INTRODUCTION

Civil Technology focuses on concepts and principles in the Built Environment, as well as on the technological process. It embraces practical skills and the application of scientific principles. This subject creates and improves the Built Environment in a way that enhances the quality of life of the individual and society and ensures sustainable use of the natural environment.

Professions related to the Built Environment, such as architecture, engineering, project management, property valuations, landscape architecture and quantity surveying, are the basis on which civilization was founded.

The Built Environment is a very formal term for what is essentially an everyday progression of society’s needs. The phrase Built Environment refers to the man-made surroundings that provide the setting for human activity. The very basics of civilised man’s needs are addressed within the context of the built environment, such as shelter, water, electricity, transport, sanitation (cleanliness) and safety. A lot has been written about the engineering and architectural feats of ancient civilisations such as the Egyptians and the Romans. Today, structures still standing are a testament to the sheer brilliance of these ancient people.

Historically, man has created ways in which to accomplish all of the above in any way possible. When engineering was not available for making roads, people and animals simply took the path of least resistance, creating a well- used pathway for others to follow. Man would generally settle or at least spend some time near water. There was no need for services such as rubbish collection because no rubbish existed.

Whatever materials were available in the immediate environment were used to build homes. Mud, stones, tree branches, grass, etc. were all used in the most ingenious ways to create easy to build, stable shelters that addressed the lifestyle of the people building them. For example, American Indians used animal skins and tree branches to build teepee’s (tents). These were not permanent structures because they were transient people who had to move with their food source (buffalo).

The Bushmen or San, were similar in that they travelled with the herds of animals they hunted for food. Their homes were made from small trees and branches and woven in a complicated pattern to create what looked like an upside down basket. These homes were brilliant because in the rain, the wood swelled and kept the rain out, but in dry weather, the small gaps between the branches allowed cooling air to flow through.

When man became more pastoral (settling down to farm animals and grow crops), structures became more permanent. The Khoikhoi built huts very similar to the Bushmen, but these were permanent structures. The Nguni used sticks and grass to create their huts, which were constructed of a framework of semi-circular arches, crossed with another set of arches. These were built up in height towards the middle to produce a dome. The structure would then be dressed with plaited grass ropes. The floors of these huts were made using cow dung, clay and ox blood.

Later, the migration of Pedi, Tswana and Venda people brought about the creation of rondavels. These were made of mud walls with thatch roofs. The creation of these buildings made a statement about the change in lifestyle of these people from nomads to settled farmers.

From a security point of view, shelters were often built in a circular fashion, surrounding an inner space where animals were kept in order to keep them secure. Also, Kraals were created using branches from thorn trees to create a fence around the perimeter of the building circle to keep out wild animals.