Pretoria Is Life!!

            Church Street Is Not Just A Street

                

Pretoria's main street, Church Street (now renamed to 4 different names), is the longest urban street in South Africa, and one of the longest straight streets in the world. Pretoria gained city status on 14 October 1931.

Church Street has an exceptional historical meaning and is steeped in symbolism; it is everything that a main street should be, running through the city centre and throughout the length of the city. Church Street is the ideal avenue for the start of a pedestrian boulevard movement across Pretoria.

It plays an important role in the daily undertakings in this dynamic city. Any interventions done in such an important environment must directly separate and identify the wants and needs of the respective users without negatively influencing the human environment. The underlying philosophy of this project is to not only upgrade the environment and to add to social, cultural and economic aspects, but also making this project act as a catalyst and stimulating further developments.

The importance of nature and natural elements in an urban setting cannot be stressed enough. Adding green zones improves the serenity and helps to reduce the feeling of chaos presented in city centres. The Church Street Mall enjoys some of this city’s heritage, thanks to its convenient locale. The pedestrian street on which it is perched (not surprisingly called Church Street) is the address of many of the historical buildings of the town.

Those strolling down the street will also likely enjoy the welcome shade cast by the impressive stinkwood trees that flank the road. The Church Street Mall itself is brimming with interesting shops and stalls. Here, visitors and locals can glean African curios, which lie alongside tapestries, sculptures, jewellery, exquisite dyed textiles, and contemporary art pieces.

This mall gives visitors from all over the world the opportunity to shop to their heart’s content while meeting local folk and being part of the unique and unforgettable South African experience.

Video: https://youtu.be/S3Bl8AuKPds

Audio: https://soundcloud.com/macaudio-2/church-street-lillian-boxfish-takes-a-walk