The Civil Engineering Contractor October 2018 | Page 31

TECHNOLOGY
that in some designs, pedestrians are
demonised for crossing roads that they
are not meant to — according to
engineering principles. “Ultimately we
need engineers, architects, planners,
designers, and allied professionals
to embrace transdisciplinary and
participatory ethnographic tools in their
quest for more creative and innovative
solutions as they aspire to create a new
‘African city’,” says Jamie.
Another challenge shared is that
of capital. The AECOM report
highlights how adequate investment
in infrastructure projects is crucial
to national prosperity. “Funding
shortages are cited as the main reason
for infrastructure backlogs in Africa
in particular, with the knock-on effect
being that urban developments are
not nearly as advanced elsewhere in
places such as in Europe and the
US,” says Motheo’s Rutherford.
Financial constraints lead to shortcuts
and this compromises quality and
sustainability. “Developers and
contractors need to work smarter with
the available resources. Cost-cutting is
detrimental to both the construction
industry and communities themselves,
as margins are cut to the bone and
quality is compromised. Quality is
particularly important, as these urban
developments have to be viable for a
long lifespan and have to be flexible
and adaptable enough to cater for
future growth,” he says.
Going beyond necessities
Urban development is an ongoing
process. “It’s continuous, never-
ending. You have to plan that it’ll
last forever, providing a five-year
review plan,” says Du Plessis. Over
the next 10 years, it is likely that
urban development will look at more
formalised levels of service delivery,
with Du Plessis mentioning factors
such as solar power being used in
remote areas as opposed to the
traditional use of installed electricity
cables stretching kilometres on end.
Rutherford agrees, saying that
renewable energy is vital to ensure
the best use of available resources. “A
greater emphasis needs to be placed
on promoting general wellness of
residents of urban developments, and
how projects can also promote the
overall wellness and healthy living of
their residents,” he adds. Failing to
provide services in a sustainable way
leads to a city degenerating.
Public officials need to start asking
how we can make things happen for
the people, and not ask questions
after a project has been implemented.
Government, together with engineers
and all professionals involved in urban
development, needs to talk among
each other. This is one mechanism that
will ensure that the systems required
to make sure projects are successful,
are in place. Delays and redesigning
of the plan will be prevented through
collaboration. At the end of the day, it
is the people who will use the spaces,
and citizens’ best interests should
always be put above organisational
interests. nn
CEC October 2018 - 29