Highrise Buildings

There is a place for all structures in our cityscapes. I am a big supporter of protection of historical architecture and environments. To enforce two to three storey buildings to complement historical low-rise areas and to keep with the existing proportions, is according to my opinion totally wrong. Read my report on the Strand Central Area Conservation Zone. Let me explain by an example of Somerset West:

We have a Town Centre where the historical character has been totally obliterated. The few historical gems are few and far apart. The Main Street has been filled with non-architectural designed buildings on sensitive focal points. However, the Authorities and public support are reasoning that low buildings must be retained to be in line with the historical character. Somerset West with its almost unsurpassable views on the Helderberg Mountain Range and False Bay, can afford high buildings in the Town Centre. We do not have to intensify the population density. The following will be the result:

a) More people will visually enjoy the pristine environment from apartments and offices.

b) The Town Centre will provide more space for landscaping and city squares on focal points. We grow vertically instead of horizontally. This old lesson, which Napoleon took from the Romans and applied it far back in the mid 1800’s in Paris, we have not discovered yet. The whole world can still enjoy the fruits of his wisdom today. City squares, parks with lovely gardens and informal recreational areas are in abundance.