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About Citichat
NEIL Fraser is a partner in 'Neil Fraser &
Associates trading as Urban Inc', an urban consultancy dedicated to the
revitalisation and regeneration of cities and of the inner city of Johannesburg
in particular. He can be contacted on 083 456 0242 or 011 444 4895 or by e-mail
at
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Citichat is a free weekly publication concerning cities generally and
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Talking about the city
An insider's perspective on Johannesburg, written by prominent city champion Neil Fraser.
Click on the title to read the full story
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THERE needs to be greater control over outdoor advertising, and enforcement of City by-laws, if Johannesburg is to avoid massive, grubby, inappropriate ads. |
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THE reason behind re-looking at by-laws may be to make them simpler, "but this does not appear to be the case with outdoor advertising". |
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HOSPITALITY is as varied as the architecture in many small towns and villages, where beautiful historical buildings have "South African modern" neighbours. |
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CHANGE is rapidly gaining pace in downtown Johannesburg, with improvements being seen from Feitas and Vrededorp in the west, all the way across town to the fashion district and Bertrams in the east.
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UPGRADING of the inner city is growing, with large pockets of excellent work. Of the work under way, the Bus Rapid Transit system will have the most lasting and most significant effect on Joburg.
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OCCUPIERS of the degraded inner city building, San Jose, have moved after a court battle and successful negotiations with the City.
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IN the second part of an exploration of Diagonal Street, memory and democracy are again pitted against "progress".
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DEVELOPMENTS around the Diagonal Street precinct are an example of memory and democracy versus "progress".
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IS there finally light at the end of the tunnel for the Rissik Street Post Office with some refurbishment plans from the provincial government in the pipeline?
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THE proposal to rename the whole of the R24 - running across the city from east to west - will necessitate the changing of 18 street names. Two of these names have great historical significance.
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FROM the restored Salisbury House in Jeppestown to the drop in office vacancies, by way of the Hillbrow Tower, the urban development zone, Woolworths and strange landscaping ideas, Neil Fraser has a full plate.
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A NEW book calls for a new urban agenda, recognising that what makes cities vital in the 21st century are complexity, density, diversity of people and cultures, the messy intersection of activities, among others.
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PLANS are afoot for two of Joburg's towers, while one landmark already has a fresh face and a new use - the Orlando cooling towers in Soweto.
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LET'S get up and do something; it is time to change the attitude of ordinary people - it's time for a massive Pride in our City campaign.
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THERE are some great developments in Braamfontein, and the "spring by the brambles" is looking good. Now it is time to build on these developments.
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THE imposition of the Bus Rapid Transit system on Joburg's grid may have huge implications for traffic congestion, worsening rather than improving the problem.
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NEW awards have recognised the hard work and dedication of several organisations and individuals in the regrowth of the Joburg inner city. The Halala Joburg Awards will now be an annual event.
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WORK seems to be steaming ahead regarding the Inner City Charter, with 86 percent of commitments achieved so far.
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PANELISTS at the annual conference of the South African Property Owners' Association point out that many of South Africa's challenges are not unique, but are felt on an international level, such as black outs, corruption, hardship and xenophobia.
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WORK is forging ahead in the inner city, with refurbishments keeping pace with changes being undertaken for the Rea Vaya bus system. It is great to see all this energy.
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NEWTOWN was the birthplace of business in Johannesburg. Nearly a hundred years ago, deals were brokered over the telephone or in the streets, and those who were successful received the fictitious 'University of Newtown' certificate.
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NEWTOWN is a vibrant area with a great history, with projects currently under construction, emerging or in the planning stages looking like they will provide a real boost to the precinct.
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ALCOHOL was long used as a tool to control the poor, with the "captains of industry" influencing the government to pass laws that would pour the huge profits from the black liquor trade into their pockets.
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THERE was plenty of fun to be had in early Joburg, with theatres and sports meetings a favourite way for the diggers to work off the stresses of the day.
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THE development of Turbine Square is a blueprint for how to meld old and new. The architects have used a "light touch" in turning part of historic Joburg into the headquarters of the AngloGold Ashanti powerhouse.
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PROSTITUTION flourished in Joburg's early days and, with its brothels, bars and canteens, Johannesburg was the swinging capital of the country.
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THE history of Johannesburg is well oiled with liquor - both legal and illegal. And the various governments have always had a hand in the spirits trade.
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CITICHAT'S Neil Fraser looks at the ins and outs of maintaining Joburg's heritage, drawing on national and local government policies.
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READING through the progress report on the Inner City Regeneration Charter, it seems that there are few awards to be handed out.
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JOBURG'S inner city is emerging from decline, with a recovery in rental levels, a decline in vacancies and the return of "city infrastructure".
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MUSIC is the name of the game at the Joburg Promusica Theatre this season, with rock and roll, cabaret, cello and African rhythms. |
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WITH about 10 000 people turning out in support of gay and lesbian rights, this year's Pride Parade was enjoyed by participants and spectators alike. |
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OCTOBER is Public Transport Month, and this year the focus is on saving the environment and cutting travelling costs. |
THOUSANDS of marchers will converge at the Zoo Lake on Saturday to take part in the 19th annual lesbian and gay parade. The march will be followed by a party in the park.
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