HERITAGE SCREENER CTS Reference CTS17_095 Number:
SAHRA Reference: 11336
Client: Design Indaba
Date: 16 August 2017
Title: Arch for an Arch- Temporary - Public Artwork Installation in The Company's Garden
Figure 1a. Satellite map indicating the location of the proposed development i n the Cape Town CBD Recommendation by CTS Heritage RECOMMENDATION: Heritage monitoring of any and all disturbance to subsurface layers is recomme nded. Specialists:
CTS Heritage 34 Harries Street, Plumstead, Cape Town, 7800 Tel: (021) 0130131 Email: [email protected] Web: www.ctsheritage.com
1. Proposed Development Summary
The applicant has proposed the installation of a temporary arch at the entrance to Government Avenue. The design of the structure, as well as its location, are intended as a celebration of the South African Constitution, the principles of democracy and the life and work of the Archbishop Emeritus, Desmond Tutu. It is proposed that the arch should be in place in time for his birthday celebrations in October. The arch will compri se 14 timber struts that span Government Avenue, on footings dug 300mm into the ground surface.
2. Application References
Name of relevant heritage authority(s) SAHRA Name of decision making authority(s) SAHRA
3. Property Information
Latitude / Longitude 18.4198988713 ; -33.9250261504 (centroid) Erf number / Farm number 95164 Local Municipality City of Cape Town District Municipality City of Cape Town Previous Magisterial District Cape Province Western Cape Province Current Use Public Open Space Current Zoning Public Open Space Total Extent 3,05737 ha
4. Nature of the Proposed Development
Total Surface Area 147.41m² Depth of excavation (m) 0.3m Height of development (m) 9.1m Expected years of operation before 18 months decommission
CTS Heritage 34 Harries Street, Plumstead, Cape Town, 7800 Tel: (021) 0130131 Email: [email protected] Web: www.ctsheritage.com
5. Category of Development Triggers: Section 38(8) of the National Heritage Resources Act Triggers: Section 38(1) of the National Heritage Resources Act 1. Construction of a road, wall, powerline, pipeline, canal or other similar form of linear development or barrier over 300m in length. 2. Construction of a bridge or similar structure exceeding 50m in length. 3. Any development or activity that will change the character of a site- a) exceeding 5 000m 2 in extent b) involving three or more existing erven or subdivisions thereof c) involving three or more erven or divisions thereof which have b een consolidated within the past five years 4. Rezoning of a site exceeding 10 000m 2 5. Other (state): S27(18)
6. Additional Infrastructure Required for this Development
None
CTS Heritage 34 Harries Street, Plumstead, Cape Town, 7800 Tel: (021) 0130131 Email: [email protected] Web: www.ctsheritage.com
7. Mapping (please see Appendix 3 and 4 for a full description of our methodology and map legends)
Figure 1b. Overview Map . Satellite image (2017) indicating the proposed development area in its immed iate context.
CTS Heritage 34 Harries Street, Plumstead, Cape Town, 7800 Tel: (021) 0130131 Email: [email protected] Web: www.ctsheritage.com
Figure 1c. Historical Map. Map of 1693 showing the layout of the early town. T indicates the locat ion of the Company Gardens, B the location of the Church.
CTS Heritage 34 Harries Street, Plumstead, Cape Town, 7800 Tel: (021) 0130131 Email: [email protected] Web: www.ctsheritage.com
Figure 1d. Historical Map. Wentzel’s map of 1751 showing the development of the early town. CC indic ates the location of the Company Gardens, Z the location of the Church.
CTS Heritage 34 Harries Street, Plumstead, Cape Town, 7800 Tel: (021) 0130131 Email: [email protected] Web: www.ctsheritage.com
Figure 1e. Historical Map. Snow’s map of 1862 showing the development of the town in the mid-C19.
CTS Heritage 34 Harries Street, Plumstead, Cape Town, 7800 Tel: (021) 0130131 Email: [email protected] Web: www.ctsheritage.com
Figure 1f. Historical Map. Thom’s map of 1895 showing the development of the town in the late C-19 .
CTS Heritage 34 Harries Street, Plumstead, Cape Town, 7800 Tel: (021) 0130131 Email: [email protected] Web: www.ctsheritage.com
Figure 1g. Orthophoto. 1926 Orthophoto of central Cape Town.
CTS Heritage 34 Harries Street, Plumstead, Cape Town, 7800 Tel: (021) 0130131 Email: [email protected] Web: www.ctsheritage.com
Figure 2a. Heritage Resources Map. Heritage resources previously identified within 200m of the proposed arch, wi th SAHRIS Site IDs indicated. See Appendix 1 for full description of heritage resource types. CTS Heritage 34 Harries Street, Plumstead, Cape Town, 7800 Tel: (021) 0130131 Email: [email protected] Web: www.ctsheritage.com
Figure 2b. Heritage Resources Map. Buildings graded by the City of Cape Town within 200m of the proposed a rch.
CTS Heritage 34 Harries Street, Plumstead, Cape Town, 7800 Tel: (021) 0130131 Email: [email protected] Web: www.ctsheritage.com
Figure 2c. Heritage Resources Map. Extent of Parliamentary Precinct, the declared National Heritage Site
CTS Heritage 34 Harries Street, Plumstead, Cape Town, 7800 Tel: (021) 0130131 Email: [email protected] Web: www.ctsheritage.com
8. Heritage statement and character of the area
Background Design Indaba has proposed the construction of a temporary memorial to the Archbishop Emeritus, Desmond Tutu, and a celebration of the Constitution of South Africa, in the form of a 14-member timber arch to be erected at the entrance to Government Avenue, Cape Town, located between St George’s Cathedral and the northern extent of the Houses of Parliament (Figures 1a-b). This location, on Erf 95164,falls within the Parliamentary Precinct, which has been declared a National Heritage Site in terms of the Government Gazette notice No 37535 on 7 April 2014 (Figure 2c). The declaration of the Precinct includes the Houses of Parliament (Erf 95165), Government Avenue (Erf 95164), Stal Plein (Erf 3741) and further erven 9557, 3789, 3790, 3794 and 3798 that extend from the corner of Adderley Street, the proposed location for the arch, to the southernmost part of the Company Gardens. The declaration officially recognises the historical, aesthetic, scientific and social values of each structure, as well as their rarity and embodime nt of notions of representivity.
Development of the study area and environs The Company Gardens are one of the earliest remaining landscape interventions of settler origin still present in modern Cape Town, and represent the very reason for the eventual settlement at the Cape, namely the desire of the Dutch East India Company to establish a refreshment station for passing ships (Figures 1c-g). Thus, the Company Gardens represent one of the earliest and most significant examples of European presence in South Africa, and can be viewed as a central hub around which early settler life at the Cape revolved. The Gardens were laid out in accordance with European, and specifically Dutch, pri nciples of order, structure and balance, as is represented in its linearity and symmetricality.
The earliest buildings that would have developed around this northern end of the Gardens were the original Dutch Reformed Church, built in 1678, its graveyard, established after the Castle graveyard was closed in 1677, the Slave Lodge, built in 1679, and the Company Hospital, built in 1682 (Patrick et al 2006, NID 356907). Of these, the Slave Lodge (SID 29201) still stands, making it the second oldest building in the country. Church Square (SID 29215) was deliberately created as well, in 1704, as a means of providing access to the Church, and this space remains an open square today. Of the Church itself, only the tower still remains, while the rest of the structure was consumed by the growing Groote Kerk (SID 29230).These three structures are all Grade II Provincial Heritage Sites (Figures 2a-b). The closest and most sensitive of these early buildings is the Slave Lodge, originally built to house Company slaves. While very little is known about the occupants of this building, or what conditions were like inside it, it is known that by 1807, following the abolition of the international slave trade, it was turned into government offices for the British colonial government, at which point some slaves were sold and others manumitted (Abrahams 2000). These very early structures and features were incorporated into the growing city, with alterations and additions, such as the Slave Lodge, and, in some cases, loss of part or all of their original form, such as the Church and the Hospital, respectively.
Following this early development, later buildings were erected in this area as the nexus of Cape life. The most significant of these, of course, is the Houses of Parliament, begun in 1884, with later additions in the 1920s and 1980s (Figures 2f-g). These buildings are significant not only for their noteworthy Neoclassical architecture, but also, and more importantly, for their role as the legislative epicentre of South African government, and thereby the site of many monumental political and social events throughout the country’s tumultuous socio-political past. It is this very significance that has ensured that the Houses of Parliament remain the legislative seat of the modern, democratic So uth African government.
The other closest, significant building is St George’s Cathedral, a declared Provincial Heritage Site, that was built in 1901 on the site of a pre-existing church dating to 1834 (Figures 1e-g). The Cathedral is stone built, and was designed by Sir Herbert Baker in the Gothic style, but it is for its role in the political history of the country, particularly while under the stewardship of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, that the structure holds significance. It stands as a monument to the role of the churches of the country in standing against apartheid, mobilising opposition marches and providing physical as well as spiritual safe havens for vulnerable people and political activists. Its ties to Archbishop Tutu, the first black Archbishop in South Africa (1986-1996), who was a vigorous and outspoken opponent of th e apartheid government, having afforded the Cathedral its popular name of the People’s Cathedral.
CTS Heritage 34 Harries Street, Plumstead, Cape Town, 7800 Tel: (021) 0130131 Email: [email protected] Web: www.ctsheritage.com
Possible subsurface finds The location of the Gardens was a strategic choice by the early Dutch settlers, due to the presence of a perennial stream, the Fresh River, that ran off Table Mountain. This river would, of course, have been known to the indigenous inhabitants of the Cape prior to the arrival of the Dutch. It is highly likely that San hunter-gathererswould have hunted game that came to drink at the river, as well as using the fresh drinking water themselves, and that this practice would have stretched back into the distant past. Within the last 2000 years, Khoe pastoralists would also have made use of the river to water their animals. The area, therefore, has likely been witness to human activity for many thousands of years. While it is unlikely that significant prehistoric archaeological sites would still exist, given the length and intensity of occupation, use and reuse of the site, pre-colonial artefacts are possible in the subsurface deposit, with their very presence in the centre of urban Cape Town lending them greater significance than would be accorded similar ex situ finds located elsewhere.
Historical remains are far more likely, and could include early material culture related to the activities of early Dutch settlers, from the lowly sailors to the more eminent members of early Cape society, as well as evidence of slave activity in the area, either as evidence for their passage through the area, or as more domestic evidence of their lives as played out at the Slave Lodge. Significantly, this location is at the very limit of the boundaries of the early Gardens, and evidence might occur subsurface for boundary walls or gates providing access to the Gardens. The latter is quite possible as the site is located at the end of a central axis through the Gardens.
Likely Impacts The design of the arch has been amended to reduce the likely impact to archaeological remains. However, it is still possible that such material culture, or built features as are described above might be affected by the excavation of the footings to 300mm below current ground level.
The visual impacts to the significance and sense of place of the surrounding buildings and streets are a reasonable concern, but are mitigated by several factors. The structure is temporary, and reversible, and will only be up for 18 months. After this period, it can be removed, and the paving replaced, removing any impacts to the surrounding area. While the surrounding buildings are certainly highly significant components of the City’s built fabric, they are located in a vibrant, high energy part of the city that often accommodatestemporary art installations. As such, the arch forms a coherent part of the malleable visual character of the CBD, while the nature of the installation, an arch honouring one of the City’s most popular residents, is highly appropriate to the location. Further to this, it is important to note that the structure, while visually interesting and arresting, is not imposing, and its timber structure links it visually with the avenue of oak trees that flanks Government Avenue. It is lower than the surrounding buildings, and frames a thoroughfare and visual axis in the form of Government Avenue, serving as a gateway in itself. None of the surrounding buildings face onto the Avenue at this entry point, meaning that the arch will not occlude any views from or views of these buildings.
Conclusions and recommendations The structure, as it is conceived will not directly or indirectly negatively impact any of the significant buildings in the immediately adjacent area. This is, however, the earliest core of the historical city, and as such could quite possibly overlay significant early archaeologicalmaterial, from the early Colonial as well as pre-historic past. Furthermore, the proposed site falls within the boundaries of a declared National Heritage Site. As such, i t is prudent and responsible to monitor any activities that take place on site.
For these reasons, we recommend archaeological monitoring of the site by a suitably qualified archaeologist during any and all disturbance to the subsurface layers. This should include all lifting of paving as well as excavation. Should any significant archaeological material be encountered, all activity on site should stop, and SAHRA should be notified such that appropriate steps can be taken to allow mitigation of the material, sho uld that be required.
RECOMMENDATION: Heritage monitoring of any and all disturbance to subsurface layers is recomme nded.
CTS Heritage 34 Harries Street, Plumstead, Cape Town, 7800 Tel: (021) 0130131 Email: [email protected] Web: www.ctsheritage.com
APPENDIX 1 List of heritage resources within the 200m Inclusion Zone Site ID Site no Full Site Name Site Type Grading Declaration 29155 9/2/018/0234 Houses of Parliament, Parliament Street, Cape Town Building Grade I National Heritage Site 33222 9/2/018/235-02 120 Plein Street Building Grade I National Heritage Site 29290 9/2/018/0045 Cape Heritage House, 67-73 Burg Street, Cape Town Building Grade II Provincial Heritage Site 29230 9/2/018/0106 Groote Kerk, Adderley Street, Cape Town Building Grade II Provincial Heritage Site 29215 9/2/018/0140 Church Square, Cape Town Building Grade II Provincial Heritage Site 29207 9/2/018/0175 Old National Mutual Building, 17 Church Square, Cape Town Building Grade II Provincial Heritage Site 29201 9/2/018/0177 Old Slave Lodge, Adderley Street, Cape Town Building Grade II Provincial Heritage Site 29203 9/2/018/0180 IDASA, 6 Spin Street, Cape Town Building Grade II Provincial Heritage Site 29197 9/2/018/0186 South African National Library, Cape Town Building Grade II Provincial Heritage Site 29151 9/2/018/0242/001 Western Gateway, Government Avenue, Cape Town Building Grade II Provincial Heritage Site 29367 9/2/018/0009 C H Pearne Building, 25 Adderley Street, Cape Town Building Grade IIIb Provisional Protection
APPENDIX 2 Reference List Heritage Impact Assessments
SAHRI Report Author/s Date Title SNid Type
Heritage Mary Patrick, Tony Manhire, 356907 01/01/2006 Background History and Trial Excavations on Church Square Cape Town Statement Harriet Clift Permit NA Gabeba Abrahams-Willis 2000 The Slave Lodge: excavations in 2000 Report
CTS Heritage 34 Harries Street, Plumstead, Cape Town, 7800 Tel: (021) 0130131 Email: [email protected] Web: www.ctsheritage.com
APPENDIX 3: Keys/Guides Key/Guide to Acronyms AIA Archaeological Impact Assessment DARD Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (KwaZulu-Natal) DEA Department of Environmental Affairs DEADP Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning (Western Cape) DEDEAT Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism (Eastern Cape) DEDECT Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism (North West) DEDT Department of Economic Development and Tourism (Mpumalanga) DEDTEA Department Of economic Development, Tourism And Environmental Affairs (free State) Denc Department Of Environment And Nature Conservation (northern Cape) DMR Department of Mineral Resources Gdard Gauteng Department Of Agriculture And Rural Development (gauteng) HIA Heritage Impact Assessment Ledet Department Of Economic Develo pment, Environment and Tourism (Limpopo) MPRDA Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act, no 28 of 2002 NEMA National Environmental Management Act, no 107 of 1998 NHRA National Heritage Resources Act, no 25 of 1999 PIA Palaeontological Impact Assessment SAHRA South African Heritage Resources Agency SAHRIS South African Heritage Resources Information System VIA Visual Impact Assessment
CTS Heritage 34 Harries Street, Plumstead, Cape Town, 7800 Tel: (021) 0130131 Email: [email protected] Web: www.ctsheritage.com
APPENDIX 4 Methodology
The Heritage Screener summarises known heritage resources in an area as recorded on SAHRIS. It further assesses the heritage studies previously undertaken within the area of the proposed development and its surroundings. Heritage resources identified in these reports are assessed by our team during the screening process.
The heritage resources will be described both in terms of type : ● Group 1: Archaeological, Underwater, Palaeontological and Geological sites, Meteori tes, and Battlefields ● Group 2: Structures, Monuments and Memorials ● Group 3: Burial Grounds and Graves, Living Heritage, Sacred and Natural sites ● Group 4: Cultural Landscapes, Conservation Areas and Scenic routes and significance (Grade I, II, IIIa, b or c, ungraded), as determined by the author of the original heritage impact assessment report or by formal grading and/or protection by the heritage authorities.
Sites identified and mapped during research projects will also be considered.
DETERMINATION OF THE EXTENT OF THE INCLUSION ZONE TO BE TAKEN INTO CONSIDERA TION The extent of the inclusion zone to be considered for the Heritage Screener will be determined by CTS based on: ● the size of the development, ● the number and outcome of previous surveys existing in the area ● the potential cumulative impact of the application.
The inclusion zone will be considered as the region within a maximum distan ce of 50 km from the boundary of the proposed development.
Note: The responsibility for generating a response detailing the requirements for the development lies with the heritage authority. However, since the methodology utilised for the compilation of the Heritage Screeners is thorough and consistent, contradictory outcomes to the recommendations made by CTS should rarely occur. Should a discrepancy arise, CTS will immediately take up the matter with the heritage authority to clarify the di spute.
CTS Heritage 34 Harries Street, Plumstead, Cape Town, 7800 Tel: (021) 0130131 Email: [email protected] Web: www.ctsheritage.com