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PROJECT

The restored park

Stone Town’s eclectic architecture is a fusion
of Swahili, Arab, Persian, Indian and European
influences from the 18th to the early 20th century

Since the 1930s, Forodhani Park was a simple,
shady area with spreading trees and broad green
lawns. It served as a thoroughfare to the port and
ferry terminals.

barbeque food vendors, considered by
many to be an integral part of the seafront
dynamic, economy and character. Proactive
training, given in Kiswahili, was well
received by the vendors.
The approach was both commercial
and strategic. Firstly, identify their appeal
– their market is tropical, colourful and
romantic. Secondly, identify the causes
of decay which wore out the soft parts of
the park, and the failing seawall that led
to the collapse of the hard. Thirdly, change
patterns – hygiene was poor, litter was
horrible and the shared commercial asset
was unstable due disintegration and a lack
of management.
The restored axis
Tree level and sea level sustainability of the sea wall and park was many necessary skills, long redundant.
Conservation of the remaining the apparently rising sea levels, a wake-up New training and supervisory expertise
conservation-worthy trees was taken very call to the effects of global warming. Spring were necessary to empower locals and
seriously, and tree root systems were given tides regularly overtopped the historic deliver the project timeously and credibly.
aeration, anti-compaction drains, new wall, flooding a significant part of the park. So the sea wall, park and even the evening
topsoil, grass cover and irrigation. Some 30 percent of the landscaped park barbeque were restored, and perhaps too
The seawall was restored in recycled area had to be lifted by 750mm to protect the self-respect of Stone Town, its residents
stone to historical specifications or it from regular inundation for the next 25 and tourists, and their expectations of a
reconstructed in artificial coral stone to years. A clear step was detailed in the new tropical paradise.
match the original quantities, as new stone wall to distinguish the historical from the
quarries were not permitted. necessary new one. Text and photos supplied by Planning Partners,
An interesting issue regarding the The restoration required and revived Cape Town n

6 Landscape SA • Issue 132 2023 Check us out www.salandscape.co.za