Imizamo Yethu in Hout Bay has been plagued with fires, now UCT Architecture students are helping to solve the problem by providing more water points.
There have been a number of stories here in Good Things Guy about the Imizamo Yethu community and the fires they have faced. Not only does the lack of water hinder thier ability to put out these fires, it affects their daily lives as well. After a survey revealed that the informal settlement has 1 water point to every 300 people, a plan was put in place by University of Cape Town’s (UCT) School of Architecture, Planning and Geomatics.
Students have been working on a project to introduce innovations that improve the lives of the residents in Imizamo Yethu. By being involed in the project, students have the opportunity to get hands-on experience in design and construction.
Since the project was started in 2008, it has evolved from and now second-year students work on designing and prototyping platforms aimed at improving the communal spaces for water collection and clothes washing as part of their course curriculum.
Michael Louw, the leader of the project and senior lecturer, implemented the project after he saw the abovementioned survey about the lack of water points. The goal now is to increase the number of water points in the area.
In an interview with Kieno Kammies, Michael Louw confirmed, they have already done seven platforms and increased water points by 50%.
“We’ve built really good connections with community development workers. Together we have identified these specific areas that are really in need of additional water points.
We basically set up a design project in the studio with second-year architecture students where they went on some technology course and did some prototyping.
And a third of the class volunteered to go and build these platforms and water points during the June holidays.” – Michael Louw, Senior Lecturer in the School of Architecture, Planning and Geomatics
Michael also confirmed that they are involved in other projects in Imizamo Yethu and they have recently started a vegetable garden. While 50% more water points is great, Michael says the need is much greater and so the project will run for many years to come with each new year adding to the legacy of this informal settlement.
The students rely on money and material sponsorships to complete their water points so anyone willing to assist, can contact Michael via email: Michael.Louw@uct.ac.za.
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