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An Open Streets Day is an opportunity for all to explore a street as a space that connects people.
It suspends reality for a few hours and shows a glimpse of what our future could be. Rather than being an event, Open Streets is simply a day to re-imagine public life and use our streets differently.

”Streets are such equalising places and given a chance – people like to take pride in and ownership of their neighbourhoods/streets”.

So says managing director and co-founder, Marcela Guerrero Casas of Open Streets that was largely inspired by Ciclovía, a huge cycling/pedestrian event that creates 120km of car-free streets in Bogota, Columbia every Sunday and public holiday.   

”Cape Town is a rather difficult space to navigate – both physically and socially – and holding these events really helps even out the playing field and hopefully also assists in connecting people who may otherwise never have crossed paths”.

Why events like these are important to cities is that apart from playing an important role in cultivating social cohesion, they raise questions about how we use the streets in our cities. 

Ordinary people are encouraged to get involved, with an open invitation for people to host events of their own – from free yoga classes to chess lessons, or anything else that inspires. ”Its really easy for people to do this, as there’s no application process to get involved – you just rock up on the day and do your thing”.

Ultimately, the big driver going forward is sustainable transport in the city – everyone attending Open Streets is encouraged to either take public transport, carpool or get there by foot/bicycle.
Hopefully, people will extend this to their everyday lives. And adopt a much more humane attitude toward everyone they encounter on the streets they navigate daily.

Play your part this Sunday!  Walk, dance, play, cycle, skate, explore, connect and showcase projects; for free! Open Streets is created by everyone who comes along on the day.
When: Sunday, 15 January 
Where: Bree Street, where Cape Town’s CBD will be transformed into a space for people instead of cars. 
Times: 10:00 – 15:00

Acknowledgement images: Open Streets Bree Street by Lisa Burnell

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