Abstract
The Metropolitan of Johannesburg possesses a fast-paced culture in
which time for rest and pause so often gets neglected. To explain this
phenomenon as purely economic and endemic is to lose sight of the
complex web of social, spatial, infrastructural, and programmatic forces
that lead to its growing presence. The site in question is situated on the
eastern periphery of Rosebank, adjacent to the fast-paced, traffic-laden
avenue of Jan Smuts. The building in focus is called the 160 on Jan Smuts
and it sits on the corner of Tyrwhitt avenue, a busy minor route linking the
eastern end (Jan Smuts) to the western end, terminated by the Rosebank
Mall and Gautrain Railway station (Oxford road). The city of Johannesburg
has plans of growing the neighbourhood of Rosebank into a Transit
Oriented Development (TOD) (SA Cities Network, 2008) in its strive to
become a world-class city.
Flânerie is a French word meaning “the art of strolling and looking”
(Miner, 2021). The Parisian poet Charles Baudelaire was inspired by Edgar
Allen Poe in the book “The Man of the Crowd” where he used the term
Flânerie and identified it as a character “the flaneur” which is a literal
figure that finds pleasure in the experience of moving through the city
and observing how everyday life. (Miner, 2021) Being a flaneur also means
taking a stance against the overly goal-driven and fast-paced attitude of
the world. It’s a rebellion against the overly logical, goal-driven attitude
of the world. I will be redefining the term ‘flaneur’ as a contemporary
African person living in Johannesburg and through the embodiment of
this flaneur, find ways in which to encourage a ‘flaneur-ist’ culture in our
fast-paced city. I do believe in the benefits of walking and observing,
especially the influence it has on our psychology allowing us to maintain
our creative and artistic freedom in a fleeting world.
Two main questions will guide my research: Firstly, what is it about spaces
and obstacles that bring awareness and consciousness to the person
moving through them?
Lastly, how can I use the knowledge gained from being the flaneur
to introduce spaces that will encourage ‘flaneurism’ in the built
environment?
As a flaneur, will be observing people in and around the context of the
160 on Jan Smuts building according to the categories set out. These
categories will include the physiological responses to the immediate
environment such as the motion of walking, facial expressions, body
language and draws to comfort (sunlight vs shade etc.). Previous studies
will also be revised (still looking)
This thesis will be based on various theorists such as Christopher Tilley,
Jane Jacobs and Christopher Alexander to underpin and inform the
research strategies. The phenomenological walk as penned by Tilley
(Tilley, 2012) stresses the importance of connecting with our surroundings
through the act of being present in space. This together with Jane
Jacobs’s aspiration to celebrate imperfections and the natural growth
of spaces under the guidance of people that know and understand
the context and intricate system that lies beneath it, underpinned the
direction of this research investigation.
Not considering the concerns of Johannesburg city-dweller such as
security and safety is to be naïve. The challenge is how can we approach
property owners and developers to work together to create environments
that allow “pause” spaces that are stimulating and safe. How can we
create environments that encourage flaneurism for everyone and have it
lead to a shift in mentality by unleashing creativity to tackle our unique
Johannesburg social challenges together? Keywords: walking, flaneurie, explore, observation, movement