What does it mean to redesign a public space with a complicated history, and who gets to decide what story it tells?
Those questions formed part of discussions during the first design workshop for Harrington Square, held at the Desmond and Leah Tutu House on Saturday, May 9.
The session highlighted 10 key values participants believed the square should reflect: memory, history, safety, security, identity, belonging, access, inclusivity, adaptability, and resilience.
Residents, business owners, creatives, unhoused community members, and members of the public gathered to reflect on the future of the space and the narratives connected to it.
One participant described Harrington Square as “layered”, cautioning against dominant perspectives overshadowing the lived experiences and histories tied to the area.
Participants also stressed the importance of understanding the street beyond its visual identity, suggesting that people engage more directly with the area before decisions are made that could shape the precinct for decades.
“There is a history to the space, there are complex stories,” one participant said, adding that meaningful public participation requires recognising the many different ways people experience and move through Harrington Square daily.
The workshop forms part of broader efforts to reimagine Harrington Square through a more inclusive, community-led process.
Discussions also explored how the space can preserve its history and identity while remaining adaptable and relevant for future generations. Some participants highlighted the importance of creating a sense of belonging, not only for those connected to the area’s past, but also for the people who will shape and experience its future.
Speaking to CapeTowner, Joscelyn Beukes said the workshop was a valuable starting point, but stressed that meaningful public participation requires all relevant stakeholders to be included.
Ms Beukes questioned how the space had been rezoned over time, noting that people once lived in the area before it developed into a more commercial and urbanised precinct. She said discussions about the future of the square cannot ignore the lived histories and emotional connections many families still have to the space.
Descending from District Six, Ms Beukes said the discussion was deeply personal, explaining that generations of her family lived in the area before forced removals displaced communities.
She also questioned whether public participation processes are genuinely community-led or merely procedural exercises.
“We don’t need a tick-box exercise. We need this to be effective,” she said.
The City of Cape Town has stated that the renewal of Harrington Square and its surrounds is one of its key priorities, with plans to make the space multi-functional, more accessible, safer and more inviting to the public, while also optimising parking for customers visiting nearby businesses.
The draft concept design also includes proposals for traffic calming measures around the square to improve pedestrian safety.
According to the City, the project builds on the District Six public realm study completed in 2022, as well as the approved local spatial development frameworks for District Six and the Central Business District, approved in 2025, which guide long-term spatial planning.
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