IN-PERSON Barcelona. Section A

Abstract

Cape Town is a vast and complex city, defined by diverse cultures, breath-taking landscapes, and centuries of conflict. This paper traces some of the city’s intangible heritage, which has been largely untold or narrated through a narrow colonial lens. The research critically examines the socio-spatial relationships between van Jan van Riebeeck (as emblem of VoC and Dutch colonisation), and the First People (the Khoi and San). By focusing on two pivotal sites — The South African National Observatory and Van Riebeeck’s Hedge in Kirstenbosch —the study aims to unravel tacit histories and connect seemingly disconnected narratives and timelines. Both sites have ecological protections, yet their intangible memory and impact on Cape Town’s greater spatial planning remain largely unacknowledged. The city’s history begins over 1,500 years ago when Khoi people settled in the region, naming it //Hui !Gaeb, (“Where the clouds gather.”) The arrival of Dutch colonizers in 1652 disrupted Khoi access to fresh water and began a centuries-long conflict between indigenous and colonial forces. This led to the establishment of “van Riebeeck’s Hedge”, an extensive defensive barrier which became the country’s first act of physical segregation. The impact on van Riebeeck’s Hedge on Cape Town’s spatial planning remains intact, yet largely invisible. As much as statues and plaques serve as markers of heritage, South African history has been written through an extremely narrow lens and does not yet acknowledge intangible narratives and the impact of colonial urban planning on our cities. The past persists in our urban landscapes, and should be recognised in order to redefine Cape Town as a post-apartheid and decolonial city. This research contributes to ongoing discourse on heritage preservation, spatial justice, and decolonisation and emphasizes the importance of understanding and acknowledging the past to navigate towards a more inclusive and sustainable future for Cape Town and beyond.