Full Text Available
Note: Clicking the button above will open the full text document at the original institutional repository in a new window.
Hidden gems reimagining the public realm along independence avenue to sustain the local economy in the Windhoek central business district
This urban design research project investigates the reimagining of the public realm along Independence Avenue to sustain the local economy in the context of the Windhoek Central Business District (CBD). The research seeks to explore how the public spaces can be transformed to support local businesse...
Saved in:
| Main Author: | |
|---|---|
| Other Authors: | |
| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English English |
| Published: |
School of Architecture, Planning and Geomatics
2025
|
| Subjects: | |
| Tags: |
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1867613249239777280 |
|---|---|
| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author | Persaud, Gwen |
| author2 | Ewing, Kathryn |
| author_browse | Ewing, Kathryn Persaud, Gwen |
| author_facet | Ewing, Kathryn Persaud, Gwen |
| author_sort | Persaud, Gwen |
| collection | Thesis |
| description | This urban design research project investigates the reimagining of the public realm along Independence Avenue to sustain the local economy in the context of the Windhoek Central Business District (CBD). The research seeks to explore how the public spaces can be transformed to support local businesses, foster Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) and stimulate overall economic development and growth. The research question drives this research to understand 'How can the public realm sustain the local economy?'. Through qualitative methodologies such as critical theory analysis of the relationship between economies and the public realm, rhythm analysis for field observations and semi-structured interviews, this research examines the current state of the public realm along Independence Avenue. The research analyses the role of urban design concepts like placemaking and human-centred design in shaping local economic activity. The findings highlight the untapped potential of “hidden gems” as clusters of local economic innovation that can be reinforced. The research highlights the significance of accessibility, connectivity, optionality and placemaking principles in creating a vibrant and thriving public realm that empowers both local businesses and the broader community. By contextualising this CBD regeneration to a postcolonial urban environment, this research contributes to an existing body of knowledge on urban regeneration and local economic development. It provides actionable recommendations for stakeholders and policymakers to enhance the public realm in a way that promotes sustainable economic growth in the Windhoek CBD. In doing so, it also presents valuable insights into how urban design can play a key role in fostering economic resilience and innovation in the context of Windhoek |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/42024 |
| institution | University of Cape Town (South Africa) |
| language | English eng |
| last_indexed | 2026-06-10T12:33:08.525Z |
| license_str | Not specified — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from UCTD — University of Cape Town Open Access Repository |
| publishDate | 2025 |
| publishDateRange | 2025 |
| publishDateSort | 2025 |
| publisher | School of Architecture, Planning and Geomatics |
| publisherStr | School of Architecture, Planning and Geomatics |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | UCTD — University of Cape Town Open Access Repository |
| spelling | oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/42024 Hidden gems reimagining the public realm along independence avenue to sustain the local economy in the Windhoek central business district Persaud, Gwen Ewing, Kathryn Crooijmans-Lemmer, Hedwig Public realm Local economy Small-medium-micro enterprises Windhoek Central Business District Independence Avenue Sustainable development This urban design research project investigates the reimagining of the public realm along Independence Avenue to sustain the local economy in the context of the Windhoek Central Business District (CBD). The research seeks to explore how the public spaces can be transformed to support local businesses, foster Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) and stimulate overall economic development and growth. The research question drives this research to understand 'How can the public realm sustain the local economy?'. Through qualitative methodologies such as critical theory analysis of the relationship between economies and the public realm, rhythm analysis for field observations and semi-structured interviews, this research examines the current state of the public realm along Independence Avenue. The research analyses the role of urban design concepts like placemaking and human-centred design in shaping local economic activity. The findings highlight the untapped potential of “hidden gems” as clusters of local economic innovation that can be reinforced. The research highlights the significance of accessibility, connectivity, optionality and placemaking principles in creating a vibrant and thriving public realm that empowers both local businesses and the broader community. By contextualising this CBD regeneration to a postcolonial urban environment, this research contributes to an existing body of knowledge on urban regeneration and local economic development. It provides actionable recommendations for stakeholders and policymakers to enhance the public realm in a way that promotes sustainable economic growth in the Windhoek CBD. In doing so, it also presents valuable insights into how urban design can play a key role in fostering economic resilience and innovation in the context of Windhoek 2025-10-20T12:24:41Z 2025-10-20T12:24:41Z 2025 2025-10-20T12:21:16Z Thesis / Dissertation Masters Masters http://hdl.handle.net/11427/42024 en eng application/pdf School of Architecture, Planning and Geomatics Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment University of Cape Town |
| spellingShingle | Public realm Local economy Small-medium-micro enterprises Windhoek Central Business District Independence Avenue Sustainable development Persaud, Gwen Hidden gems reimagining the public realm along independence avenue to sustain the local economy in the Windhoek central business district |
| thesis_degree_str | Master's |
| title | Hidden gems reimagining the public realm along independence avenue to sustain the local economy in the Windhoek central business district |
| title_full | Hidden gems reimagining the public realm along independence avenue to sustain the local economy in the Windhoek central business district |
| title_fullStr | Hidden gems reimagining the public realm along independence avenue to sustain the local economy in the Windhoek central business district |
| title_full_unstemmed | Hidden gems reimagining the public realm along independence avenue to sustain the local economy in the Windhoek central business district |
| title_short | Hidden gems reimagining the public realm along independence avenue to sustain the local economy in the Windhoek central business district |
| title_sort | hidden gems reimagining the public realm along independence avenue to sustain the local economy in the windhoek central business district |
| topic | Public realm Local economy Small-medium-micro enterprises Windhoek Central Business District Independence Avenue Sustainable development |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/11427/42024 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT persaudgwen hiddengemsreimaginingthepublicrealmalongindependenceavenuetosustainthelocaleconomyinthewindhoekcentralbusinessdistrict |