Recently, our team in Cape Town held a public engagement session with the residents of the Parel Vallei community and surrounds, in Somerset West. The purpose was to inform the community of a new project that Lukhozi are undertaking in the area. Input from the community was welcomed.

The vision for the project is to upgrade the stormwater infrastructure of the Geelsloot catchment by introducing attenuation ponds. The ponds will increase the hydraulic capacity of the storm system and thus prevent downstream flooding. Rehabilitation works will also address existing erosion and embankment instability issues.

The potential of these green spaces was not lost on the design team who, with some out-the-box thinking, approached the design of the spaces with their recreational value in mind. Through the inclusion of play areas, pathways, a cycle track, indigenous tree planting, biodiverse gardens, seated benching etc. during the design phase, ensures that the needs of the wider community are maintained in addition to providing functional infrastructure that ensures stormwater treatment and attenuation.