careful urban renewal

SALT RIVER JUNCTION

BAS(Hons)

Site and Brief Description

 

The project site is located in Salt River, an area east of Cape Town's CBD. Once a booming industrial area which  focused mainly in the production of clothing and textiles, it experienced economic decline after increased imports of cheaper clothing in the late 1980s. In recent years the area has experienced re-development, although this caters mostly to tourists and higher income groups from other areas. The project therefore called for careful urban renewal in order to create a functional and meaningful place for the surrounding community.This intent was approached through extensive interviews with residents, investigation into site factors and

translation of the existing neighbourhood conditions into an enabling framework which could serve as a catalyst for more sustainable development of the area.

 

          Main Design Objectives

 

Increase physcial and visual connection across the site

Creation of a new market landscape that relates to the street and transport nodes

Introduction of the 'third place' (that other than housing and transport) into the community through areas of leisure, movement and interaction

Establishment of a new housing approach in the area through a focus on street relationship, densification and flexibility in the design of living spaces