CASE STUDY #069
INTERNAL PROJECT SHOWCASE
Golden Gate early childhood development centre
A community driven and managed ECD centre will provide a safe and caring environment
IDP LINKAGES
Caring city
Safe city
The Integrated
Development Plan is a
plan for how the City will
prioritise its budget
spending over a five-year
cycle. The IDP is agreed
between local government
and residents, and is
adjusted to accommodate
changing needs.
SUMMARY
The Social and Early Childhood Development Directorate is in the planning process of developing an early
childhood development (ECD) centre in Netreg, Bonteheuwel. This ECD centre will improve social
infrastructure for the community as well as provide a safe and caring environment accessible to all children
in the community. It is being developed in close partnership with the community, which will have
substantial ownership and responsibility for the centre.
The project aligns with two of the five IDP pillars – the safe city and the caring city – and highlights the
application of six of the identified components of design-led thinking in its development.
BACKGROUND
The Social and Early Childhood Development Directorate has completed an extensive study and extracted
information from reports produced by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (SCSIR), and
identified Netreg as an area in great need of social childcare facilities. An existing crèche is currently
operating from the community hall, which requires structural attention and repair. The site was identified
as suitable because it is located at the existing crèche and would mean minimal disruption in terms of
transportation.
The aim of the project is to construct an early childhood development centre and centre of excellence
that will be used and run by the community of Netreg. Demand is very dependent on social structures
within the communities and may vary. The centre will have a multi-use component, such as a support
ENABLERS
Social & Early
Childhood Development
Directorate
Social Development
Department
This case study describes one of the City of Cape Town’s innovative projects that demonstrates how the
City applies design-led thinking to support City strategies and goals and help to improve the lives of
residents. For more, scan the QR code alongside or see www.capetown.gov.za/WDC2014/
CITY OF CAPE TOWN WORLD DESIGN CAPITAL 2014 INTERNAL PROJECTS SHOWCASE
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#069: GOLDEN GATE EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT CENTRE
programme to smaller ECD centres in the vicinity through toy and educational material libraries. The facility
is designed to accommodate between 60–80 children between the ages of one and five, and eight staff
members. The facility may also provide training facilities for use to ECD practitioners. The centre will be
built of brick, concrete, steel, but will also apply ‘green’ design principles and use appropriate material. The
total cost of the facility is estimated at R4 million.
The centre will be listed on the Social and Early Childhood Development Directorate’s assets register, and
will therefore the directorate will be responsible for repairs and maintenance. However, the community
forum that will operate the facility will carry the running costs, such as electricity and municipal accounts.
DESIGN THINKING
Design-led thinking is a
collaborative and usercentric process through
INTEGRATED DEVELOPMENT PLAN LINKAGES
CARING CITY: The facility will be equipped with toy libraries and book libraries and will provide reading books, newspapers, magazines, Internet service, videos and other types of information media free
of charge. Early stimulation and education of children provides better opportunities in later life.
SAFE CITY: The ECD centre will enable a safe space for children within the community.
which challenges are
identified and creatively
addressed to deliver
innovative and relevant
solutions. With the
responsibilities placed on a
HOW HAS DESIGN BEEN USED?
Of the key tools which support design-led thinking in project conception, creation and implementation, the
following are fundamental to the success of the Golden Gate Early Childhood Development Centre:
+ DREAM TEAM: The team consists of the Early Childhood Development (ECD) team, the capital project
implementation lead, architects, quantity surveyors, structural engineers, electrical engineers, land surveyors, the building control department, project managers, communities members and councillors – all
people who represent the end users, the children who will benefit from the facility.
+ CONSULTATION/COMMUNICATION: Public participation is essential when proposing a project such
as this. The entire community will be affected by decisions made regarding the project and they have a
right to be involved in the decision-making process. This process involves two-way communication and
collaborative problem-solving with the goal of achieving better and more acceptable decisions. Community engagement is a key component of public participation and supports mutual respect for values,
strategies, and actions. This creates authentic partnership of people affiliated with or self-identified by
geographic proximity, special interest, or similar situations to address issues affecting the well-being of
the community. It is a core element of any research effort, and requires academics and community
members on the research team, thereby creating a unique working and learning environment. By forming a steering committee the community can be directly informed of the progress of the project.
+ EVOLUTIONARY APPROACH: The CSIR study of 2009 developed standards for the provision of ECD
facilities to cater for the unserved population in the Cape Town metropolitan area. This study was an
extension of a similar process conducted for the Sport, Recreation and Amenities Department that considered the location and future provision of community facilities, and was also done in conjunction
with the Provincial Department of Social Development’s input and guidance. The research results indicate that the majority of the city’s children aged between 0–6 years have access to an ECD facility
within 2 km, which is the maximum acceptable travel distance. However, when the capacities of ECD
facilities are taken into consideration, there are several areas with high densities of unserved population, especially for the youngest children.
+ OPEN ACCESS TO INFORMATION: Propositions, ideas and information were presented to, and discussed with, the community, and building plans were distributed for feedback. A project steering committee will be formed so that the community is included in every decision-making process. The lessons
learnt from the public participation process have indicated strongly that community stakeholders
develop a sense of ownership through inclusion, and are an essential part of the team in order to
ensure a successful project.
+ BIG THINKING, LOCALISED IMPACT: The project was widely discussed with the local community
and inputs received were considered and incorporated into the design. The community welcomed the
CITY OF CAPE TOWN WORLD DESIGN CAPITAL 2014 INTERNAL PROJECTS SHOWCASE
city administration, the
core driver for embracing
design-led thinking is the
improvement of the
quality of life of citizens,
the ethos that underpins
the World Design Capital
programme.
DESIGN TOOLS
For an explanation of the
key constructs which
support design-led
thinking in project
conception, design and
implementation,see
the Toolbox.
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#069: GOLDEN GATE EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT CENTRE
idea of additional access to the social services that will be provided, including Internet access and
skills development. Training for ECD practitioners who cannot afford to study will be provided.
FURTHER INFORMATION
Contact Ashley Newman: ashley.newman@capetown.gov.za
DESIGN THINKING
Design-led thinking is a
collaborative and usercentric process through
which challenges are
identified and creatively
addressed to deliver
innovative and relevant
solutions. With the
responsibilities placed on a
city administration, the
core driver for embracing
design-led thinking is the
improvement of the
quality of life of citizens,
the ethos that underpins
the World Design Capital
programme.
DESIGN TOOLS
For an explanation of the
key constructs which
support design-led
thinking in project
conception, design and
implementation,see
the Toolbox.
CITY OF CAPE TOWN WORLD DESIGN CAPITAL 2014 INTERNAL PROJECTS SHOWCASE
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