The Cape Flats Urban Park : guidelines for multifunctional open space planning
Master Thesis
2001
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University of Cape Town
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Abstract
Over time, the lack of coherent thought concerning the potential roles of urban open spaces has resulted in the necessity of urban management to become vigilant with regard to the collective aspects of city life. Urban open spaces are especially significant in this regard. In giving attention to the scale, continuity, distribution and status of public open space in Cape Town and indeed, in all South African urban centres, developing the role of public spaces in the lives of the urban poor is especially crucial. This study examines the concept of the ability of multifunctional urban open space in playing the role of a socio-economic developmental tool. In this endeavour, two fundamental approaches are used. The first investigates the significance of open space and examines the history of open space and park development. Cases of successful park developments are presented so as to identify central conceptual ideas and certain key success factors. The second uses a local park proposal, the Cape Flats Urban Park, as an instrument with which to explore the concept. This involves integrating the notions of natural process needs and human needs so as to inform use. Accordingly, a natural systems analysis discovers the particular ecological needs of the area through factors of opportunity and constraint and a potential park user analysis discovers the characteristics and needs of human users, in order to discern what role the urban park could play in enabling socio-economic development and improving quality of life. Consequently, resultant guidelines for planning successful multifunctional open spaces are summarised, and further considerations and guiding principles for multifunctional open space planning are presented. These insights are applied and determine broad distributional tendencies, which may assist towards the creation of a successful plan for the Cape Flats Urban Park and other open spaces. The procedure in which these investigations were followed through was primarily through an extensive literature survey, supplemented by personal observation, map surveys and informal interviews. The findings of this study endorse the proposal for a multifunctional Cape Flats Urban Park, as this park could play conservation, resource preservation, flood control, productive, economic, ceremonial, cultural, educational, health improving, recreational and community-building roles. As such, urban open spaces have the potential to become multifaceted resources, with both intangible and tangible benefits for nature and for people, all of which can improve the quality of life for city dwellers, by improving the quality of the environment in which they live.
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Bibliography: leaves 110-120.
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Reference:
Herschell, E. 2001. The Cape Flats Urban Park : guidelines for multifunctional open space planning. University of Cape Town.