Urban transfusion : redefining and adding value to open space within the Knysna urban context

Abstract

There is the belief that Knysna is a perfectly ‘healthy’ and prosperous town and many might wonder why time would be wasted on it while there are so many other, more obvious and needy areas in Southern Africa that require urgent attention. To a degree Knysna is a successful, culturally active, vibrant and environmentally-aware town, but like all other assumptions there is an underlying, brewing problem, which only at a later stage comes to one’s attention. We need to attempt to take on the method of prevention rather than curing, trying to amend current practices that will most likely lead to problematic results in the future. Utopias do not exist. Knysna has issues and constraints related to the socio-cultural, economic and ecological environments, but fortunately a balance of opportunities and positive aspects do exist, making this project a viable and challenging thesis proposal.