Executive Mayor Opens South Africa’s First Inner-City Street Experiment
Executive Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis officially opened the Safe Passage Precinct, marking the beginning of South Africa’s first Inner-city street experiment.
In a landmark move for transportation development in South Africa, Bree Street in Cape Town’s City Centre has undergone a bold six-month street experiment as part of the Safe Passage Precinct. Led by Young Urbanists NPC in partnership with the SDI Development Trust, and supported by sponsors including Adreach Group, the City of Cape Town, the Mission for Inner City Cape Town, local and international partners, and the Mayor’s Discretionary Fund, the project is reshaping one of Cape Town’s most vibrant streets into a safer, greener, and more people-centred public space.
The Safe Passage Precinct is SA’s first street experiment demonstrating a living, data-driven pilot in creating street that work better for everyone — from cyclists, last-mile delivery drivers, commercial vehicles and pedestrians to small business owners.
The pilot temporarily narrows Bree Street between Wale and Shortmarket Streets to a single mixed traffic lane in each direction, reclaiming valuable road space for people. Reversible elements such as temporary kerbs, bollards, removable seating, lush planters, and formalised loading bays including a protected motor bicycle bay have been installed to test new possibilities while keeping the changes adaptable.
This initiative builds directly on the City of Cape Town’s CBD Mobility and Access Plan, which identifies Bree Street as a ‘Special Activity Street’ due to its exceptional pedestrian energy, thriving restaurants, boutiques, and creative economy. For too long, the street’s design has prioritised vehicles over its human vibrancy. The Safe Passage Precinct is changing that through careful testing before permanent decisions are made.
Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis says the launch reflects the City’s commitment to more liveable public spaces and collaborations with the private sector. “Today’s launch of the Safe Passage Precinct as a street experiment is an exciting step forward in making our streets more friendly for their actual users – people and pedestrians, not just cars. I’m pleased we’ve been able to get this experiment to this point, and I hope it is the first of many more around the CBD and elsewhere. It also follows on from the successful closing of Bree Street every Sunday during summer, that we’ve pioneered the last couple of years, and which has become so popular for Cape Town families as a place to come and be together.”
Roland Postma, Managing Director of Young Urbanists, added: “This is a live pilot to measure safety, movement, business activity, and how people use the street on a daily basis. By temporarily reallocating road space with temporary delineator kerbs, bollards, removable seating, landscaping, and defined loading bays, we can improve pedestrian safety, calm traffic, and support local economic activity while maintaining access for through traffic.”
Visitors to Bree Street today will immediately experience the transformation: traffic calmly flowing at a people-friendly 30km/h, vibrant new greenery and inviting seating areas, dedicated safe mobility hubs for delivery riders, and four well-organised commercial loading bays that have reduced illegal double-parking and congestion. Car-Free Sundays and First Thursdays continue to activate the area, drawing thousands to enjoy the vibrant public space.
The Bree Street Experiment forms Phase 1 of the wider Safe Passage Programme, which aims to link Cape Town’s townships and informal areas to the city’s economic hubs through safer, greener, and more inclusive mobility corridors. Phase 2 will extend the route along Albert Road toward Langa.
Adreach Group, the exclusive media partner for the Safe Passage Initiative, is championing “Brand Urbanism”, the concept that forward-thinking brands can actively invest in and become part of a city’s urban fabric. Creative activations across landmark buildings, the central island, the main intersection, 1.4km of cycle lane bollards, and the zero-emission Safe Passage Mellow Van all feature artwork commissioned from local artists.
“This initiative connects brands directly with Bree Street, delivering exceptional visibility while supporting a meaningful community project that is improving lives and public spaces,” says Ryan Hancock, Adreach Group Sales Divisional Director.
The insights gained on Bree Street are intended to scale across Woodstock, Salt River, Langa, Dunoon, and beyond, creating a replicable model for more human-centred cities across South Africa.
It is our collective responsibility to make our streets safer, more inclusive, and more vibrant. Brands and businesses have a powerful role to play in this transformation. By sponsoring projects like the Safe Passage Precinct, companies can drive real social impact, gain meaningful visibility in Cape Town’s most dynamic urban spaces, and help build a better future for our cities.
Now is the time for forward-thinking brands to step up and get involved. Your support will not only enhance Bree Street today but will help shape safer, greener streets across South Africa tomorrow.
The Safe Passage Precinct is South Africa’s first inner-city street experiment, temporary, reversible, and evidence based. Because our streets can and should be better. Together, let’s make it happen.
