All in the mix: neighbourhood aesthetics, artwashing, and gentrification in Salt River, Cape Town

Abstract This paper offers a look at how neighbourhood aesthetics, public art, and housing conditions interact to shape urban transformation. The primary aim of the study is to investigate whether artwashing is a feature of gentrification in Salt River, a historic neighbourhood near Cape Town’s central business district. In order to achieve the aim, the following objectives were set: to conceptualise artwashing and gentrification; to conduct an aesthetic audit of residential homes in the study area to document the condition of buildings; to map the locations of public artwork in relation to the aesthetic audit; to determine residents’ opinions on gentrification and urban artwork in their neighbourhood; to understand Baz-art’s rationale behind the art projects in Salt River; and to make policy recommendations to combat gentrification in the area. The study employs a mixed-method approach to analyse the complex dynamics of residential transformation, gentrification, and public art in Salt River. The three main methods include a household survey, an aesthetic audit of residential homes, and semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders. Salt River, marked by its Victorian colonial vernacular architecture, has a unique history, escaping the then apartheid government’s forced removals in 1950s and 1960s. Despite historical challenges, recent decades have seen declining investment, prompting the City of Cape Town to implement policies like the Urban Development Zone and Heritage Protection Overlay Zone to uplift and conserve the suburb, respectively. This study utilised a mixed-method approach, consisting of three main components First, to enhance our understanding of the state of residential transformation in Salt River in 2021 the exteriors of residential homes were graded. hos aesthetic audit reveals variations in the condition of homes, with upper Salt River displaying better ratings than lower Salt River, where most mural art is concentrated. Second, the study delved into the motivations and consequences of public art projects, particularly those organised by Baz-Art. Interviews with Baz-Art’s founder, shed light on the permit process, community engagement, and the impact on residents’ perceptions of their environment. Notably, the art distribution correlates with the aesthetic ratings, raising questions about its impact on gentrification. Third, the study examined residents’ opinions through a sampled survey and finds a strong connection to the neighbourhood’s history and resistance to selling properties. However, concerns about environmental and social quality, changing neighbourhood character, and outside interest are evident. Gentrification is seen as encroaching into residential areas, with real estate agents approaching homeowners. Community organisations, like the Salt River Heritage Society, play a pivotal role in documenting, preserving, and resisting gentrification. Despite public art initiatives aiming to bring pride to residents, survey results indicate a lack of increased pride among respondents. Criticisms include art not reflecting the community’s history and themes unrelated to Salt River, which resulted in many artworks being defaced, and replaced, reflecting local values instead. By linking aesthetic audits to gentrification, it opens new avenues for understanding and influencing housing policies and urban planning practices that balance development with community preservation in Cape Town.