WORLD DESIGN CAPITAL CAPE TOWN 2014
Co Design Workshops
Ward
70
What?
Re-imagining the Doordekraal Dam.
When and where?
A half-day workshop was run on 13 November 2013 at the Barnyard Theatre, Willowbridge Centre,
Durbanville.
Why?
The Doordekraal Dam is a public, open space in Bellville which is well used by many locals. However,
there are a number of safety and security challenges, and frequent conflicts between users, due to
limited infrastructure.
Who?
Out of the 37 people at the workshop, 21 were residents, 10 were City of Cape Town representatives,
and six were designers.
What emerged?
Design Principles
Doordekraal Dam is a well-used recreational space in the Tygerberg area. In upgrading the area,
there are a few guidelines which can help to ensure that it meets the needs of users.
There are some key green spaces in the precinct, including Majik Forest, Tyger Falls, Willowbridge,
the dam and vineyards, and any redesign should ensure that these are well connected. This can help
to encourage better interaction and demonstrate integration between people and the environment.
The dam is a focal point for the area, and should remain the key attraction. However, good water
quality needs to be sustained through proper water management.
Activation of the space for events and recreational activities would need to ensure that conflict
between users and residents is mitigated. Services and infrastructure to support these activities
should be included (in particular, cleaning services, ablutions, irrigation, and an adequate
management model). This infrastructure should be easily maintained and safe to use, and a reminder
of the World Design Capital after 2014.
As always, safety and security is a concern, and the space should be safe for all users, including
families, school children, lunchtime workers, and residents. Increased surveillance by engaged
community members can address some of the main problem areas.
As with other public spaces, increased collaboration between residents, the municipality, interested
groups and land owners, will enhance the project and help to ensure that it meets the needs of its
users.
Care must be taken to ensure that the design is not too commercialised or specialised, but rather
simple and accessible for all.
Vision
Six precincts, each with a distinctive character, were identified:
 play equipment and lawns
 extended parking, elevated boardwalks, shared cycle route, bird lookout
 dam wall with handrail and lookout deck, dense scrub area to be landscaped
 fynbos walk
 dog off-leash area, boardwalk, cottage for storage, toilets and fishing deck
 boardwalk crossing dam. Existing islands landscaped for local birdlife habitation
What next?
The proposal was presented to the ward councillor and project manager. The councillor subsequently
presented back to the community.