Page 46 - Bulletin 23- 2020

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other subjects including transportation, landscape design, and how to mitigate the effects of
the prevailing strong southerly wind.

Our first work was to translate the recommendations and the results of the investigations into

practical terms where the amount of cut and fill balanced, and there was a logical sequence to
the work. We prepared detailed cost estimates and identified areas for which further

investigation was needed.

At this planning stage David Jack was in charge of the project and, as is evidenced by his

outstanding work on Marina da Gama and later on many other projects, he provided us with

exceptional vision and skill in decision making. He was later responsible for Mitchells Plain,
the V&A Waterfront, the “pedestrianisation” of parts of the city centre, and many other

landmark projects.

Michael Lowe, another remarkable talent, led the urban and architectural design team.

Michael later distinguished himself as an urban designer in Europe and became a partner in

the international firm, Ove Arup, based in London.

Some of those involved in the work had previously been involved in projects in California
where there were already dozens of coastal marinas, housing developments with canal access,

developments with landscaped elements and projects with themed architectural design. These
were new concepts in South Africa at the time and we recognised their importance in

providing design comparatives for our situation at Muizenberg.

Because of this lack of local comparable projects in South Africa, in April 1971, over a 6-
week period, I visited many overseas projects with our Senior Partner, Quentin Scott. The trip

provided useful contacts and became a study of “how to do it” and “how not to do it”. We
met at a desk-level with many engineers and other specialists who had built waterside

residential developments and amenities in France, Holland, the UK, California, Florida and

the Bahamas.

Investigations relating to the redevelopment of Sandvlei and the planning of Marina da Gama

were extensive. In addition to fine topographical mapping, there were detailed measurements
of soils and founding conditions, studies of the hydrology, wind recording at two levels in

three locations, measurements of evaporation, investigations into aquatic weed and water

quality and measurements of sailing and wave conditions in False Bay. Wind model studies

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