Heritage Issues in Southern Africa's Changing Inner City Environments
APHP VIRTUAL SYMPOSIUM: 7 November 2024
DR STEPHEN TOWNSEND B Arch (UCT); diploma Conservation studies (University of Rome); PhD (UCT). Fields of interest: legal and administrative systems regulating development; making and enriching of settlements; training and professionalisation of heritage practice. Presentation “Decision-Making in terms of the NHRA.” The effects of the NHRA are argued to be too uncertain to confront with confidence. The argument will (i) explore the intrinsic difficulties faced in the administration of the NHRA and in heritage management; (ii) discuss two important judgments that have multiplied the uncertainties; (iii) turn to the actual process of decision-making and how these processes ignore the provisions of the NHRA and the Constitution; and (iv) conclude with questions about the value of heritage in dispute.
HELENE POTGIETER Founded HPA in 2002 to produce functional & sustainable designs that encompass Building Conservation and Adaptive Reuse as well as Skills Transfer & Development. Examples of work include: Parliament Precinct Security Upgrade; Diepkloof Community Learning Centre; JDA City & Suburban Affordable Rental Accommodation; and Pretoria City Hall restoration. Presentation “Heritage issues opportunities in Pretoria’s changing inner city environment” This presentation looked at case studies in Pretoria to illustrate why Building Conservation makes financial sense against to demolishing and rebuilding, namely: Madeleine Hotel, Park Lodge Hotel and Vergeet-My-Nie Residence, UP.
AGNES SHININGAYAMWE A heritage professional with experience in management of heritage sites. Served as Site Manager for the Twyfelfontein //Ui-æ//aes World Heritage Site and is now Regional Heritage Officer at the National Heritage Council of Namibia. Holds a Master’s Degree in Education, a Postgraduate Diploma in Heritage Conservation and Management and a Bachelor of Education (Hons) from the University of Namibia. Pursuing a PhD in Eco-Tourism and Protected Area Management. Presentation: “Decolonizing Heritage Management Systems: New Directions in Digital Heritage Management from Namibia.” Namibia inherited a colonial system of heritage management. Despite efforts to decolonise there remain gaps and biases in how this heritage is recognized and protected. The presentation examined deficiencies in the heritage management system, outlined efforts to develop inclusive and effective management tools and argued for a broader approach, that better represents a post-colonial identity and promotes an equitable recognition of its heritage.
BRYAN WINTERMEYER (Presented by Guillaume Bruwer) Holds a Master's in Architecture and a Master's in Philosophy (Conservation of the Built Environment). Worked at NOH Architects before co-founding The Workplace Architects. After serving as an Executive in corporate architecture, he rejoined The Workplace Architects, rebranded as The Workplace Agency and currently focuses on master planning and heritage-related projects. Presentation “History and Heritage in Inner-City Townships: The Example of Duncan Village, East London.” Duncan Village hold important heritage tied to it's urban development. These reflect cycles of change amidst socio-economic challenges and a degraded built environment. The heritage is rooted in politics, music, and theatre. Current efforts aim to document these histories, promote tourism, and use key sites. ECPHRA is calling for the heritage resources to be identified and formally protected.
BRIAN MCKECHNIE & BRENDAN HART Brian is a Johannesburg-based heritage architect. His favourite projects are the adaptive reuse of Innes Chambers, the restoration of the Ansteys Building and curating the interiors of the Rand Club. Brendan is an architect, academic and heritage practitioner. He holds architectural degrees from Wits University and a Masters in the Conservation of the Built Environment from UCT. In 2012 Brendan established Mayat Hart Architects. Awarded projects include the New Delville Wood Memorial, and the Restoration of Aiton Court, the Workers Museum Cottages and Merton Keep. Presentation: “What Is Heritage And Conservation Practice In Johannesburg Now?” Heritage practice is guided by charters and guidelines which define international best practice where conservation needs to navigate a complex context of poverty, urban decay and social change. They explore this in a discussion looking at how to practice conservation in a challenging city like Johannesburg, with the hope of teasing out a new way to practice and being a heritage practitioner.
Symposium was conceived and planned by Gavin McLachlan, ex officio member of APHP’s Executive Committee (EXCO). Introduced by William Martinson, Chairperson of APHP’s EXCO. Hosted by member of APHP EXCO, Elwyn Harlech-Jones Recorded on Zoom.