Times have certainly changed. Worldwide, cities are opting for more sustainable transport options due to growing challenges on existing infrastructure, in particular options other than single occupancy vehicles (SOVs - in which each vehicle is only occupied by one person). Sustainable transport also looks towards non-motorised transport options and recognises the importance pedestrians play in making cities both sustainable and successful.
Andrew Fleming, senior researcher at the Central City Improvement District (CCID): "Making city streets more transport and pedestrian friendly pays off not just for the people using these ways to get around, but in the case of pedestrianisation, businesses along popular walking routes also benefit.
"Bigger cities such as New York faced huge opposition to making streets more pedestrian friendly by taking away driving lanes, as well as parking - the latter mainly from retailers, who feared the loss of business. The exact opposite ended up happening: businesses got more trade from the increase in pedestrian traffic past their shop fronts."
CCID COO Tasso Evangelinos agrees and adds: "The CCID's focus remains on creating and maintaining a safe and clean environment for all. The success of the Cape Town Central City is partly due to the City itself at a municipal level being committed to change in our transport systems. It will be a while before we see cars leave our streets entirely, but we are certainly moving in the right direction."
"To this end, the new edition of the CCID's Best of Cape Town Central City Guide once again contains a map indicating that the CBD is well-served with 36 parking garages. These facilities together with the MyCiTi bus routes - indicated on the map for the first time - mean that Capetonians and visitors can leave their cars in a single spot in the Central City and move around with ease."
In terms of its commitment to Non-Motorised Transport (NMT), the City's NMT Policy and Strategy document, which guides its current and future transport priorities, states that: "Cape Town will be a City where all people feel safe and secure to walk and cycle, NMT is part of the transport system, public space is shared between all users."
In order to achieve this, the City has focused its attention on developing clean and safe environments for pedestrians and cyclists alike, and to this end has created pedestrianised areas such as St George's Mall, sections of Waterkant and Shortmarket Streets, as well as pedestrian bridges over Buitengracht Street and a new pedestrian crossing linking the Foreshore area to the Waterfront. Over and above these initiatives, the City boasts audible countdown timers at traffic intersections to aid the visually impaired, lowering of kerbs to assist the disabled, elderly and those on bicycles. More bicycle racks around town are also being considered, with the most recent having been installed in Waterkant and Shortmarket Streets.
"Pedestrianisation can mean many things," says Fleming. "Some areas, like St George's Mall are almost exclusively used for people on foot only, with cars allowed at very restricted intervals. Other areas, like the Fanwalk, have a lane for cars, a lane for people and even a cycle lane. The design is critical though: these areas really show that cars are not the priority, people are. As soon as you start to prioritise people, even through raised zebra crossings and other interventions, it's an indication as to where a City's heart lies - with its people.
