Cape Town has a number of historic buildings, many of which are still in use today and open to visitors. A chronological overview is portrayed here. Castle of Good Hope 1666-1679 The Castle of Good Hope that stands today was erected by the Vereenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie (Dutch East India Company) (VOC), …
Read More »Cape Town : The Mother City : Part 2 : Geological Construction Influences and associated Infrastructure
View of Table Mountain from Bloubergstrand [Image Source] “…An appreciation of the magnificent sea and mountain views of the “fairest cape” can be enriched by knowledge of its geological foundations…” ~ University Cape Town (UCT) Department of Geological Sciences Table Mountain above the University of Cape Town [Image Source] …
Read More »Cape Town : Mother City : Part 1 : Settlement History
Cape Town is the oldest city in ‘the Rainbow Nation’ of South Africa and the legislative capital of South Africa housing its National Parliament. It the most popular international tourist destination in South Africa and in Africa as a whole and the largest city and provincial capital of the Western …
Read More »Marseille: Phocaean City: Part 4 : Le Vieux Port
Le Vieux Port : Past and Present Until the C19 the Vieux Port remained the centre of maritime activity in the city. Vieux Port, Marseille [Image Source] In the Middle Ages land beyond the port was used to cultivate hemp for the local manufacture of rope for mariners. René, Duc de Anjou …
Read More »Marseille Phocean City: Part 3 : EuroMéditerranée Project
With its history, architecture, culture and beaches, Marseille is now one of the most visited cities in France and ranked 86th in the world for business tourism and events. The number of congress days hosted on its territory increased threefold from 1996 to 2011. They take place over three …
Read More »Marseilles: Phocaean City : Part 2 : Heritage within the Urban Framework and Multi-Modal Transport System
Fort St Jean / Fort St Nicholas – Photo : bolzlimacher The Organisation of World Heritage Cities, (OWHC) summarises the Marseille Forum event, “Marseille Forum on the Value of Heritage for society and the social value of heritage,” held in September this year as follows: “…The Marseille Forum was organised by …
Read More »Marseille : Phocaean City : Part 1 : City History and the Rade
Marseille is the second largest city and metropolitan area in France with a city population of over 853,000 within a metropolitan population of over 1.6 million. It extends over 24,000 hectares, including 9,000 designated natural areas. It is the country’s largest city on the Mediterranean coast and largest commercial port, …
Read More »Valparaiso : The Seaport City – Part 4: Heritage Threats
“Preserve and defend culture by turning to our seas to enhance Chilean maritime conscience” Museo Naval y Maritimo de Valparaiso [Image Source] Vintage photograph of Muelle de Pasajeros, Valparaiso In the 1990s, Architects Myriam Waisberg and later Cecilia Jimenez campaigned to support the heritage of the city. Jiminez carried out …
Read More »Valparaiso ‘The Seaport City’ – Part 3: Port and Transport Infrastructure, Earthquake and Fire Resistance
Port Infrastructure Commercial Port Since 1982, with the increase in containerisation, modernisation of the Valparaiso commercial port superstructure and operation began as a private-public partnership. Continued export growth and advances in maritime technology have demanded further investment in dock infrastructure and equipment, a significant new phase of which is under …
Read More »Valparaiso : The Seaport City – Part 2: Urban, architectural and landscape development
UNESCO states that “…Valparaiso presents an excellent example of late C19 urban and architectural development in Latin America. In its natural amphitheatre-like setting, the city is characterised by a vernacular urban fabric adapted to the hillsides that are dotted with a great variety of church spires. It contrasts with the …
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