two main blocks . Existing informal traders have also been considered and will be given leased kiosks with roller shutters in a well-demarcated space facing the taxi rank .
The architects were briefed with creating a sustainable design and the architecture of Gugulethu Square includes extensive natural lighting , ecofriendly materials , efficient use of space with roof parking , efficient artificial lighting and airconditioning .
“ We are also doing a huge amount of landscaping to integrate the centre into , and improve , the surrounding environment ,” says Friend .
The development has created numerous positive benefits for the residents of Gugulethu , especially in terms of job creation , as a significant number
of local residents were employed as construction workers . The developers ’ commitment to draw 25 % of the construction workforce from the Gugulethu community has been exceeded and a ratio of 37 % has been achieved .
The PSC ’ s community liaison officer was appointed to receive CVs and company profiles of parties interested in participating in construction and to undertake on-site monitoring of commitments to local employment by both the main contractor and sub-contractors . Vacancy advertising for retail jobs at the Square will be centrally coordinated as a service provided by the centre . This will ensure that participation by the community is maximised and that qualified local candidates , that might ordinarily be overlooked , get equal access to job opportunities .
Developer ’ s Comment Energy-saving alternatives applied to Gugulethu Square include an energy-efficient water-cooled airconditioning system , a rainwater system , intelligent lighting and tilt-up concrete façade construction requiring no external painting and less transport than usual construction methods .
Other measures were the use of on-site material for backfilling , re-use of 4,000m 2 brick paving from the site on which the centre has been developed , salvaging of demolished material for community use , and the introduction of operational waste management systems . “ The former Eyona Centre on which Gugulethu Square has been developed was not demolished conventionally ” says Mzoli Ngcawuzele , CEO of Mzoli Properties . “ It was dismantled at a higher cost so that materials and components from this building , with a value of R300,000 , could be donated to , and recycled by , the immediate community .
276 Gugulethu Square