Towards a Vision for Somerset West
Town Centre
Background
With the backdrop of the majestic Helderberg
Mountain range and over 200 years of history, the
town centre of Somerset West is amongst the most
unique and beautiful in Cape Town. It continues to
be a-pulse with activity and is a destination for a
wide range of people who come to the town centre
to shop, do business and access public services. The
development of Somerset Mall on the outskirts of the
town in the early 2000s saw the diversion of shopping
activity away from the town centre. Somerset West
town centre now must take account of what has been
happening over the past 10 years and reposition itself
to take advantage of the opportunities which present
themselves today and maximise on the qualities that
make Somerset West a special place to visit and do
business.
HISTORIC DUTCH REFORMED CHURCH
MAIN ROAD - VIEWS OF THE MOUNTAINS
A strong and well formulated vision, which sets out
where Somerset West town centre is heading and
what type of town centre it wants to be in the future,
can be a powerful vehicle for bringing role players
together and co-ordinating actions. The City, through
Subcouncil 8, is embarking on a inclusive visioning
process through which a vision for the town centre
will emerge.
THE PRIMARY SHOPPING STREET - MAIN ROAD
Why have a vision?
The objectives of the visioning process is:
• To identify the concerns of all who live in, work
in and use the town centre;
• To agree on a common direction or vision
statement for the town centre;
• To create synergies, relationships and networks
of communication between key role players;
• To align goals and projects; and
• To identify where responsibilities lie and where
these can be shared.
The Visioning Process
The visioning process started with a small
group of stakeholders and now is undergoing
broader public consultation. Three stakeholder
workshops have taken place. At the first
workshop, held on 20th of August 2012,
the participants identified the negative and
positive aspects of the town centre as well
as the opportunities they thought could be
realised. They collectively identified the values
that would underpin the vision and set out
objectives which could help direct decision
making. Finally, they identified projects which
were either underway or which could be
implemented in the future.
At the second visioning workshop on October
9 2012, stakeholders were issued with a draft
document which summarised the discussions
and decisions taken at the first workshop.
They were invited to review and provide input
into the document.
At the third workshop the participants agreed
on a vision statement and started to put ideas
onto paper around what could be done to
achieve this vision.
The outcomes of these workshops is a
document entitled “Towards a Vision for
Somerset West Town Centre”. This forms part
of the exhibition, which we invite you to have
a look at.
We now want your comment and input into
the vision. The outcome of this visioning
process will be a concise vision brochure
which you, other members of the community,
local business and the City will use to promote
the town centre.
Towards a Vision for Somerset West
Town Centre
POSITIVE QUALITIES
Conveniently
located
parking just outside the
main shopping area.
The proximity of farmlands
and rural countryside
makes you feel like you are
in the countryside
Clusters of historic buildings
(Corner House, Standard Bank,
Town Hall, Old Police Station,
Home affairs and Old Courthouse)
contribute to the character of the
town centre
Ease of access from the
N2
Historic Centre is still
intact and requires
protection
Charming
bridge
The proximity of the Lourens River
bringing nature to the town centre
old
Good link
NEGATIVE ASPECTS
The soup kitchen attracts
people to the town centre
who are perceived to have a
negative impact on the image
of the CBD
Road layout and circles
are confusing and
disorientating for visitors
and first time users
Poorly planned bus terminus
behind the town hall
Getting to know
the town centre
As part of the visioning process the stakeholders
identified the positive and negative qualities of the
town centre as well as some of the opportunities
which they thought could be realised.The adjacent
plans illustrate the outcome of this process.
Please have a look at the “Towards a Vision for
Somerset West CBD” document which forms part
of this exhibit for more information and provide
us with your input.
Unattractive and
dysfunctional spaces on
Main Road
Traffic lights need better
synchronisation
Train station is located
far from the town centre
Large unattractive buildings turning
their backs on the river and historic
context.
The taxi rank is on a very
bus corner and needs
better access and shelter.
Limited opportunities
for taxi stopping and
pick up
This portion of Andries
Pretorius Road is difficult
for pedestrians to cross.
Redevelop the
Hottentots
Holland
Hospital
More parking around
the police station
Need for a taxi
route to the hospital
OPPORTUNITIES
Linking the Station precinct
to Main Road via Bright
Road
Taxi pick-up and dorp-off
facilities in the Main Road
Vacant City owned
properties around the
station which could be
developed.
Move and
redevelop the
bus terminus
Council owned site which
could be developed
Relocate the station to here
and provide for public transport
interchange and taxi parking
Pedestrianisation
opportunities in the
historic core
Relocation of the
post office to a more
central location
Historic Centre has character and
has the potential for some infill
development but this requires
sensitive intervention.
Encourage leisure and
walking activities in the
green belt and along
the river
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Towards a Vision for Somerset West
Town Centre
A vision statement
One of the goals of the visioning process is
to collectively agree on a vision statement
for the town centre which accurately
encapsulates the community’s aspirations for
the future. The vision statement developed by
the stakeholders was:
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examples of people centred places alive with activity
INTERESTING ARTICLE
CAPE TIMES 28 NOVEMBER 2012
Towards a Vision for Somerset West
Town Centre
Ideas for change
At the third stakeholder workshop participants were
invited to develop some ideas around how the town
centre could change. The plan below illustrates some
of these ideas and the post-it notes give an indication
of what sort of place people want to see.
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What we asked people to identify:
• The heart of the town
• Areas of heritage value
• Local landmarks
• Unsafe places needing attention
• Potential locations for a public
transport interchange
• Roads that could be pedestianised
• Development opportunities
buildings in the
town centre
could be 4- 6
storeys
a family
orientated
CBD
Towards a Vision for Somerset West
Town Centre
How can you contribute?
THIS
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1.Write us a postcard
Imagine that you are writing a post card to a friend.
What image of Somerset West CBD would you
have on the postcard and what would you say?
Write or draw on the blank post card provided and
pop it in the post box.
2.Fill out a comment sheet
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If you want to provide us with more detailed
comment please have a look at the “Towards a
Vision for Somerset West” document and complete
the comment sheet provided. Put the comment
sheet into the postbox.
3.Email us
Alternatively, if you want to email us please
address you email to :
marco.geretto@capetown.gov.za
All the information which forms part of this exhibition is available on the City’s Website.
Please visit: http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/Planningportal/Pages/Projects.aspx