TRANSFORMING THE WORKING WATERFRONT


Historically, urban waterfronts were viewed primarily as ports: the point at which goods arrived from all corners of the Earth. But many of today’s waterfronts are being transformed, becoming a gathering place for locals, tourists and businesses – and a valuable focal point for masterplanners.


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Situated between Robben Island and Table Mountain in the heart of Cape Town’s working harbour, the Victoria & Alfred (V&A) basins were once a hub for trade activity. Back when container shipping was the main method of handling cargo worldwide and the Suez Canal had been reopened as a major freight route, this South African waterfront welcomed ships carrying products from around the globe.


But, despite their importance to global trade, such spaces did not always fare well. Many fell into decline owing to new developments in manufacturing and freight delivery methods. This is now changing. The V&A waterfront continues to welcome visitors, but for very different reasons, having been transformed into South Africa’s most visited tourist destination. “As the key interface between land and sea,


waterfronts have always played an important role,” says Helen Doe, teaching fellow in the Centre for Maritime Historical Studies at the University of Exeter. “Although modern port operations have mostly moved out of cities, the waterfront has now become a key leisure focus and continues to draw people to the waterside.” With shipping no longer at the core of these


projects, the skill for the modern urban planner is to ensure that these often derelict spaces will be revitalised and – crucially – link in with the rest of the urban framework. How can masterplanning reduce the threat of any future decline? Cape Town’s harbour has


undergone numerous changes over recent years to bring greater public access and appeal, and Atkins is part of a team working to develop the V&A waterfront further. The challenge is to present a viable masterplan linking the waterfront with the city and the new football stadium at Green Point. Along with plans for one of the most expensive hotel developments that Africa has seen – a seven-star R450m luxury destination – the reinvented waterfront offers a wide range of visitor attractions and has successfully reinvigorated the area.


Long-term appeal “It’s all about creating pockets of interest,” says Janus Rostock, design director for architecture with Atkins in the Middle East. Rostock has worked on projects around the world and is well aware of the changing face of waterfront development and its implications for planners.


The instinct for humans to interact in and


around water is something that all waterfront developments, whether new or transformational, recognise. They have the ability to draw people together and offer unique and attractive opportunities for business. And creating a destination with long-term appeal is of utmost importance for the regeneration of all waterfront projects. “We always think about the future when planning any project,” says Rostock. “We prepare the design and create spaces so that people will enjoy them.”


The V&A waterfront in Cape Town is now one of South Africa’s most visited destinations.


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