V&A Waterfront welcomes Parklet urban intervention

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29-05-2018
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Fin24
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Cape Town - Blok in partnership with Future Cape Town, GAPP Architects and Cameron Barnes Furniture officially relaunched their Parklet public intervention at the V&A Waterfront recently. A parklet is defined as a public space intervention that converts underutilised urban spaces such as unused parking bays and alleyways into areas for public use and services such as seating, shade and even internet access. GAPP Architects’ competition-winning Parklet design, encourages varied configurations which create spaces that are easily adapted to varied situations. The Parklet was originally piloted on Sea Point’s Regent Road in 2016. An average of 50 people a day used the Parklet as a safe, comfortable and productive space. From nannies with prams to students and people who work in the area, the Parklet catered to a wide array of user groups. Now situated across the V&A Waterfront’s Food Market, the Parklet will provide shoppers, tourists and Waterfront staff ample seating, shade and Instagram-ready views of the Alfred Basin.

“We’re excited to have the Parklet at the Waterfront and plan to place it in a few locations during its stay. This will ensure that as many people as possible interact with it, and we hope will provide us more insight into our visitors’ behaviour and needs,” said V&A Waterfront social inclusion and placemaking programme manager Henry Mathys. Blok sponsored various elements of the project including the build, but the structure belongs to the public.

“The concept behind the project is to create an adaptable, engaging space for communities to enjoy and change the way we think about public spaces. We also hope it will continue to provoke conversation around public space, particularly who can manage and participate in co-creating it,” added Blok MD Jacques van Embden. “Future Cape Town is proud to see the parklet move from the vibrant Regent Road to the V&A Waterfront which welcomes over 24 million visitors a year. This intervention continues to encourage both public and private sector, as well as communities and residents to rethink how our urban spaces can become more welcoming for all people,” concluded Future Cape Town MD Rashiq Fataar.