Some new ideas to beautify Port Alfred
AFRESH eye often sees things that others have missed, and landscape architect Warren Lange of Hort Couture has once again brought over students from HAS University in the Netherlands to help inspire ideas on how Port Alfred could be improved.
“Landscape architecture is a niche market,” Lange began. “As part of our social responsibility we bring overseas students to help us build an integrated design network for Port Alfred.
“But we want a South African perspective in the design. Tourism is lacking in development and funding.”
Following Lange’s introduction, student Lucas Roozen presented his ideas regarding connecting East and West beaches in order to allow better communication between both including a bridge between the two beaches.
He also included a boardwalk around and across the Duck Pond to connect the Heritage Mall and the duck pond.
He also suggested more benches around the Duck Pond area to allow for people to braai and socialise there.
“The disconnection between these two tourism hubs is a problem,” Roozen said.
Student Nick Vermeulen proposed modifications to the small boat harbour (SBH), expansion of the harbour area and its development as a business hub with multi-use buildings.
Extra pedestrian walkways, removal of the sandbank at the entrance were also mooted as well as suggesting underground parking.
At the end of the presentation, the students were commended for the work they had done and resident and local estate agent Warwick Heny suggested he would get the owners of the properties together and that the presentation should be given to them for their input.
Developer of the Royal Alfred Marina, Justin de wet Steyn was also present and commended the students on their insight and for the ideas they had generated.