The Balfour Park Student Promenade is the latest high-quality public space developed by the Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA).
The agency’s spokesperson Kenneth Nxumalo said, “The Balfour Park Student Promenade forms part of the Balfour Park Transit Precinct Development in line with the Growth and Development Strategy 2040 based on the corridor Transit-Oriented Development. The precinct plan falls under the Louis Botha Development Corridor to facilitate a visibly improved public environment and develop non-motorised transport facilities to create an integral precinct.”
Nxumalo added the safety of pedestrians along Athol Street was a constant worry.
“Many learners use this street to reach Louis Botha Avenue, where taxi drop-off and pick-up points are, and the schools are west and east of the main road. The kickstart zone to implement this plan was Balfour Park Student Promenade which extends along Athol Street, starting from St Mary’s High School and ending at Campbell Street before Louis Botha Avenue.”
MMC for Development Planning Belinda Echeozonjoku added the JDA had a strong track record of sustainable inner-city and environmentally friendly development across the city.
“This project is in line with the objective of the agency to regenerate decaying areas of Johannesburg to enhance its ability to contribute to the economic development of the city and the quality of life of its residents,” she said.
Nxumalo added the Art My Jozi initiative added to the appeal of the promenade.
“The ArtMyJozi team began work on the student promenade in March. The team installed a series of murals and mosaics on urban furniture and artworks on lighting features.”
He added this year the ArtMyJozi held workshops with learners of Atholton Pre-Primary School and St Mary’s School and the outcomes from these workshops have gone through a graphic design translation process and applied to the various urban elements defining the student promenade upgrade.
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