|
Group Project
Port Elizabeth city center and harbour revitalization
This project was undertaken at the beginning of my final year et varsity - 2000. It was an urban design excercise, with the students working in groups of 2-4. It was for an international competition hosted by Otis and the theme was revitalization of a decaying urban area through housing and commerce. Our entry was not entered, much to our dissappointment, because we were quite confident that we had a fresh idea with lots of potential.
The group consisted of: Philip Dalgleish, Andrew Finlayson and Fred Herbst.
Our concept was to use 3 old passenger liners (+30years old), to dry-dock them in the harbour and link them with each other and the city by a series of walkways. A "Freedom" monument would form the centre of our design, with walkways connecting it directly to the ships and city. Travelators would be used extensively on all walkways.
The mechanical works would be removed from the insides of the ships to create large atrium spaces which would then be lined with trees and lifts. Certain levels on the ship would then form housing blocks, with others being used as recreation and shopping. These public levels would be the ones linked from ship to ship, allowing secure habitation units on the others.
The lower levels (now underground) would form parking space, also linked from ship to ship. The ships are placed so that landscaped recreational public spaces are formed between them.
With most of the operational harbour facilities moving to the new deepwater port at Coega, it was hoped that this project could be a catalyst for further development of the PE harbour. Also, by bridging the freeways with walkways we effectively re-connect the city center to the waterfront. Obsolete harbour cranes would be used to support walkways and thus strengthen the maritime character of the development.
|
|
For photo of model see Artwork
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
.
|
|
|
|
|
|
