Cape Town will never be the same again. Not after the experience of the World Cup. I’m not talking about the infrastructure legacy, or the new facilities created, or the worldwide exposure for Cape Town as a destination. I’m talking about the way in which our attitudes to using the city have been changed, and how we can now imagine new ways in which our city can work.
Cape Town Carnival performers have helped to bring life to the streets at night
Many people experienced public transport for the first time in their lives on their way to a match at the stadium. Why not continue the experience after the World Cup? Let’s get behind the roll-out of the integrated rapid transit system. Let’s continue to hold Metrorail accountable for a better rail service.
MyCiTi bus with level boarding
The new Inner City bus system
Thousands are now using the trains at night to get to and from matches. Prior to the World Cup, the last train left town at 7.15pm
Many thousands walked to the stadium along the Fan Walk, even in cold and wet conditions. Voila! Cities are navigable on foot, especially when pedestrians are taken seriously and given right of way. We don’t have to be so car-dependent.
The Fan Walk has opened up a new east-west pedestrian axis in the Cape Town Central City
Fan Walk at night. An estimated 60 000 people used the Fan Walk for the opening game (France vs Uruguay) at the CT Stadium. Of these, about 20 000 went on into the stadium for the match itself, which meant that 40 000 simply walked for the experience
Many experienced the city centre at night for the first time. Retailers that stayed open made money. Garages by day have become trading zones at night. With a little bit of imagination and some good lighting, it is possible to grow the evening and night-time economy.
Flaming vuvuzelas on the Fan Walk add to the night-time experience in town (Picture: Tasso Evangelinos)
Imaginative lighting helps to create a better night-time experience
Long Street has been the place to be during the World Cup. Why is this? People like authentic places. They like choice. They like a range of prices. They like old buildings, quirky retail, innovative spaces and places, clever lighting, active pavements, people on the streets. Let’s develop this further by seriously considering the permanent closure of Upper Long Street to traffic, and promoting other people spaces such as St George’s Mall and Greenmarket Square.
Mexican Kitchen, Long Street (Not many French fans there last night)
Enjoying town at night (Picture: Bulelwa Ngewana)
There are now more colourful images in town in the form of outdoor advertising, flags and banners, and the wrapping of trees. The sky hasn’t fallen on our heads. Table Mountain remains our favoured icon. People still appreciate our architectural heritage. But we’ve allowed a more colourful city personality to emerge. Let’s not go back to the status quo.
St George's Mall
Mural, Waterkant Street
Family posing for a picture in front of wrapped trees on the Heerengracht
Outdoor advertising helps to mask the ugly concrete parking garage next to the Grand Parade
We have also discovered the seductive power of public art. Observe just how many people pose for photos in front of the zebras that are dotted around town, or in front of the sculptures in St Andrew’s Square on the Fan Walk.
Zebra on Station Square
Zebra on Heerengracht Circle
A family engages with the public art on St Andrew's Square
Most importantly, we have broken down some of our psychological barriers. We have found public places for locals to meet and share experiences with visitors, and for Capetonians to meet their fellow Capetonians. Just check out what’s been happening at the new CT Station concourse, at night, nogal. Check out Station Square, the Fan Fest, the Fan Walk, St Andrew’s Square and the underpass to the CT Stadium. These interactions help us to overcome our fears and prejudices.
Queueing to enter the Fan Fest on the Grand Parade (Picture: Anita Van Zyl)
Bart in Africa, St George's Mall (Picture: Terri Carter)
Fan Fest (Picture: Anita Van Zyl)
Picture: Anita Van Zyl
No, town will never be the same again, thank goodness. We have seen how our city can come alive with a healthy mix of people, activities, events and places. We have focused on what is possible, and not just on what needs to be restricted and controlled. We can now dare to imagine a more walkable and legible city, a safer city, a more entrepreneurial city, a more welcoming city.
Heaven forbid that after the World Cup, we return to ‘business as usual’ and the old ways of thinking about our city.
Cape Town welcomes you
Used the Inner City bus at 4am!