Capital projects
Capital expenditure (capex) projects
UCT has made investments in new buildings for student accommodation and administration, the School of Economics, the Faculty of Engineering & the Built Environment, Information and Communication Technology Services (ICTS), the university archives, and renovations of various facilities across the campuses.
Obz Square | School of Economics and Student Administration | Faculty of Engineering & the Built Environment | Groote Schuur Community Improvement District (GSCID)
The single biggest investment in UCT history, R485 million, was made in Obz Square, a 6 000 square metre block located between Main Road and William Street. The residence opened its doors to its first students in 2012.
Obz Square is the latest addition to the university's residence system, providing self-catering accommodation for 880 senior and postgraduate students.
Each student has a single room with en-suite bathroom,and eight to ten students share a modern kitchen and dining area that forms their specific residence-life 'hub'. The unique design of the building supports the ethos of a holistic and vibrant living and learning environment, providing creative spaces in which UCT's values of social responsibility, integration, social justice, human rights, environmental stewardship and academic pursuit can flourish.
Full steam ahead for Obz Square - Monday Paper article on the unveiling of the building in November 2011.
YouTube video:
School of Economics and Student Administration
On middle campus, a total investment of R158 million was made in the development of two new buildings to house the School of Economics and new offices for student administration.
The new Student Administration Building is adjacent to the Kramer Law Building, below the historic Summer House. The 1 400 square-metre building is now up and running and it accommodates the Admissions Office, the Student Accommodation Office, Student Records, the Examinations and Doctoral Degrees Board Offices, the Office of the Deputy Registrar, academic administration, student systems support and the International Academic Programmes Office (IAPO).
The new 3 964 square-metre School of Economics is positioned below the Student Administration Building.
Download directions to the School of Economics and Student Administration building.
New building, new era for economics school - Monday Paper article on the official opening of the new economics building.
Faculty of Engineering & the Built Environment
Another big investment will be made at the Snape Building for Engineering & the Built Environment, where additions costing R167 million are being built.
Groote Schuur Community Improvement District (GSCID)
UCT is also a founder member and donor to the Groote Schuur Community Improvement District (GSCID) which aims to deal with neighbourhood crime, grime, transport and housing problems that are faced by students, residents and businesses along a lengthy strip of the Main Road, from Dean Street in Newlands to Anzio Road in Observatory.
Read more about the GSCID in the Monday Paper article.
Links to Monday Paper articles