Skip to main content
Home
Open Streets Cape Town
  • About Us
    • Organisation
    • Manifesto
    • People
    • Partners
  • What We Do
    • Calendar
    • Open Streets Days
    • Advocacy & campaigns
    • Low-Carbon Transport
    • Talking Streets
    • Street Minds
    • Street Lab
  • Join the Movement
    • Join a working group
    • Volunteer
    • Intern
    • Donate
  • News
    • Advocacy & Campaigns
    • Open Streets Days
    • Low-Carbon Transport
    • Talking Streets
    • General
  • Media
    • Open Streets in the News
    • Media Releases
  • Resources
    • Documents
    • FAQ
  • Contact
  • Facebook
  • Twiiter
  • YouTube
  • Instagram

Talking Streets January: The Power of Spontaneous Behaviour

Posted on: Monday 24 February 2014
On January 30, 2014 the Open Streets team in Cape Town convened a group of 25 individuals including Seapoint and Greenpoint residents and others interested in the series of Open Streets days in 2014
Talking Streets January: The Power of Spontaneous Behaviour

The group met in front of the Seapoint library and made their way down to the promenade where the walk continued and 80 minutes later ended at the beach.

As usual, it was an informal and organic meander where everyone had a chance to participate by raising questions or providing ideas. At some point even a group of young skateboarders joined and expressed their strong position to shut down Beach Road so they could skate safely.

The group identified opportunities and challenges in planning Open Streets on Beach Rd. In the first instance, closing down the street to traffic was perceived as a way to counter the car dominated vibe of this street which contrasts with the people-friendly promenade; or as one of the participants put it Beach Rd is a barrier separating residents from public space. Open Streets would be an opportunity to showcase different uses of the street when cars are taken out and could ultimately help enhance the space. It would increase safety for children spilling over from the promenade onto the street and would help build the Open Streets network envisioned to cover a large part of Cape Town by promoting linkages amongst different communities and helping to ease tensions between local residents and outsiders.

On the other hand one of the residents highlighted concerns about closing down a major transport artery and the inconvenience this would create to those living in the area. With the large amount of open space already available in this area, one participant noted it seems unnecessary to also take over the street. Moreover, lack of businesses on Beach Rd reduces the likelihood of activity and others were concerned about the security challenges such an event would pose.

All those challenges are real and ultimately, Open Streets can only take hold in a community where residents actively participate and own the programme. The group agreed that identifying other groups as well as potential spaces to spread the Open Streets philosophy would be the next steps. One participant suggested we explore the area around the stadium where public space is not only underutilised but also in the process of being transformed without proper public participation; another wanted to revive the idea of a block party and others were keen to start talking about alternative streets for an Open Streets day. The walk came to an end but the conversation about rolling Open Streets in Seapoint/Greenpoint was only getting started.

 

Related Event
Talking Streets November 2013 Green Point

Talking Streets Series 2014: Imagine Beach Road...

Thursday, January 30, 2014 - 18:00

There are ongoing discussions with the City of Cape Town about testing the concept of Open Streets on Beach Road and we want your input.
Read more

Tags:

Talking Streets
Talking Streets
Community
Skateboarding

Recent

Mobile Women

Mobile Women

Saturday, August 31, 2019 - 09:00

Join a social ride & dialogue in Gugulethu to celebrate and empower women who cycle

Learn more...

Twitter Feed

Tweets by OpenStreetsCT

Newsletter

Newsletter

Stay informed

Sign up to receive the latest news, event info and campaign details from Open Streets Cape Town.

Sign up

Donate

Donate

Support us

Want regular Open Streets Days in Cape Town?

Donate to the movement now via PayFast.

Contact

Say hello
Give us a call: (+27) 76 783 2583
Or email us: info@openstreets.co.za

Connect

Follow us

Facebook YouTube Instagram

© Open Streets Cape Town

Website proudly built by


Kindly hosted by

amazee io