Abstract
This dissertation focuses on the design of an integrative public structure and a cultural renaissance for the village of Paternoster along the West Coast of South Africa. Paternoster is the oldest fishing village in the country and one of very few that retains its original character. The village has gained popularity ever since the construction of Route 27 which allow tourist greater accessibility. Despite its blooming tourist industry (generating about a hundred million rand in revenue) it lacks basic infrastructure and reflects planning and organizational strategies of segregation and dislocation. Due to the commercialization of the fishing industry, many customs and practices have disappeared. This robs the village of a strong heritage and character that was once reflected in its architecture. To uncover these forgotten traditions, the research will be approached from a palimpsest theoretical position. The aim will be to uncover the various layers that contributed to the establishment of the place, to understand how these layers were erased and to respond in such a way that acknowledges the value of the past, and yet address the issues of the present.
This dissertation focuses on the design of an integrative public structure and a cultural renaissance for the village of Paternoster along the West Coast of South Africa. Paternoster is the oldest fishing village in the country and one of very few that retains its original character. The village has gained popularity ever since the construction of Route 27 which allow tourist greater accessibility. Despite its blooming tourist industry (generating about a hundred million rand in revenue) it lacks basic infrastructure and reflects planning and organizational strategies of segregation and dislocation. Due to the commercialization of the fishing industry, many customs and practices have disappeared. This robs the village of a strong heritage and character that was once reflected in its architecture. To uncover these forgotten traditions, the research will be approached from a palimpsest theoretical position. The aim will be to uncover the various layers that contributed to the establishment of the place, to understand how these layers were erased and to respond in such a way that acknowledges the value of the past, and yet address the issues of the present.
Problem Statement
For the first hundred years, Paternoster developed in isolation as a fishing village. It had very little contact with the surrounding areas and grew as portions of farmland were sold to the government. This meant that the town expanded in a dispersed manner lacking basic public facilities.
In present times, the West Coast is faced with a problem that threatens it economically, environmentally and socially. The depletion of fish as a resource is a direct result of commercial overfishing in the area which in its turn forced government to implement strict fishing quotas in an attempt to regulate and rehabilitate the number of fish and crayfish being harvested. This leaves local fishermen financially cripple as they can no longer provide for their families like they did in the past, leaving many to resort to poaching. More than only an economic crisis, many of the traditions and skills of a culture with a strong relationship with the ocean is being lost.
In the past very particular fishing related activities supported the town but also set a culture which is the magnet of the tourism industry today. The craft of boat building, net making and bokkom drying were among the finest in the Western Cape, which very few people know about, but due to commercialization and isolation, faded before the village became as popular as it is today.
After the construction of a tar road to the village, tourism took off, shifting the force of income to a tourist rather than fishing economy. This meant that the footprint of the village became larger and being based on a suburban model, left the town even more dislocated than before.
For the first hundred years, Paternoster developed in isolation as a fishing village. It had very little contact with the surrounding areas and grew as portions of farmland were sold to the government. This meant that the town expanded in a dispersed manner lacking basic public facilities.
In present times, the West Coast is faced with a problem that threatens it economically, environmentally and socially. The depletion of fish as a resource is a direct result of commercial overfishing in the area which in its turn forced government to implement strict fishing quotas in an attempt to regulate and rehabilitate the number of fish and crayfish being harvested. This leaves local fishermen financially cripple as they can no longer provide for their families like they did in the past, leaving many to resort to poaching. More than only an economic crisis, many of the traditions and skills of a culture with a strong relationship with the ocean is being lost.
In the past very particular fishing related activities supported the town but also set a culture which is the magnet of the tourism industry today. The craft of boat building, net making and bokkom drying were among the finest in the Western Cape, which very few people know about, but due to commercialization and isolation, faded before the village became as popular as it is today.
After the construction of a tar road to the village, tourism took off, shifting the force of income to a tourist rather than fishing economy. This meant that the footprint of the village became larger and being based on a suburban model, left the town even more dislocated than before.