Why Creative Precinct Failed: A Re-Activation Plan

After the idea of "Newtown Cultural Precinct" has been set up in 1990s, several big institutions and museums have moved in over the years, such as Sci-Bono Science Centre, African Museum, and SAB World of Beer. However, expect for the first few years, there was few visitors and the precinct was being considered unsafe. You can barely see people hanging around Mary Fitzgerald Square and Newtown Park when there is no events, which only happen a few times a year in daytime, not to mention the night time.

Because of the investment and developers, numerous informal settlers have been evicted from their home to clear out the place for the "developments" and "urban upgrades" of the "Cultural Precinct". Ironically, not only the informal settlers, but also the creative cluster of artists, which emerged here since the apartheid, were forced out because of the high rent.

Even the business went through a hard time, several important cultural and art venues were closed or moved out. The famous Jazz Club Bassline were closed in 2016, Xarra Books, a haven for African literature has moved out and the annual New Year Carnival no longer brings Newtown to life with drumming, costumes, floats and singing.

On the other hand, the adjacent area, for example, Braamfontein and Fordsburg, presented a total image: dynamic, vibrant, and energetic. Benefit by the Wits University and its student population, Braamfontein was one of the most popular places to hang out in 2010s.

Fordsburg, just west of Newtown, because of its high density and mixed-use configuration, also presented a civil and lively atmosphere. No security guards were seen on the street, however, residents and visitors were comfortable to walk on the street and explored the stores and market.

Cultural and Creative Industries have become an important sector of the economy since 2000s. Businesses in design, architecture, advertising, recording, aspects of film and television, software innovation, commercial galleries, aspects of crafts and fashion, publishing etc. choose to locate near and stimulate each other, and create partnership, and ultimately create economically viable long-term industries.

Newtown was once a "Cultural Precinct" that emphasize on displaying and consumption driven. To include creative industries, we try to veer it from big institution dominated and consumption driven, to artists/citizens dominated and production driven.

Based on what we have seen in the adjacent neighborhood and other cultural and creative “hotspots” in the city, we believe that several isolated big institutions do not necessary form a “Cultural Precinct”. However, if we use the small fabric, introduce residential components, try to create a civil life of vibrant atmosphere, provide art education and training, and offer a friendly environment for art and cultural small business, we can establish a producible, self-maintained, and sustainable “Cultural Precinct”.