The City of Cape Town has revised its Urban Design Policy, aiming to provide guidance on creating vibrant, safe, sustainable, economically viable and socially inclusive urban spaces. This revision aims to improve public spaces and foster a stronger sense of local identity and place.
Residents, stakeholders and urban design professionals are encouraged to read the revised policy and share their feedback by 30 October 2023.
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‘Design should be centred around people and communities and can be used to transform spaces, give them purpose, relevance and meaning,’ said Alderman Eddie Andrews, the City’s deputy mayor and mayoral committee member for spatial planning and environment.
Alderman Andrews explained that the updated Urban Design Policy aligns with these principles and that, while primarily of interest to development professionals like architects, engineers and developers, the City encourages residents, community groups, landowners and business proprietors to engage with and comment on this policy.
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The revised policy is rooted in several core principles:
- The greater public good: Urban development should benefit everyone, promoting social and economic growth through thoughtful arrangements of activities, built structures and open spaces.
- Holistic: Urban design must adopt a balanced perspective, prioritising the overall performance of the urban environment.
- Identity, context and place-making: Cape Town’s unique identity, shaped by its social, cultural, economic and physical characteristics, should inform place-making efforts, contributing to the city’s distinct character.
- Integration and spatial transformation: Historical patterns of segregated development must be reimagined to create a more equitable city.
- Urban sustainability: Development should align with sustainable goals, preserving resources and fostering dignified urban environments.
- Intensity, diversity and adaptability: Projects must accommodate a wide range of demands from various users, weaving together different building forms, uses, tenures and densities.
The draft policy seeks to achieve the following objectives:
- Spatial Structure: Create a legible spatial structure that incorporates urban, natural and green infrastructure.
- Quality Open Spaces: Foster quality open spaces for social interaction, relaxation and recreation.
- Community Wellbeing: Enhance the safety, stability and general well-being of communities through development.
- Multi-functional Streets and Squares: Design streets and squares to be people-centric and versatile.
- Versatile Places: Encourage social interaction and diverse activities in urban spaces.
- Pedestrian Interfaces: Prioritise pedestrian-friendly interfaces to enhance the city experience.
- Informality Acknowledgment: Recognise and support the role of informality in the city.
- Natural Environment Preservation: Protect and enhance the natural environment, valuing green open spaces.
- Cultural and Heritage Sensitivity: Respect and incorporate natural features, heritage structures, cultural practices and local memory.
The City’s Integrated Development Plan aims for a resilient, integrated, inclusive and efficient Cape Town. The Urban Design Policy seeks to implement the Municipal Spatial Development Framework on a local level, influencing neighbourhoods and precincts where people live, work, socialise and play.
Once approved, the policy will guide the City’s Development Management Department in assessing development applications and informing City-led projects.
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Residents, homeowners and community organisations can use this policy as a valuable resource to guide private improvement initiatives in their neighbourhoods.
To share your thoughts and comments on the revised urban design policy, you can use the following channels:
- Email: [email protected]
- Online: www.capetown.gov.za/haveyoursay
- In Person: Visit the City’s sub-council offices
- Mail: Urban Planning and Design, Cape Town Civic Centre Tower Block, 16th Floor, 4 Bay Side, 12 Hertzog Boulevard, Foreshore, City of Cape Town, 8000
Join the City of Cape Town in shaping a brighter, more inclusive and sustainable future for this beautiful coastal metropolis through thoughtful urban design.
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Picture: Mat Dix / Unsplash