In September 2004 we left Sweden for South Africa where we in the township of
Duncan Village, East London had situated our diploma work with a focus on
public space. It was possible for us to do so after receiving a scholarship
from SIDA, the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency.
The general aim of our project has been to suggest ways on how to upgrade
public spaces, and thereby support and improve the urban social life in Duncan
Village, East London. The work has been done in line with the Duncan Village
Local Spatial Development Framework (LSDF), a redevelopment program set up by
Buffalo City Municipality, with the aim of solving the housing shortage in the
area, and along with this improve the social and economical conditions for the
residents.
Public spaces which have such a large impact on the social conditions and the
physical environment of urban areas, have due to the apartheid planning been
neglected both in Duncan Village, East London and many other South African
cities.
Duncan Village has the urban qualities of density and interaction of people in
movement but there is no real arena for the public life. We have therefor
outlined a suggested for an overall structure of public space. It is based on
an inventory showing weaknesses and threnghts in the existing city structure
and an analysis functioning as a tool for understanding where, and in what way
public activities are conducted. We have also taken the current redevelopment
plans of Duncan Village into consideration by trying to envision how they could
affect the future structure and use of public spaces. The proposal suggests how
the network of public spaces could be complemented and developed, and by this
offer better opportunity for social interaction as well as commercial-, public-
and transport facilities, along with housing and parks. Two areas/nodes have
been chosen for individual detailed studies resulting in design plan proposals
for those.
The main definition of a public space is obviously that it is not private, but
when it comes to further understanding the role it plays in the urban life, and
what to consider when planning it, there are several ideas. We have attracted
attention to a few aspects that have been significant in our work:
Rob Krier - Urban space: Public space should be clearly defined and planned
urban space where the boundaries between private and publicare easily
understood.
Christopher Alexander -The concept of linearity: An appropriate concept for
Duncan Village since the main public activities are already today concentrated
along a central spine; the Douglas Smit Highway.
Bill Hillier - Integration in the urban grid: Accessibility and
through-movement which are both spatial and functional effects of integration
are crucial for the usage of public space.
Howard Besser - Artificial public space: Car orientated spaces as shopping
centers outside the city core often exclude the poorer parts of the population.
In the redevelopment of Duncan Village we consider it important to provide
public spaces accessible to all of its residents.
Jan Gehl - The discussion of quality and function: To obtain functional
public spaces of high quality the planning method must be: first life, then
spaces, then buildings. Gehl divides activities conducted in public space into
three categories: necessary, optional and social activities. This division
functions as a tool when observing life in public spaces.
Following planning principles have also been important for our plan proposals:
Crime prevention: Safety is one of the main concerns when developing public
spaces in Duncan Village. Public spaces must allow interaction but also ensure
that the spaces are defensible.
Discouragement of land invasion: Degradation, occupation by informal dwellings
and other “non-public” uses originally not intended for public spaces could be
prevented if they are developed with a clear public purpose and if there is a
mutual concern for them.
Diversity and multi-functionality: Close proximity of the private and public
spheres makes public spaces welcoming and private dwellings convenient.
Diversity in space also supports economic activity. Flexibility and
multi-functionality is important when investing in new
developments where the cost is crucial. Public open spaces should be able to
accommodate a range of activities with change in intensity and changing use
over time.
An analys method, a pulse measurement, based on Alexander’s idea of linearity
and Gehl’s three categories of activities (necessary, optional or social
activities) has functioned as a tool for visual observations of where public
activities are most frequent and how they are conducted. We have chosen Douglas
Smit Highway which runs centrally through Duncan Village as our research area.
The method has helped us to understand where developments or improvements of
public spaces are best located.
In our proposal for the overall structure of public spaces we have chosen to
put our main focus on the environment along Douglas Smit Highway which is the
artery linking the area. We suggest
a mixture of public spaces with differences in intensity and character to
increase movement and thereby interaction of people. We also suggest the
upgrading of existing pedestrian paths and the
development of new pedestrian connections, giving a structure that increases
the accessibility between neighbourhoods and the public places.
The areas chosen for detailed studies are of different character, illustrating
how public spaces...