In celebrating Women’s Month, the CCID spoke to female leaders in government, business and civic society in the Central City. We published some of their comments in the Winter 2016 issue of City Views. Here is a Q&A with Marcela Guerrero Casas, managing director of Open Streets Cape Town. Stay tuned throughout August to meet more wonder women of the Cape Town CBD.
How long have you, personally, been doing this kind of work and why do you do it?
Since 2012. Open Streets is a simple concept that has great potential. It is happening all over the world and based on the great response we have received in Cape Town, I believe we have only scratched the surface. A citywide programme can meaningfully help bridge the social and spatial divide of Cape Town and, one day, of other South African cities.
What is the most challenging part of what you do?
Raising funds is the hardest thing. I am very passionate about what the Open Streets team has been able to create, but have struggled to attract the finances required to take the programme to scale.
What do you still want to see happen in the CBD that would assist your organisation and goals?
The CBD could be a haven for pedestrians. It’s the right size and it’s beautiful! We need a different mindset, though, and that can only happen through initiatives that help “re-educate” the public. From making traffic signals more pedestrian friendly to establishing policies that create an incentive for more people to walk, there is a whole spectrum of possibilities.
What would you want the public to really understand about what it is you do?
Streets are public space and that they hold enormous amount of untapped potential. It is within everyone’s power to claim our right to streets as public space and through Open Streets Days we create a platform for everyone to experience that space differently. Most importantly, only through collective effort can we radically change how we relate to streets and how we move around the city.
What is it about the Cape Town CBD that you enjoy?
Having access to a wide array of offerings in terms of food, entertainment and coffee!
Outside of your work environment, what is your favourite spot in the CBD?
I love The Company’s Garden. In addition to providing a green space in the midst of concrete, it is a place that welcomes everyone and enables a sense of ownership by the public.
What has been your best time in the CBD?
I have really enjoyed the Infecting the City festivals. In particular, I enjoyed an evening session that shut down part of Queen Victoria Street and populated the space with installations and performance.
If you had a lunch hour free to yourself, how would you spend it in the CBD?
I would jump on my bicycle and ride from the office (at 75 Harrington Street) up Wale Street, down Bree to Hans Strijdom, past Thibault Square down to Adderley and around the Civic Centre. I would end at 75 Harrington and have a delicious salad from Chopchop.
Open Streets Cape Town
http://openstreets.org.za