Somerset and City Hospital Precinct Planning and Urban Design Framework (Erven 1559 & Portion of Erf 1056, Green Point)

CLIENT:  PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT: WESTERN CAPE
DATE:  MARCH 2003
AREA/EXTENT:  +10.5 ha
LOCALITY:  PORTSWOOD AND BEACH ROADS, GREEN POINT

The Project Challenge / Brief The purpose of the project was fourfold: To retain Somerset Hospital as a 260 bed public health facility To generate and maximise capital from some portions of the sites to be able to upgrade the hospital and provide associated facilities e.g. medical staff accommodation; To find appropriate accommodation for the National Health Laboratory Services; To introduce a mixed use component on the precinct so as to use the site optimally and ensure that the proposed new Hospital is surrounded by compatible urban development. Principles Efficiency and Access – Designing for human scale inner city environments where opportunities for a full range of operators could be unlocked. Social justice – Integrating people, space and opportunity in well located environments. Diversity – Providing for a range of incomes, people of different cultures and backgrounds to encourage an inclusive society. Quality of Space – Developing a range of spaces focusing on positive mixed use public places centred on a mix of private and public facilities while ensuring a secure environment for the Somerset Hospital.

Proposals Key spatial principles explored related to this critically located and strategic land parcel and included integration, accessibility and permeability, efficiency and optimization and establishing an ‘active’ environment. In this regard the urban design framework sought to consolidate the Somerset Hospital into a new hospital facility for which a positive spatial structure was defined. The framework established an active ground plane to the street level of developments and also a range of residential development, including affordable housing. The primary urban design structuring elements proposed included the establishment of qualitatively landscaped gateways to Green Point and the V&A Waterfront; the creation of a prominent public streetscape that is defined by a pedestrian and active ground plane; the introduction of significant green spaces that support improved accessibility; and the establishment of key public assets including a Health Hub associated with the Hospital and Clinic, a Heritage Hub through the conservation of key heritage buildings and lastly, a Recreational Hub in the enhancement of the adjoining Commonage and Stadium precinct. Proposed Development Plan Contact us for further info Back to Projects