Cape Town’s Pedestrianisation Vision: A Closer Look at the City's Streets

(This article is part of a deep-dive series into the City of Cape Town’s proposed Local Spatial Development Framework (LSDF) for the Cape Town inner city, currently out for public comment until 31 October 2024. Submit your comments here .)

Cape Town's CBD is on the brink of a significant transformation, as the City’s proposed Local Spatial Development Framework (LSDF) outlines detailed plans for pedestrianising key streets. These changes aren’t just about restricting vehicle access; they represent a vision for creating more liveable, inclusive, and sustainable urban spaces. But as with any ambitious plan, there are important questions about execution, intent, and the potential impact on the people who live, work, and move through these areas every day.

Pedestrianisation as a concept is often romanticised, associated with lively street cafes, vibrant public squares, and the throngs of people leisurely strolling around. But as we delve into the City’s proposals, it becomes clear that pedestrianisation in Cape Town isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. Rather, the plans in the LSDF are highly tailored, street by street, with a nuanced understanding of each space’s existing character and function.

The City’s plans are commendable, but the key to success lies in the fine details—especially how these streets will cater to the different needs of residents, visitors, businesses, and the informal sector.

Long Street: A New Approach to Cape Town's Social Heart

Long Street is arguably Cape Town’s most iconic thoroughfare, famous for its mix of vibrant nightlife, historic buildings, and rich cultural fabric. It’s a street that already attracts significant foot traffic, making it the ideal candidate for the City’s pedestrianisation plan. In fact, it’s Long Street's existing brand value, along with its small, walkable blocks and fine-grained urban design, that offers a perfect foundation for success.

The street’s dominant use by restaurants and bars, particularly in the evenings, as well as its extremely narrow existing pavement space, lends itself naturally to a pedestrian-friendly environment at night. Many of these establishments already spill out onto the pavement without much space to do so, which deters pedestrians due to the feeling of overcrowding. Pedestrianisation would therefore enhance the experience of this street by creating more space for pedestrians in a safer, car-free zone where patrons can stroll, sit, and gather without the noise or danger of passing vehicles.

Since the onset of COVID-19, Long Street has faced challenges—declining rental rates, more vacancies, and anecdotal evidence of increased crime. The street, once teeming with energy day and night, has needed intervention to revitalise its appeal. By transforming it into a pedestrian-friendly zone during its busiest times for pedestrians (outside of business hours), we could see a significant improvement in the overall experience, safety, and vibrancy of the street, bringing life back to this cultural hotspot.

One key aspect of the plan is the proposal to divert traffic onto Keerom Street, which could provide a double benefit. Not only would Long Street become fully pedestrianised at night, but Keerom itself—a street that feels particularly deserted and unsafe after dark—could gain more life through additional foot and vehicle traffic, enhancing safety in the area.

Beyond the practical traffic changes, what makes Long Street such a promising candidate for pedestrianisation is its combination of historic charm and human-scale urban design. The street’s short, small blocks make it inherently interesting to walk, and the rich mix of shops, restaurants, and nightlife spots ensures it remains a magnet for both locals and tourists. The woonerf concept could work exceptionally well here, reducing the difference between the curb and street level to create a seamless space where pedestrians, bicycles, and even e-scooters can move effortlessly, adding to the street's vitality both during the day and into the evening.

This proposal isn’t just about closing Long Street to traffic at night—it’s about tapping into the existing strengths of one of Cape Town’s most famous streets and making it safer, more enjoyable, and ultimately more successful. By leveraging its historic buildings, well-established brand, and pedestrian-friendly urban design, Long Street could become a showcase for how thoughtful intervention can breathe new life into a much-loved part of the city.

A "Woonerf" Concept for Cape Town's Streets

One of the most exciting elements of the City’s pedestrianisation plan is the introduction of the "woonerf" concept in some of these spaces. Originally a Dutch idea, a woonerf is a shared space where pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles coexist. What sets it apart from traditional streets is the drastic reduction in the difference between the curb height and the street level, creating a seamless flow between the sidewalk and the road. This allows everything on wheels—bicycles, scooters, prams—to effortlessly move between what was once the "pavement" and the "road."

The beauty of the woonerf lies in its flexibility. By eliminating the traditional segregation of sidewalks, bike lanes, and roads, these spaces can become more dynamic and interactive, encouraging a sense of shared ownership of the street. Cars are no longer the dominant force—they move at a snail’s pace, if they’re present at all—and the street becomes a place for people, not just a thoroughfare for vehicles.

This approach would work particularly well on streets like Long Street, where a gradual shift from vehicle-dominated to fully pedestrian after dark could transform the experience. Imagine a street where during the day, pedestrians casually stroll along, cyclists zoom past, and cars inch along, while at night, it evolves into a vibrant social space, entirely free of cars but with the infrastructure already in place to support a car-free environment.?

The Infrastructure Question: Beyond Just Car-Free Streets

While pedestrianisation sounds great on paper, the devil is in the details. One of the key questions is: What kind of infrastructure will the City provide to support the new way people will move and interact in these spaces? It’s not enough to simply remove cars from the streets. The City will need to actively create spaces that encourage people to linger, gather, and engage with their environment.

Bicycle infrastructure is a prime example. Will the City provide ample bike racks and places for people to safely lock up their bicycles? This is crucial, especially if the goal is to encourage cycling as an alternative to cars. In the same vein, e-scooters—a growing trend in urban mobility—must be considered. Could designated scooter waiting zones be introduced, where scooters are conveniently stationed for people to use, rather than cluttering up the sidewalks? These small but impactful elements could significantly enhance the user experience.

Water Collection Points, Seating, and Informal Trade

Making these pedestrian streets truly come alive will require more than just smooth pavements. The City must actively think about how to encourage people to linger in these spaces. One idea is to introduce water collection points—perhaps innovative fountains or taps where people can refill water bottles or simply gather and cool off. This not only makes the street more user-friendly but also ties into Cape Town’s broader focus on sustainability and water-conscious design.

And what about places to sit? Simple yet well-designed seating as well as raised surfaces for laptops, to use for impromptu meetings as an out-of-office break, is often overlooked in public spaces. Without enough places for people to rest, meet, or people-watch, even the most beautiful pedestrian street can feel uninviting. The City should consider creating more areas for seating—perhaps shaded by trees or public art installations—that invite people to spend time in these newly pedestrianised areas.

Informal traders are another crucial part of the city's street life. Will these streets have provisions for traders to store their goods—be it seating, merchandise, or cooking equipment? Creating designated spaces for informal trade will not only make these streets more vibrant but also ensure that traders, many of whom form the backbone of the local economy, are included in the city’s vision for the future.

The Bigger Picture: Connecting the Dots in the City

What ties all these proposals together is a broader question: How do these streets fit into a bigger urban vision for Cape Town? Pedestrianisation works best when it’s part of a connected network of streets, parks, and public spaces (which is exactly what the City is proposing in terms of its connected pedestrian corridors). Will these new pedestrian zones link seamlessly with public transport? Can people move from one area to another with ease, or will they find themselves navigating fragmented streetscapes?

These are crucial considerations. Cape Town's new streets could become a model for urban transformation in South Africa—welcoming, accessible, and buzzing with activity. But without the right infrastructure in place, they run the risk of becoming isolated pockets of pedestrian activity, surrounded by car-dominated areas that undermine their potential.

In the end, the success of the City’s pedestrianisation plans will rest on how well it can blend visionary ideas with practical solutions. By focusing on the details—whether it’s bike racks, e-scooter zones, water collection points, or places for informal traders—the City can ensure these streets serve not just as traffic-free zones but as the beating heart of a more connected, inclusive, and vibrant Cape Town.