Harrington Square and its surrounds in the eastern City Bowl are under review, with the city prioritising upgrades to create a safer, more accessible and inviting public space while improving parking and pedestrian safety.
The first of several public meetings and workshops was held at the Subcouncil 16 Council Chamber on Tuesday 21 April.
According to the City, the project builds on the District Six Public Realm Study of 2022 and the approved local spatial development frameworks for District Six and the Central Business District (approved in 2025), all of which guide long-term spatial planning.
Social housing lobby group Ndifuna Ukwazi welcomed the City’s plans to repurpose the unutilised land.
Ndifuna Ukwazi said in a press statement it released a report in 2019 highlighting the potential for more inclusive use of this public land.
“The report proposed that approximately 14 138m² could be developed into mixed-income residential space, incorporating market-rate, social, and GAP housing.
“It further estimated that such a development could generate between R18 609 000 and R24 081 000 in new annual rates revenue,” read the statement.
Ndifuna Ukwazi now calls on the Western Cape Government, and Premier Alan Winde, to follow suit.
“Strategic, well-located public land owned by the province in the CBD must also be prioritised for affordable housing development,” concluded the statement.
Eddie Andrews, deputy mayor and Mayco member for spatial planning and environment, said the area has “immense potential” as civic spaces.
“We want to reimagine these assets and see how they can be used to uplift the area, lead urban regeneration, and strengthen the connections between the surrounding neighbourhoods.
He urged businesses and interested parties to help shape the vision for the space and see how to combine the current uses with future uses to “better integrate the community” and promote inclusivity.
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