This Saturday, 25 May 2013, residents will take to the streets en masse when Open Streets Cape Town launches its programme for an Open Streets network on Lower Main Road, Observatory.
Inspired by Bogota, Colombia’s Ciclovías and similar projects in cities such as San Francisco, United States and Jakarta, Indonesia, the Open Streets programme creates temporary, car-free zones for a few hours and allows people to use streets safely on bicycle, skateboard or by foot. It is an opportunity to walk, skate, jog, dance and paint along Lower Main Road or simply watch the street “come alive” in a new way.
The free event, which is planned to take place between 13:00 and 17:00, includes activities such as Zumba and yoga lessons, music busking and art installations. Other attractions include a skateboarding park, bicycle activation points and theatre performances. Local residents have organised a family “corner”, which will encompass a braai and space for kids to take part in street football, giant chess, chalk drawing, folk circle dancing and more.
However, the law will still apply, which means no alcohol in public places, no amplified sound and no permanent changes to public or private property, such as unpermitted graffiti.
The City of Cape Town supports the roll-out of this programme as part of its policy for alternative transport, as well as the agenda for the World Design Capital in 2014.
Mayoral Committee Member for Transport, Roads and Stormwater, Councillor Brett Herron, is an ardent supporter of the Open Streets programme. “Open Streets can assist in the creation of a low-carbon future through the promotion of more sustainable forms of transport. Also, taking cars out of Lower Main [Road] for a couple of hours will allow people to foster relationships with their neighbours, which means increased community cohesion and improved safety,” he says.
Open Streets also links to other activities that are taking place on the day, including Africa Day and Moonlight Mass monthly bicycle ride, as well as 100 in 1 day, which is a global movement to encourage people to utilise public space in creative ways.
Chairman of the Observatory Improvement District, Justin Ashley, says: “Residents want to have a more pedestrian-friendly space on Lower Main Road and Open Streets is an opportunity for all to experience what that would be like. Besides, it will be a good opportunity for local businesses and for residents of Observatory and Salt River to interact.”
For more information on Open Streets, visit www.openstreets.co.za, the Facebook page or @openstreetsCT on Twitter.
