The Popsicle Index

Whilst waiting for our TV meeting I explore the City Bowl neighbourhood high above the city of Cape Town cradled within the low bowl area of Table Mountain. The place reminds me so much of the Hollywood Hills above Los Angeles with its narrow winding streets and speeding cars. Walking up a broken-down cement staircase I stumble upon a beautiful gem hidden away behind overgrown trees and forgotten memories. The Gardens Bowling Club would be a fantastic space to disappear into for the afternoon with nothing but casual sport and cold cocktails to worry about. Nobody is here except me. I feel like Alice.

One of my favourite streets in the city starts here at the mouth of the Mount Nelson Hotel driveway - the Company's Garden walkway running all the way South almost to the main train station - from Orange Street down to Wale Street it's nothing but trees, birds and happy people. Public space. No cars. I love it. We are looking at an office space at the bottom of this lovely pathway in what is called Greenmarket Square nestled between the historic buildings on Strand, Adderly, Long and Longmarket Streets. If we buy the space, we will be a five-minute walk to our bank which I think is a very very good idea.

It's hard not to be in awe of the affordability of the city's real estate, especially as a foreigner. So many of the city's companies have left the cbd in search of safer quieter dwellings which is fine by me because there's more choice for SHINDA and more room to negotiate. I have to work in the city. I need to be in walking distance of coffee, newspapers and citizens. And popsicles, for their index of a livable city.

The Popsicle Index is the % of people who believe a child can leave their home, go to the nearest place to buy a popsicle or snack, and come home alone safely. For example, if you feel that 50% of your neighbors believe a child in your neighborhood would be safe, then your Popsicle Index is 50%. The Popsicle Index is based on gut level feelings of the people who have intimate knowledge of a place, rather than facts and figures. I would throw fresh fruit into that equation myself. I think I'll introduce myself to the Dan Plato, the mayor of Cape Town, and tell him about the popsicle index if he doesn't know about it already. He talks about livable cities and promotes the idea of high-density living for Africans. One of the reasons why he said the federal government is failing to deliver housing is that they mistakenly held onto the believe that every 'African' home needs to have a garden. Those days were long gone on this highly urbanizing continent. Africans need to look up and imagine how they will raise their families 5-10 stories above ground. Completely new and sustainable concepts need to be localized here in Africa if people are going to live in harmony together.

Photos; Upper Orange Street - Gardens Bowling Club, apartment for sale, The Company's Garden.