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PROJECT

High Street pergola (Photo: Beka Schreder)

The shared environment of High Street

Project Team
Client: Overstrand Municipality
Architects: gaPP architects and
urban designers
Landscape Architects: Yes & Studio
Lead Consultant and Engineering:
Element Consulting Engineers

planting, the kerbside Sustainable Urban maximising space for sustainable systems construction on business.
Drainage Systems (SUDS) support the and people.
primary stormwater upgrades of the Major benefits of the project
street by absorbing the first portion of Challenges The upgrade of the High Street has created
stormwater from the paved channel. They The following challenges were encountered a streetscape with a single paved surface
also create opportunities for increased whilst implementing the changes: that connects building edge to building
biodiversity and shaded spaces to sit and • underground infrastructure was not edge and improved public realm, with
relax. sufficiently mapped, presenting a new street lighting, seating, signage and
challenge to planting street trees. tree planting. The entire street has become
Key features of the programme include: This was resolved in the design and a pedestrian domain, with the area
• overland catchment of stormwater in a placement. A few trees had to be omitted, earmarked for vehicles defined by a subtle
paved dish on both sides of the roadway; but it was still possible to create an change in paving textures and patterns,
• deposit of the stormwater from the paved environment that feels tree- lined; and through the use of SUDS planters
dish into soft-scaped areas as kerbside • the Hermanus CBD has few street trees and bollards. This creates a “shared street”
SUDS, allowing for infiltration; due to a number of reasons, including the environment that allows self-regulation
• planting the soft-scaped areas with coastal, windy and rocky environment. of traffic, where vehicles do not dominate,
indigenous vegetation; The final choice of syzygium guineense and people, cyclists and natural systems
• planting mature street trees; followed a lengthy process in which a take preference.
• creation of seating areas integrated with variety of other indigenous trees were
the soft-scaped areas; considered but rejected; For pedestrians there is a real sense
• fewer cars, more people; and • finally, construction started during the of comfort. This has been achieved by
• improved walkability and shared activity Covid-19 pandemic, when businesses minimising the width of the roadway
through minimising space for cars and were less concerned about the effect of and removing most on-street parking to

Landscape SA • Issue 122 2023 9