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FACULTY OF ENGINEERING
Urban Development
Partnership to address urban
infrastructure
Photograph from www.shine2010.co.za
UKZN’s new eThekweni Chair in Urban Infrastructure will help to build the city’s growing reputation as one of the leading urban
centres on the African continent.
The eThekwini Chair in Urban Infrastructure,
a collaborative initiative
between the University of KwaZulu-Natal
(UKZN) and the eThekwini Municipality, has
been launched officially on the Howard
College campus. Based in UKZN’s Civil
Engineering programme, the Chair will focus
on expanding the knowledge base in the
delivery of general civil engineering infrastructural
services, and in developing
research capacity and expertise in this field.
The eThekwini Municipality has pledged
financial support for a period of three years,
with a possibility of renewal. City Manager
for eThekwini, Dr Michael Sutcliffe,
expressed his delight at being part of a programme
designed to transform the built
environment while building skills capacity in
the country. He said that, even though we
still have a long way to go, we need to build
the base and that the establishment of a
dedicated Chair in Urban Infrastructure is “a
little step in the right direction.”
Speaking at the Launch, Acting Mayor of
eThekwini, Councillor Logie Naidoo, commented
that Durban has become one of the
leading cities on the African continent. He
explained that this is due in no small part to
some of its engineering masterpieces such
as the Moses Mabhida stadium, King Shaka
International Airport, and the Mgeni viaduct.
“Today we are on the radar screen and this
can be attributed to the kind of work we do,”
said Councillor Naidoo. He said it is
important for eThekwini to support the
University to ensure it produces talent which
can be absorbed back into the city.
The eThekwini Chair in Urban Infrastructure
will build a national and international
reputation for excellence in
teaching and research, as well as contribute
to the production of skilled civil engineering
graduates. The Municipality will benefit from
the research findings generated by the Chair
and will receive exposure through the Chair’s
publications. It will have access to a pool of
qualified civil engineers from which to draw
for employment purposes and will contribute
to the mentorship of postgraduate
students and younger staff.
The Chair will also liaise with industry
to develop a comprehensive Continuing
Professional Development (CPD) programme,
including short courses and
seminars.
Head of Engineering for eThekwini, Mr
Adrian Peters, who is an alumnus of UKZN,
said the Municipality has long realised the
significance of the University and the skills
it produces, which are core to service
delivery. “We are here because of the
greatness of this institution and we want this
greatness to continue,” he said. He highlighted
the importance of investing in
infrastructure that can sustain the economy
and take care of our assets. He said that the
Municipality is “buying a stake in the skills
pipeline” and that every effort should be
made to develop skills “to meet the needs
of masses of people who cry out for service
delivery.”
Professor Cristina Trois, Head of the
School of Civil Engineering, Surveying and
Construction, thanked the Municipality for
its support, for sharing UKZN’s vision, and
for the incredible opportunity to contribute
to the infrastructural development of this
city and this country.
Adapted from an article that originally appeared
in UKZN Online Volume 4 Issue 26.
For further information about the
eThekwini Chair in Urban Infrastructure or
the School of Civil Engineering, Surveying
and Construction, please contact Professor
Cristina Trois by email at trios@ukzn.ac.za
or telephone on +27 (0)31 260 3065.
www.ukzn.ac.za/ukznf
UKZN Foundation
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