Bree Street’s car-free Sundays aim to transform urban experience. Image: The Progress Playbook
(The Post News)- Bree Street Experiments, a brand-new weekly project that makes Bree Street and Shortmarket Street car-free, was introduced in Cape Town on Sunday, October 27. This initiative entails streets closing to traffic every Sunday, which creates a pedestrian-friendly area where residents can gather, explore, and interact with the city.
The project being led by Young Urbanists NPC and backed by the City of Cape Town aims to reclaim urban spaces for people and uphold community engagement. Geordin Hill-Lewis, Cape Town’s mayor, claims to have been wanting to try regular pedestrianization for some time now.
Young Urbanist spokesperson, Roland Postma replied, stating that they are closing Bree St. to vehicles every Sunday afternoon for the summer, making it a safe space and welcoming families to enjoy the city on foot. Additionally, Postma noted that car-free urban areas enhance air quality and lower noise levels, making the surroundings healthier and more tranquil for locals.
Not only will this project be environmentally friendly, but it will also support local businesses through increased foot traffic and contribute to Cape Town’s climate goals by lowering emissions. Postma says that by integrating more green areas, it boosts urban biodiversity and resilience, helping Cape Town work toward a more sustainable, community-centered future.Councillor Roberto Quintas, a member of the Mayoral Committee for Urban Mobility, stated in a press release that the activations are exciting because they provide an alternative use of road networks as a ‘cardiovascular system’ for the system, bringing people together in a lively, health-conscious setting.
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The Cape Tow Central City Improvement District and delivery company Green Riders will assist in managing logistics and ensuring safety during the weekly street closures. Having the backing of local business leaders like Tasso Evangelinos, CEO of CCID, who recognized the project’s potential to promote a lively atmosphere, encouraging inhabitants to reconnect with the city’s iconic urban setting.
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