ELLIS PARK

From the onset of the project, it was clear that planting material would prove to be a particular challenge in this highly urbanised and harsh setting. In this regard, special attention was given to the choice of indigenous planting palette and as a result, the chosen street trees, feature material and evergreen planting successfully managed to ensure unity of the various precinct profiles, while adding value to the overall character of the precinct.   More than 650 new trees were planted in the precinct and will eventually provide a shady green ‘forest’.

Prompted by the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup, The Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA) earmarked the ELLIS PARK PRECINCT for urgent need of rejuvenation and upliftment. This inner-city development was to function as a Sports Hub connecting the upgraded Ellis Park Stadiums with the Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) system to the north and taxi rank to the south while featuring sculptural art work and including the rehabilitation of the adjacent railway embankment.

Focussing on durability and functionality, the landscape design utilised the two stadiums as catalysts for the development of a new inner-city network that will connect the various nodes with the newly developed Stadium Square – a ‘signature space’ between the two stadiums.  A water feature was designed with three phases of water, ranging from mist to fountains which ultimately become a fast flowing ‘river’ of water that symbolises and celebrates the origin of the Jukskei River, which lies beneath Stadium Square.

From the onset of the project, it was clear that planting material would prove to be a particular challenge in this highly urbanised and harsh setting. In this regard, special attention was given to the choice of indigenous planting palette and as a result, the chosen street trees, feature material and evergreen planting successfully managed to ensure unity of the various precinct profiles, while adding value to the overall character of the precinct.   More than 650 new trees were planted in the precinct and will eventually provide a shady green ‘forest’.