- OPEN STREETS -
MITCHELL'S PLAIN
ALIVE WITH POSIBILITIES
A citizen-driven initiative working to change how we use, perceive and experience streets
Mitchell's Plain Open Streets program transformed streets into public space open to all. These transformations allowed for a range of activities that promote economic development, support schools, and provide new ways for Mitchell’s Plain residents to enjoy cultural programming and build community. In truth, Mitchell's Plain has a reputation for crime and gangsterism, but in truth is a bustling community filled with talent, entrepreneurship and ambition.
From its initial start in 2014, Mitchell’s Plain Alive has spearheaded the Mitchell's Plain leg of the series, being the media liaison and go-between with local stakeholders.
Open Streets History
A group of volunteers founded Open Streets Cape Town (OSCT) in 2012 and registered as a non-profit organisation in 2013. We enjoy the full support of the City of Cape Town and civil society organisations and many individual volunteers from across the city. OSCT has its roots in street action, as well as research, and has grown as a dynamic and organic movement of street-minded citizens.
The flagship programme, which launched the organisation, is a series of Open Streets Days spreading across Cape Town. These take inspiration from Bogotá’s Ciclovía, a recreational programme that creates 120km of car-free streets in the Colombian capital every Sunday and public holiday. More than 400 cities worldwide have followed suit with their own versions of streets that provide space for recreation and social interaction.
This Cape Town initiative is the first formal Open Streets programme in Africa and offers a practical way to help bridge the city’s social and spatial divides.
Diana Sanchez-Betancourt, co-founder of Open Streets Cape Town said the intended plan is to integrate different areas with future Open Streets days. “But this depends to a large extent on political will, availability of resources and community willingness,” she said.
“I think Open Streets is an invitation for communities to take that agency,” said Sanchez-Betancourt. “The structures are there. There’s sub-councils and ward committees … and then you have NGOs like Open Streets helping a little bit. Then the network can be connected.”
Raising awareness of the public transport challenge
Part of the Open Streets concept is to encourage people to use more public transport, but De Lille said the dysfunctional Metrorail has “got a major impact on the traffic congestion in our city”.
Speaking about the state of Metrorail in Cape Town, Casas said: “We’d like to think that we can raise awareness about the critical state of public transport in Cape Town. We don’t see our role in putting direct pressure on government but rather in enabling people to come together and raise their voices as active citizens.”
Locals and visitors come together
Mitchells Plain resident Ricky Mabee, 39, said: “It gives us as a community the chance to, just for one day, put aside our difference and enjoy our diversity.”
“It means a lot because we can interact with people we don’t know,” said Randall Goeds, another Mitchells Plain resident. “It’s also nice to see the community stand together as well.”
“This is my first time in Mitchells Plain,” said Brandon van Eeden, 45, from Newlands. “I cycled here with about 50 people as part of the Bike Bus. So 22 kilometres from Newlands, through Philippi and then here. It was awesome, a really, really nice ride. I would recommend it to anyone.”
Open Streets Mitchell's Plain
In 2019, the event returned to Mitchell's Plain for the fourth time and again set record numbers in attendees, making it the largest the city has seen...
Eisleben Road went car-free for people to walk, cycle, skate, play, dance, explore, showcase and connect with neighbours, friends and family. #StreetsForPeople #OpenStreets #CarFree
ROUTE:
Eisleben Road (between Morgenster & Montagu)