Needs analysis research phase
During the Needs Analysis research phase of BLC2, close to 400 questionnaires were administered with a response rate of 70%. Of those interviewed, 80% of respondents lived in an upgraded dwelling (e.g. minor improvements to existing dwelling, re-blocking, IDA beneficiary). Respondents were asked to share their level of skills in undertaking tasks associated with upgrading their dwellings. Of those interviewed who did upgrades,
A follow up question was asked which sought to gauge the level of skills most desired or required. These skills included,
Visual and spatial literacy
Visual literacy is the ability to interpret, negotiate, and make meaning from information presented in the form of an image, extending the meaning of literacy, which commonly signifies interpretation of a written or printed text. By producing toolkits we are addressing visual literacy. Spatial literacy is the competent and confident use of maps, mapping, and spatial thinking to address ideas, situations, and problems within daily life, society, and the world around us (toolkits’ in context of the incubator and as interactive process).
Objectives of toolkits
The objectives of these toolkits for spatial and visual literacy was to:
An iterative approach
The BLC team continues to refine the technical content and visual communication through a range of sector engagements. To date, these have included a three-hour workshop with Aurecon (7 September) and Green Building Council of South Africa’s (GBCSA) Green Building Conference (9 – 11 October 2017). The purpose of these workshops is to problem-solve and ideate around existing challenges and problem-areas related to informal building. A wide range of participants were invited including NGO programme managers, professional teams, small scale contractors, and government officials.