ABSTRACT

The city centres of South African cities are in the process of degeneration and need transformation. The study assessed the current scenario of the various physical, spatial, and socio-economic attributes of central areas of three South African cities and explored how they can be transformed into great places. The challenges related to physical and visual elements, liveability, social and cultural elements, productivity and sustainability, and human experience and richness were identified. Three important strategies that include community participation is likely to change perceptions and enhance belongingness and ownership, the integration of ICT and the revitalisation of public artefacts and places including cultural and tourist elements and enhancement of accessibility are found to be essential for the revitalisation of the city centres, enhancement of economic activities and vibrancy. Therefore, it is theorised that a combination of these strategies could transform the degenerating city centres into great places.

摘要

南非城市的市中心正处于退化过程中，需要转型。该研究评估了三个南非城市中心地区的各种物理、空间和社会经济属性的当前情景，并探讨了如何将它们转变为伟大的地方。确定了与物理和视觉元素、宜居性、社会和文化元素、生产力和可持续性以及人类经验和丰富性有关的挑战。包括社区参与在内的三项重要战略可能会改变人们的看法并增强归属感和所有权，信息通信技术的整合以及包括文化和旅游元素在内的公共艺术品和场所的振兴以及提高可达性对于振兴城市至关重要中心，增强经济活动和活力。因此，理论上，这些策略的结合可以将退化的城市中心转变为伟大的地方。