Groote Schuur Community Improvement District Strategic Development Framework 2015 This document has been developed and designed by MCA Urban and Environmental Planners. Photos on front cover taken by MCA Urban and Environmental Planners. This document and its contents are the property of the Groote Schuur Community Improvement District. Any replication, in part or whole, of this document should reference this document as GSCID. 2015. Strategic Development Framework. www.gscid.co.za TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction 5 Planning Principles 8 Understanding the GSCID Area 9 Context: Location and Heritage 10 Urban Structuring Elements 11 Paths 12 Edges 14 A Learning District 15 Nodes 16 Landmarks 17 Heritage Analysis 18 Spatial Analysis 19 Spatial Strengths 19 Spatial Weaknesses 20 Opportunities 21 Precincts 22 Socio-economic analysis 22 Population demographics 22 Population Density 23 Income and employment 23 Mowbray Precinct Analysis 24 Spatial Analysis 24 Observatory Node 25 Mowbray Node 25 Rondebosch Precinct Analysis 26 Spatial Analysis 26 Rondebosch Node 27 Newlands Precinct Analysis 28 Spatial Analysis 28 Dean Street Node 29 Kildare Road Node 29 The Vision for GSCID 31 The Implementation Plan 33 Implementing the GSCID Vision 34 Create a Learning District 34 Project Ideas 34 References 42 GSCID Strategic Development Framework FOREWORD From Chairman of the GSCID Board, Neil Fraser, From Chief Executive Officer of GSCID, Anthony Davies, “It is with great pleasure that I present this Strategic “This Strategic Development Framework for the Groote Development Framework for the Groote Schuur Schuur Community Improvement District is a tool to Community Improvement District. This offers a vision for help guide the management and operations of the GSCID as a Learning District founded on partnerships, a organisation going forward. Above and beyond the strong local identity and quality public spaces. GSCID is cleaning and security services already provided by an area which has a rich heritage and boasts a significant GSCID, this plan identifies strategic opportunities to offering of educational facilities, from primary to tertiary improve public spaces and develop a deeper sense of education. Furthermore, it is the good access to public community that is founded on the area being a Learning transport, retail and services in GSCID that attract District. As an organisation, this plan will enable us to visitors and support residents and businesses. We strategically engage with business, residents, community want to build on the strengths of the area to contribute organisations and educational institutions for an improved towards achieving our vision. This will only be possible urban experience. This is vital to ensuring the GSCID in partnership with business, residents, community becomes a thriving district within the City of Cape Town. organisations and educational institutions. Through this I want to thank MCA Urban and Environmental Planners we aim to make the GSCID area a great place in which for their dedication, work and partnership with GSCID in to live, work and play.” developing this Strategic Development Framework. The GSCID area is diverse and holds the potential to be a safe and vibrant community when we partner and work together towards this common vision for our community.” 4 Introduction GSCID Strategic Development Framework INTRODUCTION The Groote Schuur Community Improvement District (GSCID) Strategic Development Framework (SDF) • Principle 3: Create quality public places that create The University of Cape Town is arguably the best sets out a vision of a thriving, diverse community on the vibrant, community oriented spaces that encourage university in Africa. The GSCID’s framework vision of a doorstep of the University of Cape Town (UCT). This vision interaction. Learning District with UCT at the core, will contribute to sees UCT as the hub of a Learning District (incorporating that reputation by improving the living, social and work the university, colleges, and schools) that promotes Community partnerships need to be structured so environment that the university finds itself within. learning for all ages; innovation; and opportunities for as to be sustainable and they need to be supported community growth and connection. Globally, more and by an independent intermediary organisation such more universities are promoting the concept of a university as the GSCID. An emphasis on co-design and co- town as one that fosters collaborative relationships that implementation will ensure that any actions taken build a benefit the entire community (town and gown). sense of participatory community. As the GSCID Learning District becomes known for University towns around the world that have adopted an opportunity, research, new ideas and creative thinking, approach of working in partnership with the community the streets and public spaces will be activated, and within which they are located, have reported improved inspired citizens, students and visitors will be drawn to community relationships and related PR gains in terms the events and businesses in the area. With busy streets of their branding. and better communication comes increased safety and security, which will benefit UCT students and staff, as They have demonstrated the need to focus on the well as the local community. following: The vision is built on the GSCID’s concept of partnership; • Communication (Harvard regularly publishes active and interested citizens and institutions can work a service directory to highlight the institution’s together to build on the assets in the area, and improve commitment to service) the city experience for residents, students, academics, commuters and visitors to the district. • Community engagement (The University of Pennsylvania regenerated the surrounding area by This SDF sets out actions that contribute to the implementing five strategies of engagement and development of a Learning District. These actions will their actions resulted in a 31% reduction in crime, an rest on a number of principles aimed at improving the 88% increase in home values in five years, 150 000 living, social, working and natural environment in GSCID. square feet of new retail space, and new businesses and schools) • Principle 1: Foster working partnerships and • encourage co-design, collaboration and co- • Emphasising the economic importance of higher implementation of projects that contribute to a education (the knowledge economy places a high shared vision premium on human capital. A 2004 study by Robert Weissbourd and Christopher Berry, The Changing • Principle 2: Build a clear local identity that highlights Dynamics of Urban America, states that college the strengths of the area and attracts visitors and degree attainment is the single biggest driver of locals urban economic growth). 6 GSCID Strategic Development Framework INTRODUCTION The Groote Schuur Community Improvement District Promotion: Marketing the area’s assets to customers, Economic Restructuring: Strengthening the area’s (GSCID) was established with the support of UCT in July potential investors, new businesses, local citizens and economic base while finding ways to expand it to meet 2010 in terms of the City of Cape Town’s special rating visitors. One of the great strengths of traditional areas new opportunities. This is linked to promotion. Economic area policy. It works in partnership with UCT, the City of in general is their strength of character – their unique restructuring requires considerable assessment and Cape Town, landowners, civic organisations, businesses attributes based on their history. Mowbray is different research to determine where the opportunities lie, and and educational institutions to create a safer, cleaner and to Rondebosch and so too are all the original, ‘villages’ what potential exists. rejuvenated environment for all. along Main Road. Each area has its assets economically and physically and this needs to be understood and then To date it has focused on providing additional security communicated. Figure 1: A diagram representing the Community Improvement patrols and cleansing, along with a dedicated programme District framework for intervention of working with, and rehabilitating, street people. With this programme now well established, the GSCID is exploring how it can work in partnership with others to further improve the quality of the area for its residents, users and businesses. This is visually represented in the adjacent diagram where the aim is to undertake actions that result in attaining the elements of urban life further up the triangle. This is to guide how to improve the urban experience. The framework is loosely guided by the Main Street approach, which works around four pillars: Design: Enhancing the physical appearance of the area by, for example, rehabilitating historic buildings, encouraging supportive new construction, developing sensitive design management systems, and long-term planning. There is a strong link between physical and environmental quality and economic benefits. Organisation: Building consensus and cooperation among the many groups and individuals who have a role in the revitalisation process. This aspect forms the foundation for the continuing success of any programme. This has proved true in creating successful improvement districts. To work together, relationships have to be developed and that means cultivating an ethic of cooperation. 7 GSCID Strategic Development Framework GSCID PLANNING PRINCIPLES Principle 1 Principle 2 Principle