THE ENTRANCE NODE
by Maria Örenfors
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This can be definied as the first economic node reached whenmoving along Galeshewe activity Corridor from the City centretowards the circle. It is therefore called the Entrance Node.Although currently this is not an area where people stay for long,it does function as a meeting place. My hope is that, at some pointin the not too distant future, it will become one of the developedmeeting places of which Galeshewe is in need.Node area today
Map 4:1.Current land use. BusinessSocial amenitiesHousingPark Swimming poolChurch Overall structureThe node area, which is about 200 metres by 350 metres, can bedivided roughly into three parts. The northern part includes aCommunity Hall, a public swimming pool and a park; the middlepart, an open space of vacant land and the southern part, a shoppingcluster. The existing qualities are, to a great extent, hidden fromvisitors as fences obscure both the park and the swimming pool.The node area is adjacent to the cultural heritage Greater no2.The Galeshewe Stadium and Sohele Street with its shops are themost important features in close proximity to the node area. Thereis no road leading directly from the stadium to the node area. SoheleStreet is another of the Economic Activity Nodes pointed out inthe Comprehensive Urban Plan of Kimberley. It is not situated inthe Galeshewe Activity Corridor but connected with the EntranceNode by a road.Three streets, Motopo, Hulana and Morgan Street, meet at the node.While the other streets reach the node straight on, Morgan Streetis curbing slightly. Mapunya Street is the street that serves asconnection between Sohele Street and the node area.
Hulana Street.
Motopo Street. Map 4:2. The node area with surroundings.
Morgan Street,looking south.
Morgan Street,looking north. Greaterno2
Hulana S treet Motopo S
treet
The Circle Node
The Culture Node
GalesheweStadium
Sohele Street
Morgan S tr.
Main streetGaleshewe Activity CorridorEconomic NodesSurrounding interests TheEntranceNode The Entrance Node
Mapunya Street ends in an open field.
Sohele Street has shops along one side.
The map of the existing building pattern show that many of thepublic buildings are fenced in and also indicates where entrancesin fences and buildings are situated. It can be noted that theentrances of the post office and The Community Hall are placedon different sides with respect to the openings in surroundingfences. Opportunities to move between the south and the northpart of the node area are limited.
Shops facing Motopo Street. Map 4:3. Building pattern. Businesses1 Funeral parlour2 Coffin store3 General dealer or closed4 Small food store5 Dry cleaner 6 Liquor store7 Club8 Butchery9 Telephone 1 2345
678 1
3
6 4
8
Informal tradingInterests in developing a petrol station Building entranceOpening in fence
Map 4:4. Informal and formal businesses and inter
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Shops facing housing.
The telephone container. There is a cluster of businesses in the south part of the node area.Most of the businesses situated there are barely surviving and thecondition of the shop fronts varies. The club, which is situated onthe second floor in a two-storey building, is lively during weekends.Some of the businesses have entrances facing a residential areaand are not visible from either Hulana or Motopo Street. Between the two rows of business buildings is an alley. It wasprobably intended to serve as place to load supplies, however, someof the shops are instead doing this through the front door. Thealley is narrow and parts of it are used as a public toilet, but it iswell-lit by a high mast light. A telephone container is placed inGreater No2. Litter in the alley between the shops.The narrow alley with high mast light.
The club and other businesses at Motopo Street.
Informal trading takes place near the post office. Fruit andvegetables are sold here and car-related services are offered. Whenthe pensions are paid, once a month, informal traders place theirblankets on the ground along Hulana Street.
A developer is interested in establishing a petrol station in thisarea. An application has been submitted for a plot in the middlearea and the municipality is considering the application, which islikely to be granted. The plot is in direct contact with Greater No2and a petrol station represents a totally new activity for this area.
The only existing businesses that are thriving are the two funeralparlours. Both of these are, at this stage, interested in expandingtheir plots to include parking facilities.
Informal trading opposite the Community Hall.
Informal trading near the post office. Social amenitiesThe swimming pool , which is the only public one in Galeshewe,is open during the summer months and is quite popular. It isapproximately 150 cm deep and is therefore not suitable forswimming contests. The swimming pool is fenced in and anentrance fee must be paid. The material of the fence (cement andcorrugated iron) and its length (about 60 meters) makes it adominating object of the streetscape.Meetings and courses are held and pensions are paid at theCommunity Hall. It was built in the 1960:s and has a large hallwith a stage as well as several smaller rooms. The fence thatsurrounds the building is one of the highest in the node. The exteriorof the Community Hall is in relatively good condition, but theinterior seems to be in need of renovation.The post office is a popular meeting place where people, besidescarrying out ordinary postal errands, can buy tickets for the nationallottery. Also the post office is fenced in and a tree provides shadefor the entrance. All churches are important meeting places andtwo are situated in the node area. The swimming pool fence along Hulana Street.
A lush verdure at the Community Hall.
The post office.
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Green structure
Map 4:5. Green structure. The park has large trees, grass and some playing equipment. Thevegetation decreases towards the surrounding streets which resultsin a diffuse boundary to the park. It is surrounded by housing anda church. Olive trees have been planted along both sides of HulanaStreet and trees grow at residential plots and fenced-in public areas.
The play ground in the park.
The park has diffuse edges. ParkTree
Streets
The map shows that the main streets are covered with asphalt,while the remainder are made of sand. The bicycle lane system issomewhat fragmented, mostly due to shortcomings at the streetcrossings, and it does not continue along Morgan Street. Apedestrian path between the park and the Community Hall hasbeen cut off by a fence.
Map 4:6. Streets and streetlight. The bicycle lane is similar in shape to a sidewalk and ends abruptly. Cyclistsuse the street instead.
Housing
Relatively small, single-family houses are the dominant type ofhousing in the node area. The plots in Greater No2 are placed withtheir rear toward the street. Backyards and, to some extent, toiletsface the node area. The row of semi-detached houses situatedopposite the swimming pool at Hulana Street is housing for elderlypeople.
Semi-detatched housing at Hulana Street. Yard in Greater No2. Toilet facing the node area.
House near the park. Street, asphaltStreet, sandBicycle lanePedestrian pathStreet light
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Proposal
This section begins by describing how the guiding principles, whichare presented in the corridor proposal, are applied to this nodearea. This is followed by a specific business strategy, since themain task is to improve economic activity. The proposed changesof land use are then outlined and the traffic system is described inorder to illustrate the possibilities of movement to, from, and withinthe area with different modes of transport. Finally, the plan isdivided into four parts and each part is described in detail.
Applying the guiding principles
Holistic planningA holistic view of the area results in the usage of existingbuildings being prioritised over the usage of existing roads.Hulana Street is redirected in order to strengthen the conditionsfor existing businesses and to unite two areas into one. The nodearea is allowed to differ a great deal from Greater No2 becauseof the sharp boundary between the areas formed by MorganStreet. Measures have also been taken to link the area toGaleshewe stadium and Sohele Street.
Better balance between different modes of transportThe situation for pedestrians receives the greatest improvement.This is done through providing walking lanes, shaded places andlarge areas free from cars. Bicyclists move more or less alongthe same routes as the cars but have more favourable parkingplaces. A bus stop is centrally located in order to promote the useof public transport.
Improve public spacesExisting public spaces are improved and new ones are created.The most important changes are the proposed creation of a newsquare and the improvement of the existing park. The squareplays an important role in the spatial layout for economicdevelopment.
Improve accessibilityThe main improvement concerning accessibility is achievedthough the creation of a new public square and by the removal ofthe fence around the Community Hall. Accessibility, primarilyfor pedestrians and cyclists, is also improved through theupgrading of streets. Business strategyAs well as applying the guiding principles to the node area, a morespecific strategy for business is being used. The strategy forbusinesses in this node is to:
•improve the situation for existing businesses•locate new types of businesses, that can support smallerones, to the node area•create spatial conditions for a semiformal sector.
The situation for existing businesses is improved by redirection ofHulana Street. Existing shops not facing the Activity Corridor areturned into housing in order to make it possible to concentratebusiness to the corridor and the area around the square. Oneexception is the funeral parlour, which is interested in expandingthrough the installation of car-parking facilities.
The location of new businesses is based on two coming attractions.The first is the petrol station, which has shown interest in beinglocated to the node area. It has the potential to support surroundingactivities and is therefore placed at an attractive corner. The secondattraction is a Galeshewe museum, which has been proposed as anew development because of the growth potential of the tourismsector. The museum could develop into a unit with restaurant, coffeeshop and souvenir shop.
Two of the four factors that have been identified in theComprehensive Urban Plan as crucial to the process of forming anadequate semi-formal sector have been handled in this nodeproposal. Firstly, the idea is to establish a “traders office” in thenode area. It is a part of the business and technical advisory serviceand, through its location by the square, it is well-advertised. It willfunction as a link between traders in Galeshewe and municipalofficials in the City centre. Secondly, buildings suitable for home-based business are placed along the corridor. This is a way ofproviding inexpensive, secure and accessible working places. Tothis can also be added the opportunities provided for informal trade.By benefiting from the activities in the square and throughproximity to the bus stop and petrol station, the informal tradersmight take the step up to the semi-formal and, ultimately, the formalsectors.
The flexible house that is both a home and a business. Residentialentrance Businessentrance Land use and traffic systemThe main changes in land use are the creation of a new publicsquare, and business, service and housing being mixed and placedclose to each other. The heart of the node proposal is the proposedsquare, around which different types of activities are placed. It isdominated by the museum and the busy petrol station, both of whichcan provide the square with costumers. The bus stop and existingshops on the other side of the road also benefit from, and contributeto, the square. A new swimming pool is added and the CommunityHall is well-connected to the park. Shops, and their entrances, arelocated along the corridor and to the square. Opportunities andreasons for moving in a north-south direction are increased.
Map4:7. Proposed land use. The most important change in the street pattern is the change ofHulana Street, but a new street leading to Galeshewe stadium isalso built. By moving Hulana Street the opportunities for the nodeto develop are changed dramatically. When concentrating the trafficflow the economic node is allowed to develop close to the corridoras a whole unit. This makes it possible to concentrate developmentaround the square. Existing and new businesses are supported byall the different modes of transport that lead customers to the centreof the node. The bus/ taxi stop is situated in direct contact with thesquare. This location supports the usage of both buses travellingHulana- and Motopo Street.
Many of the measures taken in the proposal promote and improveaccessibility for pedestrians. By moving Hulana Street, the areabetween Motopo Street and the park is reserved for pedestrians.The park and the Community Hall become accessible by removingthe fence. The streets are altered in order to offer better connectionsbetween new land use and existing streets. A new pedestrianwalkway, for example, is opened through the business cluster inorder to improve connections between the surrounding streets.
The map also shows the completion of the bicycle lanes. Safe andconvenient parking for bicycles should be provided at places thatcan be expected to serve as endpoints, as well as being placed atspots visible from busy streets and places.
Car parking has been concentrated to a few strategic places. Theexisting Community Hall and swimming pool are identified,together with the proposed new museum, as having the greatestneed for parking facilities.
Map 4:8. Streets, pedestrian and bicycle lanes. BusinessSocial amenitiesHousing Mix of housing, business and/or social amenities ChurchSwimming poolPark Main street with separate pedestrian and bicycle lanesStreet where cars consider pedestriansPedestrian walkways
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N BusinessHousing Social amenitiesChurchSwimming pool ParkPrivate yardPergola roofStreetTree Bicycle lane Mixed use
Map 4:9. Proposal map of theEntrance Node. Scale 1:1000.
Swimming pool
Community Hall
Museum
Petrol station
Square area
Map 4:10. Proposal map,the square area marked.
The museum is placed along the north side of the square and isvisible when passing the node along the corridor. The south sideof the square has a low wall as a boundary. This defines the spacebut keeps it visible from the street and allows air to circulate duringhot days. Stalls for informal trading are placed along the southside of the square, close to the bus stop and accessible from thepetrol station. It is proposed that any car-related informal tradingshould take place at the site of the carwash project located at thecultural node. It is also proposed that the square shall have a stoneor concrete floor in different shades of grey to keep it from beingtoo hot or from reflecting blinding sunlight. The broken glass thatis currently spread on the ground in Galeshewe can be gatheredand used to make a mosaic in the floor of the square to symbolisethe building of the new Galeshewe. Roofs projecting outwardsfrom buildings and the height of the museum, as well as trees placedin the open square, will provide shade. In the southeast corner,visible from the square and easily accessible for customers at thepetrol station, public toilets and a slot telephone are situated.
Axonometric projection scale 1:500
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The petrol station is placed at an attractive corner and can be viewedwhen entering the node area from the south via Morgan Street.This makes the design of the station important. My proposal isthat it is designed in a modern fashion to serve as a contrast toGreater no2 and to prevent it from trying to be something that it isnot. A pedestrian path extends around the building to ensure thatcustomers can move between the square and the petrol station.The petrol station includes a shop and is proposed to have entrancesfrom both the square and the petrol pump area. Parking forcostumers visiting the shop is provided. A part of the petrol stationbuilding can be used for a fast food restaurant and have entrancesboth to the square and the parking area.
The museum was mentioned in the business strategy as a potentialpart of the tourism sector and therefore as an economic contribution,but it can also play an important role for the identity of Galeshewe.The museum should focus on the history of Galeshewe and itstransformation from township to a part of Kimberley. Photos fromdifferent eras can be exhibited to show how daily life in Galeshewehas changed. It should be a museum about the lives of ordinarypeople and new types of exhibition techniques can be used. It isproposed that the entrance to the museum will face the square whereoutdoor seating for a coffee shop can be placed. The open court inthe middle of the building can function both as an exhibition spaceand restaurant space. The northeast part of the building can beused for storage or as lecture rooms, while the part facing thepedestrian street can contain shops.
A building providing premises usable for businesses or servicesacts as a boundary along the west side of the square. It has apergola roof for shade and shelter. This is the proposed locationfor the “traders office”. It is a visible sign that action has beentaken to improve the situation for traders and it is easilyaccessible through its location, more or less in the geographicalcentre of the businesses in the node. Examples of other possibleactivities situated here are a pub, an Internet café, an ice creambar and/or a laundromat.
The northwest corner of the square is suitable for a businessbuilding of two floors with an entrance facing the square. This isa good location for a company in need of large facilities at avisible site. Housing for home-based business is situated along Hulana Street.Residents have the opportunity to use one part of the shop forbusiness purposes, either for themselves or to let to someone else.Short-term parking is possible along Hulana Street to support thesebusinesses.
Section of proposed Motopo Street, existing business to the left and square to the right.Scale 1:200, distances in meters. 11,5 1;5 2 6 2,5 2 1,5 2
3 1,5 1 6 2 1,5 3,5
Section of proposed Hulana Street with home based business and yard.Scale 1:200, distances in meters. Section of existing Motopo Street, existing business to the left andvacant land to the right. Scale 1:200, distances in meters. 15 7 2
Map 4:11. Location ofstreet sections Hulana StreetMotopo Street
Community Hall area
Map 4:12. Proposal map,Community Hall area marked.
The entrance of the Community Hall is altered in order to providea large entrance hall that gives room for exhibitions or for gatheringsof seminar participants. A row of extra rooms for the CommunityHall can be added. The Community Hall shares car parking withthe swimming pool as well as a proposed new office building placedalong Hulana Street. It is proposed that a new building beconstructed opposite the Community Hall. It can be one or twostoreys high and it would be a good location for a coffee shopoverlooking the green park. The north side faces the park and couldbe painted white and without windows. On this wall, soccer gamesor other sports events broadcast on television can be projected withthe audience sitting on the grass.
The small space created in front of the Community Hall should beprovided with trees that form a roof with seating beneath. Togetherwith a pedestrian street leading to the square, it will function as atransition space between the park and the busy urban square.Businesses can be situated on the ground level of the building alongthe pedestrian street with housing on possible floors above. Theresidents provide eyes on the street after the closing time of theshops. Proposed new space in front of the Community Hall
Existing space in front of the Community Hall
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The park should be developed for the use of all ages. It is proposedthat it will be furnished with barbecue places, picnic tables andplay grounds for younger, as well as older, children. Access todrinking water is desirable in public places, especially in thosewhere children play and drinking fountains should therefore beplaced strategically. To make the park more interesting the groundcan be sculptured into low hills or shallow holes. Lights forpedestrians are needed to make the park a safe place after sunset.For the same reason shrubbery is avoided near walking paths.
A new, full size swimming pool is added to make it possible toarrange swimming contests. Here the new swimming athletes fromKimberley can develop their skills and become role models foryounger generations. The existing entrance is made more visibleand the improvement of Hulana Street allows those waiting forswimming companions to enjoy the shade. The existing and newswimming pool are separated by a fence, which makes it possibleto have the swimming pool open for the public while arrangingswimming contests at the same time. It also keeps people that arenot good swimmers away from deep water. An entrance to the newpart is opened.
Parallel perspective of the park, Community Hall and swimming pool.
Proposed upgrading of Hulana Street in front of the swimming pool.The existing swimming pool fence along Hulana Street.
Existing business area
Map 4:13. Proposal map, existingbusiness area marked.
The location of existing shops along Motopo Street will beimproved when all the traffic passing through the corridor is rightoutside their door. Quite inexpensive measures, such as therepainting of burglar bars, can be taken to improve their appearance.Parking space can be provided along Motopo Street to keep thebusinesses accessible for cars. A small park is proposed to bedeveloped between shops and existing church to mark the end ofthe commercial activities. New buildings are proposed to be placedeast of the club, with business or service closest to it. New housingwith businesses facing Motopo is added with a yard that can beused for urban agriculture. The new housing is also provided withshaded parking places that can be shared with nearby businessesand services. The funeral parlour is provided with car parking anda wall separates this from a proposed private garden.
Existing buildings at Motopo Street.Proposed buildings at Motopo Street. Parallel perspective of proposed development in existing business area.
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The shops that are proposed to be turned into housing have to bealtered in order to provide convenient homes. What is currently analley is closed off and turned into private gardens. Infill buildingscan be added and differing heights of buildings can be used tomake terraces. This can be developed into interesting flats withqualities that are currently rare in Galeshewe. The street in front ofthis new housing is to be paved or covered with asphalt and lightsput up that are adjusted to pedestrians.
It is proposed that a pedestrian street that connects to existing streetsis opened up between existing businesses. It should be 8 meterswide and provided with pedestrian street lighting in order to keepit from being perceived as a dangerous path. It is also important tobear in mind what type of fence shop owners and residents areerecting.
It is important that the post office remains in this node. The proposednew building next door to the post office is suitable for offices ora clinic. The small public space that is created between the buildingsshould contain bicycle parking, benches near entrances and trees.
Housing can be provided behind the post office. The semi-detachedhouses are proposed to be small and can function as a hostel typeof flats that are let on short-term basis. Proposed change of business to housing. Existing shops facing residential area.
Proposed space in front of the post office.Existing situation at the post office.
West area
Proposal map 3:12,west area marked.
A park that serves elderly people in nearby housing is proposed atHulana Street opposite the swimming pool. This might seemluxurious, but it is a first step in attempting to design places to suitdiffering needs. The funeral parlour is provided with parking spaces.Business buildings of the same size as the existing funeral parlourare proposed, but placed closer to the street to signal that somethingis about to turn up.
It is proposed that the building at the end of Hulana Street willcontain business on the ground floor and housing above. AlongMotopo Street no business is added since it is desirable that it islocated along the Galeshewe Activity Corridor. Instead, housingprovided with a private yard is suggested.
It is proposed that a children’s home be situated in this part ofthe node area. It has a relatively large garden intended forplaying and an assembly hall indoors. The building can bedivided into different parts in order to meet the needs of childrenof all ages. A house for someone working at the children’s homecan also be added. Parallel perspective of the west area.
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