Cultural Wonders En Route

Mikhail Peppas

Over the past few years having journeyed to various major city travel destinations, I have gathered what are considered requirements for attracting tourists and creating exposure in the international world of destination travel. 

My observation reveals seven features of a great city: affectionate name linked to a symbolic emblem; worldwide instantly recognisable place for photo ops; product; route; central library; song; and cuisine.

Durban has several accolades that can be enhanced considering the seven elements. Processes are underway to place Durban on global radar screens.

Durban ranks above average overall in the African Green City Index. Visual cues include the beachfront promenade; sustainable building design of the Moses Mabhida Stadium; development of a clip-on cycle bridge that crosses over the mouth of the uMngeni River; and, as a legacy symbol arising out of the COP17 United Nations Climate Change Conference, the Living Beehive structure in Durban Botanic Gardens, Africa’s oldest surviving botanic gardens. 

Green Heart City Durban beaded pin-on reflecting traditional patterns. Photo Mikhail Peppas

The citizen-based organisation, Green Heart Movement aims to position Durban as Green Heart City. The reference to Durban as Green Heart City echoes the promotional branding of New York as the Big Apple and Paris as the City of Love. In South Africa, Cape Town has the Mountain, Johannesburg has the Brixton Tower and the mine dumps, and now Durban is becoming recognised for the BunnyKat and the giant Green Heart, following on from earlier but fading symbols of bananas, sugar cane, rickshas and surfboards.

The BunnyKat cultural icon of Green Heart City Durban and KwaZulu-Natal pops up around the world in the most unexpected places. Photo Sanabelle Ebrahim

Two Durban routes originated by the Green Heart Movement are: the Beacon-to-Beacon Golden Mile Epic and the KulturWalk.

Beacon-to-Beacon Golden Mile Epic

In line with the planned upgrade of the seafront promenade stretching from the Blue Lagoon at the mouth of the uMngeni River across to North pier at the entrance to the harbour, a route connecting the two points will be identified by marker beacons at each end. The beacons indicate the geolocation and details such as the distance and duration of a scenic walk connecting the marker points. The walk is termed the Beacon-to-Beacon Golden Mile Epic and is supported by an app showcasing restaurants and places of interest along the route.

The marker points provide a convenient and picturesque meeting space for friends and visitors and allow for photo opportunities indicating that the image is taken in Green Heart City Durban. Both marker beacons will have an illustration of the opposite beacon that will encourage people to follow the scenic route. Durban’s iconic Green Heart will be engraved on each beacon. Halfway between the two beacons will stand the emblematic sculpture of Durban’s very own folk hero comic book character, the BunnyKat. A locally designed shuttle bus depicting images and events along the route will run between the two beacons. BunnyKats, postcards and other Durban merchandise will be available at both beacon points.

KulturWalk

The KulturWalk runs between the Old Fort Gardens and the Port Natal Maritime Museum. The initiative is supported by the Durban Central Community Tourism Organisation (DCTO). The KulturWalk App charts the sensual landscape of a city. Measurement factors such as happiness, forwardness, evocability, vibrancy, walkability, rhythms, visceral mood, and city image are key elements in shaping and future-fitting a great city.

Dry land tug at the Port Natal Maritime Museum. Photo Hugh Bland

Digital elements that feature in the central city KulturWalk include apps, QR codes and electronic signage that provide historical and cultural information and outline a route that draws participants into the redesigned Embankment curving around the People’s Port. An outdoor screen embedded in the northern Heart at the uMngeni River depicts events taking place at the opposite end of the beachfront promenade and along the ‘Heart2Heart’ Beacon Route.

A rekindled fondness for Durban Harbour will foster an identity for a Smart City-Port and endear the public with a sense of place attachment. A Smart People’s Port enhances community engagement, tourism, leisure, recreation, career and business opportunities. City-Port activations and infrastructure featuring digital elements will transform the Embankment into a bustling locale of choice.

People’s Port shaping into an adventurous place to meet, mix and mingle. Future plans for Durban Harbour will ensure that the port is integrated more fully into the daily life of the City. An exciting mix of entertainment and commerce unfolds as Durban takes its place amongst the great cities of the world. Photo Sanabelle Ebrahim