Dunoon is an underprivileged area located to the north of the City of Cape Town in the Western Cape, characterized by informal settlements that have been organically built and designed by the residents themselves. This vibrant yet challenging community faces numerous interconnected problems that significantly impact daily life. The electricity crisis, locally known as “Izinyokanyoka,” creates dangerous current imbalances that pose serious electrocution risks to residents. The lack of proper sanitation facilities means difficult access to clean toilets, sometimes resulting in waste accumulating in the streets and contributing to the spread of illnesses and infections throughout the community. Additionally, residents struggle with a shortage of clean water and adequate water infrastructure, while also contending with high crime rates and widespread unemployment.

Despite these overwhelming challenges, the people of Dunoon demonstrate remarkable resilience and community spirit. They have developed innovative survival strategies, including operating small snack and vegetable stalls, establishing various micro-enterprises, and creating support networks that help families sustain themselves economically. The strength of this community, which brings together people from diverse backgrounds, showcases their collective determination to thrive despite adversity.

This complex and resilient community serves as the case study for Engineers Without Borders’ South Africa (EWB-SA) Bambasonke Design Challenge, an educational initiative aimed at engineering students. The challenge is designed to educate students about the principles of community-centered design and environmentally sustainable engineering solutions by analyzing real-world scenarios like those found in Dunoon. While no practical implementation work will be undertaken at this stage, students will engage with the community’s challenges as a learning exercise to develop their understanding of how engineering solutions must consider social, environmental, and economic factors when addressing the needs of underserved communities.

 

 

Students

This design brief includes information about Dunoon, informal settlements in South Africa, eight challenge areas. At the end of this document, there is also some guidance on the design process to get you started. Read more below.

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Academics 

This design brief includes information about Dunoon, informal settlements in South Africa, eight challenge areas.

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