The Nature and Use of Public Open Space in the City of Tshwane

The nature and use of public open space in the City of Tshwane Prof Karina Landman Public space is Public open spaces also public realm with public these spaces through provide opportunities for space designed as civic art. participant observation and important in cities. It recreation and relaxation However, many questions interviews, and identified (Gehl, 2011) and contribute remain about public space the perceptions of users is the common ground to the greening of cities. in the city, with people towards spaces through This can enhance the often claiming that it is interviews. where people interact quality of life of people and unsafe or dirty. In addition, formally or informally provide opportunities for the Tshwane Open Space This article only focuses more sustainable living. Framework recognises on nine of these spaces, to bind the community Given this, public spaces challenges related to safety including three inner city should be accessible to all, and maintenance in many squares (Church Square, (Carr, Francis, Rivlin with physical and visual parks. It therefore raises Lilian Ngoyi Square and access from buildings and questions about the nature Sammy Marks Square), and Stone, 1992). It is streets (Tibbalds, 2001). In and use of open spaces in three inner city parks (the essence, a public space can the city. park in front of the Union also a place where one be summarised as “… space Building, Burgers Park and that allows all the people The Department of Town Venning Park) and three can meet strangers to have access to it and and Regional Planning at suburban parks (Magnolia and engage with the activities within it, the University of Pretoria Dell, Paul Cilliers Park and which is controlled by a embarked on a multi-year Waterkloof Glen Park). politics, commerce and public agency, and which project to investigate the is provided and managed spatial transformation The nine parks vary in sport. Therefore it is by public interest” of public space in South size and nature. The park (Madanipour, 1996). Africa, with a special focus in front of the Union “a space for peaceful on the City of Tshwane. The Building is very large in In theory, the City of broader project is partly comparison to the other coexistence and Tshwane shares this funded by the National spaces. The squares are view. The Integrated Research Foundation (NRF) generally much smaller impersonal encounters” Development Plan and aims to determine the than the parks. Their (Walzer, 1989, cited in (City of Tshwane changes in space over the physical characteristics Metropolitan Municipality, last 15 years, the drivers also vary. Lilian Ngoyi Madanipour, 1996). 2011) promotes the of change, as well as the Square and Sammy Marks enhancement of the quality urban planning and design Square are predominantly of people’s lives, social implications of these hard, open spaces with cohesion and the need changes. The large project little vegetation, while for open space. Along the consists of many smaller Church Square offers a same lines, the Tshwane projects. good balance. All six parks Open Space Framework are predominantly soft, reiterates the importance One of these smaller open spaces with large of public spaces as key projects involved multiple green areas, but some structuring elements case studies in different are formally designed, in the city, and their types of public spaces often incorporating a ability to foster proper in the city of Tshwane. symmetrical design with development. The Tshwane Nine honours students classical structures (such Vision Strategy 2055 (City of the Department of as the park in front of of Tshwane Metropolitan Town and Regional the Union Building and Municipality, 2013) is Planning studied 18 parks Venning Park). premised on creating more or squares in detail to sustainable communities determine the nature Most of the other parks and providing a better of the spaces or their have a more organic quality of life for residents. physical characteristics nature with flowing One of the ways to through spatial analysis. pathways or grass curvings achieve this is through the They also described between different types development of a quality the use or function of of vegetation, for example 91 ESSAYS . INNOVATE 10 2015 Location of selected parks Figure 1: The location of the nine selected parks. Magnolia Dell, Paul Cilliers two dams in Paul Cilliers Magnolia Dell and Venning keep to certain areas, Park and Waterkloof Glen Park and a large pool in Park. All the parks are while homeless people Park. Church Square, the Venning Park, to small utilised more extensively and those consuming too park in front of the Union streams in Magnolia Dell over weekends. Homeless much alcohol tend to hide Building and Venning Park and Waterkloof Glen Park. people also occupy some of in more secluded areas. include formal walkways. Different types of lighting the more secluded areas in In Paul Cilliers Park, other and areas for seating were Venning Park, Burgers Park activities include test The nature and primary present in all six parks. and Magnolia Dell. Informal flying toys and helicopters, function of the open However, the amount traders are a common sight while Sunday events at spaces tend to influence of seating varied. For in the parks and on the Waterkloof Glen Park the presence and type example, in Sammy Marks peripheries of all the parks, include church services. of building structures. Square, the seating was with the exception of Paul There are also informal The park in front of the extremely limited. Cilliers Park. markets and art exhibitions Union Building offers the at Magnolia Dell on forecourt to the majestic The types of visitors Photographers often Sundays and tea/children’s Union Building on the hill. and times of use vary. use the parks to take parties and stork teas at The formal terraces include On weekdays, many of photographs, especially Paul Cilliers Park. many smaller structures the inner city parks, for at the park in front of the and statues. Venning Park example the park in front Union Building, Church From the discussion, it is and Magnolia Dell include of the Union Building, Square and Burgers Park. evident that most of the formal restaurants, kiosks tend to be used by office Others enjoy taking selected parks are still and/or coffee shops, and municipal workers photographs of the natural used, but that the use which cater for a variety who have lunch there. landscape and flowers, for patterns are influenced by of activities. Some of the This also relates to the example in Paul Cilliers a variety of socio-spatial parks offer restrooms. surrounding land uses Park. factors. In the case of Magnolia and close proximity of Dell, these facilities were office buildings. During Additional activities Interviews with the users permanently locked. All the afternoons, most of include just relaxing confirmed that users are the parks also included the parks are frequented on the grass, having discouraged by crime, different types of water by children who use the picnics or exercising. Yet, feelings of insecurity, features, ranging from playgrounds, for example legitimate users tend to people abusing alcohol, the 2015 INNOVATE 10 . ESSAYS 92 The park in front of the Union Building with the Union Building in the background and the prominent statue of former President Nelson Mandela. The small stream running through Magnolia Dell. presence of drug users and broken lights in parks, fact that it was pleasant to Interviewees also homeless people in some litter, too little shade, too visit most of these spaces commented on their of the spaces, excessive few benches and a general due to opportunities for enjoyment of a peaceful noise and the nature of the lack of management. In relaxation, connection to and tranquil atmosphere. built environment. People spite of these concerns, nature, watching people also complained about people highlighted the and social interaction. 93 ESSAYS . INNOVATE 10 2015 People relaxing in Burgers Park. Conclusion environment may be Mabuza, Nompumelelo References easier, but the presence Maditse, Celiwe Makena, The findings indicate that of homeless people raises Reabetswe Masombuka, Carr, S, Francis, M, Rivlin, LG and public spaces in the city a sensitive issue. Who Mapuleni Ndlovu, Leandra Stone, AM. 1992. Public space. offer places where people should be able to use a Raats and Lerina Schmidt Cambridge University Press: Cambridge. can interact socially and public space in the City also assisted with data City of Tshwane Metropolitan that, over time, these of Tshwane? Perhaps collection. Municipality. 2011. City activities may contribute to this warrants further of Tshwane Integrated Development Plan. City of binding the community. In consideration in the Tshwane Metropolitan addition, the findings also future, so that solutions Municipality: Pretoria. confirmed that Tshwane may be developed to City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality. 2013. Tshwane spaces are shared by simultaneously make these Vision Strategy 2055: strangers who are often not spaces safer to use and to remaking South Africa’s relatives or friends, and in provide homeless people capital city. City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality: this way, they can become with proper places to stay. Pretoria. spaces of peaceful co- Gehl, J. 2011. Life between existence. However, these Acknowledgements buildings: using public space. Van Nostrand Reinhold: noble ideals are threatened London. by a number of challenges, The financial assistance Madanipour, A. 1996. Design of such as a lack of proper of the NRF towards urban space: an inquiry into a socio-spatial process. management, maintenance, this research is hereby Prof Karina Landman is Wiley: Chichester. adequate and accessible acknowledged. Opinions a city planner and urban Madanipour, A (ed.). 2010. Whose ablution facilities, as well as expressed and conclusions designer with a background public space? International case studies in urban design problems related to safety arrived at are those of in architecture.

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