With more young professionals living, working and playing in downtown Cape Town than ever before, what are the urban living trends this young energy is creating? We asked those in the know.
Living in downtown Cape Town is as popular as ever. According to the CCID’s 2021 Residential Survey, just over 55 % of current city centre residents have lived in town for three years or less. This is 10 % higher than the 2020 survey, indicating that new property developments continue to attract an influx of young urbanites. About 19 % of these individuals moved to the CBD less than a year ago. Interestingly, most respondents (36 %) were between the ages of 25 and 34. Could this migration of young people correlate with the so-called Lifestyle Audit which was prompted by the pandemic, thereby encouraging people to reassess their priorities? This post-pandemic era plus the influx of young energy to the Central City is catalysing some interesting urban living trends in the Cape Town CBD. Here, some big thinkers elaborate on the top trends they’re seeing right now.
SUMIEN BRINK: Former VISI editor and current editor at New Media
More young and creative people have moved to town and the City Bowl: They’re demanding certain lifestyle changes – for example, small eateries and specialty venues – that are changing the fabric of the inner city. My top trends:
- Mixed-use wins: The conversion of commercial buildings into mixed-use spaces, combining residential living with an interesting retail offering that includes co-working spaces, delis and coffee shops.
- Colour therapy: Increasingly, buildings are being spruced up with artworks and colour, to lift everyone’s spirits.
The appealing courtyard seating of Jerry's Burger Bar Heritage Square.
DON PAUL: Cape Town media consultant, content producer and storyteller
“Spotting trends is like playing eye-spy in the backseat with a bunch of bored children. Whatever you see and call out comes into focus. But it may just be because it's something you're looking for.” My top trends:
- An in-fusion of new cuisines: There’s a variety of different cuisines – especially Southeast Asian – springing up, from Japanese street food to ramen-style single-dish venues.
- My space is yours: There are now a lot of shared-space alternatives, whether it's short-term office space or rentals.
One of the penthouses at inner-city residential building, Cartwrights Corner.
THEA PHEIFFER: Art Director at House & Garden
My top trends:
- Mi casa, soothe casa: The post-pandemic period has made the home the epicentre of people's lives, especially during the new remote-work era. Homes have become a natural refuge of calm and peace. Textiles and fabrics have become so important as people seek comfort in their spaces.
- My kitchen reno: Kitchens have had a massive revival, so there are many more cooks in the kitchen. The pandemic breeds a sense of money paranoia, so lots of people are entertaining at home.
- Short on space: I think inner-city homes will always be limited on space; inventing space where there is none will continuously reflect in the Central City and its homes.
Church Square in the East City precinct is surrounded by residential buildings.
DUŠANKA STOJAKOVIĆ: Chairperson of the South African chapter of International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY), publisher at New Africa Books
My top trends:
- In with the new: Covid-19 caused trendy shops and eateries to close, but new entrants are now very visible, like LOCAL at Heritage Square and Break, Milk & Honey at Neighbourgood East City (formerly The Townhouse Hotel).
- Hard Times: Many more people fell on hard times thanks to the pandemic, with homelessness increasing. The CCID and Executive Mayor of Cape Town are facing these issues sensitively and sustainably.
The deli at Local at Heritage Square.
BRONYWYN WILLIAMS: Futurist, economist, trend translator and partner at FluxTrends
My top trends:
- The (impatient, on-demand) "homebound" economy – where people are ordering in, across the socio-economic divide – is reshaping cities as bike delivery services become a part of everyday life.
- "Low-tech" e-commerce solutions that service underserved communities and loop them into the on-demand e-commerce economy are also connecting communities in new ways. Low tech means using WhatsApp as an ordering mechanism, for example, and electric scooters for delivery instead of a dedicated courier service. It’s clever cost-cutting.
- Globally, we’re starting to see sponge cities – or urban areas designed to withstand the effects of extreme climate change – and climate-proof housing becoming more prevalent. This hasn’t penetrated the Cape Town CBD yet.
- The global "anti-work/anti ambition” movement, where people are quitting their jobs (The Great Resignation) and/or refusing to get a job and participate in the economy (the Lying Down Flat phenomenon), is changing how and where businesses recruit and where people live. Again, this is more of an international than South African urban trend.
- Counter trends like "revenge travel" and "revenge shopping" see people over-spending and taking on debt to maximise experiences in the here-and-now, regardless of future financial consequences.
IMAGES: Boxwood Property Fund, Carmen Lorraine
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