LEON VAN DER WESTHUIZEN
NELSON MANDELA METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY
RE-generating the Boet Erasmus Stadium in Port Elizabeth
Van der Westhuizen says, “The project is
concerned with issues pertaining to the impact
of derelict sites on ecological systems and the
opportunities presented by these for the restoration
and regeneration of damaged ecosystems – socioeconomically, culturally and physically.
The derelict Boet Erasmus Stadium in Shark River
Valley is a hindrance to an important valley water
system whilst providing a desolate termination to
the upper end of a nature based leisure zone that
connects to the beachfront through “Happy Valley”.
By visualising the site as a filter for ecology the
project attempts to create an interlinked ecosystem
between the neighbouring valley systems to allow
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citizens of Port Elizabeth to utilise unique ecosystem
services. The old stadium becomes a micro-catchment
area where wetlands, algae ponds and water lily
treatment zones filter polluted and contaminated
water to remove heavy metals. The ecological status
of the valley is monitored by the research component
and provides laboratories to extract and recover the
heavy metals from the water lilies. These metals are
then crafted into saleable jewellery pieces. As the
facility filters the water along the valley it supports
the reconstituted “people place” of Happy Valley with
natural swimming pools, walkways, cycling routes and
picnic areas. through the design of a biological water
treatment and research facility.
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