Rosebank Management District and Young Urbanists reimagine a pedestrian friendly Bath Avenue
Tactical urbanism efforts demonstrated how thoughtful enhancements could transform Bath Avenue into a safer community road, catering not only for motorists, but for cyclists and pedestrians as well.
The Rosebank Management Districts and Young Urbanists hosted an innovative street experiment on October 11, to reimagine Bath Avenue as a pedestrian-friendly initiative as part of Design Week South Africa and the ongoing #GoRosebank campaign.
The initiative aims to create a more user-friendly, walkable, and community-oriented precinct.
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The activation included discussions and demonstrations that focus on safer walkways, vibrant placemaking, and redesigned pedestrian crossings. Interactive and guerrilla-style activities encouraged participants to creatively engage with the road space envisioning how these enhancements could transform the neighbourhood.
Rosebank district manager Mikhaela Donaldson explained that the goal of the exercise was to reimagine mobility in Rosebank and rethink access for the diverse groups that navigate the neighbourhood daily, which are pedestrians, cyclists, school children, and commuters.
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Donaldson emphasised that while changes wouldn’t happen overnight, it was vital to initiate the conversation and establish a collaborative blueprint for what’s possible with the city’s support.
City of Johannesburg transport officials and stakeholders from the Rosebank Management Districts and Oxford Parks Management District were in attendance, including engaged community members.
This initiative outlined future interventions, including universally accessible zebra crossings and improved safety measures for Bath Avenue.
Temporary installations, such as lane demarcations using cones and neon pedestrian crossing markers, illustrated potential walkways and cycling lanes.
These tactical urbanism efforts demonstrated how thoughtful enhancements could transform Bath Avenue into a safer, more user-friendly community road, encouraging residents to embrace walking as a primary mode of transport.
For Transport Month this October, the Rosebank Management Districts organised a series of engaging events to promote walkability and safe mobility in the area.
To join and support initiatives by the Rosebank Management Districts contact mikhaela@localabode.co.za or melusi.hlatshwayo@inyourpocket.com
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