Twenty years after the end of apartheid in South Africa, Cape Town is preparing to become World Design Capital. Zoe Dare Hall looks at the coastal city's burgeoning real estate market, which reflects two decades of integrative planning.
"As Cape Town prepares to become World Design Capital in 2014 – the year that also marks the 20th anniversary of democracy in South Africa – the city faces challenges that no past holder of the title has had to tackle," notes Hall. “'In 1994, we inherited a city designed for separation. Since then, we have been designing a city for integration,' reads Cape Town’s winning bid for the twice yearly award."
"The route to a reunified city lies partly in 'socially transformative' design, according to Cape Town Design, the non-profit company behind the World Design Capital bid. One big step towards that is bringing back city-centre living."
"Getting people out of their cars is a vital part of making Cape Town function properly," explains Hall.
“We have suburban sprawl and a car culture as bad as the US. But Cape Town’s new bus system, inspired by the one that has transformed the Brazilian city of Curitiba, is seeing even the middle classes use public transport now,” says Xico Meirelles of MLB Architects.
FULL STORY: The Cape’s crusaders
National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions
Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.
Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50
A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.
Delivering for America Plan Will Downgrade Mail Service in at Least 49.5 Percent of Zip Codes
Republican and Democrat lawmakers criticize the plan for its disproportionate negative impact on rural communities.
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Balancing Bombs and Butterflies: How the National Guard Protects a Rare Species
The National Guard at Fort Indiantown Gap uses GIS technology and land management strategies to balance military training with conservation efforts, ensuring the survival of the rare eastern regal fritillary butterfly.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
EMC Planning Group, Inc.
Planetizen
Planetizen
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service