Dr Finzi Saidi

Overview

I currently hold the position of head of Department of Architecture and Unit 15(X) Landscape research leader in Graduate School of Architecture (GSA) at the University of Johannesburg. I hold a PhD in Architecture from the University of Pretoria, Master of Landscape Design degree from the Newcastle-Upon-Tyne University and a Bachelor of Architecture degree from the Copperbelt University in Zambia. I have taught in four African universities – Copperbelt University; University of Pretoria; University of Cape Town; and currently, at the University of Johannesburg. My research activities have been exploring transformative pedagogic approaches in architecture and landscape architecture education. My recent teaching in honours and Master of Architecture programmes in GSA have explored numerous landscape architecture research themes that include Resilient landscapes; Radical Landscapes, Larval Landscapes; Remembering Landscapes; Toxic Landscapes; and currently, Landscapes of Memory. My teaching approach emphasises collaboration as a transformative teaching strategy which has seen our Unit15X team to collaborate with students and academics in African universities My research focus on the theme of public spaces in Africa provides an avenue for transformation of architecture and landscape architecture curricula on the African continent.