Cape Town Calls for Public Input on Sea Point Seawall Upgrades

The City of Cape Town has initiated a public engagement process to determine the future of the Sea Point promenade’s seawall, a vital piece of infrastructure along Cape Town's scenic Atlantic Seaboard. This consultation, in collaboration with a prominent consulting firm, involves face-to-face interviews conducted directly on the promenade and will conclude this Saturday.

Spanning 4.8 kilometers, the Sea Point seawall not only acts as a coastal barrier but also plays a significant role in supporting local businesses, tourism, and various recreational and cultural activities. Recognizing the seawall’s age—with parts nearing a century old—the City acknowledges the urgent need for either refurbishment or comprehensive upgrades to ensure the continued protection of nearby infrastructure and neighborhoods from oceanic forces.

Alderman Eddie Andrews, Deputy Mayor and Mayco member for Spatial Planning and Environment, emphasized the importance of community feedback in this process. “We encourage the public to participate in the surveys while visiting the promenade. Your insights are crucial in helping us understand the value of the promenade in your lives and to guide future improvements effectively,” he said.

The ongoing feedback will play a pivotal role in a broader socio-economic evaluation designed to inform the best path forward for the seawall’s refurbishment. This evaluation aims to balance the technical needs of the seawall’s structure with the social, economic, and environmental values it supports.

While regular maintenance of the seawall will continue, the City is exploring various upgrade options to enhance its resilience against increasing environmental pressures and to better serve the community's needs. These potential upgrades are being carefully considered to minimize their impact while maximizing their benefit to both the seawall and the user experience along the promenade.

As this iconic landmark approaches its centenary, the focus is not only on preserving its structural integrity but also on enhancing its role in the community’s social and economic fabric. Residents and visitors are thus urged to seize this opportunity to influence future developments that will shape the seaside experience for future generations.

Interested parties who cannot attend the surveys in person this week can expect additional opportunities to provide feedback through other platforms, details of which will be provided by the City in the coming weeks.