Cape Town’s plan to reshape Harrington Square has opened a sharp debate over what the inner city needs more: parking or housing. The site, which is currently used as a parking lot on the edge of District Six, is now at the centre of calls for a people-first rethink.

Housing Activists Push for Homes

At the first public meeting on the future of Harrington Square, housing activists urged the City of Cape Town to convert the site into housing instead of keeping it focused on parking. According to Cape Town Etc, residents and activists argued that the land should serve people who need homes, especially as Cape Town continues to face deep housing pressure.

Resident Joscelyn Beukes said returning District Six families should be prioritised for housing. Jasmina Salie, who said her family was forcibly removed from District Six during apartheid, told the meeting that former residents now see parking areas where communities once lived. Resident Pieter Janse van Rensburg also said the City could not afford to delay action on housing for years.

Businesses Warn Over Parking Losses

Not everyone agrees with turning the space into housing. Business owners at the meeting raised concerns that losing parking could make it harder for customers to access nearby shops and services. The City’s current proposal is not to replace the parking lot with housing, but to renew the site into a more “multi-functional” public space while still optimising parking for local businesses.

Deputy Mayor Eddie Andrews said in a statement before the meeting that Harrington Square and the surrounding area have strong potential as civic spaces. He said the City wants to use these assets to uplift the area, drive urban regeneration and strengthen links between surrounding neighbourhoods.

What Happens Next

Harrington Square sits on the eastern side of the city bowl and, except for three small parcels, is owned by the City. Cape Town Etc reported that the site is zoned as utility and is not part of restitution land for District Six. The City has already called for public comment and plans a workshop on 9 May, followed by another session in June where more project details will be shared.

For many residents, the issue is bigger than urban design. It is about whether scarce inner-city land should protect cars or create homes. That question is now front and centre in Cape Town’s next planning fight.