Genius loci: on altering perceptions, reconnecting people to place invoking spirit of place, Mitchells Plain

摘要

This dissertation looks at themes of identity constructionudrooted in place. It takes the notion of people and theudenvironment having a reciprocal relationship withudarchitecture being at the interface - facilitating theudlocalised formation of identity and sense of place. Iudexamine current themes of Creole culture and relatedudhybridization, and the important role architecture andudplace plays in the affirmation of identity. This is done inudthe context of Mitchells Plain located on the Cape Flats.udI critique the original apartheid modernist planning inudcreating a ‘community’ detached, and with no ‘proper’udsocial network and basis for identification. In response,udI propose a re-establishment of identity and pride inudplace. Dealing with key social issues, stitching together.udABSTRACTudfragmented natural, physical and cultural elements byudproviding opportunity for experience and expressionudthrough concepts of event (active public space),udprogramme, and network. By drawing on cultural andudecological lessons of the vernacular it seeks to create audsustainable, symbiotic place and a platform for individualudidentity development rooted in contemporary life,uduniqueness of place and identity.