INCLUSIVE DENSITY_Milan/Cape Town 2018
This dissertation was presented as part fulfillment of the degree of the Master of Architecture degree at Politecnico di Milano, April 2018.
The objective of the thesis was to explore an alternative approach to affordable housing delivery in Cape Town, South Africa that will lead to a more sustainable growth of the city where inhabitants have equal access to well-located, quality affordable housing. Research was refined from the city scale to a local area, building on existing spatial strategies of the City of Cape Town, focusing on transit orientated development, urban management, diversification and densification. A node within this strategic framework acted as a testing ground to develop site-specific solutions which led to the design of four affordable housing prototypes. Each prototype addresses a specific issue: incremental additions, public space, economic activity and adaptive re-use. Hybrid functions and adaptability act as essential parts of the final design that allow for community involvement, expression and engagement while acting as a catalyst for urban regeneration.
At the heart of the project is the provision of affordable housing solutions that provide agency and freedom of choice to residents while being grounded both socially and physically.
Supervisor: Maria Chiara Pastore
