Redefining the Flow:
Empowering women through the redefinition of water access and boundaries through the lenses of intersectionality, sustainable design, and women’s safety in Hartbeespoort
The project is situated at Hartbeespoort dam. The project, looks at intersectionality, women’s safety and the use of hyacinths as an alternative material in Hartbeespoort. Intersectionality explores the intersection of social categories such as race and class in shaping experiences and privilege or discrimination. By comparing the lives of the women of the informal settlement, women living in the residential estates and female tourists, the study recognizes the hierarchy in Hartbeespoort, where certain groups have more privilege than others, particularly in terms of access to water resources and safety.
The research highlights the importance of inclusive space design, with a specific focus on women’s safety and access to water resources. Through interviews and observations, the study identifies the challenges faced by different groups of women in Hartbeespoort, particularly those in informal settlements. One of the concerns is the 13km route the women from the informal settlement commute along to get to work which presents many dangers as opposed the opportunity to travel 1km over the water. This influences one element of the programmatic design which is a 1km pedestrian bridge that acts as a public space as well and spans from north to south.
The project proposes a transformation of a 20,000 square meter site between Kosmos Ridge Estate and the informal settlement situated in the north. It envisions:
- A water taxi station and 1km pedestrian bridge: which will both provide easy and safe access across the dam, allowing for connectivity and on-water experiences, especially for individuals who do not own boats.
- A Public space: A multifunctional space that encourages interaction on many levels and empowers women by providing a space for them to sell their products.
- A hyacinths centre: Which will provide a unique tourist activity and opportunity for women to educate others on their weaving skills. This program is based off of a climate study I conducted that explores the use of hyacinths as an alternative material, emphasizing sustainability and lower embodied energy.
The project seeks to shift from traditional approaches to create safer, more accessible, and eco-friendly spaces that address women’s challenges in Hartbeespoort. It also aims to enhance interactions between women of different backgrounds and create safer spaces for women.
