Browsing by Author "Naidoo, Marjorie Lanette"

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Exploring Design towards a Sustainable City: Through the lens of Cape Town as World Design Capital 2014
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2016-03) Naidoo, Marjorie Lanette; Muller, Anneke (J. I.); Qually, Byron; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences. School of Public Leadership.
    ENLISH SUMMARY: This study is an exploration of the relationship between advancing technological revolutions and socio‐metabolic transitions, evolving global design movements, sustainability, and cities, through the lens of Cape Town as World Design Capital (WDC) 2014, making use of a case study methodology. The WDC2014 used the slogan ‘Live Design. Transform Life’. and it will be explored what contributed towards this approach and whether this approach, focussing on social inclusion and economic development, contributed towards sustainability. A survey of the main categories of design – product, communications, spatial, service, systems, and socio‐political design, as well as the historic design movements coupled to the five technological revolutions ‐ reveals that Design has frequently been enlisted in the service of different ideologies, such as Imperialism, Modernism, Consumerism, and Neoliberalism. The outcomes of the design industry, therefore, have significant ethical implications. In addition, intimate interaction exists between Design and its surrounding socio‐political‐economic context. Upon examining the evolution in the design of cities, these same observations are evident. An examination of the sustainability challenges of cities – environmental, social and economic – reveals that Design has often not contributed to sustainability, but has rather been a handmaiden towards social inequity and polarisation, and ecological damage and loss. Eight ‘Design Cities’ and 3 World Design Capitals are studied, to identify those factors that attracted design activity and expression, their design contribution, their outcomes and legacy. More recently there is a trend to apply Design in service of human‐centeredness and sustainability, but in the case of cities it is particularly apparent that there is strong pull of forces between such a sense of conscience (people and planet), and the quest to establish a city as a centre of power, attracting investment, trade, tourism, and the Creative Class, as well as applying technology to the management and identity of cities. Considering Cape Town as a case study reveals that the city bears the imprint and the unsustainable consequences of many of the design movements and their linked ideologies ‐ in its segregated urban form, splintered social construct, and environmental challenges. Some of these outcomes are wicked problems, which City Management is attempting to redress, but within the ambit of Neoliberalism (thus addressing the symptoms, while the real problem continues unrestrained). Cape Town’s design community, perhaps 2 percent of the city population, is profiled, as well as the city’s Bid for, the rollout, and outcomes of World Design Capital. While Cape Town’s socio‐spatial challenges were reflected in the Bid, very little of ecological challenges were mentioned. A good citizen response and meaningful City projects and Ward co‐design workshops reflected a shift from 20th Century indulgent design to 21st Century responsible design – a significant year‐long intervention, which contributed in measure to a greater appreciation and awareness of the valuable contribution that Design could make. However, for design to fundamentally address unsustainability in this city, an activist Sustainability Design Movement is needed, taking full cognisance of the three spheres of sustainability. Viewing Cape Town through the lens of the long‐wave technological and socio‐metabolic cycles, and unfolding design movements, assists in understanding the city and the WDC’s intervention and approach to its present state. It is also a useful lens through which to interpret its future trajectory.