Kasane Bus Rank
Transport infrastructural development is a characteristic associated with economic growth as is the case in the bus rank of the hot tourist town of Kasane. The town is located on the North-Eastern corner of Botswana, close to Africa's 'Four Corners', where four countries almost meet: Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Client’s Brief
The client’s brief was to provide consultancy services related to design and tender documentation of Kasane bus/taxi rank with associated storm water drainage facilities. Among others, the design of rank was to achieve the following:
- To provide adequate accessibility to the site
- To achieve a permeable bus and taxi rank
- To enhance traffic separation and pedestrians’ safety within site
Commencement of the Kasane bus/taxi rank began in October 2007. The project was undertaken in two phases: design and construction supervision (both carried out by BOA Consultants (Pty) Ltd), where each were under two different contracts. Construction works on the P32 million (4 million USD) project then began in September 2008, with an expected completion time of 12 months.
Site Appraisal
Preliminary Environmental Impact Assessment (PEIA) was conducted and site soil investigation was undertaken for the purpose of pavement design, soil classification for road earthworks foundations for the buildings. Material investigation was also carried out for general sources, aggregate, sand and ascertained their availability in terms of quality and quantity.
These investigations allowed economic recommendations to be made with regards to material usages and their suitability for various components of the project. It also resulted in more accurate cost estimates. Consultations were also undertaken, including liaison with relevant stake holders and community as well.
DESIGN PHILOSOPHY
Development Guidelines
The project comprises the bus terminal building, kiosks, parking bays for long distance buses /taxis and public parking. The scale of the buildings and their relationship with the footpaths and external spaces are intended to conform to the concept of a pedestrian oriented shopping and terminal development. Consideration has been given to the physically challenged, including provision of wheelchair access to all buildings and toilets.
The development guidelines should specify that the building around the bus terminus shall be visually integrated to create a coherent appearance to the development .The proposed buildings are all designed to a similar set of design concepts which are described below: It is suggested that these buildings should set a standard which future buildings erected around the bus terminus would be expected to conform to.
Functional Considerations
It has been a primary consideration in the design of the buildings to make them as attractive and functional as possible for the people using the Bus Terminus Development. In addition they should be cost effective, particularly with the regard to reducing ongoing maintenance costs. Building elements that typically require regular and costly maintenance include skirting, ceilings, fascia boards, and windows. The buildings have been designed in such a way that these elements are avoided, or incorporated into the aspect for the building. For example, the larger size steel purlin at the eaves of the building also functions as the fascia. The roof sheets are colour coated both sides, so that no ceiling is required in most of the buildings.
The buildings have been designed with an awareness of the climatic conditions to create a comfortable environment for the different activities. This has been achieved through the use of hipped roofs with wide overhanging horizontal eaves. The layout has been arranged to provide attractive external spaces suitable for planting shade trees. Large openings have been incorporated which provide a flow of air across the buildings to keep them cool.
Materials
Roof covering are colour coated and made of steel roofing sheets with bull nosing on painted structures. Walls are built with fair faced brickwork which avoids the need for regular painting. Special consideration has been given to making the toilet buildings hygienic and easy to clean, by using ceramic floor and wall tiles.
Structural Design
A minimum fire resistance of one hour has been adopted for all superstructure elements. Generally roof loadings for the buildings are taken to the foundations via concrete columns which are clad in brickwork. Roof trusses are designed from square and rectangular hollow sections. All steelwork has been designed with grade 300 steel.
All ground bearing slabs are 150mm thick with S245 mesh reinforcement. All columns are founded on pad foundations which are taken down to a depth of approximately 900mm from natural ground level to the residual basalt. Walls are founded on strip foundations of 900mm in depth.
Challenges
During the commencement of this project there was shortage of material, particularly aggregate gravel and crusher rum. This was later sourced from Francistown crusher rum. In addition, the materials were expensive, resulting in the need for discount negotiations and payment settlement using installments.
There was also a lack of qualified artisans. The solution was to recruit workers from Zimbabwe, which consequently increased costs as they obliviously had to be remunerated for their labour. Furthermore the presence of rains slowed down progress and overtime work had to be included in the payments.
Project Team
Client: Chobe District Council
Project Manager: BOA Consultants (Pty) Ltd
