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| An urbanist's guide to Johannesburg | An urbanist's guide to Johannesburg |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| City in brief Joburg is a city of economic opportunity for people from all over the country and the continent. Due to this growth, there is continually a push on resources and a need for the city to think of innovative ways of addressing the city's challenges. Some of these challenges include a lack of affordable rental housing in the city for residents earning less than 3,200 rand (£179) per month, who make up half of the city's population. Another huge challenge is mistrust of public space: wealthy Joburgers tend to isolate themselves behind high walls, which isn't great for social cohesion. | City in brief Joburg is a city of economic opportunity for people from all over the country and the continent. Due to this growth, there is continually a push on resources and a need for the city to think of innovative ways of addressing the city's challenges. Some of these challenges include a lack of affordable rental housing in the city for residents earning less than 3,200 rand (£179) per month, who make up half of the city's population. Another huge challenge is mistrust of public space: wealthy Joburgers tend to isolate themselves behind high walls, which isn't great for social cohesion. |
| Best building: Ponte | Best building: Ponte |
| Ponte (see Philip Bloom's remarkable video above) is one of the most recognisable features of the Joburg cityscape. Built around a 55-floor inner core in the 1970s as an exclusive high-rise condominium, it fell prey to urban degeneration and symbolised everything negative you have heard about the city. Recently, through various community and resident-based initiatives of organisations such as Dlala Nje, the building has been transformed into a safer, cleaner and friendlier environment to live in, thereby restoring this iconic building to its former glory. | |
| Worst building: Monte Casino Monte Casino is a sprawling casino complex in the north. It represents the suburban sprawl that characterises much of Johannesburg. Although it adds an element of fun to the city (such as the hosting of big-budget Broadway musicals), it discourages the use of the public realm by literally transporting us to another world (the entire complex has recreated a faux Tuscany) where all we do is consume. | Worst building: Monte Casino Monte Casino is a sprawling casino complex in the north. It represents the suburban sprawl that characterises much of Johannesburg. Although it adds an element of fun to the city (such as the hosting of big-budget Broadway musicals), it discourages the use of the public realm by literally transporting us to another world (the entire complex has recreated a faux Tuscany) where all we do is consume. |
| Favourite place: Braamfontein | Favourite place: Braamfontein |
| This is a student suburb in the inner city that is slowly being regenerated through the injection of private wealth. The result is a public environment that is safe and pleasant to use, for all. Other initiatives, such as the Wits Art Museum, mean the area has become a cultural hub for the city's creative class. Step into any coffee shop and listen to how people are embracing Joburg. Braamfontein represents a new blending of regenerated urban grit and everyday Joburg experiences. It is this mix that seems authentically Joburg. | This is a student suburb in the inner city that is slowly being regenerated through the injection of private wealth. The result is a public environment that is safe and pleasant to use, for all. Other initiatives, such as the Wits Art Museum, mean the area has become a cultural hub for the city's creative class. Step into any coffee shop and listen to how people are embracing Joburg. Braamfontein represents a new blending of regenerated urban grit and everyday Joburg experiences. It is this mix that seems authentically Joburg. |
| Most hated place There are many areas in Joburg that are problematic, but to hate a particular place or area ignores the nuances behind it and closes you off to elements that can make you love the city. All of Joburg makes up Joburg. | Most hated place There are many areas in Joburg that are problematic, but to hate a particular place or area ignores the nuances behind it and closes you off to elements that can make you love the city. All of Joburg makes up Joburg. |
| Craziest transport: minibus taxis | Craziest transport: minibus taxis |
| These are informal, private minibus vans that are usually stuffed to the brim with passengers and follow semi-permanent routes in and out of the city. Due to the partial absence of formal public transport, taxis have become integral to Joburg's social fabric. The interiors are usually lively space – with kwaito or upbeat gospel music pumping from the radio – and the drivers are … unrestrained. Although there are various problems with this mode of transport, there is no faster and fun way to get around the city. | These are informal, private minibus vans that are usually stuffed to the brim with passengers and follow semi-permanent routes in and out of the city. Due to the partial absence of formal public transport, taxis have become integral to Joburg's social fabric. The interiors are usually lively space – with kwaito or upbeat gospel music pumping from the radio – and the drivers are … unrestrained. Although there are various problems with this mode of transport, there is no faster and fun way to get around the city. |
| Favourite coffee shop/restaurant: Burhan's Butchery Joburg has a fantastic array of coffee shops and restaurants, and best of all, they're afforable compared with many other cities. If we were to pick a favourite, we would go for Burhan's Butchery in Mayfair. It's exactly that – a butchery – but it also doubles up as restaurant offering fantastic Turkish street food. And its baklava is to die for. | Favourite coffee shop/restaurant: Burhan's Butchery Joburg has a fantastic array of coffee shops and restaurants, and best of all, they're afforable compared with many other cities. If we were to pick a favourite, we would go for Burhan's Butchery in Mayfair. It's exactly that – a butchery – but it also doubles up as restaurant offering fantastic Turkish street food. And its baklava is to die for. |
| Are you optimistic about Joburg's future? | Are you optimistic about Joburg's future? |
| You bet! This is a city where space is contested, debated, abused, haggled over, stretched out and turned upside down by an active citizenry. This city-making is never particularly sanitised – in fact, it is often downright dirty. But it generally strives to take place within the framework of the South African constitution and in a manner that seeks the fulfilment of citizens' rights to dignity, equality and freedom. That is true city-making. | You bet! This is a city where space is contested, debated, abused, haggled over, stretched out and turned upside down by an active citizenry. This city-making is never particularly sanitised – in fact, it is often downright dirty. But it generally strives to take place within the framework of the South African constitution and in a manner that seeks the fulfilment of citizens' rights to dignity, equality and freedom. That is true city-making. |
| • The best city blogs around the world – interactive map | • The best city blogs around the world – interactive map |
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