Slides from my presentation.
I had two involvements with the International Union of Architects Congress, held in Durban, South Africa this year. I submitted an abstract describing research that looks at Cape Town-specific issues of densification, as well as how development intensification imperatives could be achieved in a way that creates a sustainable lifestyle for communities. To illustrate my ideas I drew on urban design strategies that I had developed for my 3rd year Major Project, located within the Fringe of Cape Town. My abstract was published with the congress’ book of abstracts and I was invited to give a 20 minute presentation based on my research, in a parallel academic session. My talk contextualised debates on densification in Cape Town, with reference to global precedent. I critiqued the Cape Town Densification Strategy Report in light of the huge obstacles faced by urban planners and designers today in attempts to densify Greater Cape Town, looking particularly at the conflict that often exists between political interest and sound planning principles. I took my 3rd year urban design propoals for the Fringe area of Cape Town as a case study for sustainable regeneration through development and cultural stimulus.
DENSIFYING AND ACTIVATING TO DEVELOP THE EAST CITY, CAPE TOWN AS A CULTURAL HUB
Bronwyn Horn, Jakupa Architects and Urban Designers, South Africa, bronwyn@jakupa.co.za
Abstract
I look at densification, the creation of quality public spaces and street activation as means to develop the East City, Cape Town as a cultural hub, but also as appropriate responses to Cape Town’s urban environment generally. Densification is largely seen as a necessary development in today’s cities for them to be sustainable in future, and has been specifically recognised as necessary for Cape Town (The Cape Town Densification Strategy Technical Report). I want to propose densification as a strategy for the East City that is necessary for these broader goals of sustainability but that will specifically contribute to the cultural character of the area. Density will place more people into the area, a higher density of dwelling units will increase the people-presence over a fuller range of time, and in conjunction with appropriate public space formed, will draw more people out onto the streets, helping to develop the East City as a vibrant and fertile context for emerging entrepreneurial business and the arts.
Various modes of thinking within urban design and planning have existed since the late 20th century that advocate densification as a means to create more socially vibrant and environmentally sustainable urban contexts. Peter Newman and Jeffrey Kenworthy explore the correlation between density and reduced energy usage. Concepts such as ‘Smart Growth’ and ‘New Urbanism’ can suggest means of structuring a city which respond to these environmental imperatives whilst creating more vibrant, socially cohesive neighbourhoods. I propose that people are more incentivised to choose a way of life because of how it adds to their personal quality of life than because of a sense of collective duty towards environmental imperatives and hence that area redevelopment along sustainable lines needs to be integrated into strategies of developing a quality ‘sense of local place’ to be effective.
Keywords: densification, activation, conditions for innovation, growth strategy