On 27 January 2019, Bree Street in the Central City will be closed off to cars and open for people to walk, skate, cycle, play, dance, explore, or just connect with friends and family in a safe, relaxed public space.
Building on the success of previous years and thanks to the financial support of the Transformative Urban Mobility Initiative (TUMI), Open Streets Cape Town is partnering with the City of Cape Town and the Central City Improvement District (CCID) to demonstrate to all residents across the city how a car-free, people-first CBD could look.
The aim of Open Streets is to radically increase the use and ownership of streets as public space. By closing down a portion of the iconic Bree Street to traffic, it’ll be transformed into an inclusive and neutral space for all to enjoy. This is the third Open Streets day by Open Streets Cape Town in the 2018-19 series. The previous ones were held in Woodstock and Bellville.
Says Marcela Guerrero Casas, managing director of Open Streets Cape Town: “The invitation to residents is to use the Open Streets platform to reimagine these different parts of the city. Closed to motorised vehicles and open to people, roads become spaces for walkers, cyclists, skaters and wheelchair users to move safely, and for showcasing local music, dance and community-based initiatives. Days like these bring people together and inspire action. We believe this kind of experiential learning could lead to real behaviour change and increased advocacy for non-motorised transport.”
Tasso Evangelinos, CEO of the CCID, shares Marcela’s sentiments and believes Open Streets days are a gateway to a more liveable city.
“For Cape Town to become a safe and inclusive city, we must catch up with the global trend that calls for fewer motorised vehicles and more infrastructure that is safe and welcoming to pedestrians. It has been proven in other places and in our experience in the CBD for years that businesses benefit from this type of activation.”
Overall, for Open Streets City Centre, the CCID will play a supportive role. The Open Streets day will begin at 09h00 and come to an end at 14h00. Entry is free for everyone. For more information and to get involved with an activity, as a volunteer, or to apply for a food stall, email info@openstreets.co.za.
Image by Bruce Sutherland