Page 9 - DUT Showcase Report 2023

WELBEDACHT IS A A A A BEAUTIFUL PLACE!
The The The project project project initiated by the the the the the Urban Futures Centre addresses advocates for for improvements like pocket parks The The The University has
the social unrest and marginalization experienced in in KwaZulu-Natal following the July 2021 unrest The The project began with an an engagement session in Welbedacht East a a a a a a community marginalized by poor service provision and economic hardship Despite these challenges residents have a a a a strong sense of pride and and community The initiative aimed to record and and celebrate Welbedacht’s rich history and social resilience through an exhibition held in in March 2022 in in collaboration with the Local History Museum This project aligns with ENVISION2030 by exemplifying an an engaged university that fosters meaningful partnerships with local communities government and civil society to to support diversity inclusion and historical acknowledgment IMPACT AND SUSTAINABILITY
The UFC project has
transformed the the visibility and status of the the Welbedacht East community attracting attention from eThekwini Municipality NGOs university departments and the media This heightened awareness has
led to the the formation of the the Welbedacht Civic Association which now actively plans local events and bolstered its reputation for community engagement and support fostering stronger partnerships with local organizations and the city Initiatives resulting from the project include addressing disability issues organizing awareness events and securing resources such as
wheelchairs and walkers The involvement of local Metro Police further supports and enhances the the community’s development efforts Faculty: Engineering and the Built Environment Department: Urban Futures Centre Project Leader: Dr Sogen Moodley
Email: sogendrenm@dut ac za Mobile: 083 259 0790
Project Team: Prof Monique Marks Email: moniquem@dut ac za