PATIENCE BOSAKA: WITS AMPHITHEATRE AS A SOCIAL PRECINCT

 

Figure 1: The university of witwatersrand's east campus district(After google earth)


INTRODUCTION
I will be analyzing the use and function of the Amphitheatre, situated in the east campus(also known as the main campus) district of wits which is enclosed broadly by the major edges M1, Jorissen street, and Jan smuts ave.When one observes figure1 it is seen that the amphitheatre is the focal point located in the center(heart) of the district,this does not only feed vitality to the adjecent precints it also acts as a central point of relaxation and entertainment for students.Bomgardner (2000) defines an Amphitheatre as an oval or round designed open space, having seats gradually  rising outwards. It is used as a social precinct where activities such as performances and entertainment take place. The wits Amphitheatre is of importance to me because it is a space that i observe everyday of my schooling days and i also use it for relaxation and watching promotions, i will further discuss the success of the wits amphithetre and how this space is influenced and influences student life on campus.

Wits amphitheatre serves as an opening of a continous green belt that starts from the greathall stairs until the wits swimming pool(see locality map), the green belf creates a soft space and a focal area from the hard spaces of the surrounding educational precincts, it is a social node where students gather during lunch time for a variety of reasons. The matrix retail node feeds vitality to this social node such that, students buy their lunch from the matrix and sit and eat at the amphitheatre. I consider this space functional and significant to the east campus district because, it is also used as a platform for external campanies and organizations to host promotions and awereness programs to the Wits students. The continuity of trees provide adequate shelter on the paths of the amphitheatre which encourage pedestrian movement along the path during hot days, the surrounding dust bins also promotes a clean environment. However the weakness in the design of the amphitheatre is that, the tress along its  path are not big enough to provide shade on the sitting area and this results to fewer people sitting on the amphitheatre during hot days, hence people cluster outside the matrix where they can find shelter (see figure2).Another source of vitality to the function of the amphitheatre is the Wits swimming pool,it brings a sense of refreshing environment to its surronding and people use the amphitheatre to sit and observe the swimming sport.


REFERENCE LIST
Bomgardner, G.L. (2000) The story of the roman Amphitreatre, Routledge, Tylor and francis group,p(32).
http:\\www.google earth.com\jorrisen street