CAPE TOWN APPROVES NEW POLICY FOR DESIGNING QUALITY PLACES
Cape Town City Council recently approved the City ’ s new policy for Designing Quality Places . The intention of the policy is to improve the quality of Cape Town ’ s neighbourhoods , streets and public places . Quality spaces that are useful , attractive , environmentally sustainable , economically viable and socially equitable improve residents ’ physical and mental health , and wellbeing . Good urban design also promotes local identity and a sense of place .
“ The quality of our cities , towns , neighbourhoods , streets and public spaces has a significant impact on our lives . We have all experienced it before when you arrive in a place — it could be any city or neighbourhood , or even a street — and it just feels good to be there , works well , and makes you want to stay longer . Given that most of us are not professionals in urban design we would not even realise that it is often how these spaces look and function and fit together , that makes us feel that way .
“ Design should be centred around people and communities , and can transform spaces , give it purpose and relevance , and meaning . In September and October 2023 , the City gave the public the opportunity to comment on the revised Policy for Designing Quality Places . We used these comments to further refine the policy that has now been approved by Council and will guide the City ’ s Development Management Department in assessing development applications , and inform City-led projects ,” said the City ’ s Deputy Mayor and Mayoral Committee Member for Spatial Planning and Environment , Alderman Eddie Andrews .
The policy is informed by the following principles :
• The greater public good : through the arrangement of activities , built form and open space , urban development must ensure the benefits are accessible to all and generate opportunities for social and economic development
• Holistic : urban design seeks to provide a holistic understanding of city-making and must take a balanced approach while prioritising the performance of the urban environment as a whole ;
• Identity , context and place making : Cape Town has a unique context and identity , shaped by its social , cultural , economic
and physical landscape . Place-making should contribute to the unique identity and context of the immediate and broader urban landscape ;
• Integration and spatial transformation : the legacy of segregated development must be transformed through design to create a more equitable city ;
• Urban sustainability : development must align with sustainable development goals by protecting resources and creating dignified urban environments ;
• Intensity , diversity and adaptability : developments must meet a variety of demands from the widest possible range of users , amenities and social groups and must weave together different building forms , uses , tenures and densities .
Policy Objectives
• A legible spatial structure that combines urban , natural and green infrastructure ;
• Quality open spaces through placemaking for social interaction , retreat , relaxation and recreation ;
• Development should contribute to increased safety , sense of stability and general wellbeing of communities ;
• Design places that can be used for a variety of activities , and encourage social interaction ;
• Design streets and squares to become multi-functional spaces that are people-centred , improve access and connectivity ;
• Interfaces are fundamental to the way people experience the city and must be designed to prioritise pedestrians ;
• Urban development should acknowledge and support the role that informality plays in our city and for its residents ;
• Development should respect , protect , and enhance the surrounding natural environment as green open spaces are invaluable to cities and its residents ;
• Development should take into account the natural features , heritage structures , cultural practices and memory of the immediate neighbourhood through sensitive design . “ The City ’ s Integrated Development
Plan pursues a Cape Town that is resilient , more spatially integrated and inclusive , and efficient . The newly approved Policy for Designing Quality Places sets the criteria to ensure the City ’ s spatial vision as articulated in the Municipal Spatial Development Framework is realised in our local neighbourhoods where we live , work , socialise , and access community facilities and amenities ,” said Alderman Andrews .
The policy for Designing Quality Places is available here : https :// bit . ly / 4cS3oFP
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