August 2010

King Shaka Aerotropolis - Durban Trade Port is a Gateway to Africa

August 17, 2010 - 18:41

South Africa: Durban Trade Port is a Gateway to Africa - IN A FEW years, the Dube Trade Port - the "aerotropolis" taking root 35km north of Durban at King Shaka International Airport - should attract substantial investment at a faster rate than has been the case at other major airport sites, says Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry acting CEO TC Chetty. [AA Urbanisation]

Rwanda: SSFR Sells Three Plots in CBD Project

August 17, 2010 - 18:38

Rwanda: SSFR Sells Three Plots in CBD Project - A year since the government reduced the prices of plots in the Central Business District (CBD), the Social Security Fund for Rwanda (SSFR) has so far only managed to sell three of the nine plots that were put up for sale, the Fund's Acting Director General, Africa Ramba has said [AA Urbanisation]

Rwanda: City Buildings to Increase Security

August 17, 2010 - 18:37

Rwanda: City Buildings to Increase Security - Proprietors of all buildings in Kigali city have up to the end of this month to have installed metal detectors as a security measure. [AA Urbanisation]

Uganda: Residents Ask for Better Roads, Hospitals

August 17, 2010 - 18:36

Uganda: Residents Ask for Better Roads, Hospitals - Residents of Kibiito sub-county in Kabarole district have asked the Government to improve the poor road network and health facilities in the area. [AA Urbanisation]

Nigeria: Death Toll in Abuja Building Collapse Rises to 23

August 17, 2010 - 18:36

Nigeria: Death Toll in Abuja Building Collapse Rises to 23 - The death toll from the collapse of a multi-storey building in Abuja three days ago has climbed to 23 from an initial two, the Nigerian Red Cross said yesterday. [AA Urbanisation]

Europe Residents Show Their Anger

August 17, 2010 - 18:35

South Africa: Europe Residents Show Their Anger - Thick clouds of black smoke and the stench of burnt tyres hung over the Europe informal settlement near Nyanga last night after service delivery-related protests erupted for the third consecutive night. [AA Urbanisation]

Namibia: Okahandja Private Airport On Course

August 17, 2010 - 18:34

Namibia: Okahandja Private Airport On Course - Work on the private airport at Okahandja is on schedule, in spite of public concerns that the project has stopped. [AA Urbanisation]

Nigeria: Integrity Test Now Compulsory for Buildings in FCT

August 17, 2010 - 18:33

Nigeria: Integrity Test Now Compulsory for Buildings in FCT - Following the collapse of a 4 storey building, plot 1007, Cadastral Zone A03, Garki, last Wednesday, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has said that henceforth, all buildings under construction in the FCT, above 2 suspended floors must undergo an integrity test. [AA Construction]

Nigeria: FEC Approves N3 Billion for Water Projects

August 17, 2010 - 18:33

Nigeria: FEC Approves N3 Billion for Water Projects - The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved N3.2billion for the revival of Tada Shunga Dam and the Araromi-Eiyenkorin irrigation and water supply projects in Kwara State, in line with its plans to resuscitate abandoned water projects in the country. [AA Construction]

Uganda: Repair of 700 Secondary Schools Starts

August 17, 2010 - 18:32

Uganda: Repair of 700 Secondary Schools Starts - The reconstruction of 763 public secondary schools has started and is expected to cost sh788b. Some of the schools will have new blocks set up. [AA Construction]

Eritrea: Various Development Activities Carried Out in Halhal Sub-Zone

August 17, 2010 - 18:32

Eritrea: Various Development Activities Carried Out in Halhal Sub-Zone - Soil and water conservation activities are being stepped up in Halhal sub-zone, according to Mr. Amaha Gebrewahd, head of administration and finance in the sub-zone. [AA Construction]

Eritrea: Embatkala Bridge Renovated

August 17, 2010 - 18:31

Eritrea: Embatkala Bridge Renovated - The Embatkala Bridge along the Asmara-Massawa road which used to cause damage on human and property during the rainy season has been renovated through the coordinated endeavors of Gedem Construction Company, the public and EDF members. [AA Construction]

Road Project 90 percent Complete - Ndlovu

August 17, 2010 - 18:31

Zimbabwe: Road Project 90 percent Complete, Says Technician - The Kusile Rural District Council has completed the upgrading of Tshongogwe-Zinabhe Road. Civil engineering technician Mr Mthokozisi Ndlovu said they received US$37 935 from Zimbabwe National Road Authority for the project. [AA Construction]

Zimbabwe: Harare Airport Facelift On Course

August 17, 2010 - 18:30

Zimbabwe: Harare Airport Facelift On Course - Refurbishment of the Harare International Airport runway and taxiways is progressing well with the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe having so far spent US$2,6 million on the project [AA Construction]

Mazor Backs Cloudberry's Nedbank Loan

August 17, 2010 - 18:29

South Africa: Mazor Backs Cloudberry's Nedbank Loan - JSE-listed construction materials supplier Mazor Group has given First National Bank (FNB) suretyship and cession of R20m after the bank gave its black economic empowerment partner Cloudberry Investments a loan of R42m to settle its loan with Nedbank. [AA Construction]

Oil discovered off shore from Mozambique

August 17, 2010 - 18:27

Oil discovered off shore from Mozambique - A company has discovered offshore oil deposits in Mozambique, but studies are still under way to determine if they are commercially viable. [XMG News]

Hydrpower Is The Way Forward For Africa - Magubane

August 17, 2010 - 18:27

Johannesburg - Hydropower which is one of the cleanest sources of energy remains untapped by most of the continent, says the Department of Energy.

Speaking at the 3rd annual Hydropower Africa Conference on Tuesday, department's Director-General Nelisiwe Magubane said according to experts the potential for hydropower is in excess of a hundred thousand megawatts.

"It is one of the cleanest sources of energy we have available but sadly much of it remains untapped," Magubane said.

She was speaking on behalf of Minister Dipou Peters who is currently at the SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government in Windhoek, Namibia.

Magubane said the potential of hydropower could not be underestimated at this critical stage of Africa's development, adding that the issue of energy affects everyone.

She said the conference comes at a time when South Africa is celebrating Women's Month, adding that challenges still remain for girl children in fetching firewood.

Sexwale Promises To Speed Up Housing Delivery

August 17, 2010 - 17:54

Johannesburg - Human Settlements Minister Tokyo Sexwale has acknowledged that the demand for housing in South Africa remained very high and government would need to speed up its plans to address the backlog estimated at over 2 million.

Speaking at the launch of Lufhereng Housing Project, a new housing development initiative situated in Soweto, on Tuesday, Sexwale agreed that the R18 billion set aside by National Treasury for housing will not be enough to meet the current housing challenges.

"We are now discussing in order to have the money increased because if we want to move at a speed that is needed…we will need more money," he said.

More than 12 million South Africans are in dire need of proper homes with more than 60 percent of the number living in urban areas. Sexwale said the government's new human settlements approach and the Breaking New Ground policy adopted by Cabinet will aim at lowering the backlog "at the shortest possible time".

"It is going to take us time, but we will get there, it's going to take one step at a time," he said during the launch that also coincided with a symbolic hand over of house keys to six new beneficiaries.

South Africa: Country Urged to Put Special Zones to Better Use

August 17, 2010 - 04:23

South Africa: Country Urged to Put Special Zones to Better Use - THE slow process of creating industrial development zones (IDZ) in SA was hampering the government's ability to grow the manufacturing sector and create jobs, analysts said on Friday. [AA Urbanisation]

Africa: Commonwealth Uniquely Placed to Tackle Urban Growth, Says Report

August 17, 2010 - 04:22

Africa: Commonwealth Uniquely Placed to Tackle Urban Growth, Says Report - Efforts to upgrade slums are failing to keep pace with rates of new slum formation - Secretary-General of Commonwealth Association of Planners [AA Urbanisation]

Ideal Theatre Design Competition

August 17, 2010 - 04:19

Ideal Theatre Design Competition - The Architectural and Theatre Students Ideal Theatre Design
Competition requires teamwork. Theatre students serve the role of “the
Client” and architectural students function as “the Designer” to create
their university’s “Ideal Theatre.” Teams can be part of a class or be
independent studen ...07.08.2010 [WAC Latest News]

Competition - Wines of Chile

August 17, 2010 - 04:18

Competition - Wines of Chile - Arquitectum jointly with the Universidad Finis Terrae and the
Asociación de Vinedos de Chile, is pleased to welcome to the international architecture competition
SANTIAGO DE CHILE 2010. In the last years Chile has turned in to a leading society in the filed of
industrial wine production but ab ...10.08.2010 [WAC Latest News]

Chicken Coop Design Competition 2010

August 17, 2010 - 04:16

Chicken Coop Design Competition 2010 - The Poultry Project 2010 Chicken Coop Design Competition is
calling farmers, designers, engineers, thinkers, architects, artists, and locavores to design a
chicken coop for use in urban orsuburban backyards. The ideal coop will integrate aesthetics
with utility and make creative use of loc ...11.08.2010 [WAC Latest News]

The Architect Africa Film Festival 2010 Is Here!

ANNOUNCING THE ARCHITECT AFRICA FILM FESTIVAL 2010

5 Cities
3 Weeks
27 Films
108 Screenings

Inside, Architecture, the City, Design, Engineering, the Urban Landscape, Outside

Through the lens of the camera we can move through spaces and explore all the dimensions of a building, both inside and out.

Our films vary in every way and we aim to bring you as much choice as possible. Some of our films are short (enticing snippets), some are longer (engaging documentaries) and some are feature length. Architecture forms the background to some of our films (think beautiful cityscapes and architectural landscapes), while sometimes it is a specific building or architect that is featured (think in-depth interviews and magnificent drawings) and other times, our films focus on a wider theme (such as design or green building). But all of our films are carefully selected and well worth watching!

Visit the AAFF Website to DOWNLOAD PROGRAMME and read reviews and previews:

AAFF Website: http://aaff.co.za

Bookings available through NuMetro starting early September. Visit http://www.numetro.co.za

Start planning your September viewing now ...

In the line of beauty: Architects and the sublime

August 17, 2010 - 02:19

In the line of beauty: Architects and the sublime - Why dont todays architects embrace the sublime? Thats the thesis of a provocative new book. Jay Merrick couldnt agree more ...16.08.2010 [WAC Latest News]

Winner of BSA Unbuilt Architecture Award

August 17, 2010 - 02:18

Winner of BSA Unbuilt Architecture Award - See the winning project designed by MA-based office Choi+Shine. ...16.08.2010

[WAC Latest News]

Zimbabwe: Council Halts Construction

August 17, 2010 - 00:32

Zimbabwe: Council Halts Construction - Chitungwiza Municipality has halted construction of houses on the Chibuku B Arena after residents demonstrated against the move. [AA Construction]

Uganda: Ministry and KCC Clash Over Building

August 17, 2010 - 00:28

Uganda: Ministry and KCC Clash Over Building - The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government is locked in a dispute with Kampala City Council over construction of a building in the city. [AA Construction]

Isipingo Adopt a River Project Launched in South Africa

August 16, 2010 - 02:55

By Kemantha Govender

Durban - With the aim of meeting the socio-economic goals in South Africa, Water and Environmental Affairs Deputy Minister Rejoice Mabudafhasi launched the Isipingo Adopt a River Project.

During the Budget Vote Speech in April this year the department announced that one of their key priorities is the protection of the country's water resources.

With high polluted levels, the conditions of rivers across the country have deteriorated, and have become dumping areas for all types of waste.

The launch of Adopt-a-River project is aimed at creating awareness to the communities about the need and importance of protecting water resources.

"The communities will be empowered with knowledge and skills that will enable them to participate actively in water resource management and make informed decisions and be water ambassadors," said Mabudafhasi.

The deputy minister said that R1.7 million has been allocated for Isipingo Adopt a River Project.

There is another plus side to the project - it will create jobs and training opportunities for women.

Call for more women in science and engineering in Africa

August 16, 2010 - 02:51

By Nthambeleni Gabara

Pretoria - More needs to be done to attract women to study in the fields of science and engineering, says Science and Technology Minister Naledi Pandor.

Speaking at the National Advisory Council on Innovation (NACI) symposium on the leadership roles of women in science, technology and innovation on Friday, the minister said while South Africa has done well in expanding the access of women to education, women stick to traditional subjects and shy away from science and technology.

She said university records showed that women continued to largely pursue studies in the 'traditional' disciplines such as humanities and social sciences.

The minister further said the greatest gender imbalance was in engineering and engineering technology where only one in four students was a woman.

Despite the increased access of science and technology fields by women, a great number of students also did not graduate. Nearly 6 in 10 of first-year students who enter university in 2000 drop out of the system in four years. Female students constitute more than half of this group.