Since the JHB cbd is not very attractive (lack of waterfront/ city park) with few big open spaces, let's find landscaping inspirations from other cities.

http://bbs.home.news.cn/upfiles/02F18AC4.002C
Nanjing, by oliver999
http://www.skyscrapers.cn/forum/attachments/20071002_024a0ee3e8812dd31bf3wqZfyaz9v6eo.jpg
http://www.skyscrapers.cn/forum/attachments/20071002_5e74af47aba22a742613CzFBVxt8UbW3.jpg

In this regard I agree with you 1million 100% Harkeb, we one big city with no ri ver passing through it and we also far away from the cost. We really need something of this sort. There are some building which could be demolished to create this kind of water features even if its not as big as the ones you have just posted. But I trust Masondo and his team and I'm sure they looking for something of this nature and that's if this mining city will be able to handle such a project.

You can emial Neil Fraser, neil@urbaninc.co.za , and ask him if there's plans for something of this sort and he will tell you if he's got any knowledge. If I'm not mistaken about 10% of the costs of any new development or refurbishment will be dedicated to art and beutification of the city. Therefore we still gonna see a lot of beutification comeing Johannesburg's way. I just wish they could take care of Joubert Park with its water features and JAG. The BRT Station will be next to this park and how nice it will be if it gets its life back?

Check the following link, http://www.jda.org.za/2007/may10_summitarts.stm

This kinds of project will also make a huge difference in the city.

This is a good idea but what are the chances of it actually happening? I dont even know if its worth it. We do have Joubert Park which is beautiful.

Guys i have been trying to find info on that HUGE tv screen that was on top of Marble Towers - the Coke one. Any one know why it was taken down:( it looked so cool!

I will be lying if I say that I know. Olitzki was telling me a few months back that he was approched by about 4 companies who wants to advertising on his buildings in Ghandi Sqaure, I hope they come to the party as they will make it a vibey area during the night and that's if Metro bus extends its operating times and BRT is in place.

Ive checked the link Pule. It sounds very promising. If they could just put the ideas on a map or in sketches, one could see what they mean. I cant really visualize what they are talking about, because I dont know the city.

Chicago Grand Park
*image by glasinc.com
http://www.glasinc.com/images/Chicago1200.jpg
http://www.blogofsandiego.com/Issues/NavyBroadway/Images/ChicagoGrantPark.jpg

Notice how the railway lines, in the top right hand corner in the first picture ^^,
have been covered up with a new concert park seen below, vvv

http://www.4aerial.com/gallery/main/36-Millennium_Park.jpg
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f21/cbotnyse/my%20photos/DSC_0004-3.jpg

I noticed on Sunday they are busy doing some really nice quality landscaping down William Nicol towards Bryanstone and Fourways.

You guys always come with good suggestions, like one in this thread. But to what extent are these ideas/suggestions considered?

Bashu, we trying to establish a forum with the help of Neil Fraser that will advice and give suggestions to Joburg municipality and interested companies. I'm gonna shedule a meeting with Neil for sometim next month so that those interested can join us. The little we do will make a difference.

Excellent job brov, its worth trying. Maybe they should employ you, you are so knowledgeable.

Bashu, we trying to establish a forum with the help of Neil Fraser that will advice and give suggestions to Joburg municipality and interested companies. I'm gonna shedule a meeting with Neil for sometim next month so that those interested can join us. The little we do will make a difference.

Cant wait Pule! But mate, this might sound like a dumb question but how seriously does the council take Neil? Has he got alot of power to change alot in the CBD?

Here's Neil Fraser profile, that will give you an idea of what th city thinks of him Luf.

http://www.whoswhosa.co.za/Pages/profilefull.aspx?IndID=2985

Guys, Ive mailed Graeme Gotz, who works closely with Neil Fraser.
I was thrilled to have received the following response. We are indeed heard :)

==========================================================

I actually already follow the Johannesburg thread on Skyscraper City. Though I don't contribute posts I do go in every few days to see what's under discussion. The City confronts a lot of negativity and the Skyscraper threads are always refreshingly positive and upbeat.

You might be surprised how useful the Skyscraper City forums are as a source of information. I work fairly closely on Inner City issues, and have a reasonably good sense of what's going and in the pipeline, but I'm always seeing new developments I had no idea about being referred to in the forum discussions.

Thanks very much for the images put up today. They are inspiring. It may be worth noting that the City is already exploring major public space interventions of this nature.

There are three things we are doing at the moment that are worth noting:
1. As part of the public environment/street upgrades in Hillbrow-Berea (a R171 million project) we are upgrading all the parks in the area;

2. The upgrade work continues next year with a further R200 million allocated (a total commitment of R2 billion has been made towards urban redevelopment in the Inner City over the next 4 years). Part of this allocation will be used to start development on a major, virtually-continuous green spine running from Windybrow/Pullinger Kop east past Ponte and across the Observatory Ridge. We have initial design concepts, but its too early to make these public as we are still testing feasibility and looking at some land availability questions. This development will almost certainly happen.

3. Our City Parks municipal entity is commissioning further work to look at other options for park development in the Inner City. The investigation work is being tendered at the moment and should start in July. Possibilities for new metropolitan scale public space, involving aquisition and demolition, will be considered as part of this.

There are other possibilities being considered, such as the decking of the railway lines that cut across the centre of the Inner City, but its too early to speak about this as a 'real project'.

I'd be very willing to keep sharing information, and will certainly track your new discussion thread with interest.

==========================================================
A big fat Cheers to these guys! :cheers1:

Thanks Harkeb, its so encouraging and inspiring to realise that influencial people do check these forum.Hillbrow-Berea upgrate would definitely lighten up the area brov. Is there anything done yet Harkeb to deal with ruthless buildings hijackers in these areas?

Thanks Harkeb and Bashu yes something is being done about those slamlords and the results are refurbished building. Yesterday I took a walk to Joubert Park and around Park Station but unfortunately didn't have a camera with me. I also drove though Hillbrow so another building bing refurbed in Pretoria street and if my memory serves me its the 4th building being revamped during the landscape upgrade.

Back to my walk, it was just after 07:30 in the morning as I had justed dropped my vrou at work. I parked my car just on the opposite side of Joubert Park wher by 3 buildings are being repainted with a bright color. I then worked across the street into the park and the huge water feature there with water sprinkling about 2+ meters up was so clean and beutiful, even the park itself and one guy a photographer was sitting on one of the benches minding his own business while other people were on the rush, I guess to work, passing via the park's walkways. A group of 2 were watching four gents playing chess in the park and the grass around and landscape is so beutiful. I'm not into chess but I spent a couple of minutes watching and it was fascinating seeing guys carring the kings and queens walking to the other sides while they play and I realised that all those "things" they use to play chess were not being stolen and it seems like they spend the night there were anyone can actually be stupid and steal them. I guess you have to be mascular to be able to carry and steal them as I don't think that one can walk a distance with them.

I then went out of the park and decided to park station and its surroundings and as ussual Park Station was busy with people boarding and some arriving in luxury busses. There's a Formule 1 hotel which has been taken care of and when I walked past it I saw, from the top, some nice landscape within the park station precinct and I was amazed and on the other side I was angry and I guess I'm still am as I realised that with a clean up project that might even last less that 3 moths that place can be one of the best in Jozi. Hawkers and taxi people are messing the place around and its so sad that they are being allowed to do so. There's mountains of ashes lying around and dirt everywhere. All that i need is a cleanup operation and the precense of security guys but again who will do that as Metro Police instead of making sure that people are abiding by the by-laws, they hide in bushes to speed trap us and ask for bribes. I hate Johanneburg Metro Police Department.

I will try to go there and take pics today if I have time, but be warned that's the side of Jozi you will never want to fin yourself in as you will feel like kicking some stupid bustard's ass who is responsible of making that place a beutiful and safe area.

^^ I agree metro police are a complete joke.

On Saterday, my Girlfriend and i took a long drive into the CBD, just looking around at whats happening etc. We drove around for about an hour and a half. CBD for the most of it is looking great, things are changing but whats not is the litter. Bins where overflowing, paper and plastic littered the streets and venders, taxi drivers and people going about their bussiness where all throwing sh**t on the floor - it was a shock and eye opener. I couldnt help get the feeling that i dont blame people for not wanting to go back to the CBD and for moving from the CBD. At the same time i couldnt help feeling that i dont blame people for their views on the CBD, our council, metro police and mayor.
However, certain areas where looking awsome and i with i had the cash to buy some of the many great buildings under refurb.

One MAJOR aspect that was missing from the CBD (from 3pm to around 430-5pm) was police and policing. In all the time we where there, we saw not ONE policeman walking the streets, driving there car etc - Nothing! be it SAPS or JMPD. Laws where being broken and nothing being done. I just can not for the life of me understand why and how the council believe they can uplift the area with out the use of constant law enforcement.

Any ways if you guys have time and not read the "broken Windows theory" which the city really should adopt check it out http://www.manhattan-institute.org/pdf/_atlantic_monthly-broken_windows.pdf

Have a great week guys.

^, sorry but could you please have this discussion in the Joburg Discussion thread? Keep this thread focused on landscaping, please

^, sorry but could you please have this discussion in the Joburg Discussion thread? Keep this thread focused on landscaping, please
Harkeb I actually see Luf's relevance on landscaping.What's the use of have pretty landscaping when the "power to the people" mob throw crap all over the place? You can't just plant some grass and trees and say "deh, have fun" you need organizations who maintain the place for everyone.Otherwise this place will always be divided between those that sleep on the grass and those that would like to walk there dogs in pristine environments.You can call me whatever you want to but you guys out there know what I'm talking about....

.... sorry, but yes, I thought this was a very good suggestion of yours.I've always thought that Jo'burg would benefit from a central park idea surrounded by really nice residential and business towers

Harkeb I actually see Luf's relevance on landscaping.What's the use of have pretty landscaping when the "power to the people" mob throw crap all over the place? You can't just plant some grass and trees and say "deh, have fun" you need organizations who maintain the place for everyone.Otherwise this place will always be divided between those that sleep on the grass and those that would like to walk there dogs in pristine environments.You can call me whatever you want to but you guys out there know what I'm talking about....

Exactly mate.. that was what i was leaning towards. Whats the point in having a huge, beautiful park if its covered in litter and there in no law inforcement. You walk the streets of European and American CBDS and there is a cop on every corner, telling venders to move on.

The problem with our council is that they put up art/trees and think all the CBD problems will go away. Why put in place new pavements when they just get covered with paper and plastic in a few hours?

Took a walk yesterday morning and Luf, all that supposed to happen is that funds need to be raised to make sure that the whole CBD is a CID. The irritating things is when people put liquor next to rubbish bin instead of inside. But I would like to differ with you when you say that the litter situation doesn't change. But I guess we can have the debite after we and other Joburgers have had our next walk in the CBD.

Corner Sauer and Bree, where live evants normally take place.
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f119/Puleza/Johannesburg/P1090755.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f119/Puleza/Johannesburg/P1090751.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f119/Puleza/Johannesburg/P1090750.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f119/Puleza/Johannesburg/P1090752.jpg



Joubert Park

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f119/Puleza/Johannesburg/P1090732.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f119/Puleza/Johannesburg/P1090728.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f119/Puleza/Johannesburg/P1090723.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f119/Puleza/Johannesburg/P1090721.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f119/Puleza/Johannesburg/P1090720.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f119/Puleza/Johannesburg/P1090717.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f119/Puleza/Johannesburg/P1090666.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f119/Puleza/Johannesburg/P1090651.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f119/Puleza/Johannesburg/P1090650.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f119/Puleza/Johannesburg/P1090648.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f119/Puleza/Johannesburg/P1090647.jpg

This is lekker, I mostly like the art. I think we in Jozi need to mix African art with somethings like this, even if its at a smaller scale.

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f21/cbotnyse/my%20photos/DSC_0004-3.jpg

those are nice pics Pule and I see the place is quite tidy but it's going to take a while before you see a more intergrated crowd sitting on those park benches. I for one would feel nervous.Still I hope that can change and until then, we need to give medals to those that venture before us and say "jump in, the water's fine"...

^^I mean, you Pule can walk there and take pics but you know that I, as a white man will statistically have a harder time promenading unnoticed in that park and one should understand it from that perspective. It's like saying to you that you'll have no problem walking around Orania and you're being silly and slightly prejudiced.
Doing a bit of landscaping will not bring the people together.This a sensitive issue about races and their differently perceived behavioral patterns...you can't possibly tell me that you don't know what I'm getting at...it is not my intention to offend anyone but merely to tell it like it is as nicely as possible

^^ Agree with you mate but i think thats another discussion/issue all together.

@Pule, i give credit where credit is due. The council/private sector have made endless effort in the CBD and in many many areas its paying off very well (as you can see in the pictures you provide). My issue was that there was a major lack of law enforcement. Not seeing one cop in a 2hour drive along the majority of the CBD is not a good thing. If i didnt know better or was a tourist i would have felt very very uncomfortable there - and that is one of the Major issues the CBD is facing - trying to gain confidence that the area is improving in safety - how can you promise that when you see no cops walking the beat?

Walked around Newtown and it was spotless! +1 to the council - same goes with bank city and majority of Braam. Awsome work both the public and private sector are doing!
However alot of streets where packed with litter, bins that had not been cleared in i would say a week - that really needs to be addressed!

I agree with you Pule, its hard to debate this kind of stuff here, using pictures to back up our statements. I would really like to organise a walk/drive sometime this month/next month prefebly on a sunday when the streets are not to full and we can really take our time to see and debate.

@ eyrie, I get what you sayingbut I don't think its a race thing at all. There darkies like me who will never set their foot in those kind of places and some still think that Hillbrow its a hell hole and they will never go there and the amazing thing is that you see blacks and whites mixing together in those areas even though its not on a larger scale. I must admit that at first I didnt' feel secure but with time I was fine.

@Luf, I get what u saying buddy. We really have to have a walk.

^^ thanks for taking it the way you did

a beach pool in the park would be a nice addition too, sinlar to this in Berlin.

http://www.abload.de/img/badeschiffb90.jpg

WOW, that would be nice.

I think there is a great posibility of creating a park with cultural buildings and huge office blobs with spacicious attriums on the southern part of the cbd by Marshalls Town. I wonder what Neil Fraser would think of this!

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh197/mytilinis/green-johannesburg-1.jpg

I like that idea, but I'm just not so sure about the location. I think Standard Bank has quite an established presence in that area, and also I think it might be a bit too close to the light industry south of the motorway.

I have always thought a great idea for a park would be to sink the railway lines leading into Park Station, and then plant a park above it. This could also be used as a space for iconic landmarks, such as the Mandela bridge, the Queen Elizabeth bridge, the old station structure that sits in Newtown, and also new projects such as museums. It could also be used effectively as a fan park for sports matches. The park would end in a square leading up to Park Station, and could perhaps it could go even further to the other side of the Station, and link up with Joubert Park?

I think it'll be a good location because it would provide a nice link between Braamfontein and Newtown, which at the moment is rather seperated by these really horrible railway lines.

Here is my idea. Sorry NICE - i hope you don't mind that I borrowed your image and your colours.

http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g102/joburgboy/Tom-Joburgpark.jpg

Joburg ^^ i agree mate. I would love to see those railways covered and your proposal is great. Send it to the council/transnet!!

Superb. Thumbs up!

I saw plans for a park covering the railway tracks back in the early nineties - it was a proposal for a massive casino complex, apartments, retail and parklands around lakes - it was FANTASTIC. A shame that it never saw the light of day :ohno:

NO problem Joburg.

I also like your idea. I thought about it also, but it will be very expensive and I think it will be sad to miss the dynamics that the trains gives the city.

Maybe it will be possible to narrow the train tracks and create a park on either "banks" of Braamfontein and Newtown and maybe create an elevated park near the station.

But I still think the central parts near the Carlton need green areas so I would still prefer a park in Marshals Town.

But it will all need proper analysis and a lot of hard work.

Here are my changes to "Joburgs" and my own ideas.

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh197/mytilinis/NICEJoburgpark.jpg

I saw plans for a park covering the railway tracks back in the early nineties - it was a proposal for a massive casino complex, apartments, retail and parklands around lakes - it was FANTASTIC. A shame that it never saw the light of day


Yup I remember you telling us about that. :) Indeed a shame that it didn't see the light of day.

NICE, yeah it would be really expensive to implement a project like this, especially if one were to sink the railway lines. I think what one would need to do is move the shunting yards to a location further away from the city, and then to only keep those tracks necessary to carry trains into Park Station. Then, as you say, one could create 'park banks' on each side, connected via iconic pedestrian bridges across the railways.

I think project on this magnitude could do so much for Joburg. We need projects that make our city more liveable, and it's very difficult to do in a city that doesn't tend to have the natural beauty of Durban or Cape Town.

Yup I remember you telling us about that. :) Indeed a shame that it didn't see the light of day.

NICE, yeah it would be really expensive to implement a project like this, especially if one were to sink the railway lines. I think what one would need to do is move the shunting yards to a location further away from the city, and then to only keep those tracks necessary to carry trains into Park Station. Then, as you say, one could create 'park banks' on each side, connected via iconic pedestrian bridges across the railways.

I think project on this magnitude could do so much for Joburg. We need projects that make our city more liveable, and it's very difficult to do in a city that doesn't tend to have the natural beauty of Durban or Cape Town.

It can be done sweety - just look at Melbourne, a really shitty setting (by world standards) but they have turned it into a fantastic urban environment - to hell with mountains etc. some cities don't need them :) Jozi has the money to create spectacular settings.

It can be done sweety - just look at Melbourne, a really shitty setting (by world standards) but they have turned it into a fantastic urban environment - to hell with mountains etc. some cities don't need them :) Jozi has the money to create spectacular settings.

True - but Melbourne got wealthy first - CBD was pretty grim until very recently by all accounts. They have done the river very well, but the CBD has virtually no open space at all - it aint that nice to have lunch in - you have to go to the other side of the river, to surrounding inner suburban parks or docklands - virtually not worth it on a lunch break.

Back to joburg - hard to justify extensive landscaping when most people (apparently) dont care and there are so many other draws on funding (eg. cleaning and policing). Its not yet clear to me that this sort of landscaping will have a direct effect on urban renewal.

I think they should be looking at smart+cheap ways to do limited landscaping. Moving the railway lines is never going to happen - far too much disruption.

Knock down crappy, low value buildings and create green space there. Paved squares dont look that good in Joburg IMO - the surrounding buildings are invariably too mismatched. Squares look better in European cities where heights and designs are continuous.

Just some random thoughts!

Yep you're right Clive, but I do think that it's something that Joburg City should consider in the future. In the meantime, Joburg should indeed focus on empty/derelict spaces - and two spring to mind immediately. The first is the space next to the Barbican that currently serves as a parking lot. The second is the space behind the Rissik Street Post Office where the Oppenheimer impalas used to be. One could very easily plant a park there - not a paved square as, besides not looking good in Joburg, can be quite unfriendly in character. What they did at the Civic Theatre could be done in that space next to the Post Office.

That said - Joburg City Parks should be commended for the work they have done in the city. They really are fantastic. Check their website out - http://www.jhbcityparks.co.za/ It's informative, and they have done a heck load in greening areas in Joburg that previously never saw the greenery that the rest of Joburg enjoyed.

Beg to differ Clive about that NEVER happening.. Just been in Marvelous Melbourne myself and they covered over the train tracks out of Flinders Street Station towards the MCG with Federation Square. In Sydney the council is also proposing to cover Central Station's tracks with concrete roof for lowrise, not needing to bury tracks, as this city is running out of available office space fast. Height restrictions and Floor Space Ratio's forcing the issue here now. Grim 60's and 70's blocks being converted or pulled down to make way for taller buildings. All this happening in LDN too... Love that to happen more in JHB!!

True - but Melbourne got wealthy first - CBD was pretty grim until very recently by all accounts. They have done the river very well, but the CBD has virtually no open space at all - it aint that nice to have lunch in - you have to go to the other side of the river, to surrounding inner suburban parks or docklands - virtually not worth it on a lunch break.

I believe so, many Melburnians told me that the city was quite a hovel a few years back .... how that has changed, I am in total awe of the place - it is beautiful ! Things must have changed because we found a few places/squares in the city centre where we chilled and had a nibble BUT nothing beats sitting alongside the Yarra :)

I still think that Jo'burg can do something with those tracks (like Makoppa said) - they can build over them ala Federation Square (and I noticed that they are now building office blocks over the remaining railway lines in Melbourne) - Mandela Bridge would look so much better if it crossed over a densely forested park - just imagine ;)

The second is the space behind the Rissik Street Post Office where the Oppenheimer impalas used to be. One could very easily plant a park there - not a paved square as, besides not looking good in Joburg, can be quite unfriendly in character.


This one breaks my heart as it was supposed to be oone of the best parks in the CBD. I will ask Neil about it. Thanks for pointing it out Tom.

These are some of the ideas that we need to alert the city about.

I just love this, from Sydney's Melbourne collection. Some structures makes such a difference to the environment. Syd, is this just for beutification or is there any other reason they have it there.

http://i.pbase.com/o2/07/617107/1/97834274.BXR9HDJT.P1090177.JPG

I just love this, from Sydney's Melbourne collection. Some structures makes such a difference to the environment. Syd, is this just for beutification or is there any other reason they have it there.

I can't see any pic Pule - is it just me ? :)

Another thing that will work at the station plaza is the following - I saw this in Melbourne and now they are starting to do the same thing here in Auckland (pics below) - it is a coffee bar that opens outwards and forms "walls" to protect patrons from the weather. At night it locks up, I think that it will work very well considering Jo'burg has such gr8 weather :)

http://www.pbase.com/enigma35/image/100243464.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/enigma35/image/100243468.jpg

I can't see any pic Pule - is it just me ? :)

http://i.pbase.com/o2/07/617107/1/97834274.BXR9HDJT.P1090177.JPG

Another thing that will work at the station plaza is the following - I saw this in Melbourne and now they are starting to do the same thing here in Auckland (pics below) - it is a coffee bar that opens outwards and forms "walls" to protect patrons from the weather. At night it locks up, I think that it will work very well considering Jo'burg has such gr8 weather :)

http://www.pbase.com/enigma35/image/100243464.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/enigma35/image/100243468.jpg


Nice, there's a similar one at Cidar square in Fourway but I agree with you that it will be nicei to have that in the CBD.

Yeah you're right Pule - thought those looked familiar!

They look great in a street environment! I think they would be quite cool on that plaza above Park Station

http://i.pbase.com/o2/07/617107/1/97834274.BXR9HDJT.P1090177.JPG
that pic is forbidden :(

ohhh Nice - This would look really good in Newtown but we dont want to put everything there. Agree with Joburg - Park Station area needs something - these structures with some water features could look really good.

that pic is forbidden :(

Yeah - I get the same notification :( .... can you show me where you saw the pic Pule - is it on my pbase gallery or one of the SSC threads ?

^^ This is what I'm talking about

http://www.pbase.com/enigma35/image/97834274




.

I'm also in love with this one

http://www.pbase.com/enigma35/image/97585550

I'm all for street art gents, I just can't help it. I think its creates a welcoming environment to a visitor.



.

^^ This is what I'm talking about

http://www.pbase.com/enigma35/image/97834274




.

Got it Pule - Thanks ... that is part of a pedestrian footbridge which links the stadium and Southern Cross station (on the right) to the city centre. It is both functional and ornamental ..... Melbourne does is so well :)

The other pic is the web bridge - it is fantastic ! I am also a sucker for street art and you will find it on virtually every city block. I am so excited to move to Melbourne, I am going to be like a child in a candy store :) snap, snap, snap.

Honestly Melbourne looks fantastic.

Informative article, http://www.joburg.org.za/content/view/2124/49/

An urban park with a huge manmade lake in Ilsan, a new town outside Seoul.

http://photoimg.enjoyjapan.naver.com/view/47/43/enjoyjapan_18/5000/4221.jpg
http://kr.img.blog.yahoo.com/ybi/1/a7/9c/sndgreat/folder/2090933/img_2090933_1191_2?1181702392.jpg

If only we could have a man made lake in Jozi, then I would say that we are now a truly African city. Me and water are great friends even though I can't swim ;)

Those are great shots Briker!

Pule, remember we have Zoo Lake and Emmarentia Dam - both of which are really very pretty, and are quite full especially on weekends and the late afternoon. :) I should get some shots for this thread.

^^ yeah I know about those but they too far from the CBD. The only problem we have in having that kind of a lake in the CBD is that we got housing backlog so to demolish buildings for that is out of question. It would have been good to have a lake were the CBD dwellers can walk to.

Yeah true indeed!
Well - you know what I say! Burn those darn railway lines and create a very large green space!

Yeah true indeed!
Well - you know what I say! Burn those darn railway lines and create a very large green space!

If I'm not mistaken, the plan is to have green space were thise railway lines are. Ask Neil, I'm sure he can provide details.

I hope so. That would be a very good move.

Has anyone got any info on any new developments with green spaces in Joburg
Because all I see is discussions on what could happen

^^ check this
http://www.joburg.org.za/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1734&Itemid=49#parks

Thanks Pule

Parks in Hillbrow are currently being renovated.


Joburgers do you perhaps have an info in regards the park at the bottom of Telkom tower?

Is there a park there? I have never been to the bottom of the tower actually...

^^ not at the moment but it was proposed.