Project title: Mutambo Project 

Project Location: Pretoria

Project Focus Area: The Role of Traditional Leafy Vegetables in Informal Settlements 

Supervisor(s): Dr Karen Botes 

Project Description: 

The Mutambo Project introduces an innovative approach to the coexistence of informal settlements and formal developments. Plastic View, an informal settlement located amidst residential neighbourhoods in Pretoria East, has grappled with persistent challenges related to relocating its residents due to pressure from affluent neighbours and the City's development plans for nearby land. These attempts, which have been ongoing since 2006, have overlooked multiple legislative documents. Typically, relocation is seen as a last-resort measure to preserve the existing systems established by the settlers occupying the land. The Mutambo Project envisions a sustainable future for all communities through on-site (in-situ) upgrades of the settlement, combined with the integration of proven urban spatial principles and sports development, to prevent its relocation.

The project’s foundation is rooted in addressing the issues and needs of Plastic View by asking how sport and agriculture can connect informal communities to formal developments through landscape architecture. Site studies have identified concerns such as drug abuse among the youth, widespread poverty, a lack of community belonging, and health and safety risks. In response to these challenges, the project adopts a psychological, internal, and personal approach. It aims to inspire hope and motivation among the youth and residents of Plastic View during their most trying times by introducing a high-performance sporting program and upgraded sports grounds and facilities that enhance their health and well-being.  Drawing lessons from the East African running phenomenon, which grapples with similar issues of poverty, forced evictions and food security, the project leverages existing strengths at the site, such as a vibrant sports culture and small-scale urban agriculture. This vision positions the project as a hub that combines running, agriculture, security, and nature at masterplan level. Zooming into the recreational plaza zone that connects to the greater non-motorised transport routes, the spatial intentions move towards achieving human health and well-being. Informed by the sustainable sites initiative, spaces within the Mutambo Plaza encourage mental restoration and physical activity, two major aspects of health and sport.