Hidden gems reimagining the public realm along independence avenue to sustain the local economy in the Windhoek central business district

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dc.contributor.advisorEwing, Kathryn
dc.contributor.advisorCrooijmans-Lemmer, Hedwig
dc.contributor.authorPersaud, Gwen
dc.date.accessioned2025-10-20T12:24:41Z
dc.date.available2025-10-20T12:24:41Z
dc.date.issued2025
dc.date.updated2025-10-20T12:21:16Z
dc.description.abstractThis urban design research project investigates the reimagining of the public realm along Independence Avenue to sustain the local economy in the context of the Windhoek Central Business District (CBD). The research seeks to explore how the public spaces can be transformed to support local businesses, foster Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) and stimulate overall economic development and growth. The research question drives this research to understand 'How can the public realm sustain the local economy?'. Through qualitative methodologies such as critical theory analysis of the relationship between economies and the public realm, rhythm analysis for field observations and semi-structured interviews, this research examines the current state of the public realm along Independence Avenue. The research analyses the role of urban design concepts like placemaking and human-centred design in shaping local economic activity. The findings highlight the untapped potential of “hidden gems” as clusters of local economic innovation that can be reinforced. The research highlights the significance of accessibility, connectivity, optionality and placemaking principles in creating a vibrant and thriving public realm that empowers both local businesses and the broader community. By contextualising this CBD regeneration to a postcolonial urban environment, this research contributes to an existing body of knowledge on urban regeneration and local economic development. It provides actionable recommendations for stakeholders and policymakers to enhance the public realm in a way that promotes sustainable economic growth in the Windhoek CBD. In doing so, it also presents valuable insights into how urban design can play a key role in fostering economic resilience and innovation in the context of Windhoek
dc.identifier.apacitationPersaud, G. (2025). <i>Hidden gems reimagining the public realm along independence avenue to sustain the local economy in the Windhoek central business district</i>. (). University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment ,School of Architecture, Planning and Geomatics. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/11427/42024en_ZA
dc.identifier.chicagocitationPersaud, Gwen. <i>"Hidden gems reimagining the public realm along independence avenue to sustain the local economy in the Windhoek central business district."</i> ., University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment ,School of Architecture, Planning and Geomatics, 2025. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/42024en_ZA
dc.identifier.citationPersaud, G. 2025. Hidden gems reimagining the public realm along independence avenue to sustain the local economy in the Windhoek central business district. . University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment ,School of Architecture, Planning and Geomatics. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/42024en_ZA
dc.identifier.ris TY - Thesis / Dissertation AU - Persaud, Gwen AB - This urban design research project investigates the reimagining of the public realm along Independence Avenue to sustain the local economy in the context of the Windhoek Central Business District (CBD). The research seeks to explore how the public spaces can be transformed to support local businesses, foster Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) and stimulate overall economic development and growth. The research question drives this research to understand 'How can the public realm sustain the local economy?'. Through qualitative methodologies such as critical theory analysis of the relationship between economies and the public realm, rhythm analysis for field observations and semi-structured interviews, this research examines the current state of the public realm along Independence Avenue. The research analyses the role of urban design concepts like placemaking and human-centred design in shaping local economic activity. The findings highlight the untapped potential of “hidden gems” as clusters of local economic innovation that can be reinforced. The research highlights the significance of accessibility, connectivity, optionality and placemaking principles in creating a vibrant and thriving public realm that empowers both local businesses and the broader community. By contextualising this CBD regeneration to a postcolonial urban environment, this research contributes to an existing body of knowledge on urban regeneration and local economic development. It provides actionable recommendations for stakeholders and policymakers to enhance the public realm in a way that promotes sustainable economic growth in the Windhoek CBD. In doing so, it also presents valuable insights into how urban design can play a key role in fostering economic resilience and innovation in the context of Windhoek DA - 2025 DB - OpenUCT DP - University of Cape Town KW - Public realm KW - Local economy KW - Small-medium-micro enterprises KW - Windhoek Central Business District KW - Independence Avenue KW - Sustainable development LK - https://open.uct.ac.za PB - University of Cape Town PY - 2025 T1 - Hidden gems reimagining the public realm along independence avenue to sustain the local economy in the Windhoek central business district TI - Hidden gems reimagining the public realm along independence avenue to sustain the local economy in the Windhoek central business district UR - http://hdl.handle.net/11427/42024 ER - en_ZA
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11427/42024
dc.identifier.vancouvercitationPersaud G. Hidden gems reimagining the public realm along independence avenue to sustain the local economy in the Windhoek central business district. []. University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment ,School of Architecture, Planning and Geomatics, 2025 [cited yyyy month dd]. Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/11427/42024en_ZA
dc.language.isoen
dc.language.rfc3066eng
dc.publisher.departmentSchool of Architecture, Planning and Geomatics
dc.publisher.facultyFaculty of Engineering and the Built Environment
dc.publisher.institutionUniversity of Cape Town
dc.subjectPublic realm
dc.subjectLocal economy
dc.subjectSmall-medium-micro enterprises
dc.subjectWindhoek Central Business District
dc.subjectIndependence Avenue
dc.subjectSustainable development
dc.titleHidden gems reimagining the public realm along independence avenue to sustain the local economy in the Windhoek central business district
dc.typeThesis / Dissertation
dc.type.qualificationlevelMasters
dc.type.qualificationlevelMasters
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