Mamelodi Sundowns striker Khama Billiat .IMAGE :GIFT NDOLWANE
PRETORIA – The mayor of the City of Tshwane, Kgosientso Ramokgopa, will on Sunday unveil a housing pilot initiative building called “The Lighthouse” in Nellmapius, Mamelodi.
The project has been carried out in partnership with the National Department of Environmental Affairs’ Working on Fire programme – an Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) – which is aimed at addressing issues of relevance to climate change, climate adaptation and the creation of large-scale job opportunities. The building process enables a “shacks to houses” conversion without creating the need for the shack-owner to be displaced.
The Lighthouse is designed to be built over an existing shack. The shack-owner will move upstairs; the shack will then be demolished, and the downstairs area is built after the services have been put in place. A key consideration is to build in clusters (blocks), although stand-alone houses are possible in highly dense informal settlements where there is little space.
The concept also focuses on addressing flooding, has superior thermal and acoustic qualities, as well as rats, termites and cockroach-proofed. It has even been shown to be bullet-resistant. The Lighthouse demonstrates
innovative, sustainable design practice and adheres to building standards requirements.
As part of the launch, the City will showcase a design feature of the Lighthouse which enables it to withstand run-away shack fires. The demonstration will include setting on fire to constructed shacks and a Lighthouse.
