The battered woman called Eersterust : exploring thresholds through urban regeneration and re-adaptation of religious buildings

Abstract

In post apartheid South Africa, an attempt to develop the influential church typology has been made on a micro scale, but within the community of Eersterust, the building has stayed frozen in time, not allowing the role of the church to extend to help this poverty stricken community in need.

Safe spaces have become scarce within this community and the issue of gender based violence has escalated. The church complex has the capability to become a catalyst and a refuge for the abandoned nature and gender based violence victims.

The vast cluster of churches developed within this community has the infrastructure and community in the form of congregations to uplift the community and create opportunities for the overlooked inhabitants.