Bianca van Niekerk-Gandi Square



Mahatma Gandhi is the founder of the non-violent resistence in the struggle for independence from the British. As a result of this, we remember him in the naming of Gandi Square in 1999, which was first named Government Square and then renamed Van Der Byl Square.

Gandhi Square is a place where people from different races, backrounds and circumstances come to do similar activities, whether it be to order a meal at Mc Donalds or to catch a bus back home from work. Thus Gandhi Square can be seen as a node. As Kevin Lynch puts it, a node is a focal point which is important to a specific area.

One of the clues that could be of evidence to the fact that Gandhi Square isa node is thar it is a important point of stop for the Metrobus. this draws people from their work to this point, as means of commuting back home or to another required destination.

As you can see in the above picture, Gandhi Square is a very busy place, which is always early in the morning and late in the afternoon. The reason for this is that most people are traveling to work and back in thes specific times of the day.

This is what gives Gandhi Square its meaning. Not only the fact that it is a place named after someone important but also the fact that people commute daily to this area to complete their activities.

Another aspect which could give Gandhi Square its meaning, is the fact that friends can travel to this place and meet up for a cup of coffee at Mc Donalds, while waiting for the bus to arrive. This suggests that Gandhi Square is a social place as ypou can make friends there as well. Gandhi Square can aslo be considered very socially inclusive, as people of many different cultures, races and religions commute to this area.