The heart of Cape Town’s CBD is set for a significant change as the Young Urbanists (YU) are launching a six-month "experiment" to narrow a section of Bree Street, transforming the area into a more people-centred space.
Starting with construction on Monday, March 23, the initiative will reserve one lane in each direction between Wale and Shortmarket streets for other uses, aiming to improve pedestrian safety, calm traffic, and boost local businesses.
YU managing director Roland Postma said the project will temporarily reallocate road space to create a single mixed traffic lane in each direction.
"Temporary delineator kerbs, bollards, removable seating, landscaping elements, and defined loading bays will be installed to improve pedestrian safety, calm traffic, and support local economic activity," he said.
Mr Postma said that this pilot tests how reallocating space can improve safety, accessibility, and economic vibrancy while maintaining through traffic access.
"The intervention is reversible and designed to generate real-world data before any long term infrastructure investment is considered," he said.
While not officially a 'pilot project' by the City of Cape Town, the initiative has received the necessary permit and advisory support from the urban mobility directorate, which sees it as an opportunity to inform future work guided by its CBD Mobility and Access Plan.
Mayoral committee member for urban mobility, Rob Quintas, said this plan identifies Bree Street as a "special activity street" where design should prioritise people over vehicles.
The plan for the CBD proposes a network of roads that are prioritised for purpose - these are primary mobility routes, transit streets, shared streets, primary activity streets, walking and cycling streets, slow zone areas, and so forth.
"These routes will accommodate different users, be it for private vehicles, public transport services, pedestrians, and cyclists," he said.
The project is fully funded by YU, a non-profit community for students and early-career professionals focused on creating liveable, sustainable, and inclusive urban environments, and their partners.
The City has contributed advice and trees from its nursery.
Mr Quintas commended the initiative, stating it will assist in determining how to implement changes proposed in the Mobility and Access Plan, moving towards a vision of a safe, walkable, and pleasant CBD.
He said that the public was encouraged to learn more and share their views.
The YU team will host an open session near Rosetta Coffee, in Bree Street on Sunday, March 29 at 11am.
For more information contact the YU via email breestexperiment@youngurbanists.co.za.
The implementation is expected to take ten days before the lane narrowing is fully effective and begins its six-month observation period.
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