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Over the past decade or so, the Muizenberg beachfront area has undergone a massive revamp.

The next step in that process, at least if the City of Cape Town gets its way, will see the parking area given a huge revamp. There will also be repairs and upgrades.

This past weekend, the City of Cape Town shared its plans to carry out the upgrades on the public infrastructure. It’s the parking lot proposal that has attracted the most attention, with pushback coming from many angles.

In its announcement, the City stated that the upgrade “aims to replace and improve the coastal protection infrastructure; improve pedestrian and universal access to the beach; and upgrade the recreational spaces along this portion of the coastline.”

IOL below:

Among the proposed upgrades and repairs is a stepped revetment coastal protection structure, refurbishment of hard and soft landscaping and amenities along the beachfront, a 3m-wide promenade, demolition of the existing ablution facility and construction of a new one.

However, Parkscape chairperson Nicky Schmidt said it was hideous and bereft of soul and character and destroyed Muizenberg’s unique sense of place. Schmidt said the roads intended to service this “vast chunk of environmentally unfriendly hard landscape” did not have the carrying capacity.

Schmidt, who added that the design came with “zero consideration for the unique ‘Capeness’ of Cape Town”, was far from the only critic.

Financial journalist and columnist Nick Hedley didn’t mince his words:

Please no! Why a bloody parking lot on the beachfront??? There are so many better things you could put there. A park, a small concert venue/theatre, a beach bar, a Ferris wheel. Anything but a fokken parking lot

— Nick Hedley (@nickhedley) September 3, 2022

Craig Wilson of Surfers Corner said the proposal could alter the area’s sandbanks, which could then impact the area’s surf:

“Why not explore making the beachfront more bicycle-friendly by installing secure bike racks for public use, instead of encouraging more people to drive to the beach?

“Promoting the use of bicycles would also help towards the city’s ambitious green goals.”

That’s a pretty good point.

Then again, the battle for parking space at present is brutal.

Muizenberg community activist Kevin Rack came out in support of the proposal, saying the upgrades were long overdue.

If you are in the area and have strong opinions, the City is hosting an open day today (Wednesday) at the Muizenberg Civic Centre between 3PM and 7PM.

The public participation process is also underway. Residents have until Monday, September 26 to submit their comments – you’ll find details on how to do so here.

Eddie Andrews, Deputy Mayor and Mayco Member for Spatial Planning and Environment for the City of Cape Town, stressed that these comments would be taken into consideration:

“Although we are in the initial phase of the project it is important that we get the input from the community now, while we are still finalising the concept design.”

He also spoke with CapeTalk earlier in the week:

[sources:iol&capetalk]