Envisioning a Black River Pathway 12 December, 2012 Creating a Heritage Destination Through Social Development Cape Town, South Africa

Envisioning a Black River Pathway 12 December, 2012 Creating a Heritage Destination through Social Development Cape Town, South Africa

Prepared for: City of Cape Town’s Environmental and Heritage Management Department In conjunction with: Maitland Garden Village and Oude Molen Eco Village Community Members

Overview

This proposal outlines a vision for a Massachusetts, USA. All are in their pathway along the Black River that third year, studying for various will bring walkers to the river and degrees, and have travelled to Cape encourage them to explore two Town to the university’s project nearby communities, Maitland centre to complete a degree Garden Village and Oude Molen Eco requirement called the Interactive Village. The pathway will help Qualifying Project. This requires promote Maitland Garden Village students to complete a project and Oude Molen as a destination for relating to socioeconomic issues by visitors interested in learning more conducting research during a about the unique heritage of each preparation phase for two months and an on-site execution phase for community and to see new two subsequent months. This community initiatives firsthand. project was done in conjunction

with the City of Cape Town’s Caitlin Donovan, Tara Meinck, Environmental and Heritage Shahbaz Soofi, and Sarah Thayer Management Department as are students from Worcester sponsors. Polytechnic Institute in

A Maitland Garden Village street

Introduction

he Black River corridor The pathway vision presented in T presents many opportunities this proposal aims to build on for development, such as a pathway community assets of both of MGV from the Hazendale community to and Oude Molen, notably the Observatory. In this proposal we gardening and heritage. We focus on developing a pathway describe opportunities for between land spanning Maitland community gardening along the Garden Village (MGV) and Oude pathway as well as small scale Molen Eco Village. This project has agriculture enterprises. We also the potential to start connecting discuss how each community’s these communities to neighboring unique history could be told to visitors through a walking tour. ones, such as Langa and Observatory. Such a pathway, we believe could support economic and social development in Oude Molen and Maitland Garden Village. The ultimate objective of the pathway is to make the corridor a destination for Cape Town visitors and nearby communities, thus fostering a relationship between these groups and the river. This relationship, we hope, will help catalyse the long term process of ecological restoration of the highly polluted Black River.

Current dirt footpath behind Oude Molen 2

Purpose of Proposal

The purpose of this pathway This proposal builds on the work proposal is to create a vision for a undertaken last year by a student multi-functional pathway along a team from Worcester Polytechnic Institute. That proposal examined specific section of the Black River that a larger scale pathway along the includes MGV and Oude Molen. We Black River, as shown in the map to hope to stimulate interest and the right. Our team focuses on a discussion that will lead to the limited area spanning MGV and Oude Molen as is indicated by a red eventual building of a pathway to s box. In this narrower focus we benefit the natural environment, consider how the pathway can best walkers and recreational users, and encourage social and economic the residents of MGV and Oude development in the two Molen. Our proposed pathway builds communities. We identify features on the natural and community assets that can be incorporated into the pathway design to aid the Black we’ve found in the course of our River ecological restoration as well research such as community initiated as strengthen community programmes and beautiful, open initiatives. space. The proposal incorporates the needs and valuable suggestions from the following involved stakeholders:  Our project sponsor: City of Cape Town’s Environmental and Heritage Management Department  Maitland Garden Village Organisations  Two Rivers Urban Park Committee  City of Cape Town’s Property Management Department  City of Cape Town’s Parks and Recreation Department WPI 2011 Proposed Black River Pathway with a red box around this proposal’s area of focus 3

Why a Pathway?

ehind MGV and Oude Molen, benefiting the communities and positive effects on the greater area, we believe, is the first step for this B there is no formal pathway that promoting inter-community and Two Rivers Urban Park (TRUP), are initiative. local residents or others can use for tourist engagement. potentially substantial. travel along the Black River. However, It is also feasible for the pathway the “desire lines”, or footpaths While Maitland Garden Village has to link with community gardens created by continual community use, challenges related to poverty and in MGV. Since the gardens are a indicate that people do in fact walk social isolation, the pathway can source of pride for the villagers, this along the river. Since the desire lines help enhance current initiatives led will be a way for residents to aren’t planned and are often by community organisations. A increase ornamental gardening and challenging to travel, the surrounding pathway through this area has a food production initiatives. With communities would benefit from a large potential for job creation more visitors and residents using formal pathway that makes the area through tourism. A walking tour pathways along the Black River, we easily walkable. This need includes a through the area will be the main would hope this renewed interest bridge that pedestrians can use to focus for tourism efforts, since this is could inspire the long term cross the Black River. Currently, there an effective method to highlight the restoration of the river. A pathway, Landscape behind Oude Molen is no safe way for pedestrians to cross heritage in MGV and other assets to over the river and M5 which causes both MGV and Oude Molen. local residents to resort to crossing the expressway in traffic. One Additional job opportunities could concerned resident of Maitland primarily benefit MGV. It is likely to Garden Village says, have positive effects on Oude Molen as well and allow their current “Crossing the M5 is businesses to further develop. If dangerous. Quite a these needs are adequately met, the few people last year were bumped by cars and one died.”

With a pathway that emphasises accessibility and safety, the number of people who regularly walk the pathway will increase, thus

M5 expressway traffic Desire lines behind Oude Molen Eco Village 4

Goals he goals of our proposal have throughout the community, already the Black River and M5 highway. In Focus on asset based T been developed through exist in MGV and Oude Molen. this proposal we assess alternatives conversations with MGV and Oude Including them in the pathway and to accommodate non-motorised community creating new gardens will pay travel throughout TRUP. Molen residents, the City of Cape tribute to the agricultural history development Town, TRUP Committee, and other within both communities. The Plan a walking tour stakeholders for the pathway. The pathway will also serve as an means Community assets will be used in goals are community supported, to develop a small community A walking tour through MGV and determining features to incorporate along the pathway. Community strategic, and can be implemented based agriculture business as we Oude Molen is an effective way to highlight the heritage and leaders in both MGV and Oude both in the short and longer term. describe in Appendix A. community assets. We have Molen will help explore and sustain

investigated the logistics for a pathway initiatives . Incorporate walking tour and have created a Increase TRUP implementation plan. gardening initiatives connectivity Gardening initiatives, such as a A pedestrian bridge is needed to community garden and multiple connect TRUP, which is divided by backyard gardens dispersed

Open space behind Oude Molen Eco Village Garden in Oude Molen 5

Asset Based Features

here are many pathway T developments that exemplify different features involving gardening heritage and community agriculture. The following features are ones that are applicable to MGV and Oude

Molen and can be included in the pathway.

Old MGV club house Green Point Park pathway Historical huts in Green Point Park Heritage Maitland Garden Village was founded in 1922, originally as a community for soldiers after World War I. The architecture and layout of the village is characteristic of this time period; the houses are semi- detached with English influenced architecture, and the layout is ina grid pattern with a public field in the center. The history seen in the structures and historical street names is supplemented by the knowledge that residents have of the village’s past.

Because heritage is so rich in MGV, it is a valuable asset to the pathway. Heritage features will focus on agricultural history which can also be shown through interpretative signage and walking tours.

MGV sports team 6

Agriculture history Interpretive signage aitland Garden Village started Including interpretative signs along M as a food grounds for French the Black River pathway will be Huguenot agriculture. Once it interesting and informative for those who travel it. Pedestrians who are became a residential area, it was casually walking along the pathway named from the lush gardens that can enjoy reading about the river flourished in the resulting village. and community history at their Gardens were central to people in the leisure, while those on a walking village and were reflected in tour can supplement the guide’s community activities such as speaking. Interpretative signs will be gardening competitions. The gardens dispersed at critical points along the pathway at each major attraction currently kept are quite beautiful and point. Examples of interpretative well maintained. Walking through the signs for along the Black River can be village, there are gardens lining the found in Appendix C. streets, maintained by volunteers A welcome sign at the Liesbeek River that wish to preserve this piece of MGV heritage. Agriculture is a large part of childhood education and is embedded in the school curriculum. Children visit the Food Garden Village in Oude Molen to experience the process of growing, preparing, and cooking garden vegetables. The school and crèche also have a garden where food is grown and used for A caution sign at Green Point Park lunchtime meals. Gardening is a part of MGV’s past as well as future. For this reason, many residents would like to see the gardening competitions return to MGV and have this piece of their heritage restored.

Interpretive signage at Green Point Interpretive signage at Green Point Park Park 7

Desire lines are present throughout the Black River corridor. This map shows the major veins that MGV and Oude Molen residents use to travel and for access to transportation.

Desire lines along the Black River 8

This map shows the proposed pathway route based on the desire lines shown in the previous map.

Proposed pathway route with TRUP boundaries 9

There are ten proposed pathway features as shown on this map. The following section describes these features and provides recommendations for development.

Proposed pathway with ten designated features 10

Feature 1: Community Garden Beginnings

A community garden within the Recommendations Methodist Church grounds is an initiative started by the Gardening  Add interpretive signage to Club in 2012. This garden is explain the history of gardening maintained by club members who in MGV and the Methodist grow vegetables such as lettuce and Church’s role in community squash. Some of the challenges in involvement this garden are purchasing tools and  Include a sampling table of locating supplies. This is largely a locally grown fruits and community donated effort to help vegetables inspire MGV residents to continue agricultural initiatives.  Add a selling table for MGV crafters and artists In addition to MGV’s first community  Add a flower garden to show Gardeners in the community garden garden, this site has social and the variety of MGV garden historical significance. The Methodist types Church is a centre for community congregation and has a community  Train gardeners for expanding venue in the backyard which is used the community garden initiative for community meetings. As a site  Gauge interest in reinstituting along the pathway, the community gardening competitions and garden will show the community implement as necessary involvement and strive for  Invite visitors to view improvement. It is a hub of competing gardens collaboration and innovation.

Beyond this community garden, residents in MGV maintain beautiful home and public gardens. These are also important features for walkers along the pathway and can serve as an attraction for interested visitors.

The community garden behind the Methodist Church 11

Feature 2: Community Garden Expansion

ape Town is the first and only Garden Layout expansion as interest grows, and educational aspect where people C city in South Africa that has phases 3 and 4 are reserved for can see where their food is grown. policies promoting urban agriculture. A community garden is a feature further community gardening or Schools can use the garden as a The city’s policy was passed in 2007 that will help the community create other agriculture initiatives. platform for gardening education as (CoCT, 2007) to allow the poor to jobs, make MGV a destination, and well. A playground could also serve grow food for food security, to allow educate community youth. It is also In addition to these plans, a farmer’s as a community asset near the commercially sustainable agriculture important for preserving MGV’s market near the garden where local community garden to occupy the and create jobs, to allow history, which is deeply rooted in produce is sold could serve as youth in a supervised location as disadvantaged individuals to have a gardening. Finding the space for another attraction in MGV as well as adults work in the garden. These stake in land for agricultural this initiative is a challenge but a method for job creation. The features will all help make the development, and to help skill there have been several locations proposed location of this market is community garden an integral part development in all facets of life marked as possibilities. next to phase 1 so there is an of the community life. (Frayne, Battersby-Lennard, Fincham, Haysom, 2009). A Based on the research done thus community garden would allow far, the old driving range land residents to grow food for their located in the back corner of MGV is families with less financial the best option for this land. There assistance. are multiple benefits including a standing structure that can be used The pathway has the potential for for storage and office space, linking this part of Cape Town history additional space that can be used and culture through another for a multipurpose centre, and room community garden designed in for expansion as the community phases as described in the following garden grows. The MGV community pages. The community garden can is looking to form a gardening be an educational venue along the agreement with the municipality. pathway where interpretive signage teaches the history of community The final product would include four gardens and farming in Cape Town phases for a community gardening and the historical significance of project with room for negotiating different plants. phases 3 and 4 for other recreational opportunities. In phase 1, we anticipate an initial vegetable garden, phase 2 we anticipate as an Public garden space along an MGV street 12

Proposed phasing of the expanded community garden with special breakdown of the standing facility

Phase 1

he intention of the first phase is T to establish a community garden that grows vegetables for community consumption and selling. Composting is also a potential asset of this garden. The initial production will be small-scale and involve a few individuals. A business scheme for this is included in Appendix A.

Another point of community uplifting is the education of youth. Because the youth already have a programme during the school year with Food Garden Village, the community gardens can be used as an educational resource during the Current land for phase 1 holidays. Knowledgeable community members can teach the youth how to grow and maintain a garden. This can occupy the youth’s time in a constructive manner.

Phase 1 section Potential 14

Phase 2

hase 2 is in the vicinity of the P phase 1 section, still between the MGV residential area and the Black River. This phase serves as an expansion possibility once the initial garden is proven stable and successful. This includes a build-up of community interest that can sustain a larger enterprise. The ultimate goal of this is to create an agriculture business that allows community members to secure employment through selling organic produce grown locally.

Current land for phase 2

Phase 2 section Potential 15

Phases 3 and 4 hases 3 and 4 are planned as Recommendations P further expansions as the community gardening project grows.  Find interested gardeners to These phases provide an opportunity pilot the project in phase 1 for a farmer’s market near the  Once the garden becomes garden. The MGV and Oude Molen successful and sustainable, start community are interested in selling an education programme for and buying locally grown produce. the school holidays This will also help in establishing the pathway as a destination for people Teach agriculture techniques since a farmer’s market has the Teach how to live from a appeal of organic, fresh produce and vegetable garden the convenience of food shopping. There is space available for both  Expand to the planned phase 2 vendors and parking in the area.  Begin gauging interested in CSA Phases 3 and 4 would be contingent and execute the program as on the success of the community interest builds gardening project and would take  Gauge interest in participation into account competing needs for the in a farmer’s market land.  If there is interest, start the planning for a farmer’s market  Create an advertising and marketing strategy

 Expand to other crafts and Potential locally made items if community has an interest Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) CSA is a buying/selling scheme where farmers grow produce for members  Expand to phases 3 and 4 as skill and development allows who buy a share of the harvest in advance. This scheme helps the grower establish a sustainable and committed relationship with the customer and have access to funds up front to help pay for materials and other expenses. In MGV, travelers can stop by on their way to or from work to pick up the produce or hikers can make a weekly trip to the area. This will also help make Phase 3 and 4 sections MGV an attraction. Appendix A has more information on CSA. 16

Community Gardens

Feature 3: Playground

playground is a pathway A feature that will allow for both community and visitor recreation. The proposed location of the playground is near the community garden. This allows community members to work in the garden while their children play in a supervised atmosphere. For visitors, this can provide a similar supervised situation during a lunch picnic or break.

The structure of the playground can be very useful for educational and Historical hut at Green Point Park heritage purposes. There are many Current MGV playground structures around Cape Town, such as those in Green Point Park, that Recommendations show early, historical housing. A  Hire a design company or look within the city to mimic close example of this is the living housing in the playground structures that used to be in Food design Garden Village in Oude Molen. As in  Design agriculture games and Oude Molen, a playground could themes on the playground, mimic early living situations by perhaps through the painting being in the shape of early housing.  Build the playground in close A playground could also provide an proximity to the community education platform for agriculture garden for chaperoning education. Games could share an purposes agriculture theme that compliments  Include sufficient lighting to the community garden. These ensure child safety games could centre around early  Find volunteers to perform living food growing and cooking. weekly cleanups Food Garden Village historical play hut

Feature 4: Delville Square

he Maitland Garden Village T soccer field is situated in the middle of Delville Square, a name which comes from the Battle of Delville Wood. In this battle, South African soldiers fought alongside the British during World War I. Maitland Garden Village homes were originally built for the soldiers returning from such World War I battles. The square offers an opportunity to pay tribute to South Africa’s World War I soldiers, as well as recount stories of the battle and struggles upon Delville Square Sign in MGV returning home. Because many villagers are lifelong residents of the Recommendations area and many of their fathers MGV public field at Delville Square  Add a memorial plaque or fought at the Battle of the Delville stone slab to commemorate Wood, they are able to share stories the fallen South African soldiers and recollections from their parents. at the Battle of Delville Wood

These attributes make MGV an ideal  Use interpretive signage to give location for a memorial to a history if the Battle of Delville commemorate this historic event in Wood South African history. It is a great  Include a living history with chance to link the MGV community, quotes and stories from MGV which was founded by WWI soldiers, residents to the greater South African story. This memorial would help make MGV  Use interpretive signage a destination for interested tourists, showing the field’s use as a thus bringing interest to the pathway cultural and social centre for and the Black River. the community (soccer games, Maitland Garden Village Day, Carol by Candlelight)

Royal Air Force memorial plaque 19

Feature 5: Wetlands

here are several areas formed over the community Recommendations T throughout the Black River footpaths and desire lines, there is Corridor that are considered wetlands opportunity for the horses from  Include interpretive signage including our area of focus, behind Oude Molen to move throughout for about the ecology of the Black Maitland Garden Village and Oude horse rides as well as space for River (plant life, invasive species, Molen. This area is a sensitive walkers and bikers to travel. This will wild life, river pollution) wetlands area which includes multiple make the pathway multifunctional  Keep the area open and natural species of birds and plant life. and allow for a variety of Currently, this plant life also includes recreational opportunities.  See Appendix D about water invasive species such as the purple hyacinth cleanup loosestrife and the water hyacinth.  Plant indigenous trees and include a picnic area in the The pathway would allow people to shade enjoy the wetlands and learn about Wetlands behind Oude Molen ecological challenges. This could be done either independently by reading interpretative signs along the river or aided by a guided walking tour. Interpretative signage would highlight important heritage of the area, including the history of the river and its canalisation, the fifty and one hundred year flooding that occurs, pollution history, and the natural and invasive plant life around the river. In a guided walking tour, this would be supplemented with the guide’s additional knowledge of the area, along with any older stories about this local use of the area.

Since the wetlands area is open, it presents opportunities for recreation. With a pathway that is

Wetlands behind MGV 20

Wetlands

Wooden bench by wetlands Picnic table behind Oude Molen

Wetlands plant lift Purple loosestrife by the Black River 21

Feature 6: Oude Molen Micro Businesses ude Molen is a village O comprised of micro- enterprises. Oude Molen has shrunken in size since its peak in the 1990s but a variety of artists, cultivators, and business owners still live and work there. There are approximately 70 tenants that hold leases from the provincial government and approximately 300 people are employed through these micro entrepreneurships (Holmes, 2012).

A pathway and these micro businesses can be mutually beneficial. A pathway will bring more traffic through Oude Molen to these micro businesses, generating revenue for tenants and employees. The micro businesses will keep people interested in the pathway and possibly generate repeat visitors.

Recommendations  Host markets where each business congregates to share information, goods and food  Advertise the businesses to surrounding communities  As traffic increases, invite the businesses to invest in the Black River restoration project

A few examples of micro businesses in Oude Molen

Oude Molen Businesses

Feature 7: Food Garden Village

ood Garden Village is a Food Gardening Village receives could expand on the business aspect F nonprofit farm in Oude Molen support from the Food Basket for through selling to tourists. This could that aims to empower local Africa because of the educational provide more employment community members through nature of the farm. This aid was opportunities for MGV and Oude agricultural education. Food Garden used mostly as founding capital to Molen while continuing to make the Village provides a variety of help the programme become more pathway a destination, both for programmes for uplifting local sustainable. Since the creation of learning and fresh, organic produce. community groups such as educating the programme, the garden has adults about starting and sustainably begun to generate compost and week to help maintain the garden as Recommendations maintaining a garden, rehabilitating seeds instead of buying them, and it a whole. Many MGV adult  Use interpretive signage to patients at Valkenberg Hospital, and has started collecting rainwater to community members have reinforce the importance of gardening in the surrounding engaging children in productive limit the use of the provincial water undergone training for creating their communities activities. Small plots of land within mains. Food Garden Village also own backyard gardens and some the Food Garden Village are allotted sells some produce to local have their own plots in Food Garden  Participate in the farmer’s market creation once the MGV to these individuals and groups to consumers, enabling the Village. community garden is plant and harvest while others take employment of wageworkers in As a feature on the pathway, Food established the knowledge from the training and addition to directly feeding those Garden Village can show that  Allow visitors to enter the begin their own gardens. These who help keep the land. agriculture is embedded in the garden and learn about multiple initiatives held on the same Food Garden Village has begun to surrounding communities. It is an agriculture in MGV’s curriculum land create a sustainable gardening provide services to both Maitland integral part of the education system  Offer a hands on activity such scheme. Garden Village’s youth and adults. and is often a quality source of food as participating in seed saving, composting, and harvesting Children from MGV come to the for families. Hands on opportunities Food Garden Village in the for tourists to experience some of  Introduce a water catchment afternoons to tend to their plots, the agricultural habits of MGV and system to increase sustainability learn about the garden, and eat the Oude Molen residents would bring fresh produce they have grown. an interactive aspect to the pathway  Expand educational experience. Food Garden Village also opportunities to outside visitors Adolescents from MGV are shows a successful model for employed to work for an hour a growing and selling agriculture, and

Food Garden Village

Feature 8: Oude Molen Horses

he horses throughout Oude material such as asphalt, frequent T Molen are one of the use will cause erosion quickly. A community’s main attributes. For the brick pathway in this area could people who run and maintain the cause issues for the horses, since stables, it is another one of Oude they don’t typically wear horseshoes Molen’s businesses that provides an and the bricks could damage their income. To the people who enjoy the hoofs. Pathway material should horse rides, it’s a fun way to spend accommodate both pedestrians and time in Oude Molen. horses.

In conjunction with the maintenance Recommendations Horse pen Horses along the Black River of the stable, the workers are also able to re-use the manure from the  Consider horse friendly and horses in an ecofriendly manner. The durable material to build a resulting fertilizer is used for Oude pathway Molen gardens.  Create a method for booking horse rides on line in Horse riding will account for a conjunction with a tour website significant portion of the pathway use. For this reason, in areas that  Offer a horse riding option as horses will travel regularly, the part of a walking tour material of the pathway must undergo careful consideration. With

Oude Molen horse Horses in a stable Horse riding through Oude Molen 26

Feature 9: Millstone Cafe

he Millstone Café, one of the T many businesses in Oude Molen, is an excellent ending point for a walking tour through the Maitland Garden Village and Oude Molen area. The café offers various breakfast and lunch options, as well as fresh squeezed juices, baked desserts, jams, honey, bread, and coffee to purchase for home. With more people visiting MGV and Oude Molen, there are more potential Sign outside the Millstone Café Picnic area at the restaurant customers for business, which will be a real benefit to the café. This is a good spot for visitors to sit down and enjoy lunch before leaving Oude Molen or independently exploring the area.

Recommendations  Market as a main attraction for having lunch after visiting MGV and Oude Molen  Participate in proposed markets with the goods sold in the café  Host communitywide and social events in this venue  Start catered picnics in the open, wetlands area behind Oude Molen

Deck seating at the restaurant 27

Feature 10: Pedestrian bridge

efore 2011, residents of MGV takes closer to an hour. This has Recommendations B used a footbridge to cross the caused people to cross the Black River Parkway safely. When the multilane expressway on foot.  As soon as possible, open the Black River highway was improved in Adults are especially worried about Valkenberg Bridge for pedestrian 2011 to form the M5 expressway, this children travelling to the pools in use past the first boom footbridge was removed, leaving the summertime and one notes  Fix the electrical problems that pedestrians with no access to the that, cause barbed wire to block the other side of the river or highway. pathway leading from the “Kids can’t cross the road Valkenberg Bridge Connecting and it is quite dangerous for them. They need  In the long term, allot money and Communities with access quite urgently or build a new bridge that will solve there will be accidents safety issues crossing the M5 and Bridge Access now that it is Black River Sign at Valkenberg Bridge summertime.” There is another auto bridge in Oude Molen that leads across the Residents cross the road for expressway near Valkenberg multiple reasons. The main reason Hospital. This bridge is private and for the community crossing the M5 a permit is necessary to allow is to get to the hospital in both access. The bridge was supposed to emergencies and/or to visit close afford access to pedestrians to family and friends. The community cross over the highway and river also used the footbridge to reach when the previous bridge was the bird sanctuary and other demolished, but when residents available transportation points such attempt to do so, the guards refuse as trains and busses. In the admittance. The remaining safe summer, children used the bridge methods to cross the highway and to access a pool to cool off in the river is to take public warm weather. Consequently, transportation or drive, which is there is a great need for pedestrian indirect and costly. Not everyone bridge access. can afford public transportation or a lengthy commute, and a journey that once took a few minutes now

Valkenberg Bridge 28

Location of the old pedestrian bridge and the current Valkenberg Bridge

Walking Tours

he rich heritage of Maitland Garden Village presents T opportunities for historical education for pathway users, community interaction and connection, and economic growth. Walking tours are a way to connect heritage, agricultural, economic, and recreational aspects along the pathway. Through guided tours or self-guided tours via interpretive signage, pathway walkers can engage in an interactive tour experience of Maitland Garden Village, the Black River and its wetlands, and Oude Molen Eco

Village, a neighbouring community. The diversity of pathway features including history, community gardens, The Black River a s a tour stop local businesses, and recreational Walking along the desire lines spaces, are suitable for a wide array of audiences. Recommendations  Finalise walking tour route  Find interested tour guides from the Maitland Garden Village community  Advertise a walking tour through brochures strategically placed in tourism outlets (see Appendix B for a sample brochure)

View from MGV 30

Tour Experience 1. Delville Square 3. Expanding the 4. Food Garden pet and interact with the horses and learn how the horse stables are run The Battle of Delville Wood, which Community Garden Village and how they contribute to took place in WWI, is an important This will serve as an educational stop This is a stop that can allow a hands sustainability through manure battle in South African history. It was for visitors on the tour to learn on gardening experience in Oude creation. the first major battle that South Africa about newer gardening initiatives. Molen. Visitors can learn about took part in and many soldiers lost The guide can also talk about the seed saving, composting, and 6. Wetlands Free their lives. An explanation of the scheme of producing and selling harvesting. historical significance of this battle will Time agriculture used in MGV (see be interesting and educational and Walks along the community Appendix A for suggestions), as well 5. Oude Molen commemorate the lost lives. Free footpaths can be guided through the as the other current uses of the time for visitors to look around the Stables tour, but are also easily self-guided. land. In the future, visitors can square and view the memorial is Including this on the pathway tour This allows free time to explore the peruse and buy fresh produce at a advised. provides a chance to learn about the natural beauty of the area and learn farmers market and children can horses and potentially book future about the wetlands through the play at a nearby playground. 2. Methodist Church visits for horse rides along the interpretative signage along the Community Garden pathway. Visitors have a chance to pathway. Visitors can sit in the shaded picnic area s as well. A community garden behind the Methodist Church in MGV started in 7. Millstone Cafe early 2012. This has been a good The café is locally run in Oude Molen model for the beginning of a is a great ending spot for the tour. community garden and has yielded a Here you can sit down and enjoy successful first crop for the first year. freshly prepared breakfast or lunch, Here, visitors can look around the as well as purchase a variety of garden and potentially sample the desserts, juices, and jams. From vegetables that are grown. here, visitors can go back to enjoy other attractions in MGV and Oude Molen.

Creating Connections through the Pathway Experience

he proposed pathway, which challenge for how to efficiently allow Transportation bridge, taking a train ride that could T focuses on the land behind people across the bridge with take twenty minutes is quite Oude Molen and MGV, is part of a minimal disruption to patients. Mobility within TRUP is currently inconvenient and not conducive to larger potential pathway throughout Although patient privacy is a limited, especially for pedestrians creating a flowing pathway. The the Black River corridor. There are concern, working with the who want to cross the Black River Observatory side of TRUP also other destinations in TRUP that Valkenberg Hospital administration and M5 expressway. For contains bus routes that are could be connected via the large- could yield promising results for pedestrians, the only access point potentially useful for community scale pathway that WPI’s 2011 Black showcasing the historic area in a across the river is the Valkenberg members in MGV and Oude Molen. River Pathway team proposed. respectful way. Bridge, which has restricted access Connecting Oude Molen and MGV to of those crossing it. the rest of TRUP will allow both Raapenberg Bird Recommendations community members and pathway visitors easy access to destinations Sanctuary  Bring the pathway to the within TRUP, connecting the park Observatory side of the Black and defining it as a destination as a The Raapenberg Bird Sanctuary is River to incorporate the bird whole. The following are some of another destination within TRUP sanctuary that would be connected via this the assets within TRUP that could  Include the bird sanctuary and benefit by connecting with a pathway. The sanctuary can be a other Observatory features on pathway. large tourist attraction for those the pathway looking to experience the wildlife of South Africa. The Raapenberg Bird Train and tracks  Speak with Valkenberg Valkenberg Hospital Sanctuary would also need to be Hospital personnel to Valkenberg Hospital is a psychiatric connected via the Valkenberg incorporate the historic institute, located across the M5 and Bridge. Public transportation is also buildings into the pathway Black River from MGV and Oude ineffective for trying to get from  Make plans to extend the Molen. The hospital complex has one side of the park to the other. pathway to other communities beautiful grounds and buildings that To access the Bird Sanctuary from contain historic significance. There is MGV via the metro, for example, such as Langa and Hazendale a need for security around these one must go from the Pinelands  Open up transportation buildings so patients are not Rail Station to Observatory Rail opportunities to decrease disturbed by thru traffic. The only Station, which are on two separate geographic isolation bridge with pedestrian access is lines. One must travel back towards currently from Oude Molen to Cape Town to the Salt River Station. Valkenberg Hospital, which poses a When one could just walk across a Birds on the Black River

Map showing transportation and other points of attraction surrounding the Black River

Appendix A: Sustainable Agriculture Opportunities

ne of the ways of increasing Urban Agriculture in According to Rachel Slater’s article, and that communities are interested in O entrepreneurship is to focus on “Women in Cape Town,” they have subsistence gardening, commercial agricultural opportunities. Oude Molen Eco benefited their communities by being gardening, and small-scale livestock “Sustainable Garden Options for resourceful and creating social farming (Thornton, 2009). These low- Monwabisi Park,” which was Village and Maitland networks while working with urban intensity agricultural initiatives could completed in 2009, did extensive agriculture (2001). potentially be an asset in terms of work analysing the environment they Garden Village income for the MGV community were working in, educating the Although there are different plans for members, as many are already quite Urban agriculture is the process of community on gardening techniques, how to implement urban agriculture involved with their own gardens. In growing and distributing food around researching different type of into MGV and OMEV and improve the conjunction with their growing efforts, a community. It is mainly used to implementable gardens, and working communities socially, it is important if they sold produce at farmers grow food and generate income since with other groups around obstacles to to watch out for common challenges markets, directly to established it provides security in both of these ensure their efforts wouldn’t be that may compromise the project’s restaurants or businesses, or through respects. If we can work through offset. The team felt that an initial efficacy. Case studies in towns of the Community Supported Agriculture challenges effectively, this would effort to see what would grow well Eastern Cape Province have shown (CSA) programmes they could generate stimulate continual and permanent and what people would like to see in limited success due in part to additional income. Community improvements rather than a their garden is essential for the expenses, community education, Supported Agriculture is a model by temporary solution for Oude Molen sustainability of the gardens once they partnerships, and methodology which growers and members are and MGV. This is ideal because the left. Education and different gardening (Thornton, 2008). It has been found mutually bound in a beneficial rewards of job creation, fresh techniques for the plan were also that many times, profits are small or relationship, where the members produce, and pride in the gardening important to provide the groundwork none, meaning that the gardens end support the grower either through can help to solve many of these for knowledge and flexibility (Madden up only being of use to the gardener monetary or labour support or both, practical issues. et al., 2009). These are all aspects of a (Thornton, 2008); such a situation is and the grower provides regular gardening start-up project that need not sustainable. To make sure we instalments of farm produce shares for One way to improve effectiveness of to be considered for this year’s work avoid these common traps, we will their customers. The Black River agricultural initiatives in OMEV and along the Black River. Overall, the account for them in a successful plan pathway could be an effective way to MGV is to make sure to include research and collaboration that the for the development of the garden facilitate such activity, especially enthusiastic community members group did in Cape Town is a tool for us and pathway through Oude Molen seeing as the pathway has the who are willing to help with to learn, and the most successful and MGV. potential to connect people from a agricultural improvements. It has aspects are something our group nearby metro stop and Oude Molen been specifically noted that women should look at closely. Eco Village to Maitland Garden Village. are ideal contributors, since in post- CSA Potential along If members strategically use the apartheid Cape Town women have pathway for farmers markets or pick- been recognised for their agricultural the Black River up locations for CSA shares, they could work and contribution to stability in Studies show that in parts of South sell produce to pathway users. their communities (Slater, 2001). Africa there is potential for agriculture

Appendix A: Sustainable Agriculture Opportunities

he owners of a farm running a Commercial Agriculture we can make the pathway a hold gardens and farms was that they T CSA need to have a clear destination for the surrounding were not sustainable, and had a large understanding of how many paying Sustainability along the communities. variance in their usage from time to members they need and how many time (Thornton, 2009). To ensure the people they need for work-shares Black River Pathway Building agricultural entrepreneurship sustainability of any commercial (labour in exchange for shares) in order As experienced in a farmers market in endeavours to be sustainable is agriculture project, whether CSA or to sustain the farm. The CSA model Worcester, Massachusetts, USA, one of another significant characteristic to farmers market, there needs to be an allows them to be financially stable the most important logistical consider. One way that CSA strives to organised network of people to while at the same time acquire much considerations appears to be how to be sustainable is through education assume responsibility of it to keep it up needed manpower. Having a shared get the community involved and to (Hayden, 2012). If consumers realise and running. With the hopes of sense of responsibility amongst the enjoy it. The farmers market in the environmental impact of CSA, bringing agricultural entrepreneurship people involved in a CSA is extremely Worcester started in 2009 in Main researchers seem to believe that the to the Black River Pathway, it is important to its success. South, a low-income neighbourhood, likelihood of these consumers imperative that we set up a and has become more successful and becoming committed core CSA relationship with an organisation or The CSA shares are of particular more impactful to the community with members is higher. Moreover, group to oversee the running of such importance because these entail a each year. In its initial stages, lots of experiencing CSA, such as visiting and commercial agriculture projects. mutual commitment between the advertising and discussion within the working on the farm, and reading grower and the customer, where a community occurred, so as to reach about CSA, all help consumers to payment at the beginning of the out to people about the market and to create a connection with CSA, as well season is received in exchange for gauge their interest in it. Some things as a deeper connection with nature produce in instalments throughout the to consider were the types of produce and the origin of their food (Hayden, season. That mutual commitment people would like to see, and what 2012). These educational efforts holds both sides accountable; the types of activities could be made appear to make a difference in grower needs to harvest their best to available at the market, especially for consumers’ experience of CSA and long produce and the customer needs to be people with children. From discussions -term lasting effects on the consumers’ ready to invest and support the and creative visioning, the farmers perception of the importance of CSA. grower’s efforts. Once customers market has become more than just a commit, there is a guaranteed income place to purchase produce, but an Another aspect to consider when and customer-base for the grower. event at which people in the employing CSA is having an Micro-enterprises like CSA and farmers Worcester community come to spend organisational framework that will markets can evolve the pathway into a their Saturday mornings. Every uphold it from year to year, such as a destination as they provide pathway Saturday, the market includes live group of people or an organisation that users with a more engaging music performances, arts and crafts, is committed to its running and experience. and games for children and people to success. One of the problems that enjoy. By considering such activities, some researchers found with small-

Appendix B: MGV and Oude Molen Brochure

37 Appendix C: Sample Interpretive Signage

Note: The suggested image for this is the mentioned farmers market. As this is a future development, there is no current image displayed.

38 Appendix C: Sample Interpretive Signage

Note: The suggested image for this is the South African Battle of Delville Wood monument in France. Due to copy- writing, there is no current image displayed.

39 Appendix C: Sample Interpretive Signage

Note: The suggested image for this is the Old Mill. Due to restrictions within this project, there is no current image displayed.

Appendix D: Water Hyacinth on the Black River

ne of the main points that would negatively affecting any aquatic currently seen as the safest way to the water hyacinth removal, O come up in the wetlands region species that exist in the river if the clear the water hyacinth and composting the water hyacinth through signage is the water hyacinth plant isn’t removed regularly. prevent the spreading of seeds to would create additional jobs for issue surrounding the river. This other bodies of water. people. However, this idea is met invasive species not only poses an The water hyacinth infestation of with skepticism that composting is aesthetic problem to the area, but a the Black River is constant, and it Although the water hyacinth is taken truly a safe alternative to the current challenge for the engineering and requires constant attention and only to landfills at the moment, method of depositing in a landfill. hydraulics of the river as well. If not frequent removal. The main time there are ideas circulating for other The main concern is the proximity to removed properly, water hyacinth for the water hyacinth to be ways to make use of the plant. One water where the compost is used; if blocks the surface of the water and removed is during the spring and way to use it would be through it were later used too close to water, restricts water flow. In this area, which summer months. Water hyacinth is composting. Since the hyacinth there is a risk of invading an is also next to the newly renovated M5 removed with machinery and left to reproduces asexually, it would need uncontaminated body of water with highway, restricted water flow could dry out, reducing the volume to ten to be properly shredded to eliminate the hyacinth. Research and risk cause structural damage to the per cent of its original volume, prior the risk of later seeding, prior to evaluation are the best ways to highway and crack the foundation of to being transported to a landfill. In being composted and used. The determine if composting is a viable the portion that passes over the Black addition, for removal along the water hyacinths would also need to alternative to dumping in a landfill. River. In addition, water hyacinth Black River, the use of approved be tested for heavy metals to ensure reduces the amount of oxygen that herbicides is recommended and they are suitable for composting. In the river wildlife is able to obtain, seen as cost effective. This is addition to the jobs that come from

Water hyacinth behind MGV, courtesy of the City of Cape Water hyacinth at the mouth of the Liesbeek River, Water hyacinth growing on a water pipe, Town courtesy of the City of Cape Town courtesy of the City of Cape Town 41

Appendix E: Recommended City Implementation

The following is a diagram showing future steps for city departments to develop the pathway. There are two major progressions that can occur simultaneously: driving range land development and the pathway development. From each one, there are subsequent steps listed in order of priority.

References

(2007). Urban agriculture policy for the city of cape town. Retrieved from http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/ehd/Documents/EHD_- _Urban_Agricultural_Policy_2007_8102007113120_.pdf

Frayne, B., Battersby-Lennard, J., Fincham, R., Haysom, G. (2009). Urban Food Security in South Africa: Case study of Cape Town, Msunduzi and Johannesburg. Development Planning Division Working Paper Series No.15 , DBSA: Midrand.

Hayden, J., & Buck, D. (2012). Doing community supported agriculture: Tactile space, affect and effects of membership. Geoforum, 43(2), 332-341. doi: 10.1016/j.geoforum.2011.08.003

Holmes, John. Open Africa Life Enriching Journeys, http://www.openafrica.org/participant/Oude-Molen-Village 2012.

Madden, A., Pitts, J., Roffo, G., & Stevens, B. (2009). Sustainable garden options for monwabisi park.Worcester Polytechnic Institute.

Thornton, A. (2008). Beyond the metropolis: Small town case studies of urban and peri-urban agriculture in south africa. Urban Forum, 19(3), 243-262. doi: 10.1007/s12132-008-9036-7

Thornton, A. (2009). Pastures of plenty?: Land rights and community-based agriculture in peddie, a former homeland town in south africa. Applied Geography, 29(1), 12-20. doi: 10.1016/j.apgeog.2008.06.001

Acknowledgements

Our team would like to acknowledge the following individuals who we have worked with over this project period:

Juan Namdo—A sponsor liaison from the Environmental and Heritage Management Department Crispin Barrett—A sponsor liaison from the Environmental and Heritage Management Department Clive James—A sponsor liaison from the Environmental and Heritage Management Department Megan Lukas—A liaison to the Two Rivers Urban Park Committee Damian Wentzel—A representative from the Environmental and Heritage Management Department who helped with project mapping Ronell Trout—A liaison to the MGV community Sheila Galant—A liaison to the MGV community Martin Julies—The leader of the MGV Gardening Club Jonno Kennedy—The director of Food Garden Village in Oude Molen Rob Small—The Harvest of Hope resource and mobilization manager All the city representatives who we met with: Peter Koen, Pauline McConney, Raafiq Kolia, Johan de Goede, Cindy Jacobs Scott Jiusto—Our project advisor from Worcester Polytechnic Institute Bob Hersh—Our project advisor from Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Sponsored by the City of Cape Town’s Environmental & Heritage Management Department