Harbour Arch, the latest development from the Amdec Group, will, once completed, become the largest sustainable mixed-use development in the Cape Town CBD. Comprising six individual towers and 198 000m2 of usable space, this R14 billion investment in the Mother City will reflect many of the principles of New Urbanism.

What is New Urbanism?
According to Wikipedia, New Urbanism “is an urban design movement” that “is strongly influenced by urban design practices that were prominent until the rise of the automobile prior to World War II” and which promotes “environmentally friendly habits by creating walkable neighborhoods containing a wide range of housing and job types.”

Congress for the New Urbanism (CNU), a US-based non-profit organisation committed to the cause, unpacks the concept further, describing it as “a planning and development approach based on the principles of how cities and towns had been built for the last several centuries: walkable blocks and streets, housing and shopping in close proximity, and accessible public spaces. In other words: New Urbanism focuses on human-scaled urban design.”

Some of the key principles that lie at the heart of the New Urbanism movement include:

– The rejuvenation of previously overlooked parts of the city.
– Walkable neighbourhoods designed around people rather than cars.
– Homes, shops and offices located within walking distance of one another.
– An emphasis on carefully considered public areas and green spaces.

So, how is Harbour Arch championing these features?

1. Rejuvenation of the East City
Located on the border of the Cape Town CBD, Harbour Arch will breathe new life into what was a largely disused area of the East City precinct, with a destination that will offer residents and visitors the opportunity to live, work and play in a safe, convenient and community-focused environment.

2. Emphasis on walkability
Harbour Arch has also been designed around the concept of walkability and will deliver an unparalleled living and working experience. A pedestrian-friendly ground-floor district that includes shops, restaurants, upmarket bars, hotels, offices and gyms all within walking distance of one another, will breathe new life into what was previously an industrial sector of the city. Residents will also enjoy access to Central Park, a north-facing courtyard garden on the eighth floor surrounded by retail stores, restaurants and coffee shops.

3. Introduction of green spaces
An urban park and green pause areas within the Harbour Arch precinct will provide open areas for residents and visitors to relax with friends and family and will encourage healthy outdoor activities for adults and children like running, walking, cycling and playing. The development has also been conceived with sustainable principles and eco-friendly innovation in mind, with water-saving devices, refuse recycling, rainwater harvesting, a centralised district cooling facility and low-energy LED lighting all featuring in the design.

Sound like a life worth living?
If you’d like to chat to one of our team about buying a home or investment property in Harbour Arch, please get in touch with a member of our sales team today on 087 809 0000 or click below to leave your details.