Sharon Biermann of the CSIR wins 2005 JD Roberts Award

11 July 2005

The 2005 winner of the prestigious JD Roberts Award is Dr Sharon Biermann of CSIR Building Technology. This award recognises Biermann's research contribution to public sector infrastructure investment and development, focusing on integrated land use, infrastructure planning, land suitability assessment, development prioritisation and spatial infrastructure economics.

Biermann is a geographer and leading expert in sustainable urban development. She has a PhD in Geography and has made a significant contribution to creating a better understanding of the challenges of low-cost and affordable housing in a rapidly urbanising South African environment. She has won many awards for her work and was a finalist in the 2004 Woman of the Year Award. Her research has been applied, amongst others, by the Gauteng Province in its investigation into the costs and benefits associated with different housing localities; the Policy Unit of the Presidency in updating the National Spatial Development Perspective; and the National Department of Housing in producing a series of national atlases. Biermann has recently been appointed to serve as an advisor on the Gauteng Infrastructure Committee of Inquiry and also heads up a team developing an Infrastructure Investment Spatial Targeting Framework for the Province. The annual JD Roberts Award was instituted by Murray & Roberts in the late 1970s in remembrance of one of the Group's founding fathers, Dr J D "Douglas" Roberts. The award recognises and promotes competitive and environmentally sustainable solutions to human dilemmas and encourages scientific research into technology that will enhance the quality of life of all South Africans.

Contact Person Hilda Van Rooyen Email: General and technical enquiries Tel: +27 12 841 3638

Last updated : 13 June 2006