Memory in the Ecosystem of the City: The Design of a Funerary Landscape in Shark River Valley, Port Elizabeth
- Authors: Ritchie, Brittney
- Date: 2020-09
- Subjects: Archaeological landscape -- Port Elizabeth , Cemeteries , Shark River Valley, Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/59139 , vital:60267
- Description: This thesis evolved from an inherent fascination with the architecture of funerary landscapes. Funerary structures can be regarded as the first architectural interventions and provide a fundamental perspective of how societies dealt with death and its meaning. Architecture has manifested in this type for many years, for many reasons and in many different expressions. Monolithic burial mounds of the Neolithic age, the pyramids of Giza and the mausoleums of the classical era are typical examples of funerary landscapes. The architecture of contemporary funerary landscapes, however, does not display characteristics similar to those of their predecessors. Contemporary funerary landscapes appear to be dissociated from their environment and motivated by efficiency rather than any attempt to reflect and embrace the deeper processes of death and mourning. Subsequently, these landscapes lack identity and the notion of meaning, appearing derelict, dull and forgotten by society. There is a common approach, particularly in South Africa, of displacing these landscapes to the peripheries of cities, further exacerbating the divide between society and the roles and rituals of death. This approach is a paradox to the ecological paradigm of our time. In order to address this issue and understand funerary landscapes as type, this study firstly explored various relevant theoretical aspects as well as examples of successful funerary landscapes around the world. The typical cemetery with its inherent problems provided an opportunity for this study to respond constructively through an architectural design, taking into consideration the function of the funeral, the process of grief and the concern of re-integrating the funerary landscape into the ecosystem of the city. Then, an appropriate site was chosen in the city of Port Elizabeth for the design of a funerary landscape. In order to explore the established set of principles, this thesis proposed a funerary landscape as a place of both memorial and recreation within a delicate ecosystem in an underutilised urban park of Port Elizabeth; Shark River Valley. This design aimed to integrate with both the natural environment and the surrounding built fabric, encouraging interaction with the rich cultural and natural heritage the city has to offer. The ambition is for this funerary landscape to become a narrative journey, framing a series of experiences which will bring people together, reconciling society and encourage them to embrace and cope with death in a meaningful way. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Engineering, the Built Environment, and Technology, 2020
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020-09
- Authors: Ritchie, Brittney
- Date: 2020-09
- Subjects: Archaeological landscape -- Port Elizabeth , Cemeteries , Shark River Valley, Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/59139 , vital:60267
- Description: This thesis evolved from an inherent fascination with the architecture of funerary landscapes. Funerary structures can be regarded as the first architectural interventions and provide a fundamental perspective of how societies dealt with death and its meaning. Architecture has manifested in this type for many years, for many reasons and in many different expressions. Monolithic burial mounds of the Neolithic age, the pyramids of Giza and the mausoleums of the classical era are typical examples of funerary landscapes. The architecture of contemporary funerary landscapes, however, does not display characteristics similar to those of their predecessors. Contemporary funerary landscapes appear to be dissociated from their environment and motivated by efficiency rather than any attempt to reflect and embrace the deeper processes of death and mourning. Subsequently, these landscapes lack identity and the notion of meaning, appearing derelict, dull and forgotten by society. There is a common approach, particularly in South Africa, of displacing these landscapes to the peripheries of cities, further exacerbating the divide between society and the roles and rituals of death. This approach is a paradox to the ecological paradigm of our time. In order to address this issue and understand funerary landscapes as type, this study firstly explored various relevant theoretical aspects as well as examples of successful funerary landscapes around the world. The typical cemetery with its inherent problems provided an opportunity for this study to respond constructively through an architectural design, taking into consideration the function of the funeral, the process of grief and the concern of re-integrating the funerary landscape into the ecosystem of the city. Then, an appropriate site was chosen in the city of Port Elizabeth for the design of a funerary landscape. In order to explore the established set of principles, this thesis proposed a funerary landscape as a place of both memorial and recreation within a delicate ecosystem in an underutilised urban park of Port Elizabeth; Shark River Valley. This design aimed to integrate with both the natural environment and the surrounding built fabric, encouraging interaction with the rich cultural and natural heritage the city has to offer. The ambition is for this funerary landscape to become a narrative journey, framing a series of experiences which will bring people together, reconciling society and encourage them to embrace and cope with death in a meaningful way. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Engineering, the Built Environment, and Technology, 2020
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020-09
Towards a methodology for identifying potential sites for cemeteries
- Authors: Judge, Richard David Eadie
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Cemeteries , Environmental impact analysis , Groundwater , Pollution
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10649 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1008048 , Cemeteries , Environmental impact analysis , Groundwater , Pollution
- Description: Due to death being an extremely sensitive issue, the topic of cemeteries and associated environmental impacts is often left outside the mainstream environmental critique. However, this is a topic becoming more prevalent as the population numbers and the death rate increases, while the amount of available land decreases. Recent research has indicated that poorly sited cemeteries may pose a significant threat to groundwater resources with the consequential potential for severe health hazards. This has resulted in the need for a method of determining the acceptability of a given area for the establishment of a cemetery in a South African context. Cemeteries should be sited in such a way as to mitigate potential public health and safety concerns, minimise associated environmental impacts and provide a method of body disposal that is economically viable. This study therefore provides an integrated methodology to identify and assess a given area and rank a number of potential sites, ultimately determining a single cemetery site which proves to be acceptable for the establishment of a cemetery. Cemetery site selection should be based on the factors affecting the pollution potential of a proposed cemetery. These factors were identified and quantified based on research into the mechanisms of cemetery site pollution resulting in a number of fatal flaws and criteria deemed decisive when selecting a potential cemetery site. The assessment of a site with regards to these criteria and fatal flaws is undertaken through the use of GIS analysis software utilising data layers containing information on the site selection criteria, by investigating existing studies, literature or reports relating to the relevant area, or through field investigations. Although these criteria are vital when determining the specific characteristics of a site in terms of its pollution potential, a method of assessing a number of potential sites with regards to these criteria is vital. To this end, a multi-criteria ranking matrix has been developed, allowing for an objective method of assessing individual sites and thus indicating which sites are more suited for the establishment of a cemetery. The ranking matrix identifies a range of values for each criterion, therefore identifying a minimum and maximum allowable value. A site is then assessed with regards to these criteria in relation to the values identified in the ranking matrix. Each criteria is assigned a score according to the site conditions. Once the criteria for each site has been assessed and scored, the results can be tallied allowing the sites to be ranked according to which site proved to be the most acceptable for a cemetery based on the findings of the application of the site selection criteria. The methodology developed in this study is unique to previous studies in that it provides an integrated and staged approach to identifying, assessing and applying the criteria affecting the pollution potential of a cemetery. The methodology also provides a means of ranking a number of potential sites so to determine the most suitable. Furthermore, the criteria deemed as decisive in previous investigations were in most cases not quantified by the relevant authors, therefore leaving many of the criteria values up for interpretation. For this methodology to be affective, all criteria must be quantified therefore identifying maximum and minimum allowable limits for each. This study applies minimum and maximum allowable limits to these criteria, therefore aiding in the ranking process. The integrated methodology developed was then applied to a case study where by the effectiveness in identifying a number of potential cemetery sites could be tested. Subsequent to the application of this methodology to a case study, it was concluded that an additional two criteria, not identified in previous investigations, needed to be assessed to more adequately determine the suitability or otherwise of a site for a cemetery. Ultimately, twelve major criteria have been proposed for use as the basis of the methodology. The methodology and pertinent criteria proposed in this study should be compiled as a standard for planning authorities and consultants to use as a method of determining a number of potential environmentally sound cemetery sites.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Judge, Richard David Eadie
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Cemeteries , Environmental impact analysis , Groundwater , Pollution
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:10649 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1008048 , Cemeteries , Environmental impact analysis , Groundwater , Pollution
- Description: Due to death being an extremely sensitive issue, the topic of cemeteries and associated environmental impacts is often left outside the mainstream environmental critique. However, this is a topic becoming more prevalent as the population numbers and the death rate increases, while the amount of available land decreases. Recent research has indicated that poorly sited cemeteries may pose a significant threat to groundwater resources with the consequential potential for severe health hazards. This has resulted in the need for a method of determining the acceptability of a given area for the establishment of a cemetery in a South African context. Cemeteries should be sited in such a way as to mitigate potential public health and safety concerns, minimise associated environmental impacts and provide a method of body disposal that is economically viable. This study therefore provides an integrated methodology to identify and assess a given area and rank a number of potential sites, ultimately determining a single cemetery site which proves to be acceptable for the establishment of a cemetery. Cemetery site selection should be based on the factors affecting the pollution potential of a proposed cemetery. These factors were identified and quantified based on research into the mechanisms of cemetery site pollution resulting in a number of fatal flaws and criteria deemed decisive when selecting a potential cemetery site. The assessment of a site with regards to these criteria and fatal flaws is undertaken through the use of GIS analysis software utilising data layers containing information on the site selection criteria, by investigating existing studies, literature or reports relating to the relevant area, or through field investigations. Although these criteria are vital when determining the specific characteristics of a site in terms of its pollution potential, a method of assessing a number of potential sites with regards to these criteria is vital. To this end, a multi-criteria ranking matrix has been developed, allowing for an objective method of assessing individual sites and thus indicating which sites are more suited for the establishment of a cemetery. The ranking matrix identifies a range of values for each criterion, therefore identifying a minimum and maximum allowable value. A site is then assessed with regards to these criteria in relation to the values identified in the ranking matrix. Each criteria is assigned a score according to the site conditions. Once the criteria for each site has been assessed and scored, the results can be tallied allowing the sites to be ranked according to which site proved to be the most acceptable for a cemetery based on the findings of the application of the site selection criteria. The methodology developed in this study is unique to previous studies in that it provides an integrated and staged approach to identifying, assessing and applying the criteria affecting the pollution potential of a cemetery. The methodology also provides a means of ranking a number of potential sites so to determine the most suitable. Furthermore, the criteria deemed as decisive in previous investigations were in most cases not quantified by the relevant authors, therefore leaving many of the criteria values up for interpretation. For this methodology to be affective, all criteria must be quantified therefore identifying maximum and minimum allowable limits for each. This study applies minimum and maximum allowable limits to these criteria, therefore aiding in the ranking process. The integrated methodology developed was then applied to a case study where by the effectiveness in identifying a number of potential cemetery sites could be tested. Subsequent to the application of this methodology to a case study, it was concluded that an additional two criteria, not identified in previous investigations, needed to be assessed to more adequately determine the suitability or otherwise of a site for a cemetery. Ultimately, twelve major criteria have been proposed for use as the basis of the methodology. The methodology and pertinent criteria proposed in this study should be compiled as a standard for planning authorities and consultants to use as a method of determining a number of potential environmentally sound cemetery sites.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
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