Mar
6
2010
You can get a good idea of how the Green Point Urban Park is taking shape from the top of the Ritz Hotel in Sea Point
Ella Smook of the Cape Argus wrote an article this week on the new Green Point Urban Park, which describes the facilities being planned for the area after the 2010 World Cup. Located next to the new Green Point IRT station, the park will become more accessible to communities throughout the city as the IRT system is rolled out, although just looking at how well-used the adjacent Sea Point Promenade is by a wide range of Capetonians, I have no doubt that the Urban Park will become a popular regional facility from the word go.
The outline of the central common can be clearly seen. The Metropolitan Golf Course is in the background
The Urban Park will form part of a wider system of recreational areas and pedestrian and cycle routes, such as the Sea Point Promenade
The Urban Park is adjacent to the CT Stadium precinct, and will be managed by Stade de France and Sail, the stadium managers
no comments | tags: 2010 FIFA Football World Cup, Cape Town, Green Point Urban Park, Integrated rapid transport system, Public space, Public transport, Urban Development | posted in Cape Town, Cities and Culture, Public Space for Public Life, Public Transport, Urban Development
Jan
17
2010
While in Sydney, I was taken on a fantastic walking tour of some of the laneways that are part of a CBD lane revitalisation strategy. One of the ways in which this is being done is through an innovative urban art installation project called By George! Hidden Networks (George Street being the main street in the Sydney CBD). I particularly enjoyed the following projects:
The Urban Barcode
The Urban Barcode in Abercrombie Lane refers to suspended white fluorescent tubes that represent the bar code to Jan Gehl's influential book on public space 'Life Between Buildings'
Family Unit – Chill Trailer
Family Unit - Chill Trailer in Bond Street is a series of constantly changing performances in the hidden network of Sydney’s laneways. The Chill Trailer is an adaptable mobile unit that accommodates a multitude of uses.
The Seven Metre Bar
The installation in Underwood Street is a real bar located at the 7m point of the CBD that marks the projected rise in sea-water should the effects of global warming not be mitigated timeously
A picture taken from the By George website showing the bar in action at night. Weather projections that build in ferocity in response to increasing bar patrons flicker across the installation.
Forgotten Songs
Forgotten Songs in Angel Place references the bird species that used to sing in the region before urban growth forced them away, drawing attention to the loss of habitat
See Cities Matter and Christmas Lighting in Sydney for more stories about my trip to Sydney.
2 comments | tags: By George, Jan Gehl, Laneways, Public art, Public space, Sydney, Urban Development | posted in Cities and Culture, Global Cities, History and Memory, Public Space for Public Life, Urban Development
Nov
25
2009
The Mandela Bay Development Agency uses innovative postcards to get their message across
I spent yesterday morning with Pierre Voges, CEO of the Mandela Bay Development Agency (NMDA), who showed me some of their projects in the Central City area of the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (Port Elizabeth). Find out more about the work of the NMDA by clicking
here.
Govan Mbeki Avenue in the CBD has received a R90m upgrade, resulting in a pleasant pedestrian-friendly space
Informal traders have been given permanent booths
The public transport area under the freeways is being upgraded and connected by a pedestrian link to Govan Mbeki Avenue (Note: as in Cape Town, the Nelson Mandela Bay CBD is cut off from the harbour and the sea by ugly freeways)
Communicating a vision is central to the NMDA's urban regeneration process
The historic Feathermarket Hall, which has been well preserved
The Priester John memorial in front of the Feathermarket Hall
Reviving the heart of the city
Love this city!
no comments | tags: Informal trading, Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, Nelson Mandela Development Agency, Port Elizabeth, Urban Development | posted in South African Cities, Urban Development
Copyright & Copy 2009 Andrew Boraine