“some of those buildings would make amazing apartments”
Future Cape Town asks Twitter how the industrial neighbourhood of Paarden Eiland can reinvent itself to contribute to the future of the city.
Read more:
Planning for local and liveable neighbourhoods in Melbourne
Gentrifying Neighbourhoods in Berlin and Cape Town
Paarden Eiland, a large industrial area located between Salt River and Milnerton, could be a buzzing district with a vast expanse of green lungs, radical public spaces, towering warehouse restaurants, public libraries, outside pavilions and sleek steel bus shelters on every corner.
We are questioning the potential of the unsung hero. The industrial area is already boasting the beginnings of a somewhat decent mobility network interlacing harbour, rail, bicycle paths and MyCiti routes , proving it is destined for regeneration.
The Liesbeek River runs through parts of Cape Town’s Southern Suburbs, to eventually join the Black River to empty into Table Bay at Paarden Eiland.
However, our main thoughts are whether Cape Town’s industrial areas are hindering the relationship between people and place. Are they standing in the way of town and township? The development and integration of Cape Town’s industry districts will weave the city back together. We ask Capetonians for their ideas in our #urbanQ series.
Facts:
- In 2013, a proposed spatial framework for Milnerton South to Paarden Eiland was drafted as a series of projects guiding the visions for urban transformation. The local planning initiative focuses on rejuvenation opportunities linking public environment to it’s residents.
- Future plans of the area include a green park that will stretch from the central city into the industrial areas through the Zoar Vleiland. A raised promenade is proposed for the Paarden Eiland seafront, where traders can sell their bric-a-brac, in the same line as the current Milnerton Flea Market.
- An open day on 11 September 2013 at the Milnerton library allowed for viewing and comment on the draft framework.
- It is home to large showrooms and spaces which manufacture a vast range of things.
The rise of Paarden Eiland How can we transform the industrial area into a vibrant new district? #urbanQ pic.twitter.com/7HDA8n8WxS
— Future Cape Town (@futurecapetown) February 10, 2015
What does the future hold for Paarden Eiland? More residential space or maintain the industrial area? #urbanQ pic.twitter.com/qhb07BpiN7 — Future Cape Town (@futurecapetown) February 10, 2015
@futurecapetown sink highway, move TEUs to Saldanha, connect ocean to land via mixed use/multi-layer precincts, incl live/work/play/study — Chris Whelan (@chrishwhelan) February 10, 2015
@futurecapetown I’m in Paarden Eiland right now shooting in the most amazing studio that used to be a warehouse. Beautiful light, best views
— Emma Jane Menteath (@emmamenteath) February 27, 2015
@futurecapetown P.Eiland Need to take flooding into account – storm surge & river combo. Refer research done by CCT Think Tank — @SlopeyPen (@SlopeyPen) February 15, 2015
@futurecapetown more greenery in the PEiland! #urbanQ
— Zayaan Khan (@zaykay) February 11, 2015
@joelbasson @futurecapetown What about roads? A disaster as it is now — Lynda Ingham-Brown (@Lyndylu_za) February 12, 2015
@futurecapetown some of those buildings would make amazing apartments
— C H A R L I E (@mynameis_charl) February 19, 2015
@futurecapetown I can just see it now. The high ceilings. Large industrial windows. Very meat packing district in New York — C H A R L I E (@mynameis_charl) February 19, 2015
@futurecapetown struggle to picture anything green there. Good location though
— Joel Basson (@joelbasson) February 12, 2015
@futurecapetown A bridge from Paarden Island across the bay to the Waterfront. — ElizeParker (@ElizeParker) March 24, 2015
@futurecapetown cute coffeeshops, collective workshops and more parties! #paardeneiland #revitalised
— Lilian Schulze (@lilsquest) March 26, 2015
@futurecapetown create suitable holding area for the container trucks parked virtually in road while waiting; and u-turns in full traffic! — Jo Schutten (@SchuttenJo) April 1, 2015 Credits: 1. Images by Bruce Sutherland, the official photographer for the City of Cape Town