A Les Ateliers Flash international professional urban planning co-design workshop was hosted last month to generate innovative ideas that can assist the City with the implementation of the Philippi Opportunity Area catalytic precinct.

The co-design workshop was hosted from 5 November to 9 November 2022, and was attended by a selection of local and international experts from Les Ateliers, the French Development Agency (AFD), the University of Cape Town, Development Action Group, Isandla Institute, Ezemvelo/Agriwise, the Philippi Arts Centre, Philippi Village, the Philippi Economic Development Initiative (Pedi), Beautiful Gate, Design Space Africa, GAPP Architects and Urban Designers, and NM & Associates.

The City of Cape Town, with the support of the AFD, invited Les Ateliers to organise an international urban planning co-design workshop in Cape Town to assist with developing innovative solutions that can realise Philippi as an emerging metropolitan node. The Flash workshop methodology enables participants to develop innovative and creative proposals in a collaborative working platform with a range of professionals.

During the five day Flash international co-design workshop, 18 international and local participants inclusive of urban planners, architects, geographers, landscape designers, environmentalists, sociologists, and economists, came together in intense collective and strategic work sessions.

First off, the group visited the Philippi Opportunity Area where after participants developed ideas. On the final day of the workshop they presented their proposals to an exchange forum panel consisting of local community stakeholders, City officials, local interest groups, national and international experts and the City's Deputy Mayor and Mayoral Committee Member for Spatial Planning and Environment, Alderman Eddie Andrews.

The workshop produced spatial planning and urban design proposals while referencing international best practice and case studies. Some of the proposals included the organisational restructuring to support the implementation of the POA project, and the identification of key stakeholders and funding sources with a strong focus on addressing socio-economic challenges.

'I was impressed by the ideas that came out of this dynamic process. The City is committed to spatial justice and equality, and for this to become a reality we are focusing on the development of former disadvantaged areas and neighbourhoods where public funding and investment can generate new vibrant communities and nodes, coupled with job creation and economic opportunities,' said Alderman Andrews.

The Flash co-design workshop provided an opportunity for the City to explore ways to incrementally deliver the Philippi Opportunity Area metropolitan node. The Urban Regeneration Department and partnerships with local organisations are key to realising this.

In May this year, the City published the proposed local spatial development framework for the POA for public comment. The LSDF proposed detailed local planning and public infrastructure investment to unlock development opportunities in the POA which is located in the metro-southeast in close proximity to the Philippi Horticultural Area and the Cape Town International Airport.

The Flash workshop followed on from this process.

Source: City Of Cape Town