The Centre for Agriculture and the Bioeconomy is proud to be part of a collaborative project that has been named a winner in the UIA 2030 Awards for Sustainable Development at the World Urban Forum today.
QUT Industry Fellow Adjunct Associate Professor Kathi Holt, from the School of Biology and Environmental Science, assembled a multidisciplinary, pro bono team, from Australia and South Africa, of architects, scientists, engineers, teachers, artists and philanthropists who worked solely online during 2020-2021 to design the expansion of Angels’ Care Early Childhood Development Centre in KwaZulu Natal.
In July this year, the International Union of Architects selected the design project as a finalist in the UIA 2030 Awards, a partnership with UN Habitat, from more than 100 entries from five global regions.
Today the UIA announced the project as one of two winners in the good health and well-being category of 13 finalists.
Professor Holt said Angels’ Care Centre provides severely disadvantaged children with clothing, nutritious meals, healthcare, education, healthy play, improved safety and crisis care for sexual abuse.
“The Centre services an informal settlement known as Shiyabazali which has no organised housing, no tenure, sanitation, electricity or running water, with the added burden of mass unemployment, disease, substance abuse and rife gender-based violence,” Professor Holt said.
“In the words of Nelson Mandela, ‘Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world’ and Angels’ Care Centre believes that without access to a high-quality education there can never be social upliftment’.”
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