According to the City of Cape Town ‘s “State of Cape Town Report 2006”, city–wide only 7% of journeys in Cape Town are made on foot. St Georges Mall was pedestrianised in 1992, ensuring that those who live in or close to the city centre are guaranteed a short walk to work down St Georges Mall, one of the city’s main arteries that is both pedestrian-friendly and lined with coffee shops and trees. In contrast, Copenhagen’s main thoroughfare, Stroget, was pedestrianised in 1962 and parking spaces in the centre of Copenhagen have been gradually cut back to create either complete or partial car-free spaces.

St George’s Mall has been through a number of name changes in its long history, but initially was considered a vital link between the Company Gardens and the sea by the Dutch settlers. Before becoming a commercial centre in the early eighteenth century, the street was considered the most desirable street in the colony to live on. The foundation stone of St George’s Church was laid in 1830 and from then on, the street was renamed St George’s Street.

Related posts:

1. Creating meeting places in public space
2. Information Kiosk at St George’s Mall
3. Berlin Wall at St George’s Mall
4. My Cape Town Weekend in the Company Gardens
5. My Cape Town Weekend in the Company’s Garden