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HIGH STREET HERMANUS:
THE CREATION OF A
RESIlIENT SHARED STREET
The transformation of n initiative of the Mission Network Key features of the project
of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
The project aimed to replace the failing
the Hermanus High Ain South Africa, the festival was conventional stormwater system with a
Street from a car-centric, organised in collaboration with the Craft hybrid stormwater/SUDS solution that
and Design Institute (CDI). It was curated
solved the immediate flooding issue and
often flooded street in partnership with the University of Cape created a much more attractive street for
Town’s Future Water Institute, the City of
residents, visitors and passers-by. This also
to a vibrant, resilient Cape Town and the Institute for landscape met an Overstrand Municipality directive
Architecture in South Africa (IlASA).
environment has been to make the CBD more pedestrian-friendly.
recognised in the The opportunity to create a pedestrian- An important objective was introducing
friendly High Street was taken up by the
green space and street trees that line
#cocreate Blue-Green Overstrand Municipality when appointing the pedestrian edges and support the
Element Consulting Engineers to carry out
sustainable urban drainage system. The
Cities Design Awards. This urgent storm water upgrades to address Hermanus CBD has only a few street trees
project was the runner- regular seasonal flooding in High and Main and the High Street offered an opportunity
Streets.
to introduce 32 mature syzygium guineense
up in the category: Best The conventional stormwater systems in specimens that help to improve pedestrian
quality while maintaining the local
use of Water as a Design the streets were no longer sufficient due to Hermanus character.
expansive urbanisation of the area. This led
Informant. to severe flooding, which regularly damaged Besides adding indigenous vegetation
public roadways and private property. through street trees and indigenous
8 Landscape SA • Issue 122 2023
