Bree Street was abuzz with the crafty and creative on Sunday, in a big act of community as people came together to sew a super blanket the length of the street!
Cape Town, South Africa (11 February 2025) — Bree Street has been at the heart of a powerful movement in Cape Town, one that’s reclaiming this part of the CBD for pedestrians, the environment and a stronger sense of community. In the latest social experiment that unfolded as part of Bree’s car-free Sunday era, people united to create a blanket the length of the street!
Led by Young Urbanists South Africa and award-winning social impact architecture practice The Maak, Sunday, 9 February, saw Bree Street turn into a crafter’s fever dream as people brought their own fabric, sewing equipment and expertise to the open road.
As the organisers emphasise with each of their efforts under a car-free Bree Street, this was not an event. It was a social experiment; a bid to test changes to the street that hope to effect lasting impact.
The community picnic blanket session was not just about sewing in solidarity or saving scraps from landfills. It was about a mindset shift that encourages people to see streets differently, not merely as a space for parking or to pass through, but as a space where humans can connect, form bonds and sew the fabrics of their diverse lives together to create a seam of future experiences.
Since October, Bree Street has said ‘not today’ to cars every Sunday. One of the most popular streets in Cape Town, the car-free movement has helped urban communities here thrive as they have in other cities undertaking car-freeness like New York and Paris.
Said thriving isn’t just due to the fact that pedestrians can roam safely, stop for a chat or, say, sew a giant blanket together. It’s also due to the way this movement is essentially helping urban humans get back to our roots and feel connected to our areas in ways cars simply don’t allow for.
Other street experiments include friendly sports games in the street, a BYOB (Bring Your Own Book gathering) and seeing Bree turn into a skate paradise.
If you missed this Sunday, stay tuned for the next session by keeping up with Young Urbanists!
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