TURN THE TIDE! A landscape-based strategy for resilient Knysna shoreline

Knysna is a small coastal town nestled on the northern shore of the Knysna Estuary in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. Today, Knysna is experiencing rapid population growth. The stable economy, good infrastructure and quality of life are reasons why the region is so attractive. However, a dark cloud glooms on the horizon as the region is increasingly threatened by the effects of climate change. Knysna faces multiple social, economic, and environmental challenges, which all require immediate action. However, Knysna will only be able to tackle these once it has faced its main rising challenge: climate resilience. The aim of this thesis is to develop a landscape-based strategy that can be applied on multiple scales, supporting Knysna’s development into a climate-resilient and socially reactivated district.

The concept REACT(ivate) creates the base for this transformation to take place and consists of two steps: the first is to identify and react upon expected and unexpected climate change impacts. In the case of Knysna these are sea-level rise, drought, flooding, and wildfires. The second is to activate forgotten spaces by inviting people to rediscover the shoreline by creating opportunities for recreation. The design proposes a radical transformation of the town’s central district to reconnect town and water. By retreating the urban edge, a connected shoreline with a variety of spatial qualities is created. The design places emphasis on the multidimensional value of public space, whilst preparing for a future with climate change-related challenges.