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15 July 2021 TO: OBSERVATORY CIVIC ASSOCIATION
THE GORINGHAICONA KHOI KHOEN TRADITIONAL INDIGENOUS COUNCIL LETTER OF SUPPORT FOR RECOGNITION OF HERITAGE AND ENVIRONMENTAL SIGNIFICANCE OF LIESBEEK SITE -
The Centre for Environmental Rights is a non-profit public interest environmental law organisation based in Observatory, Cape Town. We are committed to defending the right of communities and civil society organisations to an environment not harmful to health or wellbeing for present and future generations. -
The Centre for Environmental Rights hereby expresses its support for the judicial review application brought by the Observatory Civic Association and the Goringhaicona Khoi Khoen Traditional Indigenous Council challenging the rezoning of the River Club site next to the Liesbeek River located in the City of Cape Town Metropolitan Municipality. -
The National Environmental Management Act 107 of 1998 (NEMA) requires all development to be socially, environmentally and economically sustainable. One of NEMA’s sustainability principles is that the disturbance oflandscapes and sites that constitute the nation’s cultural heritage be avoided, or where it cannot be altogether avoided, such harm is minimised and remedied. -
We recognise the significance of the proposed development site as including a river, wetlands and a floodplain and the importance of functional water ecosystems for climate change resilience of our City. It is imperative that any new development complies fully with all planning, heritage and environmental laws – particularly so in light of the recognised cultural, historic and biodiversity significance of the particular site. -
We therefore express our support of this legal challenge and add our voice to concerns regarding the social and environmental sustainability of the proposed development. Yours faithfully CENTRE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL RIGHTS Per: Melissa Fourie Executive Director Cape Town: 2nd Floor, Springtime Studios, 1 Scott Road, Observatory, 7925, South Africa Johannesburg: G/F the Cottage, 2 Sherwood Road, Forest Town, Johannesburg, 2193, South Africa Tel 021 447 1647 (Cape Town) www.cer.org.za Centre for Environmental Rights NPC is a non-profit company with registration number 2009/020736/08, NPO Ref 075-863, PBO No. 930032226 and a Law Clinic registered with the Legal Practice Council I Directors: Rachael Akosua Antwi; Gregory Daniels, Melissa Fourie (Executive), Prof Tracy-Lynn Field, Bonita Meyersfeld, Pontsho Pilane, Nompi Ndawo Vilakazi (Chair) I Attorneys: Melissa Fourie, Leanne Govindsamy, Thobeka Amanda Gumede, Daiyaan Halim, Catherine Horsfield, Matome Lethabo Kapa, Misaki Koyama, Timothy Hendrie Lloyd, Nabeelah Mia, Tarisai Mugunyani Nicole Loser, Danjelle Midgley, Zahra Omar, Wandisa Phama I Attorney Designate: Tatenda Wayne Muponde | Candidate Attorneys: Dimakatso Sefatsa, Khumo Lesele
Call for public participation on Khoekhoen project met with cold hearts The desired exterior plan of the dome where the material and resources will be stored. Picture: SUPPLIED Cape Town - The City of Cape Town's road to a full establishment of Khoekhoen materials and resources at Green Point Park may not be a smooth ride as the indigenous groups claim to have been sidelined and undermined during the inception of the project . The claim emerges as the City calls on Cape Town residents and interested parties to comment on the proposed Khoekhoen materials and resources to be used as general information, exhibition displays, education lesson plans and activities. According to a statement, public engagements will take place on May 13, 27 and June 10, while commenting will run until mid-July. During this period, the City would be presenting drafts of the KhoeKhoen guide, exhibition panels and education lesson plans and activities to be included in the project. The City’s Mayco Member for Spatial Planning and Environment, Eddie Andrews, said in the statement that the intention of the Khoe learning materials is to improve history learning by focusing on cultural heritage and local history. ‘’Local history is very meaningful and can provide our communities with a sense of pride and a renewed sense of belonging and inclusivity. However, it is critical that the information that is shared about the Khoe is accurate and respectful. I encourage all interested parties to please participate and to review the material. We need your input, guidance, and knowledge. The City designed the new dome classroom structure in 2022 and involved some of the First Nations Khoe groups as key stakeholders in the process. It is important to now also get the First Nations Khoekhoen groups and other stakeholders involved again this time around," reads the statement. However, Chief Zenzile Khoisan, the chairperson of the Western Cape First Nations Collective, said it was disappointing and disrespectful of the tribe's heritage and culture that ‘’we are consulted as pedestrians in a project that directly affects our identity, heritage, culture and legacy. ‘’There are two things to take into consideration when addressing this: recognition, restitution and restoration, and this would require a thorough engagement between the indigenous people and all relevant spheres of government. ‘’Remember, when we deal with exhibitions, it falls under memorialisation and honouring the legacy of those who lived that reality. As the descendants, we feel disrespected and undermined that we were not acknowledged and involved in the inception of the concept and be part of setting the foundation and tone of the narrative. Who can tell a story better than the rightful owners? This is another stunt by the governing leadership to exercise their degrading dictatorship over our people, like under the apartheid regime, and we'll not allow it. We want full involvement and that our voice be heard,’’ said Khoisan. He said they had no clue who gave and worked on the proposed ideas. Chief Mike Van Rooy, the chairperson of the Elders Council of the Cape Metro Aboriginal Khoisan, said: ‘’This political ploy by the Western Cape Government does not sit well with the Aboriginal people. Therefore, nothing about us without us. We have a massive plan regarding our Aboriginal status, heritage, history, and true identity, starting with the removal of the derogatory term coloured, which is still used as a form of legislative genocide. ‘’These heritage sites cannot be treated individually but rather as a collective to form part of an awareness campaign to inform the world that the indigenous people of South Africa have never been extinct as they were made to believe. My sincere hope is that this engagement should not end here but become part of our continued struggle against marginalisation, oppression and form part of a better-dignified life for all Aboriginal Khoisan nation.’’
21 Nov 2024 Kaylynne Bantom - Cape Town's first mass timber dome, located in Green Point Urban Park, has opened to educate the public on Khoisan culture and history.
- The dome features a permanent Khoi exhibition and an experiential education garden, aimed at teaching children about local history and environmental conservation.
- Supported by local leaders, the dome is intended for use by all community members to foster education and deter youth from crime.
Cape Town’s first three-dimensional mass timber dome was officially opened to the public in Green Point Urban Park on Wednesday 20 November. This unique structure, known as the Khoi Dome, serves mainly educational purposes, to be used as a classroom and featuring a permanent Khoi exhibition. It offers educational programmes that share the history of the First Nations People. Visitors to the dome can also take a walk in the experiential education garden (EEG). Eddie Andrews, Deputy Mayor and Mayco member for Spatial Planning and the Environment, said the Khoi Dome recognises the first nations. “This will help us reflect on history and keep on telling the stories. I believe the EEG, including the new dome structure, exhibition and planned learner activities will, in a creative and fun way, reconnect children living in our city with our heritage and the environment. I trust this new facility will assist in teaching our children more about the local history and its people.” The opening also marked World Children’s Day, celebrated on 20 November annually. It is fitting that we launch an environmental educational centre for children to help them learn about the environment in a fun manner. King Dr John Petersen, Emperor of the Cochoqua First Indigenous Tribe and Kingdom of South Africa, welcomed the facility and said it must be used by all. “Everyone can use this place as an educational centre. This is not the Cochoqua dome; it’s the dome of the Khoi and San and the people of the Western Cape. We don’t want our children to become gangsters. Education is a weapon to get ourselves out of poverty and the only way is to go to school and to get a career to better yourself.” Nicola Jowell, Ward 54 councillor, expressed her gratitude to the team for bringing the dome to life, saying the dome plays and integral part in connecting people to the environment. To enquire about booking educational programmes in the Dome Education Classroom and Experiential Education Garden (EEG) email: smartliving@capetown.gov.za
CAPE TOWN UNVEILS WORLD’S FIRST 3D MASS TIMBER DOME SEPTEMBER 2024 The dome’s structure, comprising 20 laminated beams, each 8.5 meters in length, converges at the top in a large timber ring. Recently, Cape Town, South Africa, has raised the world’s first 3D dome constructed from "extreme mass timber." This innovative superstructure includes 20 substantial beams made from marine plywood, connected to a timber ring that is secured in place by steel brackets. Known as the “Green Point Education Dome,” the project follows seven years of planning by the City of Cape Town and over three years of construction since breaking ground in late 2020. It is one of only 12 dome structures globally built from timber, and stands out as the first dome featuring "15 x 3-dimensional circles of different sizes attached to the (20) beams," as explained by MEWA, one of South Africa’s leading timber fabricators. These circles form the foundation for three-dimensional quadrangular panels made from marine plywood, which connect to a curved glass dome. This dome measures two meters in width, 16 millimeters in thickness, and weighs more than 155 kilograms. The dome's roof is notable for utilizing curved steel plates to form a precise three-dimensional structure, employing a geometric approach that has not been used in over 60 years. Referred to as “3D ply,” a first in South Africa, the timbers were manufactured at the MEWA factory and later assembled in Green Point Stadium Park. The beams were fitted into the upper ring with the use of massive dovetail joints, and the timber ring was assembled like a large doughnut, consisting of 20 angled segments cross-laminated multiple times for enhanced durability. Cape Town’s Deputy Mayor, Alderman Eddie Andrews, emphasized the significance of the dome, marking a key milestone for the city, the first in Africa to be recognized as a UNESCO City of Design. The city is aiming to construct more buildings using sustainable materials, such as timber. “Mass timber is the newest and greenest system of carbon-conscious construction in the world today, and the dome has been one of the catalysts for accelerating this construction in South Africa,” Alderman Andrews stated. “It is the first three-dimensional mass timber dome ever to be built. There are 12 mass timber domes worldwide, all of which are two-dimensional, comprising 12 or more segments of two dimensions and relying on the human brain to make them look dome-shaped,” said Alderman Andrews. Wood Central reports that the chosen timber is locally sourced South African poplar, selected for its resilience. The poplar, sourced from the Karoo, was cut to the required size and air-dried. The design, inspired by traditional Khoi dwellings—an indigenous group in South Africa—required a visionary architectural approach to bring this unique concept to life. James Vos, a member of the Mayoral Committee for Economic Growth, highlighted that the dome will be situated in one of Cape Town's most popular parks, which attracts over one million visitors annually. “This fantastic three-dimensional mass timber dome is an incredible addition that celebrates Khoi heritage and will complement the interactive, fun, and beautiful elements that park visitors enjoy,” Vos noted.
Classroom Dome at Green Point Park Updated July 08, 2023 The Classroom dome going up at Green Point Park is a classroom which will form part of the City’s Experiential Education Garden (EEG), currently being built on the edge of the park. Once complete, it will serve as an outdoor environmental education space for learners and a safe place for visitors to immerse themselves in nature. ‘In case residents were wondering what we’re up to at the Green Point Urban Park,we’re preserving our heritage! Residents are welcome to come and have a look at what we’re building for future generations. The team has made great progress with the construction of the dome classroom. It’s been very exciting to see this beautiful structure come together so quickly and as imagined, it really is going to be a standout feature of the park. The Khoi education programme and exhibition displays will form part of this domed educational space imitating a Khoi dwelling with exhibitions inside,’ said the City’s Deputy Mayor and Mayoral Committee Member for Spatial Planning and Environment, Alderman Eddie Andrews. Construction is anticipated to be complete towards the end of August. The first phase of the EEG project was launched in December 2020 and during the current phase more elements, such as the dome structured classroom, is being added. The dome’s design references the dwellings of the Khoi and pays tribute to their heritage as a First Nations group. The proposed exhibition displays and educational programmes will further relay their history. These components will also link to the current Khoe structures and information in the biodiversity showcase garden in the Green Point Park. ‘The aim of the EEG is to reconnect people and especially children, living in a city, to the environment in a creative and fun way. The addition of the Khoi dome structure, exhibition and lesson elements will further enhance the EEG’s offering to all visitors,’ said Alderman Andrews. It's always worth a visit to the Green Point Urban Park! WHAT: Classroom dome - Experiential Education Garden
WHERE: Green Point Urban Park, entrances in Bay Rd, Green Point, Cape Town 8005
Kaylynne Bantom Green Point's historic three-dimensional timber dome nears completion The country’s first mass timber dome and the world’s first three-dimensional mass timber dome currently being erected in Green Point Urban Park is nearing completion. The domed educational space, imitating a Khoe dwelling, forms part of the City’s Experiential Education Garden (EEG), and is set to be completed at the end of the month (April). The dome will feature a permanent Khoekhoen exhibition and offer educational programmes to share the history of the First Nations People (Khoisan, Khwe and San). It will also serve as an outdoor environmental education space for learners and a safe place for visitors to immerse themselves in nature. The latest finishing touches that were added include a curved moulded glass dome of 2 m wide, 16 mm thick and 155 kg in weight installed at the top of the domed structure to provide ventilation. Visualised and designed by architect Derek Kock from DKA Architects and his team, and built by David Marks and his team from MEWA Engineering, the dome is aimed at acknowledging the heritage and culture of First Nation groups. Eddie Andrews, Deputy Mayor and Mayco member for spatial planning and the environment, said the dome represented cutting-edge mass timber engineering and construction internationally. The structure also boasts a three-dimensional timber glue laminated spiral light of 9,5 metres. According to Andrews, the dome is the first mass timber structure to employ the use of three-dimensional ply internationally. And the first roof to use curved steel plates to form a perfect three-dimensional roof, making use of geometry that has not been used for more than 60 years. “It is the first three-dimensional mass timber dome ever to be built. There are 12 mass timber domes worldwide, all of which are two-dimensional in that they are made up of 12 or more segments of two dimensions and rely on the human brain to make them look dome-shaped.” Andrews said he is proud of the project, and once it is completed the facility will be a “magnificent feature” in the park. “The addition of the Khoi-dome structure, exhibition and lesson elements will further enhance the EEG’s offering to all visitors,” said Andrews. James Vos, Mayco member for economic growth, said the park, which is managed by the Economic Growth Directorate’s Strategic Assets Department, is one of Cape Town’s most beloved spaces, attracting over 1 million visitors a year. “This fantastic three-dimensional mass timber dome is an incredible addition that celebrates Khoi heritage and will complement the interactive, fun, and beautiful elements that park visitors currently enjoy. “We encourage the public to look out for this feature when they visit the park and don’t forget to take photographs.” However, some indigenous groups feel they were not consulted to provide input regarding the project. Chief! Garu Zenzile Khoisan, chair of the Western Cape First Nations Collective (WCFNC), a registered indigenous umbrella body of Khoikhoi organisations, said the group was in favour of “authentically celebrating” the foundational culture of South Africa’s first people “that has been largely removed” from the national narrative. “The one thing that has to happen with any celebration of a heritage nation is that it has to reflect a proper authentic narrative and must involve the people and the structures at the coalface of the resurgence movement. “I can certainly say that as the WCFNC we were not consulted about the dome. We have a significant number of structures and leadership that constitute the collective, and I can attest that our people have not been engaged. “If you want to celebrate anything related to the first people you need to engage the people who are legitimately at the coalface of the fight for restitution, restoration and recognition.” Andrews denied Khoisan’s statement, saying the City ran a comprehensive public participation process last year, which “incorporated several Khoi and Bushman groupings”. “Since then, the City has also hosted several groupings to discuss the proposed plans for the dome education centre.” He added a recent meeting was held on Monday 15 April. “The outcome of the public participation process was that we were requested by all groups to submit a proposal to the National Khoi/San Council to give us the go-ahead to develop a Khoi exhibition, information booklet and lesson plans and activities. “Unfortunately, since then, this council has been defunct. The various Khoi groups have requested to meet again to discuss the best way forward.”
The Green Point Education dome is a project culminating after 7 years of planning by The City of Cape Town. MEWA was selected as the most capable company to build this dome as our speciality was custom made curved engineered timber into all shapes and sizes. The dome is made from 20 massive curved timber beams coming together at the top in a ring of timber and anchored to the base with steel brackets. The beams slot into the upper ring with massive dovetail joints, however the timber ring itself is a piece of craftsmanship 400mm high, 1,5 metres in diameter ( a giant donut) and built from 20 angled segments, cross laminated many times for strength. This dome structure has never been built in South Africa before, this would be the first of its kind, to be built, here in Cape Town, the design capital of the world. What makes the dome even more interesting is that only around 12 dome structures like this have been built worldwide, however the Green Point Dome is different from all the others in that as it has15 x 3 dimensional circles of different sizes attached to the main beams which form the footing for 3 dimensional quadrangular panels built from marine ply, which will become the actual perfectly rounded dome before the roofing is added. 3 D ply has not been made in South Africa before and again shows that the old fashioned craftsman skills passed down by our skilled forefathers have not been lost in our technological world. MEWA is manufacturing all of the components in our factory in the heart of Darling and then assembling the dome in the Green Point Stadium park. Almost ALL of the materials are locally sourced, most especially the timber. The landscape structures will also be mirroring the dome structure and will be full of curved beams MEWA’s highly skilled team of craftsmen are, after many months of planning, finally building the dome components and will begin the final assembly within a few months. Visit any of these links to get more information on the GreenPoint Dome Project:
Oude Molen development plan still in early phase Jandre Bakker, provincial Department of Infrastructure (DOI) spokesperson The provincial DOI is engaged in a pre-planning process to investigate possible development options on the Oude Molen precinct (“Outrage over Oude Molen development bid,” Southern Suburbs Tatler, May 30). The final exact plans will depend on the outcome of the investigations as well as input from engagements with interested and affected parties. It entails creating a positive balance between vehicular movement and pedestrians, non-motorised transport and pedestrian access, positive interaction between the built form and the human scale, and having integrated mixed-use development. It speaks to our philosophy of creating spaces where people live, work and play all in one area. It entails the creation of a safe, liveable neighbourhood. Inclusionary housing has been adopted by the provincial government. In line with the policy framework, we are investigating the possibility of this property contributing to the redress of the spatial injustices of the past and embracing the possibilities when people of different backgrounds and socio-economic circumstances live together and form communities. When we look at other successful developments like the work we are doing at Conradie Park, it shows that we can have both affordable housing and open-market units in one space offering people the opportunity to live close to economic opportunities irrespective of their financial means. The size and scope have not been determined as the project is still in an early phase. In 2022, the DOI’s Immovable Asset Management unit entered into lease agreements with the tenants. The lease period is for three years with an option to renew. The lease agreements include termination conditions in the event the department secures development rights and proceeds with development. The current process is focused on regularising the current zoning as well as enablement and planning activities to secure development rights to enable potential future development. This process will not address potential disposal or end users of the site. These processes will follow the related legislative requirements and public participation if and when required. Once the development is completed, it is envisaged that there would be opportunities for educational facilities and other opportunities. Again, this is all dependent on the outcome of the investigations that are currently under way. In the notice published by the provincial DOI in February this year and closing on Monday April 1, it was inviting interested and affected parties to register and update their details on the project database. It was not inviting any comments. The database will enable the department and professional team to communicate the next steps for engagement opportunities and how to participate, at which time more project-related information will be shared, with notifications sent directly to the e-mail address in the database and published on the project webpage. The various first-nation groupings were invited to engage in the 2021 preliminary public-participation process, and they will continue to be engaged as will all other interested and affected parties who have registered on the database. The property is within a built urban context; as such, any development proposals will carefully consider the interface between Oude Molen and the Black River Corridor, a property under the custodianship of the City of Cape Town. This will be done to mitigate any potential negative impact, and appropriate open spaces will be included within the redevelopment portions of the site. The benefit is the creation of an integrated mixed-use development with a safe, walkable and sustainable eco-neighbourhood providing equitable access to cultural heritage and natural reserves.
The Oude Molen Village is located on the site known as Valkenberg East, near the suburb of Pinelands. The site comprises numerous buildings and large park-like gardens and is bordered by sensitive wetlands alongside the Black River. The village was created with the aim of establishing a working model of a sustainable eco-village and to encourage an environment of respect and consideration for people, nature and diversity. Oude Molen is a micro-enterprise village comprised of approximately 70 tenants representing a diverse range of businesses such as artists, woodworkers, music studios, photographers, a training centre and a frail-care centre. All together, the tenants provide employment for approximately 300 people. The aim of the village is to demonstrate how under-utilised public assets can be used in an integrated way to provide business and employment opportunities, thereby addressing poverty. Hence, the village has been developed with the synergies between small businesses in mind. For example, some of the wood from a tree-felling business is used by another business to make garden furniture. There are a number of buildings that are of historic interest – a vegetarian restaurant is located in one that has been renovated. Other buildings are vacant and have become rundown, with future plans being to restore and revive historical Oude Molen. The letting of office space, fairs and festivals, the farmstall sales and other activities in the area supply the funding for the project to make it self-sustainable. Future plans involve the upgrading of the Black River and of the wetland area, which is located on the Oude Molen Village site. At present, horse riding and nature walks can be arranged. Recycling initiatives and the development of alternative energy sources are also projects in their early stages. The project also demonstrates a working farm in the urban environment. Particular items of interest are: - Organic farming – with the vegetables grown being transported by horse and cart into neighbouring suburbs. Permaculture techniques are used for some of the gardens; and
- Bee-keeping – visitors can observe the bees and the honey-making process and hear the social behaviour of the bees explained.
The ultimate aim is to establish an economically sustainable micro-enterprise eco-village that is able to showcase how government/community/business partnerships are able to address a wide range of national priorities such as job creation, youth development, occupational therapy, environmental education, arts and cultural interaction, micro-enterprise development, and the demonstration of eco-friendly energy and technology. History: The area was originally used by Khoi pastoralists for cattle grazing before colonial occupation in 1652, with the confluence of the Black and Liesbeck Rivers playing an important role in Khoi ceremonies. The area was then used as military barracks until the 1920’s, when a psychiatric hospital was built. The east side of the hospital was closed in the late 1990’s and the land was transferred to the Department of Property Management. The buildings had been heavily vandalised and gutted while under the custodianship of the Department of Health. A private company was then given a mandate to optimise the use of the buildings and land. The short-term leasing of the buildings to tenants involved in micro-enterprises, was one of the steps that contributed towards the exploration and creation of an inclusive and holistic vision for the premises. The company, Project Development Services, was committed to the alleviation of poverty through sustainable social, economic and environmental developments and initiated a vision that sought to integrate the aspirations of the key role-players at the time, including the city council and the tenants. This vision remains the focus of the Oude Molen Village.
Outrage over Oude Molen development bid The Oude Molen Food Garden Village has been on the site for more than 20 years. Oude Molen tenants are outraged by the provincial government’s plans to redevelop the site for social housing and mixed-use development. The precinct on the border of Pinelands near the Black River is owned by the provincial Department of Infrastructure, and it includes the Oude Molen Eco Village with commercial, residential, educational and health institutions leasing from the province. The province’s proposal is outlined in a 2021 document, seen by the Tatler, on the provincial government website. It describes plans to build social housing and mixed-used development and refers to a need to “provide access to cultural heritage and productive landscapes” and to “embracing the principles of sustainability into the design, construction and operational phases”. It does not go into detail about the size and scope of the proposed development on the 14-hectare site, but it talks about using a technical team with engineers, landscaping and heritage specialists and environmental consultants. The document seems to have only drawn attention from the Oude Molen community after a notice posted earlier this year on the provincial government’s website called on them to take part in a public participation process by registering as interested and affected parties by the beginning of April. The proposed development was also discussed at a meeting of Oude Molen residents and interest groups earlier this month. Oude Molen Eco Village Tenants’ Association co-chairperson Faeez Evans, who runs a coffee shop at the site, said he was not anti-development, but future plans for the site should maintain its eco-village feel. “If this development should get passed, the whole garden village on the site would be gentrified,” he said. Kelly Mansfield, the manager of the Food Garden Village in Oude Molen, said a development that added more concrete blocks would threaten the character of the area. “We need people who would keep the eco-village ethos like in agriculture, education, innovation.” Oude Molen is also home to the Robin Trust non-profit, which cares for the elderly, and its chairperson, Cathy Miller, said the tenants and other concerned parties had not been adequately consulted about the plans. “Robin Trust is a key component of Oude Molen. We do training for frail care, train nursing staff and have a sub-acute facility. We need to be part of the decision-making process and given guarantees as to our future at Oude Molen.” Gary Harper, who is one of about 120 residents of Oude Molen, said the development would threaten more than 40 small businesses in the area if it went ahead. Paramount Chief Aran, of the Goringhaicona Khoena clan, who runs the Kraal non-profit company that grows vegetables and herbs and gives talks to youngsters about nature and the dangers of drugs, said the plan threatened the area’s heritage. “Any development of high-rise buildings will obstruct the site and view of Table Mountain,” he said. ALSO READ: Step up for some old world charm For more than two weeks, the Tatler has tried to get the Department of Infrastructure to answer our questions about its plans for Oude Molen, specifically on the size and scope of the development and its implications for small businesses, but while department spokesman Jandre Bakker has acknowledged receipt of our questions, they have remained unanswered. We were also unable to get clarity from the department on where the public participation process is now. Ward councillor Riad Davids said: “This is a very valuable tract of land and must form part of the future planning in the city and province. If properly developed with input from all sectors of society, it can become the jewel of the city.” Observatory Civic Association chairman Professor Leslie London said meaningful public consultation should precede any development plan for such a significant site. “This is a development not just affecting the Oude Molen residents and business, nor neighbouring communities in Observatory or Maitland Garden Village of Pinelands, but the whole of Cape Town because it is about what kind of city we want.” The Oude Molen Eco Village overlooks the mountains in Cape Town.
Indigenous History of The Village History - Pre 1997 Activity in the area is dated back to 1652, when Khoi pastoralists utilised the land for cattle grazing. Over the next 300 years the area together with the OM property located in the Liesbeeck Valley became the wheat producing area providing food for the Castle and citizens in the region. In 1693 the Dutch East India Company built the first mill in South Africa on the property. In the 1920’s the government built what became a psychiatric institution, part of which was built on the current site. In the early 1990’s, the East Wing of the institute was closed, abandoned and thereafter vandalised Oude Molen History After 1997 The Oude Molen Eco Village was initiated in 1997 by a small group of proactive social entrepreneurs who, together with the local community and international volunteers, transformed the abandoned and vandalised hospital complex into a micro-enterprise village.The motivation was to alleviate poverty by pioneering a new and innovative way of maximising the potential of an underutilised public asset by; providing affordable space to emerging small enterprises to create employment opportunities, empower youth, promote urban agriculture and offer a variety of social and recreational activities to surrounding communities and local and international visitors while producing revenue for Provincial Government. The initial micro-enterprise village concept was based on the sites’ inherent potential to contribute towards: -
Micro-enterprise development, job creation & youth development -
Social enterprise management distributing profits for additional socio-economic development in the region -
Local and International tourism development -
Healthy social and recreational activities for surrounding communities -
Food security in the form of organic permaculture / urban agriculture -
Arts and craft development and weekend craft & food markets -
Promoting recycling and eco-friendly renewable energy technology A number of redevelopment proposals in 2003 to develop the site as a private office park were successfully opposed and prevented from becoming a reality. In 2009 an attempt was made to transfer the land over to a new national Housing Development Agency, which was successfully challenged by Premier Helen Zille. In November 2010 the Oude Molen Eco Village Tenants Association submitted a draft proposal outlining a long-term vision for the property to Premier Helen Zille and in 2011 the property was incorporated into the Provincial City Regeneration programme. The Village currently hosts 42 small business enterprises that collectively employ approximately 200 people. Enterprises range from; backpacker accommodation to music studios, equestrian activities, a sports & jazz foundation, frail care services, metal, wood, art and craft workshops, public pool and braai facilities, urban agriculture, a restaurant and a waldorf school. They include educational, cultural, social and recreational amenities and Non-Profit services for youth all benefiting local communities. World Design Capital 2014 The Oude Molen Eco Village Future Development Proposal has been selected as a World Design Capital (WDC) 2014 project. This exciting accolade affirms the proactive, innovative and socially relevant nature of the Village, and provides a platform for public participation in the design and future development of the Village as a “people’s legacy project.”
The ultimate aim is to establish an economically sustainable micro-enterprise eco-village that is able to showcase how government, community and key stakeholders are able to collaboratively address national priorities such as unemployment, youth skills development, micro-enterprise development, food security and the demonstration of renewable energy technology, all based on proven international best practices. www.wdccapetown2014.com/projects/project/401 “You never change the existing reality by fighting it. Instead, create a new model that makes the old one obsolete.” – Buckminster Fuller Oude Molen Eco Village, Alexandra Road, Pinelands, Cape Town, Western Cape © 2017 by Oude Molen Eco Village. Designed by Black Cat Design & Publishing. email: blackcatstudioct@gmail.com Managed by Oude Molen
OMEVTA Future Development Proposal The Oude Molen Eco Village Tenants Association, in partnership with the City of Cape Town’s Two Rivers Urban Park organisation, are the drivers of a unique future development proposal committed to maximising the potential of the Oude Molen property as a flagship micro enterprise eco village. The development proposal aims to organise the initiative as a social enterprise so that profits are used for additional social, economic, environmental and educational development in the region. In addition, an estimated 100 enterprises will provide job shadowing and skills development opportunities to 160 unemployed youth per month. Further, the aim is to optimise the unique location and recreational opportunities by providing a public urban park for the benefit of surrounding communities and creating an ambiance that is attractive, family friendly and child safe. Developments will complement the Two River Urban Park initiative and the Provincial City Regeneration Programme’s vision for the city, and give tangible effect to the City of Cape Town World Design Capital 2014 Programme The proposal aims to position Oude Molen as a catalyst for socio-economic, environmental and cultural development in the region, and grow worldwide recognition and support for social enterprise management models and micro-enterprise development as a means to address socio-economic and environmental challenges. A collaborative feasibility study undertaken by the Tenants Association together with assistance from engineering students from Worcester Polytechnic Institute USA projected generating R200 Million direct income to Provincial Government and distributing R70 Million to Non Profit Organisations in the region over a period of 50 years. The OMEVTA Proposal Contributes Towards The Implementation Of Two Significant Programmes (The proposed micro enterprise eco village development give tangible effect to the following two programmes) 1.World Design Capital 2014 Award Programme -
Exploring new and innovative ways to create a city where everyone is included”. -
Use design for social, economic and cultural transformation.” -
Explore ways in which design can be used to heal the negative legacies of the city’s divided past and reconnect its people and its spaces. -
To create an inclusive city for all by embedding design thinking in its urban development plans. -
Design-focused on creative communities for social, economic and cultural solutions. -
Inspire creativity, create business opportunities, advance culture and meet the needs of the future. -
All sharing a vision of the transformative power of design in the context of the many social and economic challenges we face. 2. Provincial Cape Town Central City Regeneration Programme -
Unlock Cape Town’s potential to become a city that serves the needs of all its citizens -
Generate an income stream to finance provincial property development -
Generate economic activity and create new jobs and opportunities for empowerment, provide access to the city’s resources, facilitate social cohesion and well-being and enable environmental sustainability and energy efficiency -
A city that comes alive as a diverse, globally connected and socially inclusive space that encourages an entrepreneurial culture, provides a welcoming and inspiring place for socially mixed communities -
Develop Cape Town beyond the current amalgam of tourism, and commercial company headquarters -
Demonstrate sustainability in relation to the beauty of green and blue spaces, water and energy required for growth, the diversity and value of locally produced food, and resources citizens and businesses recycle -
Business premises are affordable for small and micro enterprises -
Provide access to green and vibrant public spaces within walking distance of residential buildings Oude Molen Eco Village, Alexandra Road, Pinelands, Cape Town, Western Cape © 2017 by Oude Molen Eco Village. Designed by Black Cat Design & Publishing. email: blackcatstudioct@gmail.com Managed by Oude Molen
BATTLE FOR HERITAGE OP-ED Power, money and PR — the River Club development’s public costs and private benefits A battle is raging over the proposed development of the land along the Liesbeek River in Cape Town. (Archive photo: Ashraf Hendricks) 22 Nov 2023 On balance, considering the public costs and alleged public benefits, it is clear that the costs have been understated and the benefits overstated, in the public sphere where the developer, the City and the province clearly are aligned and have control over the dominant narrative, but more importantly in the courts, where these costs and benefits have yet to be tested in a judicial review. Recent reports and opinion pieces reveal that four whistle-blowers have come forward, detailing in sworn affidavits how they worked together with representatives of the Liesbeek Leisure Properties Trust (LLPT), developers of the contentious R4.5-billion River Club development in Cape Town, to hijack the Goringhaicona Khoi Khoin Indigenous Traditional Council (GKKITC), which has been opposing the development since 2017 and challenging its approval on heritage, environmental and procedural grounds in the Western Cape High Court. They explain how this fraud was perpetrated with the assistance of an LLPT-affiliated lawyer, facilitating perjury and challenging the legitimacy of the GKKITC’s leadership. This resulted in a November 2022 judgment against GKKITC high commissioner Tauriq Jenkins, effectively removing one of the two parties opposing the development, the other being the Observatory Civic Association (OCA). Jenkins was unable to afford legal representation at the time, and was not given the opportunity by the court to counter these claims. Jenkins has also been subject to smears online and in the press, as well as threats and physical harassment. In May 2023, because this fraud had not yet been exposed, the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) refused an OCA appeal against a high court order upholding an appeal of the March 2022 interdict against the development. Due to high costs orders against it, the OCA then chose to settle with the LLPT, Western Cape government and the City of Cape Town. The settlement required the OCA to withdraw from the planned high court review of the development approvals, in exchange for waiving most of the cost orders. The whistle-blowers’ affidavits are insightful on a number of levels. They confirm Jenkins’s legitimacy as GKKITC leader and detail how the LLPT’s Jody Aufrichtig and his associate, Mark Fyfe, allegedly conspired with former GKKITC member Ebrahim Abrahams to challenge Jenkins’s leadership of the GKKITC. Abrahams was introduced to them by Tania Kleinhans-Cedras of the First Nations Collective (FNC), the indigenous group set to benefit from the River Club development. Chief Aùtshumao! Francisco MacKenzie, chairperson of the Western Cape Legislative KhoiSan Council, and Tauriq Jenkins, high commissioner of the Goringhaicona Khoi Khoin Indigenous Traditional Council, outside the Cape Town High Court with First Nation Collective supporters and Chief Garu Zenzile Khoisan (on behalf of the Gorinhaiqua Cultural Council) in background on Tuesday, 12 July 2022. (Photo: Brenton Geach) According to Abrahams’s affidavit, he was only a member of the GKKITC for a few months, and in March 2022 left the GKKITC and founded a new group called the Krotoa of the Goringhaicona. Following a meeting of the Krotoa group, attorney Tim Dunn (who attended) drafted a resolution and affidavits, which were signed by leaders of the group, supporting the River Club development and revoking Jenkins’s leadership of the GKKITC, despite no GKKITC members being present. Leaders of the Krotoa group fraudulently pretended to be leaders of the GKKITC in these documents drawn up to appear as real GKKITC documents, which were then presented to the Western Cape High Court in an application to declare Jenkins as a fraudulent and illegitimate leader of the GKKITC. These, along with court testimony by two Krotoa leaders, resulted in the 2022 judgment against Jenkins. The whistle-blowers’ affidavits claim that in return for taking Jenkins down they were each promised R2-million and a house. Abrahams states that he has faced threats as a result of the affidavit. While he admits that he initially assisted the LLPT to target Jenkins, he states that he was later fed up with the “lies” being told about the GKKITC and decided to come forward. What is also revealing is how this alleged conspiracy speaks to the power relations at play in the River Club development and in broader society, and the history of these relations. Abrahams states that all of the members of the Krotoa group were in financial distress, and thus were vulnerable and “easy prey for the developers”. As Senior Chief Faraah September of the GKKITC notes: “It’s sad that people’s vulnerability could be used as a divide-and-rule tactic.” However, the manipulation (and oppression) of the descendants of indigenous Khoi and San, part of the broader diverse identity encompassed by the colonial and apartheid term “coloured” – which includes African, Asian and European ancestry, and slavery – has a long history. History of manipulation and oppression The River Club site and the broader floodplain (known as the Two Rivers Urban Park) were important in the first resistance against colonialism, where it is broadly acknowledged that the Khoi fought the Portuguese in 1510 as part of the running Battle of Salt River, in response to a Portuguese cattle and kidnapping raid (with Viceroy Francisco De Almeida killed and the Portuguese abandoning colonial ambitions at the Cape). The floodplain was also where the First Khoi-Dutch War (1659-1660) was sparked due to conflicts over access to traditional grazing areas, restricted through force by Dutch colonisers. The former main crossing point for indigenous herders and their cattle was close to the confluence, and the line of forts connected by a log fence erected on the eastern side of the Liesbeek River by Jan van Riebeeck to restrict access to grazing land ran through the River Club site. The land became a frontier of displacement, which was extended over centuries and later codified into law through apartheid. Indigenous South Africans faced colonial exploitation, genocide, forced removals and epistemicide (the silencing, annihilation or devaluing of indigenous knowledge systems) for more than 340 years. Despite some progress since 1994, structural inequality based on gender, race, class, disability and ethnicity persists in South Africa and particularly in Cape Town, widely considered to be South Africa’s most unequal city. The River Club development has been planned, approved and is being constructed in the context of this history and inequality, and associated unequal power, economic and social relations. In his book, A House Divided: Battle for the Mother City (2019), Crispian Olver, an academic and former director-general in the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, specifically mentions the problematic drafting of the city’s Two Rivers Local Spatial Development Framework, which covers the area in which the River Club is located. The book explores how the city has been run, and focuses on the cosy relationship between local politicians and property developers, which has been corroborated by Brett Heron, a former mayoral committee member for transport and urban development. In this unequal context, what are the real public costs and benefits of the River Club development? Tauriq Jenkins represented himself in the Cape High Court. (Photo: Steve Kretzmann) A public cost-benefit analysis – debunking the talking points The developer, the City of Cape Town and the Western Cape government have on multiple occasions made claims about the River Club development’s alleged public benefits, which are then uncritically repeated by the media, conditioning public opinion in support of the development. However, these claims have not been interrogated, and should therefore not be taken at face value. We analyse five of them below and find them all wanting: ‘The development will assist in preserving and protecting First Nations heritage and establishes heritage infrastructure in partnership with First Nations groups’ While the developer’s application process began in 2016, indigenous Khoi leaders were not consulted until the developer was ordered to do so by Heritage Western Cape (HWC) in 2019. The developer, with the support of the First Nations Collective which formed around this time (and which allegedly only represents a minority of indigenous Khoi and San groups), intends to dedicate a small corner of the extensive development to indigenous heritage. The (white) developer claims to speak on behalf of indigenous concerns and claims the development will “remove the cycle of invisibility that has clouded the First Nations heritage for many years”, despite HWC rejecting the developer’s Heritage Impact Assessment for not taking full cognisance of the impact of the development on indigenous heritage. HWC has noted the indigenous living heritage significance of the site. The continuing living heritage and spiritual significance of a site or landscape lies precisely in its preservation in as natural a state as possible, and its continued use for spiritual and other cultural purposes (see the 1994 Nara Document on Authenticity, the 2003 Unesco Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, and the 2009 National Policy on South African Living Heritage). Indigenous Khoi still acknowledge the site’s natural, spiritual and cultural value (as noted in a 2017 Heritage Report commissioned by the Western Cape Department of Transport and Public Works). Until it was closed off by the developers, indigenous ceremonies were still being performed on the site. HWC issued a provisional protection order over the site in April 2018. In December 2019, more than 20 civic organisations and various paramount chiefs and indigenous groups announced their combined application for the site’s provincial heritage status, while the national government has identified the area as part of the Khoisan Legacy Project and the National Liberation Heritage Route. ‘Rehabilitating a portion of the Liesbeek River and creating high-quality green open space’ The developer’s many proposed flood-control measures are necessary due to the conversion of a predominantly open space in a floodplain into a highly bulked and massed development that covers about 60% of the site. Only 13% of the site will be retained in a semi-natural state. The City of Cape Town’s Environmental Management Department, in its appeal against the development’s environmental authorisation, noted that “the decision does not give due consideration to climate change impacts and resilience, and fails to apply the precautionary principle”. The developer has filled in the original natural course of the Liesbeek River, which according to the their own Biodiversity Impact Assessment provides a habitat for important bird species and provides breeding areas to the endangered Western leopard toad (see this affidavit in Case 12994/21), and turned it into a stormwater swale, which is essentially a grassed, open stormwater ditch. This proposal was one of the grounds for the City’s Environmental Management Department appeal. What the developer claims to be a portion of the Liesbeek River that they are rehabilitating, is in fact a major diversion to the original river course in the form of a concrete canal that was built in the 1960s between the former Liesbeek lake (south of the River Club) and the Black River. The developer claims that they will clean and maintain “their” stretch of the river. This is a Sisyphean task as this is a small part of the river course and its catchment, over which the developer has no control. A protester during the Liesbeek Action Campaign against the Amazon River Club development on 12 November 2021. (Photo: Gallo Images / Brenton Geach) ‘Creating more than 5,200 construction jobs and approximately 19,000 employment opportunities, and delivering new residential accommodation, including affordable housing’ A consultant from SRK Consulting, which undertook the development’s socioeconomic impact assessment (SIA) in 2019, noted in a 2022 affidavit (Case 12994/21) that figures for the number of direct jobs created were provided by the project team and LLPT in 2019. However, the developer and the City of Cape Town continue to punt these outdated estimations that clearly do not take into consideration the continuing social and economic impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic and the long-term changes they have wrought; load shedding and infrastructure constraints; and low economic growth – all affecting the demand for office space, and the affordability of and ability to pay for housing. Thus, it is also not clear whether all proposed phases of the development will materialise, further pouring cold water on the estimations. While the SRK consultant noted LLPT’s estimate that about 860 people will be directly employed at the River Club development (i.e. excluding those employed by tenants), it is unclear what the figure of “approximately 19,000 employment opportunities” is based on. Additionally, these and other claimed benefits should be interrogated in light of concerns around the many assumptions and rigour of socioeconomic assessments. Construction jobs are by their nature low paying and temporary. Most of the Amazon workers would be existing employees moved from their current city-centre offices. While other office workers would be accommodated in the development, most employees in the office and retail components will most likely be lower-income workers. They would still spend up to 40% of their income on travelling long distances to the site. The affordable housing promised is 20% of the 20% of the development’s floor area allocated to residential use, thus only 4% of total floor area. Raising the majority of the River Club site more than 6m above natural ground level to (supposedly) avoid heavy flooding, results in a high development cost. To maintain financial feasibility, this necessitates the bulky and tall buildings proposed, and reduces the amount of affordable housing provided, as well as its affordability. The development’s fundamental flaw of building in a floodplain means missed opportunities in terms of desperately needed affordable housing, cheaper retail and office space, and therefore more social and economic benefits than might have been possible if the development was located elsewhere. The province’s own 2016 research confirms that there is a housing shortage of more than 400,000 units in Cape Town for those households earning below R12,801 per month. This research also indicates that there is an oversupply of residential accommodation in the income bracket above a monthly income of R12,801, which is the “affordable” end of the market that the River Club development is aiming for. Luxury apartments starting at R1.4-million for a 33m2 studio are being advertised, with Airbnb-friendly, short-term letting and tax incentives to sweeten the deal for moneyed investors. This is despite the affordable-housing crisis, the unsustainably high number of Airbnbs in the city, and the well-known issues with the proliferation of short-term let units leading to crackdowns in cities across the world. ‘Injecting R4.5-billion direct investment into the local economy’ The equitability of the distribution of the proceeds flowing from this investment, and the ethics of the main tenant, Amazon, should be interrogated. A company search shows that of the almost 40 companies of which Jody Aufrichtig (LLPT director) is a current or former director, none with an internet presence appears to have any black ownership listed. Aufrichtig is the developer (Indigo Properties) of the Biscuit Mill, Woodstock Exchange, WEX1 and 2 (all large and successful developments) and appears to be the owner of the Grand Daddy Hotel in Cape Town and Old Mac Daddy resort in Elgin (with both Old Mac Daddy and the Biscuit Mill allegedly involving controversy). Of interest, WEX2 was temporarily put on hold in 2019 by HWC due to the developer’s Heritage Impact Assessment ignoring the area’s intangible social heritage. Aufrichtig is also, among others, a director in the Cape Winelands Airport development company with controversial billionaire Rob Hersov; Psyence Group, a psilocybin start-up with connections to former FNB CEO Michael Jordaan and Sol Kerzner’s son, Brandon; and Highlands Investments which merged in 2021 with Goodleaf, the leading cannabis brand in South Africa, in a deal valued at almost $50-million (R938-million). LLPT’s development partner, Zenprop, has a board which appears to consist of only four white males and no B-BBEE rating listed on its website. Its CEO, James Tannenberger, a current or former director of more than 80 companies, presides over a company with an extensive development portfolio, including large Sandton head offices for Discovery and Accenture, as well as the Mall of Africa and Table Bay Mall. Thus, the developers profiting from this public environmental and heritage asset form part of the local and, with Jeff Bezos of Amazon, the international elite. Amazon has drawn significant criticism from multiple sources concerning the ethics of the company’s business practices and policies, and its social and environmental impact. It has faced numerous allegations of anti-competitive or monopolistic behaviour, including impacts on small businesses, and criticisms of its treatment of workers and consumers. Amazon has benefited from generous state subsidies and tax incentives globally ($4.7-billion, according to a 2022 watchdog report) and in South Africa. In 2021, Amazon avoided about $5.2-billion in US taxes, while reporting record profits of more than $35-billion (75% higher than 2020), and paid only 6% of those profits in taxes. Amazon has controversial contracts with the CIA, the UK NHS and the Israeli military;complies with government-ordered censorship; has partnerships and associations with problematic companies such as Hikvision and Palantir; and has faced numerous legal actions against it. ‘Establishing public transport infrastructure’ The City of Cape Town supports the development, partly because it gets a bridge over the river confluence and the connection of Berkley Road in Maitland to Malta Road in Salt River, as part of the development contributions/charges paid by the developer, to alleviate traffic congestion and facilitate a MyCiti bus rapid transit route. Development charge regulations dictate that these payments be used to upgrade infrastructure to accommodate the effects of an approved development on public infrastructure, while good town planning practice dictates that public infrastructure investment should be structuring private development, not the reverse. The planning merits and fiscal sustainability of the proposed MyCiti feeder route along Berkley Road should have been interrogated because it was part of the City’s argument for the bridge extension, and consequently an element of the City’s support for the River Club development. While the merits, as well as the environmental and hydrological impact of this bridge connection in combination with the existing downstream railway bridges, are also debatable, the City is ultimately sacrificing the heritage value and vital floodplain role of the River Club site (in a time of unpredictable climate change), for a bridge and increased rates income, despite the serious potential risk to City infrastructure and finances, surrounding properties, and to physical safety. On balance, considering the public costs and alleged public benefits, it is clear that the costs have been understated and the benefits overstated, both in the public sphere where the developer, the City and the province clearly are aligned and have control over the dominant narrative, but more importantly in the courts, where these costs and benefits have yet to be tested in a judicial review. DM Jens Horber works as an urban policy researcher in Cape Town, researching backyard housing, informal settlement upgrading and urban governance. He is a professional town planner, and has worked in the private and NGO sectors. He has a background as an industrial designer in the public art field. He writes in his personal capacity.
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ITEM NUMBER: 01SUB24/04/23 -
SUBJECT PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PROCESS FOR THE EXPERIENTIAL EDUCATION GARDEN’S (EEG) KHOEKHOEN EDUCATION AND EXHIBITION MATERIALS BETWEEN MARCH AND JULY 2023. -
ONDERWERP -
OPENBAREDEELNAMEPROSES TUSSEN MAART EN JULIE 2023 VIR DIE BELEEFLEERTUIN (EEG) SE KHOEKHOEN-OPVOEDINGS- EN UITSTALMATERIAAL. -
ISIHLOKO INKQUBO ENGENTATHONXAXHEBA YOLUNTU ENGEMFUNDISO ENGEMFUNDISO EGADINI NGAMAVA (EEG) EJOLISWE KUMAKHOISAN NEEMATHIRIYELI EZINGOMBONISO PHAKATHI KWEYOKWINDLA NEYEKHALA 2023. -
P2993 -
PURPOSE The purpose of the public participation process is to solicit inputs and comments on the Khoekhoen education materials that will be used as background for educational lesson plans, activities and exhibition displays inside the domed educational space. The structure and its contents will form part of the Experiential Education Garden (EEG) development in Green Point Park (GPP). Attached as Annexure A: Public Participation Plan. -
FOR NOTING BY This report is for noting by the Subcouncil as per delegation 1(5) of part 24 of the System of Delegations: “To request reports from the line functionaries on activities planned to be executed within the Subcouncil area.” The public participation process will ensure a facilitated approach, which seeks to inform, consult, involve, collaborate, educate and raise awareness on an ongoing basis with key stakeholders on issues they are interested in or affected by. The aim is to solicit inputs and comments from key stakeholders, such as first nations groups (e.g. the Khoekhoen descendants), to ensure that the information that the City will be conveying to the general public about the heritage and culture of the Khoekhoen is respectful, accurate and mindful of the fact that this history does not belong to the City, but to the Khoekhoen. The Khoekhoen education programme and exhibition displays will form part of the current construction of a domed educational space with exhibitions inside and complemented by landscaping in the EEG of GPP. The first phase of the project was launched in December 2020 and during the second phase of the project, scheduled for February to November 2023, more elements will be added - including the dome structured classroom. The dome’s design will reference the dwellings of the Khoekhoen and pays tribute to their heritage as a first nations group. The aforementioned exhibition displays and educational programmes will serve to further relay the history of the Khoekhoen. These components will also link to the current Khoekhoen structures and information in the Biodiversity Showcase Garden in GPP. 6. RECOMMENDATIONS It is recommended that: -
The Sub Council note the information contained in this report. -
The Sub Council also note the process and timeframes as shown in the Public Participation Plan as Annexure A. -
The Sub Council and Councillors share the information on their social media platforms. AANBEVELINGS Daar word aanbeveel dat: -
Die subraad kennis neem van die inligting vervat in hierdie verslag. -
Die subraad ook kennis neem van die proses en tydraamwerke soos aangetoon in die openbaredeelnameplan aangeheg as bylae A. -
Die subraad en raadslede die inligting op hul sosialemediaplatforms deel. Subcouncil Report - EEG Puplic Participation Process 10-3-23 Page 2 of 5 [August 2021] Kundululwe ukuba: -
IBhungana maliqwalasele ingcaciso equlathwe kule ngxelo. -
IBhungana kwakhona maliqwalasele inkqubo namaxesha amiselweyo, abonakaliswe kwiSicwangciso seNtathonxaxheba yoLuntu esikwisihlomeloA. -
IBhungana nooCeba mababelane ngengcaciso kumaqonga abo ale mihla angezothungelwano ngezentlalo. 7. DISCUSSION/CONTENTS Green Point Park (GPP) is a well-used District Park situated in Green Point and forms part of the Cape Town stadium precinct. Aside from the garden and water systems, open lawn areas and shaded spaces, the Experiential Education Garden (EEG) adds another feature of interest to the park in one of the areas situated on the outskirts of the park. This areas was previously underutilised as a natural grass meadow space. During the first phase of the project, that was opened on 20 December 2020, the following elements were constructed: a textured boardwalk; an interactive water feature with shade structure and a mosaic sandbag seating wall; a weather station; educational mosaics and animal print stepping stones; a mosaic hopscotch game pad; woven bird nests; spider’s web climbing structure; a climbing tree; a sand pit with discovery elements; a crawling tunnel; and sculpted wooden seating that resembles animals. Between the months of February to November 2023, additional elements will be added. Amongst others, an interactive permaculture/foraging garden; medicinal, edible and scented plants; a drinking fountain; supplementary shade and seating structures; solar panel animals; and, ultimately, a domed educational space that is referential of a Khoekhoen dwelling. The EEG will link to the Biodiversity Showcase Garden (BSG), as well as the Smart Living Education (SLE) Centre adjacent to the park, of GPP. The environmental and heritage education and training programmes that are hosted in the BSG and SLE Centre will also be linked to the EEG. See attached Annexure B: A presentation of the EEG Development as background. Subcouncil Report - EEG Puplic Participation Process 10-3-23 7.1. Constitutional and Policy Implications None 7.2. Sustainability implications Does the activity in this report have any No Yes sustainability implications for the City? 7.3. Legal Implications None Staff Implications No Yes POPIA Compliance It is confirmed that this report has been checked and considered for POPIA Compliance. ANNEXURES -
Annexure A: Public Participation Plan -
Annexure B: EEG Presentation FOR FURTHER DETAIL S CONTACT: NAME SIGNATURE CONTACT NUMBER E-MAIL ADDRESS DIRECTORATE FILE REF NO Lindie Buirski 021 487 2839 Lindie.Buirski@capetown.gov.za Spatial Planning and Environment Subcouncil Report - EEG Puplic Participation Process 10-3-23 [August 2021] MANAGER: ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING AND SUSTAINABILITY, ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR: ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: SPATIAL PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT NAME: ROBERT MCGAFFIN DATE [Note: Legal Compliance signature is not applicable because the report is for information only.] Subcouncil Report - EEG Puplic Participation Process 10-3-23 Page 5 of 5 [August 2021]
DATE: 10 MARCH 2023 REPORT TO: SPATIAL PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE 1. ITEMNUMBER 2. SUBJECT PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PROCESS FOR THE EXPERIENTIAL EDUCATION GARDEN’S (EEG) KHOEKHOEN EDUCATION AND EXHIBITION MATERIALS BETWEEN MARCH AND JULY 2023. ONDERWERP OPENBAREDEELNAMEPROSES TUSSEN MAART EN JULIE 2023 VIR DIE BELEEFLEERTUIN (EEG) SE KHOEKHOEN-OPVOEDINGS- EN UITSTALMATERIAAL. ISIHLOKO INKQUBO ENGENTATHONXAXHEBA YOLUNTU ENGEMFUNDISO ENGEMFUNDISO EGADINI NGAMAVA (EEG) EJOLISWE KUMAKHOISAN NEEMATHIRIYELI EZINGOMBONISO PHAKATHI KWEYOKWINDLA NEYEKHALA 2023.
P2993 Enter LSU Number Here 3. DELEGATED AUTHORITYDELEGATED AUTHORITY In terms of delegation This report is for Committee name : Spatial Planning and Environment PC
The Executive Mayor together with the Mayoral Committee (MAYCO) Council SPE PC Report PPP for the EEG 10-3 November 2022 4. DISCUSSIONDISCUSSION:WHAT,WHY,HOW The purpose of the public participation process is to solicit inputs and comments on the Khoekhoen information education materials that will be used as background for educational lesson plans, activities and exhibition displays inside the domed educational space. The structure and its contents will form part of the Experiential Education Garden (EEG) development in Green Point Park (GPP). The public participation process will ensure a facilitated approach, which seeks to inform, consult, involve, collaborate, educate and raise awareness on an ongoing basis with key stakeholders on issues they are interested in or affected by. The aim is to solicit inputs and comments from key stakeholders, such as first nations groups (e.g. the Khoekhoen descendants), to ensure that the information that the City will be conveying to the general public about the heritage and culture of the Khoekhoen is respectful, accurate and mindful of the fact that this history does not belong to the City, but to the Khoekhoen. The Khoekhoen education programme and exhibition displays will form part of the current construction of a domed educational space with exhibitions inside and complemented by landscaping in the EEG of GPP. The first phase of the project was launched in December 2020 and during the second phase of the project, scheduled for February to November 2023, more elements will be added - including the dome structured classroom. The dome’s design will reference the dwellings of the Khoekhoen and pays tribute to their heritage as a first nations group. The aforementioned exhibition displays and educational programmes will serve to further relay the history of the Khoekhoen. These components will also link to the current Khoekhoen structures and information in the Biodiversity Showcase Garden in GPP. (See attached as Annexure C background PowerPoint presentation on the Experiential Education Garden (EEG) development Financial ImplicationsNone Opex Capex
Capex: New Projects Capex: Existing projects requiring additional funding Capex: Existing projects with no additional funding requirements SPE PC Report PPP for the EEG 10-3March 2023 Policy and Strategy Legislative Vetting Legal Implications Staff Implications Risk Implications POPIA Compliance Yes No Yes No Yes No Yes No No The risks for approving and/or not approving the recommendations are listed below: No Report is for decision and has no risk implications. Yes Report is for noting only and has no risk implications. Yes It is confirmed that this report has been checked and considered for POPIA compliance. 5 RECOMMENDATIONS RECOMMETIONS It is recommended that: -
The Portfolio Committee note the information contained in this report. -
The Portfolio Committee also note the process and timeframes as shown in the Public Participation Plan and Advert as Annexure B. -
The Portfolio Committee Chair person inform all Sub Councils. SC Report attached as Annexure A -
The Portfolio Committee and Councillors share the information on their social media platforms.
Daar word aanbeveel dat: -
Die portefeuljekomitee van die inligting in hierdie verslag vervat kennis neem. -
Die portefeuljekomitee ook van die proses en tydsraamwerke, soos aangetoon in die openbaredeelnameplan en advertensie aangeheg as bylae B, kennis neem. -
Die portefeuljekomiteevoorsitter alle subrade inlig - subraadsverslag aangeheg as bylae A. SPE PC Report PPP for the EEG 10-3March 2023 Page 3 of 5 Die portefeuljekomitee en raadslede die inligting op hul sosialemediaplatforms deel.
Cape Town has the country’s first mass timber dome based in Green Point Urban Park, inspired by traditional Khoi hut structures to provide an educational space for learning about First Nations history and culture. This three-dimensional eco-friendly dome will feature a permanent Khoekhoen exhibition and offer educational programmes to share the history of the Khoisan, Khwe and San people of South Africa. It will also serve as an outdoor environmental education space for learners and a safe place for visitors to immerse themselves in nature. The R9 million project will officially open next week on Wednesday 20 November, Eddie Andrews, Deputy Mayor and Mayco member for spatial planning and the environment, said via People’s Post. He said the Experiential Education Garden (EEG) is already open to the public and that the Dome Education Centre will be available for bookings for educational programmes and special events. “The vision of the Dome Education Centre was to make the space a celebration of Cape Town’s Khoi First Nation peoples, who once moved freely across this fertile land with their herds of sheep and cattle.” “The inspiration for the Dome’s design was the simple yet clever traditional Khoi dome-shaped huts. In essence, the structures were a skeleton of flexible branches covered with a patchwork of reed matjies (mats) to give shade in summer, warmth in winter as well as good ventilation. He noted how this design allowed the Khoi’s “nomadic lifestyle” as they could be disassembled and carried when the tribe moved on in search of new grazing.” According to Andrews, the Dome is a masterstroke of eco-friendly design, showcasing the kind of sustainable construction we can proudly claim as our own. The timber of choice in the construction is locally sourced South African poplar tree due to its hard-wearing properties. Mass timber is the newest and greenest system of carbon-conscious construction. “It refers to engineered wood products made by taking smaller wood elements and connecting them with glues, dowels, nails or screws to create larger building components. “It is strong, durable, versatile and sustainable.” It’s not just a building, it’s a shining example of how we can do things smarter and greener, drawing attention from across the globe. Plus, as Andrews says, this was the first three-dimensional mass timber dome ever to be built. There are 12 mass timber domes worldwide, all of which are two-dimensional, in that they are made up of 12 or more segments of two dimensions and rely on the human brain to make them look dome-shaped.” In addition, the construction integrates green technologies such as solar panels, rainwater harvesting, and natural ventilation to minimise its carbon footprint. Inside, the space is equipped for a range of educational activities, including workshops, exhibitions, and interactive displays that highlight topics such as renewable energy, water conservation, and biodiversity. The innovative structure not only honours the cultural heritage of the Khoi but also stands as a remarkable architectural achievement for the country.
Read more: https://www.2oceansvibe.com/2024/11/14/cape-towns-first-mass-timber-dome-in-green-point-showcases-first-nations-peoples-culture-and-history/#ixzz8wGY7QgJI
The City of Cape Town commissioned the Greenpoint Urban Park Dome in honour of the First Nation Khoisan peoples. There is a place few dare to tread from a design and a construction perspective, as there are no guidelines. I call this area of timber construction extreme mass timber. I am presenting the Green Point Dome because: - The client was the City of Cape Town, and the brief was to pay homage to the First Nation Khoisan people with an educational structure in the city's beautiful and accessible Greenpoint Urban Park.
- It is the first full-size mass timber dome ever constructed in South Africa.
- It is the world's first perfectly 3-dimensional (3D) mass timber dome.
- It was an epic journey in understanding the engineering, maths, preparation and construction processes.
When the architect Derek Kock presented the plans and renderings, he asked, "Can it be built in 3D using local materials?". I immediately said yes but needed time to work on the details. There is no handbook or guide on how to build a mass timber dome! Everything on the dome was angled or curved, and every fitting had to be custom-built. THE BEGINNING Unsurprisingly, the first question asked by the professional team was, "How do you keep 20 beams in place while attaching them to a ring? The short answer was "build a tower". We started by discussing how the pieces would slot together. Like an old-fashioned wagon wheel, the hub at the centre is paramount. We had to decide the size of the support tower, the number of laminates in the ring beam, the weight of the beams, how many could lean against the ring beam, and how to balance the structure during assembly. TIMBER IS TRICKY What emerged very quickly as some incredibly experienced professionals put their heads together was how little everyone understood timber, its moods, abilities, strengths and more. Dr Phillip Crawford at Stellenbosch University's wood science department tested locally sourced Poplar. It did not take long to convince the engineers and architect to adopt the timber. THE SKELETON The essence of a 3D dome is having a 3D skeleton, the skeleton being the 3D circular ring beams. How it all slots together is the crux of the engineering design. The engineering must be imagined sequentially before the construction process shapes it into reality. The dome comprises 20 massive glue-laminated curved beams 8.5m long, weighing 450kg each. They are attached to T-shaped brackets anchored into the concrete base and slotted together in a cross-laminated timber (CLT) ring at the top. The beams must be hoisted upwards and lowered onto a T-shaped base bracket anchored into the concrete floor. At the same time, they need to slot into the centre ring. THE RING The consulting engineers specified a colossal ring of steel with bolts and brackets. Instead, we designed a ring with a diameter of 1,5m and weighing 385kg using CLT with walls only 80mm wider than the steel ring but much stronger and versatile. I opted for massive dovetail joints at the top to link the curved beams into the CLT ring. There are 20 segments of curved timber per layer. Each layer was shaped immediately after laminating so that when the ring was complete, 20 layers were glued together. It had to be perfectly positioned as it determined the height of the dome and the correct placement angles of the curved beams 6m above the floor. PROTOTYPING The prototyping happened at my factory in Darling, 160km north of Cape Town. We built the test ring beam and six full-size beams from plywood. The ring beam was perched on scaffolding, and the curved beams were fitted, confirmingour calculations. It was a thing of
absolute beauty! While a team built the tower and a replica of the dome shape with the correct curve and beam spacing, another team began manufacturing the beams. The beams were clamped with F-clamps and shaped using a router on a sled running in tracks. Everything was done with lightweight machines and craftsman skills. Constant vigilance ensured that every beam was 160mm thick x 260mm wide with a perfect curve. THE RING BEAMS SHAPE
THE PLY Sixteen circular ring beams needed to be made for the skeleton of the 3D ply, each beam having a different diameter and set of angles, with placement onto the curve beams every 500mm. The lower seven beams were easy to build as they could be bent and shaped. Higher up, however, the circles got smaller and the angles more acute. After much experimentation with the eighth circular ring beam, we used CLT to create a ring of the correct diameter. We built an angled jig so a router could cut the angles on both sides of the ring. Yes, the angled cuts could have been done by a 5-axis CNC machine if the ring was in smaller segments, but we did not want to outsource any aspects of the manufacture. The learning process of building by hand was enriching, and many of our artisans began to understand the 3D process. The rings were built as complete circles, with the base ring having an angle of 87º and the upper ring having an angle of 11º. IT'S ALL DONE WITH MATHS Next came the challenging task of bending marine plywood in three directions. Bending ply in two directions is easy by kerfing lines at 90° and bending it. Using this logic, I played with the mathematics of two kerf cuts and angles to calculate how to bend the plywood in three directions. Calculus offers the formulas for 3D curves; however, three different formula calculations had to be meshed into one. After a couple of days of experimentation, frustration and stubbornness, I found the solution. When we added the second marine ply sheet at a 60º cross angle to the first fitted sheet, the curve smoothed perfectly, and no sanding was required. ON-SITE AT LAST With all materials and components ready, we began fitting on-site in mid-June 2023 on a cold, wet and windy day. In case you are wondering, we allowed for the Cape's wind shear factor. The ring was lifted to the top of the tower, aligned to exactly 6m above floor level using a series of scissors car jacks to get it perfectly plumb and screwed in place. The rigging of the 20 curved beams took one day instead of the estimated four days. In the end, the spacing between the beams was out in two places by 4mm - a margin of error with which I can live! The marine ply strips HEALTH AND SAFETY Working access to the dome, 6m in the air, was challenging. South African health and safety regulations do not mention domes. Standard ladders did not work because we could reach up to around 4m in vertical height. Officials were unhappy because it was out of their scope of work and training. We exchanged many words while asking them for an alternative solution. We tried anchored top ropes with mountaineering harnesses and helmets, but they vetoed it. We then built a curved steel ladder that was the exact shape of the dome. It was anchored on the upper ring with wheels below to push it around. Each tread was carefully angled parallel to the ground, and the handrails got taller as you went upwards from a climbing angle to a walking angle. However, it was not SABS-approved, and despite the ladder's apparent safety and versatility, it did not follow any known rule book or design. We played this game with health and safety right to the end of the project! TRUST THE GLUE Once the beams were positioned, we fitted lateral spacer beams at two different heights. Again, the original spec was to have these beams fitted with steel angle brackets. We chose rebate joints glued together and secured with special pocket-hole screws. The logic behind the jointing and glueing of the ring and lateral beams was simple. After thoroughly testing various adhesive systems, I trusted the chosen glue to fuse the separate components, thereby increasing the strength of the structure and leaving no weak points. Two layers of 8mm OSB, cross-laminated, glued and screwed together, cover the beams. The OSB layers are flat on the horizontal axis and curved vertically. The gaps in the OSB surface were filled, and it was sealed with Woodoc exterior sealer. On top of the OSB came the 16 x circular 3D beams and insulation. The final part of the structure consists of two layers of 9mm marine plywood glued, screwed together and bent over the circular beams in three angles to create the 3D effect. Because of the curvature, the angles constantly change. We laid the strips of plywood at angles ranging between 65 – 75 degrees and secured it with thousands of zinc alloy screws. No sanding was needed. OPTICAL ILLUSION However, the appearance of the curved dome juxtaposed with the buildings in the background caught everyone out. We were scolded for the "dips and dents" on the dome's skin. The optical illusion was alleviated after we made a curved ruler and ran it over all parts of the dome skin to convince the critics that the curve was pure and correct. David Marks positions the glass skylight on the steel vent THE ROOF, FOR THE MATHS OF IT Initially, the roof was not part of my brief, and I was not asked to comment or provide a quote on the roof covering. However, the maths challenge was something that I could not leave alone, so I did the calculations anyway and filed it away. While we were completing the ply layer, the consulting engineers were asked for a spec for the roof. Suddenly, everyone discovered that the roof was much more complicated than it looked. A rendering is all we had, but the reality of building a symmetrical yet random roof with different shades of brown that looked like animal skins proved challenging. I held out for three days and then sent the engineers and architect an eight-page spec for comment. I did not receive any, just a message: "Go ahead. We trust you". CAD COULD NOT COPE The roof sheeting had to be made from a South African material! So, we chose 3CR12, a stainless steel compound. It needed to be in sheets over-pressed to the dome's curvature to allow for the spring back of the steel. The sheets had to be laid in perfect concentric rings, overlapping the top and bottom but not the sides. It needed to look random, so thes heets were painted with Midas rust paint in different shades of brown. Various lengths of sheets were fitted in a seemingly random pattern. The reality was pure mathematics. I used spherical geometry, the geometry originally used to map the Earth's surface before the days of aerial photos. This geometry was last taught at Cambridge University in 1936 (thank you to my grandfather's library). CAD, in fact all drawing software is not programmed with spherical geometry. Not even Rhino 3D could create the roof. So, I drew it by hand. MAKING THE ROOF With the help of Marco Grandi, we planned the roof in precise detail. We created positive and negative moulds to press the steel. We designed and built a radial-arm saw slide with an angle grinder attached and a curved rest for the stele. The grinder needed to move upwards and downwards with the curvature of the steel. Hundreds of cutting discs were used as 3CR12 is incredibly hard. Before fitting the roof sheets, we built 3D gutters at the dome's base and above the doors. WASTAGE The wastage factors were: - OSB and ply sheeting: 4%
- Poplar over the entire dome: 3%
- Shavings: Donated to horse owners
- Off-cuts: Laminated to make
architraves and internal filler pieces. - 3CR12 sheets: 5%, with four spare sheets left.
- Steel off-cuts: Donated to two artists who turned them into a sculpture piece.
Even the ladder had to bend THE VENT To complete the dome's exterior, we needed a steel air vent at the top to cover the CLT ring and form the base for the curved skylight. After much discussion, Derek Kock and I agreed on the height of the open-air vent and overhang of the glass roof so that a minimal amount of rain would enter through the vent and create the best airflow within the dome. Grandi Engineering built the vent. When the day came to fit the ring, I was 98% sure it was perfect. It eased into place with less than a ¼mm tolerance around the ring. The team grinned for hours afterwards. THE SKYLIGHT The next challenge was the curved glass dome skylight roof, 2m wide, weighing 155kg and 13mm thick. The glass rood was built, hoisted into place, positioned with careful planning on a windless day and secured with structural glazing glue. The exterior of the dome was now complete. DOORS The door frames needed to be angled 9º towards the dome's centre to accommodate the wall so that the double doors could be perfectly square. THE GREATEST LESSONS LEARNT There were many paths to completing the Green Point Education Dome, primarily technical and mathematical. I spent hours researching, looking at photos of other mass timber domes to decipher the methodology and developing new techniques. The unique building and landscaping nears completion THE FUTURE Companies and professionals like Christian Hess, Jamie Smiley, MTT, RSB and others continue pushing the boundaries of mass timber. I hope more South African designers, engineers, academics and construction companies will consider designing and building contemporary, carbon-sequestering, sustainable buildings. Timber is the future of the built environment. Modern architects and timber engineers are explorers going where no one has gone before. Source: WoodBiz Africa - July 2024 Magazine (Pages 3 - 8)
The Greenpoint Educational Dome Project by MEWA is an innovative educational initiative aimed at fostering environmental awareness, sustainability and mass timber building practices. The dome, position in Greenpoint Cape Town, serves as a multi-purpose space for interactive learning, and will form part of the City’s Experiential Education Garden (EEG). Constructed using eco-friendly materials, the dome is designed to be a model of sustainable architecture. The timber of choice in the construction is locally sourced South African poplar due to its hard-wearing properties. The poplar was sourced from the Karoo, cut to size and air dried. In addition, the construction integrates green technologies such as solar panels, rainwater harvesting, and natural ventilation to minimize its carbon footprint. Inside, the space is equipped for a range of educational activities, including workshops, exhibitions, and interactive displays that highlight topics such as renewable energy, water conservation, and biodiversity. The dome's structure consists of 20 laminated beams, each 8.5 meters long, which converge at the top in a massive timber ring. These beams are connected to the central ring using dovetail joints and align with the base brackets anchored into a polished cement base. The top ring itself is a masterpiece, constructed from 20 concentric circular layers of poplar, with each layer composed of 20 segments that are cross-laminated for added strength. The beams are glued, jointed, bolted through the ring, and secured to the center ring, demonstrating exceptional craftsmanship and innovative design. The creation of a domelike structure inspired by the traditional dwellings of the Khoi, one of South Africa's First Nation groups, was a visionary idea that required a unique architectural approach. The structure will be the first mass timber dome ever to be built in South African and internationally it is the first Three-dimensional mass timber dome to be built. The innovative structure not only honors the cultural heritage of the Khoi but also stands as a remarkable architectural achievement for the country. For more information, you can visit the Greenpoint Educational Dome Project website.
Cape Town Breaks Ground with World’s First 3D Ply Timber Dome! The dome's structure consists of 20 laminated beams, each 8.5 meters long, which converge at the top in a massive timber ring Earlier this year, construction crews put the finishing touches on the Greenpoint Educational Dome Project - the world's first 3D mass timber dome. (Photo Credit: MEWA) The world’s first 3D dome built out of “extreme mass timber” has been raised in Cape Town, South Africa with it’s new superstructure combines 20 massive beams (all made from marine ply) connected to a timber ring anchored into place with steel brackets. Known as the “Green Point Education Dome,” the project comes after seven years of planning by the City of Cape Town and more than three years after it broke ground (in late 2020). One of just 12 dome structures built out of timber worldwide, the Green Point Dome is the first “that it has 15 x 3-dimensional circles of different sizes attached to the (20) beams,” said MEWA, one of South Africa’s top timber fabricators: “These form the footing for 3-dimensional quadrangular panels built from marine ply,” connecting to a curved moulded glass dome measuring 2 metres wide, 16 millimetres thick and weighing more than 155 kilograms. The world’s first 3D plywood dome has been fully erected after over three years of construction. (Photo Credit: MEWA) It is the first roof to use curved steel plates to form a perfect three-dimensional roof, using geometry that has not been used for more than 60 years… Dubbed “3D ply,” a first for South Africa, the timbers were manufactured at the MEWA factory before being assembled in Green Point Stadium Park. The beams slotted into the upper ring thanks to massive dovetail joints, and the timber ring pieced together like a giant doughnut, using 20 angled segments cross-laminated many times for added strength. Twenty massive beams (all made from marine ply) connect to the timber ring and are anchored into place with steel brackets. (Photo Credit: MEWA) According to Cape Town’s Deputy Mayor, Alderman Eddie Andrews, the dome marks a crucial juncture for the city – the first in Africa to be recognised as a UNESCO City of Design – which is looking to build more buildings out of greener materials (like timber). “Mass timber is the newest and greenest system of carbon-conscious construction in the world today, and the come has been one of the catalysts for accelerating this construction in South Africa,” Alderman Andrews said. It is the first three-dimensional mass timber dome ever to be built. There are 12 mass timber domes worldwide, all of which are two-dimensional, comprising 12 or more segments of two dimensions and relying on the human brain to make them look dome-shaped. Eddie Andrews, Cape Town’s Deputy Mayor Wood Central understands that the timber of choice is locally sourced South African poplar, which is chosen due to its hard-wearing properties. The poplar was sourced from the Karoo, cut to size and air-dried. In addition, the design, inspired by the traditional dwellings of the Khoi, one of South Africa’s First Nation groups, was a visionary idea that required a unique architectural approach. Wood Central understands the Green Point Education Dome has been fully operational since July 2024. (Photo Credit: MEWA) According to James Vos, a Mayco member for economic growth, the dome will now be placed in one of Cape Town’s most beloved spaces, a park attracting more than 1 million visitors annually. “This fantastic three-dimensional mass timber dome is an incredible addition that celebrates Khoi heritage and will complement the interactive, fun, and beautiful elements that park visitors enjoy.” -
Jason Ross, publisher, is a 15-year professional in building and construction, connecting with more than 400 specifiers. A Gottstein Fellowship recipient, he is passionate about growing the market for wood-based information. Jason is Wood Central's in-house emcee and is available for corporate host and MC services.
Kaylynne Bantom - Cape Town’s first mass timber dome, featuring a Khoekhoen heritage exhibit, is set to open in Green Point Urban Park on 20 November.
- Inspired by traditional Khoi hut structures, the eco-friendly dome serves as an educational space for learning about First Nations history and culture.
- The Dome Education Centre and Experiential Education Garden offer interactive learning experiences and will be available for educational programmes and events.
The country’s first mass timber dome based in Green Point Urban Park is set to open later this month. This three-dimensional structure will feature a permanent Khoekhoen exhibition and offer educational programmes to share the history of the First Nations People (Khoisan, Khwe and San). It will also serve as an outdoor environmental-education space for learners and a safe place for visitors to immerse themselves in nature (“Green Point’s historic three-dimensional timber dome nears completion”, People’s Post, 23 April 2024). Eddie Andrews, Deputy Mayor and Mayco member for spatial planning and the environment, said the R9 million project will officially open on Wednesday 20 November. He said the Experiential Education Garden (EEG) is already open to the public and that the Dome Education Centre will be available for bookings for educational programmes and special events. “The vision of the Dome Education Centre was to make the space a celebration of Cape Town’s Khoi First Nation peoples, who once moved freely across this fertile land with their herds of sheep and cattle.” Inspired He explained the idea behind the design. “The inspiration for the Dome’s design was the simple yet clever traditional Khoi dome-shaped huts. In essence, the structures were a skeleton of flexible branches covered with a patchwork of reed matjies (mats) to give shade in summer, warmth in winter as well as good ventilation. He said the design of the huts was perfectly suited to the Khoi’s “nomadic lifestyle” as they could be disassembled and carried when the tribe moved on in search of new grazing.” According to Andrews, the Dome is an ingenious example of eco-conscious environmentally sustainable construction, attracting global attention. Speaking to People’s Post previously, Andrews said this was the first three-dimensional mass timber dome ever to be built. “There are 12 mass timber domes worldwide, all of which are two-dimensional, in that they are made up of 12 or more segments of two dimensions and rely on the human brain to make them look dome-shaped.” According to Andrews, mass timber is the newest and greenest system of carbon-conscious construction. “It refers to engineered wood products made by taking smaller wood elements and connecting them with glues, dowels, nails or screws to create larger building components. “It is strong, durable, versatile and sustainable.
INFRASTRUCTURE Question Body: With reference to the Cape Town inner-city social housing development: - Which parcels of land has been (a) earmarked for inner-city social housing development and (b) successfully developed as inner-city social housing units since the start of the sixth administration;
- whether there any known factors that limit the development of inner-city social housing; if so, what are the relevant details?
Answer Body: (1)(a) The following land parcels, owned by the Department of Transport and Public Works, have been earmarked for inner-city social housing development and are in differing stages of development: - Founders Garden (Artscape Precinct)
- Leeuloop
- Oude Molen
The following land parcels, owned by the City of Cape Town (CoCT), have been earmarked for inner-city social housing development and are in differing stages of development: - Salt River Market
- Pickwick Road
- Pine Road
- Dillon Lane
- Woodstock Hospital
- Woodstock Hospital Park
- New Market Road
- Fruit and Veg site
(b) The Social Housing Projects developed to date, unfortunately falls slighty outside the CoCT Inner City boundary which is guided by the mapping for the City’s Restructuring Zones (RZs) and more specifically, the CBD and surrounding RZs defined as according to the CoCT's RZs in terms of its roles and responsibilities set out in section 5(d) (i) of the Social Housing Act, 2008. The CoCT has reviewed the delineation of the RZs to align better with the strategic direction of the Metropolitan Spatial Development Framework (MSDF), therefore the Social Housing Projects like Drommedaris and Bothasig in Milnerton, Maitland Mews in Maitland, and Conradie in Pinelands unfortunately does not count as Inner City due to it being outside of the RZs. (2) Inner-city land parcels often encounter high enablement costs due to site topography and adverse geotechnical condition, that affects the overall project viability. Additional grant funding for these adverse types of conditions is not currently included in the social housing financial model. Achieving the required project viabilities is therefore challenging on these inner-city sites. Date: Friday, February 24, 2023
Oude Molen Precinct Project: Notice for comment in terms of Section 38 of the National Heritage Resources Act: Draft Heritage Impact Assessment for Oude Molen Precinct Dear Interested and Affected Parties for the proposed Oude Molen Precinct redevelopment: This email serves as an important notice to inform you that due to requests received at the open house event (18 September 2024), the commenting period for the draft Heritage Impact Assessment, including an Archaeological Impact Assessment, Social Impact Assessment, Built-environment Study, Cultural Landscape Study, and Visual Impact Assessment for the proposed plan for the Oude Molen Precinct is extended from 10 October 2024 to 31 October 2024. Any person wishing to object to or comment on the application on heritage grounds must submit such objection or comment in writing to Ms. A Hayes at email omp@desertbloom.co.za on or before 31 October 2024. Kind Regards / Vriendelike Groete
OMP Project Office Department of Infrastructure
Chief Directorate: Economic Development Hub
Western Cape Government
Email: OMP@westerncape.gov.za
Webpage: https://www.westerncape.gov.za/tpw/department-of-infrastructure/oude-molen-precinct-omp
What is this project about? The Western Cape Government through its Department of Transport and Public Works (DTPW) has a vision to create a sustainable, mixed - use development based on a live – work – play philosophy and transit
– orientated development (TOD) principles on the Oude Molen Precinct (OMP). The development vision would be supported by the inputs of a multi – disciplinary team and inputs from key stakeholders and the public. The OMP is situated in the greater Two Rivers area and currently consists of a low – density mixed – use development comprising of the Oude Molen Eco – Village (which accommodates a mix of residential, commercial and institutional uses), and the Valkenberg Psychiatric Hospital Forensic Unit. It is acknowledged that there have been other statutory processes undertaken for proposals within the Two Rivers Area. Information gathered from these processes will inform the OMP development. It should however be noted that the OMP proposal is independent of those applications and thus the upcoming statutory processes will be focussed on the merits of this specific area. Where is the Oude Molen Precinct? The Oude Molen Precinct (OMP) is located on the eastern bank of the Black River in Observatory within the City of Cape Town. It consists of a portion of Remainder Erf 26439, Observatory and is owned by the Western Cape Government. The site is zoned Utility (UT) and measures 14.62 ha in extent. What is the motivation for the redevelopment of the OMP? The proposal was initiated by the Western Cape Government to create a “People Focussed Vision” with the following objectives: -
Creating a safe, liveable neighbourhood; -
Promoting walkable mixed-use developments; -
Integrating inclusionary housing, -
Weaving public facilities and open spaces into the landscape; -
Providing equitable access to cultural heritage, productive landscapes and natural reserves; and -
Embracing the principles of sustainability into the design, construction Who is the professional team appointed to assist in developing this vision? A Technical/Design Team has been tasked with providing design and development indicators which encompass aspects related to town planning, engineering, environmental, heritage, transport, economic,
and landscape considerations. Stakeholder engagement will also be a foundational element contributing to the design of this proposal. Each member of the design team plays a different role, aligned with their expertise, some required by law and others required in terms of the needs of the project. The team members include: -
SVA International: Project Lead, Urban Design, Architecture and Green Building -
Nigel Burl and Associates: Town Planning -
GIBB: Civil Engineering and Transport Planning -
SRK: Geotechnical Engineering -
Chand Environmental Consultants: Environment and Stakeholder Engagement -
Bridget O’Donoghue: Heritage Practitioner -
Urban Econ: Urban Economist -
Land Surveyor: FJC Consulting -
Landscaping: Planning Partners Statutory processes and Interested and Affected Party (I&AP) engagement - how can I be involved? At this stage there are two confirmed primary statutory processes required to achieve land use and development rights for the proposal, namely the town planning process which would be managed by the town planners
and application made to the City of Cape Town, and as well as the Heritage process managed by the heritage practitioner and application made to Heritage Western Cape. The need for an environmental process whereby application for Environmental Authorisation would be made to the environmental authorities is yet to be determined once there are firmer ideas around the development proposal. A public participation process will be undertaken not only to support statutory requirements, but to create meaningful stakeholder engagement opportunities. As a key stakeholder, you will receive notifications from Chand Environmental Consultants when there are opportunities to engage with the professional team or review documentation. We look forward to engaging with you/ your organization in the near future. You may also see media releases and other information in the press regarding this project but note that these are unrelated to the statutory processes, which must be undertaken prior to any development on site. Who are the key I&APs and why are we making contact with you? A number of key I&APs have been identified at this initial phase of the project planning, and will be receiving this document. The purpose of this communication is to get in touch with key I&APs at the outset of the planning and design phase with a view to making you aware of the DPTW’s intentions, the motivating factors which have initiated this proposal, the upcoming regulatory processes, and introducing the professional team involved. You will be engaged in a more detailed manner once there is more information to share. Hence, this communication has the primary aim of being a simple introductory document. YOU are considered to be a key stakeholder for this project, along with those who value and make use of the OMP currently, have historical ties to the site, and those who may benefit from the development vision. You (or your organisation) are already on our database of Interested and Affected Parties (I&APS), hence receiving this notice. If you believe there are other parties who would benefit from having knowledge of this project, or who may wish to provide input into the stakeholder engagement process, please feel free to recommend them to us. You can do so, in writing or telephonically, to Chand Environmental Consultants: oudemolen@chand.co.za, Tel: (021) 762 3050, or Fax: 086 665 7430.
Envisioning the Future Development of Oude Molen Eco Village Abstract Oude Molen Eco Village is a community of approximately twenty residents and twenty micro-enterprises in Cape Town started by a group of social entrepreneurs to preserve the unique potential of the land. Oude Molen has created a proposal for future development that encourages social, communal, and sustainable growth. The goal of our project was to create a virtual three dimensional model that brings the Eco Village’s written vision to life in hopes to gain support from the Provincial Government and other stakeholders. Introduction Oude Molen Eco Village (OMEV) is a community located in Cape Town, South Africa that holds potential for a broad range of sustainable development opportunities including job creation, tourism development, environmental education, organic permaculture farming, hosting of cultural events, and renewable energy technology. Eco villages are communities that strive to reach these ideals by merging the principals of social, ecological, cultural, and economic sustainability. Oude Molen began as a vision by a social entrepreneur in 1997. Starting as an abandoned and vandalized mental institution, the area was transformed through the efforts of multiple entrepreneurs to a village hosting seventy-five micro-enterprises at its peak. The property was advanced through personal dedication; however, there has been difficulties obtaining a long-term lease for the property from the Provincial Government, and as a result investing in the property is risky for tenants. The Provincial Government is reportedly looking to use the area in Oude Molen to develop commercial building and low-cost housing establishments. Current residents of OMEV are also hoping to make developments to create employment and housing opportunities, while embodying eco-village principals. The Social Development Resource Centre (SDRC) is an organisation within Oude Molen trying to achieve this goal. They put together a planning document of their ideas and objectives for future developments in OMEV. This document addresses issues of housing, jobs, and open space, and will be presented to the Provincial Government as an alternative to their current plan. Oude Molen has the opportunity to lend itself as a self-sustaining, income generating, diverse cultural, and green public space, which could be used as a model for other communities. Final Results Executive Summary Video Presentation
Oude Molen Precinct (OMP) Dear Interested and Affected Party Please note that the Oude Molen Precinct (OMP) Project webpage will divert to a new page address from 1 November 2024. Due to the organisational changes which resulted in the split and creation of the two new Departments, viz.: Mobility and Infrastructure, there have been delays in the transmission of some aspects. This project webpage will transfer to the Department of Infrastructure project web page. All information and documentation will remain accessible. The Oude Molen Precinct (OMP) is located within the bigger Two Rivers Urban Park (TRUP) Area. The property is well connected via Alexandra Road to the N2 and M5 to the south, and via Berkley Road and the Black River Parkway to the N1 on the north. In addition, the Pinelands Station to the immediate east of the property ties this site directly into the metropolitan rail network. It is seen as strategic property addressing spatial transformation due to these characteristics: - proximity to the City and other economic opportunities,
- proximity and access to Pinelands rail station, and
- potential to be a key gateway for the TRUP broader area.
The property is located to the north of The Park and Park Lane office complexes the Vincent Pallotti hospital. It lies east of Alexandra Road and adjacent to the Pinelands railway station. The northern boundary is formed by Perseverance Road and Maitland Garden Village; and to the West of the site is a City of Cape Town property (remainder erf 26440) and the Black River. Conceptual vision and key drivers for redevelopment: The Western Cape Government (WCG) through its Department of Infrastructure (DOI) has appointed a multi-disciplinary team of Built Environment Professionals to conduct detailed specialist investigations and liaise with stakeholders and Interested and Affected Parties in the development of an inclusive vision for the redevelopment of this Precinct. The Precinct character currently has a rural feel which is largely due to the sparse building footprints. The property is currently zoned “Utility Zoning” (UT) in terms of the City of Cape Town Municipal Planning By-law 2015: Development Management Scheme, which will be changed through statutory applications as informed by the conceptual vision and key drivers for redevelopment planning which include a large scale, sustainable, residentially led mixed-use with cultural heritage features based on a live-work-play philosophy and transit-oriented development (“TOD”) principles and developed along eco-principles. The vision for development will embrace eco-principles and whilst respecting the environmental and heritage elements, and the role that this Precinct plays within the larger contextual area. Informed by preliminary engagement sessions in 2021 and with the inputs from the various groups the vision aspiration for the Department is as follows: “A safe, walkable and sustainable eco-neighborhood, with compact mixed-use developments, integrating education, affordable housing, public facilities and open spaces, while providing equitable access to cultural heritage and natural reserves.” Preliminary Public Participation Notifications and Information - 2021 Meet and Greet Flyer The “Meet and Greet” flyer was distributed to the key identified interested and affected parties (I&AP) on the preliminary database via e-mail, knock-and-drop and post (where applicable) for those on the database without an email address. The purpose of this flyer is to introduce the Project, conceptual redevelopment proposal, the project planning team and explain the upcoming statutory processes. We look forward to engaging with you in the future. View the flyer Pre-Planning Stage: Preliminary Stakeholder Engagements - 2021 Presentation shared at these sessions Records of Meetings Invitation to call for interested and affected parties to register - 2024 The Department of Infrastructure has published a Notice inviting all interested and affected parties to register or update their details on the existing database. This round of registration is necessitated by the time that has passed since the last engagements with the public. This database will be used to send project related updates, notifications of public meetings and notices of statutory applications when documents become available for public review and comment. You may send your name, email address, physical address, and the institution/organisation you represent to the email address OMP@westerncape.gov.za on or before 01 April 2024. Notices Brief Project and Progress update In May 2021 the Western Cape Government’s Department of Infrastructure (then Dept. of Transport and Public Works) convened various engagements with key interested and affected parties/groupings. The purpose of these sessions was to share information, a draft vision, objectives, and aspirations for this strategic land parcel; and to gather information and inputs from the public on their vision and aspirations and receive any comments to be considered when investigating and developing possible development proposals and related assessments. The notes of the discussions of the referenced sessions are available on the dedicated webpage as public record.
The recent Notice published in February 2024 inviting interested and affected parties to register and update their details on the project database was necessitated by the time that has passed since the last engagements with the public. The database will enable the Department and professional team to communicate the next steps for engagement opportunities and how to participate, at which time more project-related information will be shared, with notifications sent directly to the e-mail address in the database and published on the project webpage.
Professional team The professional service team is assisting the Department as it proceeds with the remaining enablement workstreams. Updates on the processes going forward will be released periodically to the project database of registered I&APs as well as on the webpage.
The Department and Professional Team are looking forward to future engagements with all stakeholders including the interested and affected parties on this Project.
The professional team:
Professional services on the Team: Service Provider: Lead / Urban and Town Planners Nigel Burls and Associates Architect / Urban Design SVA International Engineering GIBB Environmental Doug Jeffrey Environmental Consultants Heritage Cindy Postlethwayt Land Surveying FJC Consulting Landscape Architecture Planning Partners Financial Expertise PepperGreen Consulting Stakeholder Engagement Amanda Younge CC - Independent Social & Stakeholder Engagement Team Recently Asked Questions In response to the recent published Notice inviting interested and affected parties (I&AP) to register and update their details on the project database, the project e-mail address received various comments, concerns, and questions from I&APs as well as media questions including a Cape Talk Radio interview. The Department of
Infrastructure (DoI) has noted these and wishes to respond by providing clarity and context. How to participate The Department and professional team will release notifications to the email addresses registered on the project database to alert interested and affected parties of documents for public comment, the relevant statutory process and how to participate to have their say, and the webpage will be updated regularly. What happens next The Project has been ongoing and the inputs from these engagement sessions have been considered. The database will enable the Department and professional team to communicate the next steps for engagement opportunities and how to participate. More project-related information will be shared with registered Interested and Affected Parties through the e-mail address in the database and published on the project webpage. Statutory Application Processes Heritage Impact Assessment Members of the public and interested and affected parties are invited to comment on the draft Heritage Impact Assessment, including an Archaeological Impact Assessment, Social Impact Assessment, Built-environment Study, Cultural Landscape Study, and Visual Impact Assessment for the proposed plan for the Oude Molen Precinct. The 30-day commenting period will end on 10 October 2024. Any person wishing to object to or comment on the application on heritage grounds must submit such objection or comment in writing to Ms A Hayes at email omp@desertbloom.co.za on or before 10 October 2024. Important notice – extension of commenting period
Due to requests received at the open house event (18 September 2024), the commenting period for the draft Heritage Impact Assessment, including an Archaeological Impact Assessment, Social Impact Assessment, Built-environment Study, Cultural Landscape Study, and Visual Impact Assessment for the proposed plan for the Oude Molen Precinct is extended from 10 October 2024 to 31 October 2024.
Any person wishing to object to or comment on the application on heritage grounds must submit such objection or comment in writing to Ms A Hayes at email omp@desertbloom.co.za on or before 31 October 2024. Process summary/Next steps All contributions made on heritage grounds, both through email correspondence and via public engagement events such as the Open House event (18 September 2024 at the Oude Molen Hall, Alexandra Road), will be considered. Once all submissions have been reviewed, a final Heritage Impact Assessment report will be compiled, including responding to all comments received during this process, and submitted to Heritage Western Cape for consideration and decision. A notification will be published on the dedicated webpage and released via email to all interested and affected parties registered on the project database once the final Heritage Impact Assessment Report has been submitted to Heritage Western Cape, and again when the Final Comment has been issued. Development Management / Land Use Application Parallel to the draft Heritage Impact Assessment process, baseline investigations and assessments are currently being undertaken with regard to developing land use management proposals for the site, which will be informed by the Heritage Impact Assessment. The preferred development proposal will form the subject of an application for development rights to the City of Cape Town. A notification will be released via email to all interested and affected parties registered on the project database once the land use application has been advertised by the City of Cape Town for public review and comment. Additional correspondence Updates and notices regarding future public engagements will be published on the webpage and registered interested and affected parties will also be notified. For any enquiries we encourage the public to write to OMP@westerncape.gov.za
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