WORLD DESIGN CAPITAL CAPE TOWN 2014
Co Design Workshops
Wards
78, 79, 81 & 82.
What?
Upgrading community parks in Mitchells Plain.
When and where?
The workshop was held on 18 July 2013 in the Portland Indoor Centre, Mitchells Plain.
Why?
There are hundreds of public open spaces in Mitchells Plain which could add tremendous value to the
community.
Who?
This workshop had approximately 70 participants. More than half of these were community members (40)
along with 15 designers, 8 CCT representatives and 5 members of other organisations.
What emerged?
Transforming these from negative spaces to ones which bring life and energy into the neighbourhood
requires well-designed interventions. This workshop focused on a park in each ward - Drakensberg Park
(Tafelsig), Leadwood Street Park (Eastridge), Boschendal Road Park (Rocklands) and Angus Road/Dexter
Close Park (Portland).
Click here to view Images of the workshop.
Overarching design principles
Safety and security is a major concern in Mitchells Plain, and as such, any design should include adequate
lighting, high visibility, universal legibility, and make space for visible 'policing' such as the neighbourhood
watch.
The design should pre-empt criminal behaviour, for example by selecting materials which are not attractive
to thieves. The negative energy driving gangsterism and vandalism needs to be harnessed and used
constructively. Jobs, skills training and other educational opportunities are key to success in this area.
The design should promote positive behaviours such as family time. Parks need to become places that offer
opportunities to interact and share experiences. As such, the space should be well structured and laid out,
clean and tidy with attractive landscaping.
In order to attract a wide range of community members, provision should be made for a variety of activities,
and all equipment should be safe for children to use. Including community in the design can ensure that the
park meets user needs and provides the necessary opportunities. For example, while recreational needs are
primary, there may also be a need for environmental education resources.
The park needs to be economically and socially sustainable, as ongoing maintenance and management is
a key consideration. A management structure with clear roles and responsibilities should be set up and
community members are an important part of this team. It is more likely that the community will take
ownership of a park into which they have had design input, and where open channels of communication
ensure ongoing support. These parks ought to ground a legacy of community interaction and enjoyment.
The long-term vision:
One vision for each site was presented.
Leadwood Street Park, Eastridge:
A variety of design solutions were presented. These included:
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Security and density increased by development of housing on site with an urban street in between;
Traditional landscaped park space with communal food gardens; and
Communal activity space for formal and informal sporting and cultural activities.
Angus Road Park, Portland:
This proposal includes several concepts, including:
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three distinct areas for different users;
safe routes which are well-lit;
pocket parks and cul-de-sacs used as multipurpose shared courts;
a forecourt to the church, park, crèche and school;
overlooking edges for residents to face onto park;
mechanisms for adjacent church and neighbours to get involved;
facilities for teenagers such as netball court, skate area, bike track, and stage;
protected play park for small children; and
community allotment gardens, and a food market.
Drakensburg Park, Tafelsig:
3 different focus areas:
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event and market area (with a raised stage, open space, active facades);
discovery garden (community food garden, day care facility); and
activity garden (skate park, youth centre, sports fields) with kick-about spaces in between each.
Boschendal Park, Rocklands:
This park is part of a much larger public open space creating a corridor to the coast. Small-scale
interventions could include primary and secondary paths defining 'gateway' entry points, a perimeter
jogging path dotted with outdoor gym stations, a central amenities hub with ablutions and kiosks, and a
junior play area which builds on an existing area with two new senior play areas proposed.
The total cost for park is estimated at R 2 million, with a maintenance cost of R35 000/month.
Click below to see visions:
Leadwood Park (Eastridge)
Angus Dexter Park (Portlands)
Drakensberg Park (Tafelsig)
Boschendal Public Open Space (Rocklands)
Progress to date (July 2014)
The design concepts were presented to Subcouncil, and taken forward by the City Parks department. They
will be the guide for future spending, with the 2013/1014 ward allocation budget being spent on the first
phase of implementation. However:
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Neither Leadwood nor Boschendal Street parks received any budget. All funds were redirected by
councillor to another site(s).
Only 20% of the ward allocations were spent in Drakensburg Park and Angus & Dexter Road Park on
upgrade of pathways and planting of grass. Remaining funds were redirected.
Further meetings and discussions are ongoing to incorporate some of the design elements into these parks
using future ward allocations.