This investigation was done on own initiative. The concept is pushing feelers out towards the city via the Black River. The Athlone Power Station project forms a logical focal point at the end of the usable water way. The Black River is the best example of good potential for a South African city to produce a natural waterfront like numerous cities all over the world.
I envisage the Cooling Tower site to be a place where people can live, learn, work, shop, practice sport and entertainment and not be forced to leave the environment every day. It is possible to apply all the green principles and add green produce production to the list. If we combine it with the potential of a Black River Waterfront, it can add to our extremely successful V&A Waterfront and alleviate city expansion challenges and traffic problems as a bonus. It has great potential to be the only city in South Africa where water taxis can transfer tourists and city dwellers between their workplace and home.
The regeneration of this area up to first world standards has a logic behind it and can easily be motivated.
- The Black River can be a water way link between the city and the Cooling Towers site. The Black River is presently in a terrible state of contamination and pollution. It will force us to address this contentious issue.
- Transport: There is already a railroad line next to the site. Commuting between the site and the Town Centre will be a logical part of the development without having to create a railroad corridor. The N2 is on the western boundary of the site and runs for a third of the Black River length next to the river.
- The old Power Station building is structurally in a good condition and can be recycled to accommodate a wide variety of facilities. The brickwork detailing in the old face brick building is beautiful and well preserved. There is no limitation to the refurbishment potential.
- The nearby Cape Town Fresh Produce Market can link up cost effectively with the green produce concept.
- The International Cape Town Airport is just around the corner via the N2.
- The feelers of this project cannot only stretch to the V&A Waterfront, but also into the adjacent Langa. It could become a place where our cultures could meet, learn from each other, and live out our Rainbow Nations potential.
