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Dr Chrisna du Plessis
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CSIR Built Environment's Dr Chrisna du Plessis has been awarded an honorary doctorate by the Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden.
Chalmers conducts research and teaching on a broad front within technology, natural science and architecture and is ranked amongst the top 200 universities in the world. Its activities are underpinned by a wish to contribute to sustainable development worldwide. Du Plessis, a principal researcher at CSIR Built Environment, shares that same passion.
The university, in its announcement, introduced Du Plessis as a "leading international expert on planning and construction for global sustainability and a member of a large number of boards and committees working to promote sustainable urban development, including the UN Environment Programme and Earth Charter. She is also an adviser and project coordinator for the UNEP Sustainable Building and Construction Initiative Think Tank on Climate Change."
She was awarded the honorary doctorate for her "earnest and practice-based research, information and development work over the years, where in particular she has highlighted conditions in the Third World.
"Her work combines a systems theory approach with her considerable involvement in the potential that exists in people's daily lives, which has been a strong contributing factor in promoting an interdisciplinary understanding of this problem area."
Du Plessis is no new-comer to the university. Her contact with researchers at the Chalmers Department of Architecture extends over 10 years and she has played a significant role in promoting the exchange of teaching staff between this university and Africa/South Africa.
Her work and contacts are of significance to both research and teaching at Chalmers within its new Built Environment area of advance and the new Centre for Urban Futures, which will work, among other things, with urban development issues in Africa.
About this honour bestowed on her, Du Plessis says, "I am immensely honoured to be in the company of people like former Norwegian Prime Minister Gro Harlem Brundtland who provided the world with the 'official' definition of sustainable development. I am also very grateful to the CSIR for the opportunities it afforded me to build an international reputation through participating in conferences and global research networks."
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