Deterritorialized city-scapes: a railway memorial precinct in the CBD Pietermaritzburg

Abstract

Cities are microcosms of shared identity which when assimilated from their historic narratives can create integrated cityscapes. However, how can a city be integrated when the spatial planning of the past is at tensions with the present rituals of city usage? The central issue is that little inquiry has been made to integrate facets of historic planning and design into contemporary city living. To solve this problem, this thesis will investigate and synthesize ways of making a city more integrated by amalgamating the historic elements, which give a city its identity, with the present rituals of using the city. The city will be scrutinized from the lens of urban renewal and integrated urban geographies. This methodology to design will ultimately create a more integrated Pietermaritzburg CBD where the city’s identity and historic narratives resonate with the rituals of using the city.