Mini treatise | rosabellemederick

Mini-Treatise: Mental Health & Skills Sanctuary

[KORSTEN, PORT ELIZABETH, SOUTH AFRICA]

MArch Year 1, NMMU

This mini treatise focuses on the design of a mental health facility and skills centre in Korsten, Port Elizabeth. Upon researching the social issues in this area aswel as carrying out the urban analysis, it was observed that Korsten has prevalent socio-economic problems such as poor social services and unemployment. These made it incompatible with the booming youth population, especially women, which are becoming the dominant population group. This group is also the most affected in Korsten's society,Therefore, if attention is paid to this group, to women in particular, they could use their potentials for the development of the nation. They could also contribute to the betterment of their own life and of the community. According to the Metro SDF 2009 (Spatial Development Framework), 44% of the economically active people are unemployed. The city of Port elizabeth's main challenge therefore is to provide sustainable employment opportunities in practical locations. To achieve this, the city is looking to work in conjunction with the small businesses or centres. Korsten is a practical location as it is a node of interchange and has a direct link to the city. This presents an opportunity for the establishment of a centre within the existing community, which will generate job opportunities, career advice and job placement as there is a clear need for a congregational node for the women of Korsten. The centre could then work in conjunction with the city to help achieve their aim.

Problem Statement

The main issues affecting women in South Africa, and specifically in Port Elizabeth was and still is a major problem, especially in traditional rural areas and harsh areas within cities. Such issues involve, prostitution, lack of safety for women travelling on roads, single moms and most importantly the lack of proper medical care. In South Africa generally, there are more men in better health than women, at 53.7% compared to 50.1% for women. There are only 18,5% of the population aged 20 and above, that have access to medical benefits. The amount of the population consulting health workers monthly is only 26,6% for people aged 66 years or older, 11,7% between 15 and 65 and 7,8% of those aged 14 years or younger. These numbers are quite alarming for one of the most progressive countries in Africa. Therefore in a place such as Korsten which is an active urban area within Port Elizabeth, it is important to have an affordable heath centre for women suffering from such troubles, aswel as a place to help them get back on their feet by providing them with services and tools to aid them in obtaining the skills to better their lives in the long-run, and also help them to deal with the mental trauma caused by such issues when they have nowhere to turn to.