After 10 years of planning and two challenging construction phases, the City of Cape Town celebrates the completion of the Kruskal Avenue upgrade project, marking a significant milestone in the “Better.Bellville.Together” vision.
The bustling heart of Bellville CBD witnessed a momentous celebration Monday morning as city officials, local traders, and community members gathered to mark the successful completion of Phase 2 of the Kruskal Avenue upgrade project.
The ceremony, held on Monday morning near the corner of Church Street, brought together diverse voices that told the story of urban transformation, resilience, and collaborative vision.
Deputy Mayor and Mayco member for spatial planning and environment, Eddie Andrews, emphasised the project’s significance as more than just infrastructure development.
“This avenue is not just another road upgrade,” Andrews told the gathered crowd.
“It is a corridor of purpose, a strategic spine linking Bellville Station, Elizabeth Park, the Tyger Valley District, and the many businesses and services and institutions that anchor this very important CBD.”
The Kruskal Avenue project, which began its journey in 2015 under the City’s urban design branch, represents a fundamental shift toward people-centered urban planning.
According to Sunette Smith from the urban design branch, the original brief was to “create a gateway into Bellville”, with the first phase covering portions of Teddington, Voortrekker, and Kruskal avenue, while the second phase completed the remaining Kruskal Avenue section and Lower Blanckenberg Street.
The project’s path to completion was far from smooth, as revealed by Rameez Fataar, Project Manager, Urban Planning and Design department.
“There were quite a few complications including the termination of the original contract, which had a massive impact on local businesses and stakeholders on the ground.”
To expedite completion, the City implemented an innovative approach using multiple existing framework contracts — a strategy that required unprecedented collaboration between contractors, city departments, and partner organisations.
The project team also addressed significant technical challenges, including aging underground infrastructure, severe flooding issues, and ongoing vandalism.
- Enhanced accessibility: Widened sidewalks and shared street environments where roads and pavements sit at one continuous level, creating seamless movement for pedestrians.
- Traffic calming: Conversion of parts of Kruskal Avenue to one-way movement, reducing vehicle-pedestrian conflicts and allowing traders to operate with dignity.
- Environmental Improvements: Dozens of new trees, upgraded public lighting, and carefully placed seating that make the space “cooler, safer, and more comfortable for hundreds of thousands of people who use it every single month,” as Andrews noted.
- Infrastructure Resilience: Underground stormwater upgrades across the full project stretch to mitigate flooding risks that previously plagued the area.
“There were also multiple challenges of vandalism, disruptions to our services, and aging infrastructure beneath the ground. But despite all these challenges, we’ve managed to align the works and complete them with multiple contractors on the ground.”
People-first design philosophy
The completed upgrade showcases a revolutionary approach to urban design that prioritises pedestrian safety and dignity.
Key improvements include:
Perhaps the most powerful voice at the celebration belonged to Farieda Oriie, the oldest vendor in Bellville CBD, who has been trading in Kruskal Avenue since 1990. Her 34-year journey embodies the resilience and determination that characterise Bellville’s informal economy.
“I can see the difference,” Farieda shared, reflecting on her decades-long presence in the area.
Through her trading income, she achieved homeownership — a testament to the economic opportunities that Bellville’s informal sector provides. Her advocacy for proper trading structures helped pave the way for the formal recognition and support that traders now enjoy.
“We were fighting endlessly for what we wanted — proper structures for formal trading,” she recalled, expressing pride in her contribution to the area’s development.
Community impact and future vision
Ward Councillor Jackie Visser, representing the local community, emphasised the project’s broader significance in building “a better, more vibrant Bellville”.
She acknowledged the patience shown by local businesses during construction periods and celebrated the collaborative effort that made the project possible.
The upgrades are part of a larger “Better Bellville Together” vision that positions the Bellville CBD as a priority precinct in Cape Town’s urban development strategy.
This comprehensive approach extends beyond aesthetic improvements to address fundamental urban challenges including safety, accessibility, economic resilience, and environmental sustainability.
While celebrating the completion of Phase 2, officials emphasised that the transformation journey continues. South Street upgrades are planned as the next phase, extending the people-centered design philosophy to additional areas of the CBD.
“This space thrives where it is cared for, where it is kept clean, and where it is used responsibly,” Andrews stressed, calling on all stakeholders to become active stewards of the improvements.
The project also demonstrates the City’s commitment to addressing vandalism and maintenance challenges proactively, with provisions in place to replace damaged infrastructure and ensure long-term sustainability.
