alternative and could be dislodged and go 'missing'4. Steel angles could be viable for repair job

R. Taps with hose connection 1. Need to allow for manual irrigation and filling of buckets2. Provide one outside bib tap at convenient place as part of every building project

S. Threshold of door frames 1. Thresholds internally wear away2. Suggestion to use steel angles to secure screed where change in floor level occurs3. Steel angles costly alternative

T. Toilet partitions 1. Must be robust: use correct product2. 90mm block or 110mm brick walls more robust & probably cheaper

U. Windows: Steel framed 1. Consolite’ steel windows are of poor quality and manufacturer provides poor service2. Specify ‘Symocor epoxy coated steel windows3. Window openings require stops from safety point of view

V. Windows: Timber framed 1. Opening sections have dropped in their frames, do not open & close properly and consequently leak2. Sample windows to be provided by approved manufacturer prior to manufacturing.3. Appropriate hinges to be specified for heavier glass.4. Likely cause of problem at Harare Park Active Box is due to inadequate hinges, especially where 12mm laminated glass was used

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The Challenge: Practical Considerations & Possible Solutions:A. Cleaning of facilities 1. Washing of walls with high pressure hoses is not suitable

2. Flood-washing internal floors will cause damage to coverings & skirtingsB. Sticking of posters to walls 1. ‘Prestik’ and glues tend to pull patches off and/or discolour paintwork

2. Installation of pin boards or rails3. It is unavoidable for walls to be used as display surfaces

C. Use of gas for heating water 1. Consider use of gas to heat water directly where demand is low rather than installing solar panels

D. Installation of Solar PanelsE. Services passing through roof 1. Leakage problems occur

2. Particular attention required for detailing & specification of waterproofing of plumbing pipes passing through roof sheeting

F. Placing of hot water cylinders 1. Insulation problem2. Install hot water cylinders within buildings rather than on roof to provide better insulation3. Requires stable 'platform' for solar panels such that roof sheeting can be renewed without removing solar panels

4.1 MAINTENANCE & MANAGEMENTOperation & Maintenance

The Challenge: Practical Considerations & Possible Solutions:A. Electricity connections 1. Notoriously long time i.e. 120 days required to obtain connection after

payment has been made2. Apply for electrical connections with Eskom as early as possible 3. Proceedures of Eskom cumbersome

B. Water connections 1. Apply for water connections with City of Cape Town as early as possibleC. Telephone connections 1. Apply for telephone connections with as early as possible

The Challenge: Practical Considerations & Possible Solutions:A. Hand-over of facilitiesB. As-built drawingsC. Management of facilitiesD. MonitoringE. Tenduring proceeduresF. Plans and approved proceedures

5.1 UTILITIES

This section addresses various steps to take before facilities are handed over to the community, including the importance of pre-planning to obtain utilities.

5.2 ADDITIONAL PROCESSES

Various Processes & Proceedures