Building on a dream

The Princess Vlei Forum took one step closer to achieving the People's Vision for Princess Vlei at the Co-design Workshop on 21 October.
   The workshop was a follow-on from the workshop held in October last year, when people came together to build on previous work and create an overall vision for Princess Vlei. Read more about the 2016 workshophere.
   After the 2016 workshop, the Princess Vlei Forum Technical and Planning Committee worked with the City Park's planning department, as well as with a team of professional designers, architects and landscape designers to give more substance to the ideas raised at the workshop. This group worked paid several site visits, and produced preliminary sketches and ideas to put forward at the workshop.
    We also asked the third year CPUT architectural students to put forward some ideas for the Interpretation Center.
     The group met at Princess Vlei, and, after a short introduction, were asked to close their eyes and imagine a transformed Princess Vlei. The groups were then invited to join one of the following interest groups:

1. The walkway and the possibility of a bridge across the canal
2. The braai areas
3. The interpretation centre
4. Space for KhoiSan rituals (note: this group did not materialise as all the participants present chose to be part of the other groups)

 The group explored the site to discuss possible locations for these features, then returned to LOFOB to develop ideas. A detailed description of the various discussions may be downloaded below:
     The ideas developed at the workshop have since been presented to members of the City management and planning team, with a focus on the walk way and braai designs, as it is hoped that funds will be found for these in the short term.  Feedback from the workshop was given on the City's proposed braai designs - these have now been commissioned, and will be built in the coming months. 
    The team also met to consolidate the plan for the walkway, and to create a masterplan for the site to integrate the various improvements as funds are found. This will be presented to a broader reference group from the City in January, and a plan made for when the various improvements may be rolled out.
     Thanks to our fabulous design team for all the hard work in developing these ideas: Malcolm Campbell, Terrence Smith, Stanton Brown, Bharat Bhikha, John Prince, Andrea Couvert;  to Caron Von Zeil, Lloyd and Mizat for organising the CPUT project, and to all the CPUT students for their wonderful ideas. These will be made available shortly. Thanks to Andrea Couvert for creating the wonderful video of the day.

Download Detailed Workshop Report

Below: proposed walkway for Princess Vlei