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Questions that will be posed at the Joburg Inner City summit to be held in 2007 include what makes a city liveable, vibrant and attractive. Neil Fraser looks at the issues around public and leisure spaces and arts, culture and heritage.
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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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A FLURRY of workshops have been held in the lead up to the 2007 Inner City Summit and Charter, with the last one of 2006 looking at Public and Leisure Spaces, Arts, Culture and Heritage.
This was an internal council workshop to discuss the process leading to the development of a Spatial Design Framework and taking a preliminary look at the all-important issue of residential development. Judging by the discussion at the session, these two topics should encourage fierce debate particularly when opened to a wider forum this year.
Previously I provided information regarding the issues raised at the first of the workshops on Safety, Security and Urban Management, held on 4 December, and shared some of the comments I received through Citichat.
Now I want to do the same related to the initial workshop on Public and Leisure Spaces, Arts, Culture and Heritage.
What were we doing in this workshop? We were asking what it is that makes a city liveable for citizens and visitors, and vibrant and attractive to all its users.
The first response was that that question needs to be asked of a far broader, more representative and sustainable group, which includes the community.
I've tried to group common sets of comments and I haven't reflected some of the answers. For example, there is a heritage policy - the next workshops will continue to identify problems, but will start to address solutions.
Some general comments were:
- that the summit deliberations need to be guided by the principle of inclusivity;
- that issues should be used to generate civic pride;
- that desecration of public amenities, graffiti, and so on is a reflection of frustration that communities aren't involved in decision making;
- we need to map the creative industries; and
- we need to look beyond the summit.
A recurring theme throughout the workshop was lack of communication.
1. Public ArtRecently we have seen a new appreciation of public art through initiatives such as Joburg Art City, the Juta Street tree sculptures, the City's Public Art Policy, which requires all public sector capital projects over R10 000 to set aside a percentage of the total cost towards providing public art. We also need a sustained programme of support for a wide range of artists - the 'theme' for public art currently is that it should reference symbolic reparations and the TRC (the Truth and Reconciliation Commission).
2. Iconic public spacesOver the last five years new 'iconic' projects have been completed (for example, Constitution Hill, Drill Hall, Mary Fitzgerald Square). However some are not well utilised by the public and we need to know why.
Some grand scale projects have stalled, like the Gauteng provincial government precinct. Other opportunities for iconic public space must be explored.
We have little or no communication about our iconic places and spaces - Constitution Hill has no marketing budget, which is a disgrace. Iconic places and spaces are developed but then aren't managed. We need an audit of our iconic places and spaces to see what works and what doesn't and why.
3. ParksLack of parks mean existing green space such as Joubert Park is over utilised. On the other hand, a lot of work has been done in Joubert Park but no one knows about it.
Some parks are significantly degraded, there is a need for tot-lots/pocket parks, and there is a safety concern in some parks.
4. Streets for pedestrians and cyclistsStreet upgrading in Braamfontein and Main Street have shown what can be done. Pedestrians cannot use some of the streets after dark, and promises that certain streets would be pedestrianised have not been met and some pedestrian thoroughfares need to be upgraded. Alleyways are not well managed and graffiti is out of control - but what does it represent, frustration?
We also need more cycle paths.
5. Inadequate public social amenitiesThere is a desperate need for public toilets, drinking fountains, and so on. The development of toilets on Mary Fitzgerald Square and the Braamfontein pissoir show what can be done, but inadequate and poorly maintained amenities exist across most parts of the inner city.
Bus stops are used as accommodation at night and become threatening. We need shelter for the homeless
6. Optimal location and functioning of key cultural institutionsThe Johannesburg Art Gallery has received its highest visits in three years despite its problems of poor outside lighting and taxi chaos. It is only a kilometre from Constitution Hill yet has been left out of the Cultural Arc. Such an important City asset cannot be left out of the City's plans.
There is poor marketing of and access to key galleries.
Some key cultural facilities (like the Alhambra Theatre) no longer operate. There is a lack of support for the smaller institutions. There is no common voice for the performing arts and not enough communication between arts, culture and heritage. There is no connection between Museum Afrika and the Market Theatre.
There is no cultural communication between city, province, central government and individual cultural entities. There is a huge need for an umbrella body for common concerns and issues. Many other cities have seen positive regeneration effects from artists appropriating run-down buildings, under-utilised industrial space, and so on.
7. Leisure and entertainment spaceWhat types of spaces are appropriate for the city? Don't we need a typology of spaces?
Many key leisure industries left the inner city in the 1990s, movie houses, bookstore chains, and so on, and new small players may need targeted support (for example, to find appropriate space - eating facilities and social clubs for foreign migrant populations often forced to operate below the radar).
There is 24-hour activity taking place but mostly in sterile areas because they are perceived to be safe. How do we spread to other areas? Public space-mindedness needs to be cultivated, promoted and defended. While there is considerable interest in replicating fan parks like those developed for Germany's World Cup, there is a danger here that they may turn out to be white elephants.
8. TransportThere is no way a pedestrian can get safely from Wits University to the Johannesburg Art Gallery. We need some type of hop-on, hop-off bus. The city must make it easy and safe for its citizens to get around.
We also need things that will excite children. One idea is to reintroduce an old tram.
9. TourismPeople love the inner city tours but we need wider pavements and we need clean pavements. People love the excitement and noise but not the filth. There are no 'comfort stops' for tours through the city. You need a starting point - Constitution Hill would be ideal - and map out routes and mark pavements with different coloured dots for different routes. Proper signage and access to information is desperately needed and would help make the city more user-friendly to walkers.
10. HeritageIt appears that nothing has been done since the heritage surveys were undertaken. It is urgent to deal with deteriorating heritage buildings - the provincial heritage resources agency (PHRA) should be handed over to the City.
Heritage management must be integrated and enforcement must be stepped up. The South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA) is looking for greater co-operation between the City, SAHRA/PHRA, and developers. Heritage authorities must be involved in drawing up and implementing programmes such as the Better Buildings Programme. Legislation allows for heritage incentives but we don't have any. The City's own heritage buildings aren't looked after. The Rissik Street Post Office is a disgrace and an eyesore.
It is not just buildings, but space also has heritage value. The relationship of spaces like Mary Fitzgerald Square to the Workers' Library must be defended.
11. Public mindedness and CitizenshipHow do we break through the culture of disregard that exists?
Every issue is 95 percent management related. We need overt management and strong, visible leadership to build up a culture that shows deference to public space and respect for city property - not stolen manholes and stolen water. People want management and leadership.
How do we make social wholeness happen? Do we know what communities really want? Do we know who lives and works in the city? Our greatest challenge is to identify those who use the city. We must design the city around the values of the people who are here. If we don't understand the needs we won't be able to reach out.
There should be a stronger relationship between the city and rural areas and culture. Do we want ethnic and symbolic icons such as a Chinatown?
We need civic mindedness education. There is much talk about tourists but what about the needs of the people living in the city?
There has been an increase in social crime because there is no social space. One idea is to link the Better Buildings Programme to a levy so that developers fund the establishment of Residential Improvement Districts. One need is to stop rampant speculation and focus on developing neighbourhoods. A concern is that regeneration is making the city too expensive.
14. The Urban ForestAre we really serious about the urban forest, which is so closely linked to sustainability? Densification appears to be carried out at the expense of the urban forest.
15. EnforcementAn underlying issue is lack of enforcement. All suggestions will fail unless enforcement is taken seriously.
16. AuditWe need an audit on lessons learned from the various developments. For example, why aren't taxis using the new parking areas?
We need to plan for the next 150 years so we need to envision the city on a long-term basis.
Some iconic projects have resulted in unintended consequences. The hospital has split residential linkages.
Where do people walk, and why?
Well, lots to think about, lots to answer, and an exciting build-up leading to the next round of workshops.
I hope you had a blessed festive season, and a safe and peaceful break. May this year be a great year for the inner city and all its peoples.
Ciao, Neil
Important PSs
- The Johannesburg Art Gallery hosted the launch of Jillian Carman's whimsically titled book Uplifting the Colonial Philistine. Quoting from its flyleaf - "Uplifting the Colonial Philistine is a thoroughly researched and fascinating account of the complex circumstances in which the Johannesburg Art Gallery, including the museum building and its singular, avant-garde art collection, was founded in early Johannesburg - then a mere budding mining town. It describes the larger-than-life characters who brought it to its grand launch in November 1910...." A great read and a wonderful gift for everyone, particularly Joburg, Johannesburg Art Gallery and art buffs and those fascinated by this city's amazing history. It should be on the shelves of Exclusive Books, Estoril and so on, or you can obtain it from Wits University Press at 23 Junction Avenue, Parktown.
- Anyone have any information on what was previously known as John Vorster Square, now called Johannesburg Central Police Station? The SA History Project is undertaking research on the building. If you have any information, or know of anyone who may have, please contact Tyron Smith on
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