Campus Development and Planning
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We are a core team of built environment professionals and associates, leveraging quality planning and development capability for a world class South African university. News22 September 2011 Senior Executive Team discusses Wits Rural Facility The University of the Witwatersrand will expand the Wits Rural Facility (WRF), which already provides the institution with a unique rural outreach centre. Tuesday’s meeting of the Wits Senior Executive Team (SET) discussed plans to implement the R14m grant provided by the Ministry of Science and Technology to enhance the centre’s academic and research impact. The existing facility near Kruger Park provides a base for a number of research and outreach projects focused on the communities of Bushbuck Ridge, Several decades of community engagement and research have established Wits as a credible, scientific development partner in the area. Current areas of academic focus include health, the natural environment and population demographics. These academic and research programmes have attracted national and international partnerships. At the SET meeting Campus Development and Planning elaborated the spatial principles for expansion to a Rural Knowledge Hub. A 75-seat conference centre has been identified as a phase 1 priority. View Wits Rural Facility. Campus Development Update 21 September 2011 The Challenge of Providing Accommodation In this article the author, Guy Oldenkotte, discusses the challenges of providing student accommodation and the responses of several universities, including Stellenbosch, Free State and Wits University. He reflects the views of several students who recently moved into phase 1 of the new Wits Junction residence complex that will provide 1200 new beds in a diverse range of self-catering accommodation. “The charm of Wits Junction, a new student residential complex in Parktown, has impressed the new inhabitants who moved into the premier student residence earlier this year. This project forms part of the University’s R1.5-billion infrastructure development programme. Among the first to collect their keys on 1 July were Phillip Chaba, a final year medical student; Ntabiseng Phatoli, a second year BA student; Elzette Wannenburg, a third year medical student; and Simphiwe Mngoma, an honours media student …Having occupied a range of in-house and private student accommodation, the four were in agreement that Wits Junction was above average accommodation and offered value for money.... Read more (pdf 0.1Mb) 15 September 2011 Concrete Intellectualism – R1.2bn build programme core to Wits’ top-100 global varsity goal University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) vice-chancellor, Loyiso Nongxa is optimistic that the R1, 2 billion infrastructure programme underway across its 430ha, 250-building property portfolio in the Braamfontein and Parktown areas of Johannesburg is laying the foundations for its aspiration to be a top-100 international university by 2022, its centenary year. The capital programme, which began five years ago, has also been designed to facilitate the growth of the institution to accommodate 30 000 students by next year, when the higher education institution marks its 90th year in Johannesburg – having relocated to the city in 1922 from Kimberley, where it began life in 1896 as the South African School of Mines. Nongxa reports that the university currently has 70 active projects under way, ranging in value from R1-million refurbishments, to the R511-million Wits Junction student residence project. Read more (jpg 0.2Mb) Engineering News 12 – 18 August 24 May 2011 Project delivery lessons shared with senior government Today a group of senior officials visited Campus Development and Planning to gain insight into the delivery of Wits’ R1.5b capital projects programme and the contractual and project management innovations that have supported rapid delivery. Following a brief presentation at the completed Professional Development Hub, the 12-person delegation visited building sites at Wits Junction and the new Science Stadium. (view presentation – pdf 2Mb) The delegation included Dr Sean Phillips, Director General in the Presidency (Monitoring and Evaluation), the CEO (Ronnie Khoza) and his team from the Construction Industry Development Board as well as senior officials from National Treasury. During the visit the delegation was able to interact with the contractor and various design consultants engaged on the projects. They were particularly interested in the Framework Contract approach adopted by Wits. 18 May 2011 Senior Executive Team visits Wits Junction The countdown has begun for the R511m Wits Junction Residence complex, The first construction phase will be completed and ready for occupation on 01 July 2011. In total, the complex will accommodate 1200 beds and will be fully completed in 2012. The project will increase student residence stock by 25%. View Wits Junction - premier student accommodation (pdf 0.5Mb). On 17th May the Wits Senior Executive Team held its weekly meeting on site – in order to acquaint management with progress and the quality of accommodation that will soon become available. A Steering Group has been established across various University functions to coordinate the successful handover and operation of the project. Chaired by DVC: Finance and Operations, the Group includes Residence Life, PIMD, Services, Campus Control, International Office, Finance, Legal, Communications and Marketing. Campus Development Update 06 May 2011 Campus Planning & Development Group On May 6th the Campus Planning & Development Group discussed precinct plans and concepts for the planned Sydney Bremmer Institute for Molecular Bio Science (view Presentation pdf 5Mb). It also discussed a number of projects for the Parktown Campus. The New Health Sciences Building (Public Health) commenced on site in November 2010. On the Education sub campus, classroom and office extensions will commence in May and the 500 seat Lesideng Lecture Theatre starts later this year. (View Projects Portfolio). Progress on the development of strategic planning guidelines will be reviewed at the next meeting in August. Campus Development Update 07 April 2011 Minister Blade Nzimande opens the FNB Building On 7th April, Minister Blade Nzimande officially opened the R81m FNB Building Extension and renewal that was part funded by Government (View Government Support). Vice Chancellor, Loyiso Nongxa, thanked the Department of Higher Education & Training together with other sponsors, including First National Bank and stakeholders of the School of Accounting. The renewed building is particularly popular with students, accommodating 4 large lecture theatres, a library, student resource centre and artwork assembled by curator, Natalie Knight. The occasion was punctuated by vibrant song from the Wits Choir. (View FNB Building) Campus Development Update 21 March 2011 Wits Art Museum – Roof Wetting The construction of the Wits Art Museum is on track for completion at the end of June. In consultation with Curator, Julia Charlton, our contractor, Murray & Dickson, invited the University leadership, design team and guests to a “roof wetting” occasion on the 21st April. The occasion provided opportunity for an early preview of the spectacular spaces that will soon enable public access to the art collections under Wits’ curatorship. This was a celebration of great achievement in terms of generous sponsorship and the delivery of a R39.5m project that was originally estimated at R68m. Campus Development Update |
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