Bo-Kaap nears heritage status
HISTORIC: Residents have been fighting to keep their homes and to stop development in their area HISTORIC: Residents have been fighting to keep their homes and to stop development in their area
Bo-Kaap is one step closer to achieving heritage status.
The City on Thursday approved the inclusion of the Bo-Kaap area in a heritage protection overlay zone (HPOZ).
The HPOZ will become effective once published in the Provincial Gazette.
The Bo-Kaap, overlooking the old Table Bay Harbour, is nearly three centuries old and the earliest established Muslim community in South Africa.
Residents have been staging protests, saying gentrification and development is pricing them out of their historical homes.
“Council’s approval marks a pivotal moment for the Bo-Kaap. Today, the City has officially committed to conserving the unique historical landscape and way of life in the Bo-Kaap by managing development in a sustainable and considered manner.
“Residents’ plight in getting the Bo-Kaap area included in an HPOZ has been ongoing for nearly four years,” said Mayor Dan Plato.
The City conducted a comprehensive public participation process, and in the end, 2 298 comments were received of which 2 271 were in support of the proposal.
The HPOZ for the Bo-Kaap extends to the Table Mountain National Park, and includes the northern green verges to the northwest of Strand Street, and Buitengracht Street between the intersections with Carisbrook and Strand streets.
“Going forward, property owners in the Bo-Kaap are expected to conserve the area’s historical character by doing alterations that are in keeping with the character and style of the building by retaining as many of the original and heritage characteristics as possible when altering or adding to a historical building; and by repurposing an old building instead of demolishing the structure,” said Mayco Member for Spatial Planning and Environment, Marian Nieuwoudt.
Over 600 privately owned properties will be affected by the HPOZ.