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Tag Archives: Public space

Dramatic contrast between old and new as Seville completes world’s largest wooden structure to enhance public space

Check out the amazing recently completed Metrosol Parasol in Seville, Spain, apparently the largest wooden structure in the world. The Parasol, a series of canopies over a public space, is an ultrmodern structure in the middle of medieval Seville. It houses an archaeological museum, a farmers market, an elevated plaza, and a restaurant,…

“Pedestrians in Cape Town are a hunted race”… We’ve made some progress

17 April 11 1 Comment

In 2005, Gehl Architects from Copenhagen did an analysis of public space and public life in the Cape Town Central City. Jan Gehl, world-renowned architect and pioneer of the city-building philosophy of “first people, then space, and then buildings”, commented at the time, when he saw the extent of car-dominance…

People’s Power in an Ancient City

12 February 11 0 Comments

Who hasn’t been transfixed and moved by the scenes over the past 18 days on Cairo’s Tahrir (Liberation) Square – the brave resistance to a tyrannical regime, hopes dashed when the dictator refused to go, the celebrations and joy when he finally left?

How appropriate for us in South Africa that Mubarak’s resignation…

Defending public space – let’s get our act together on Table Mountain

01 February 11 3 Comments

This morning we helped to open up new public space – the 15km dedicated West Coast cycle route. At the same time, given a recent spate of attacks, we are unfortunately losing valuable public space on Table Mountain to criminals.

The Cape Times put it well in an editorial this morning: “In many…

Move over New York High Line, here comes the new floating London river park

22 January 11 0 Comments

Have a look at this innovative proposal for people to regain access to the River Thames in London.

The idea by Gensler Architects to build a 1,6km long floating river walk/ park along the north bank of the River Thames recently won the Mayor’s Award for ‘Planning Excellence’ at the 2010 London…

Get down to the Park

22 January 11 1 Comment

I’m starting off 2011 (better late than never) with a big `thumbs up’ to all who have been involved in creating the new Green Point Park. It’s an amazing experience, with opportunities for recreation, education, exercise, picnics, children’s parties, perambulation and much more.

What is particularly exciting is that the park…

Capetonians take to the streets again

08 December 10 1 Comment

The annual Community Chest Twilight Run provided another opportunity for Capetonians to take over the streets of the Central City. In the spirit of the 2010 World Cup Fan Walk, over 25 000 people, many dressed in outlandish gear and cheered on by an enthusiastic crowd, ran/walked a…

Perverse outcomes? New bicycle lanes in Cape Town CBD add space for cars

10 November 10 24 Comments

I have been monitoring how the new bicycle lanes in Bree St in the Cape Town CBD are being utililised. In my view, the net effect has been to simply give more space to motorists for illegal parking (where they can now double park for free without obstructing the traffic flow) and for delivery vehicles…

Ten reasons why the Sea Point Promenade is ‘My Cape Town’

10 September 10 4 Comments

September is World Tourism Month and Cape Town Tourism, in partnership with Table Mountain Aerial Cableway and other top city attractions, is encouraging locals to experience their city as tourists through the ‘My Cape Town’ Campaign.

Here are ten reasons why the Sea Point Promenade on a late afternoon in September…

Why lively public spaces that centre around people and community, not cars, are important for democratising cities

10 September 10 1 Comment

My colleague, Ibrahim Seedat, Director of Public Transport Strategy at the South African Department of Transport, drew my attention to this great interview with former Bogotá mayor Enrique Peñalosa in Yes! Magazine.

In Ibrahim’s words, “Even though you have heard it all before, it is always a refreshing option to read…

Transforming the city through redesigning public spaces for people

10 September 10 7 Comments

Here is another great article published in yesterday’s Cape Argus (Sept 9, 2010) by my colleagues, Lorelle Bell and Alexandra Jongens, in support of Cape Town’s bid for the title of World Design Capital 2014. Through the WDC bid process, we are asking the question: how do we use design…

Mouille Point – what’s in a name?

04 September 10 4 Comments

While the Sea Point Promenade ranks as one of the best public spaces in Cape Town, my personal preference is for its slightly scruffy and less well known neighbour – the Mouille Point promenade and beachfront.

I have often wondered how Mouille Point got its name, so I started doing some…

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