TTPod 3.7: "Show and Tell Part 1" - Overview of the City of Cape Town's Urban Planning and Design Expo '23

Talking Transformation

This Talking Transformation Podcast mini-series differs slightly from our usual approach. The episodes that follow canvass the thoughts and perspectives of participants in the City of Cape Town’s Spatial Planning and Urban Design exhibition that has been taking place between July 27th and August the 2nd.

On August the 1st I spoke with many of the participants on a day that focused on inputs from tertiary institutions in the planning and urban design disciplines.

What was particularly encouraging was the use and transformation of the public space within the Civic Centre from an echoey and soulless corridor to a vibrant and engaging place of engagement. This is where the public and officials have engaged and exchanged thoughts about transforming rebuilding and enhancing Cape Town.

In this first episode we hear from the management and organising team. What is it they were wanting to achieve and how they went about establishing the four-day programme.

You’ll hear from those responsible for compiling and implementing the spatial plans of Cape Town and how they are thinking about engagement with the public and how to expand the reach and scope of engagement and analysis tools.

In this first introductory episode, we hear from Rob McGaffin Executive Director for the Spatial Planning and Environment Directorate, Erika Naude, Director of the Urban Planning and Design Department, Annelise de Bruin, Manager Metropolitan Spatial Planning and organisers Thandeka Kabeni and Ashely Hemraj from the Urban Planning and Design Department.

In future episodes we’ll hear not only from the other units presenting at the expo but also the students and lecturers who provided the basis of day three’s engagement.

Recorded: 1st August 2023