Images of Central Areas: A Comparative Analysis between South Africa and European Cities

Abstract

Central areas depict distinct images of cities. Increasingly, it is seen that the significance of the designated central areas in many cities across the world has been relegated because of the up market developments in other areas of the cities, particularly in developing countries like South Africa. However, central areas could still become the nerve centres of the cities and contribute to their vitality and to the verve of residents. Thus, there is a need to explore to know what ails the central areas, what attributes are necessary and how to revitalize central areas of cities. Using comparative analyses of the images of central areas of different European and South African cities, and qualitative discussions with visitors, this study explores how the central areas of South African cities can be revitalized as well as how to make them more vibrant and attractive. The study was conducted by using images of central areas of cities like Pretoria, Bloemfontein, and Port Elizabeth in South Africa; and Vienna, Budapest and Cologne in Europe. It is revealed that despite the availability of similar features, the central areas of the South African cities are less vibrant, active and attractive than the European cities. The major reasons are lack of adequate accessibility, lack of safety and fear of crime, and lack of animated areas to enforce multicultural activities. Besides, they do not portray distinct attractive images in the minds of the people. The experience from European cities suggests that land marks, such as heritage and architecture have certain contribution, but accessibility to the central areas by different public transportation modes, prevention of vehicular movement in core areas, full pedestrianization and walkability, cleanliness, safety, sense of belongingness, and availability of animated areas for various activities, such as shopping, dining, meeting, entertainment and relaxing are major contributors to the vitality of the central areas. Thus, enhancement of accessibility by major modes of transportation, fully pedestrianization of the core areas, safety and creation of vibrant areas of multicultural activities in addition to creation of unique images are the prime requirements to make the central areas of the South African cities dynamic and livelier.