Olivier Masson
19 November 2007
Port Louis — Developing a sense of belonging, an identity This is what Curepipe wants to achieve through the colors of its facades and the gaiety of its streets. With the help of all.
"We want to encourage environmental stewardship." The idea of developing environmental awareness and concern for landscaping among town citizens is not new. But the sense of belonging to which refers Curepipe's Project Head Inspector, Subash Lobin, reposes on initiatives that could lead the way into an authentic urban planning strategy.
The most remarkable one could be the project initiated by municipal councilors and an eco-friendly non-governmental association, Cape. "We had been originally contacted by two members of this NGO and a colorist from Mauvilac, Olivier Bertiaux", explains Krishnanan Isram, the town secretary. The idea is to give a second life to the general outlook of the town, which, just as its central market, looks grim and sad, if not poorly kept and an eyesore.
For that ambitious relooking, five main colours have been chosen. "We met in committees and a pre-selection of 10 colors -dominant and matching tones was made", adds Subash Lobin, who is involved in the technical aspect of the project. "We have discussed and all, from town planner to municipal councillors have had a say."
The transformation of Curepipe could be a reality in less than 10 years. But the project would not have been sustainable without the support of its first representative. "We have asked the colorist to keep these colors and their matches for our town only as a symbol of our integrity", says Soobir Sen Pritish Sewnath, the mayor of Curepipe. "Now the color samples are ready and can be seen at the town hall."
"The choice has been made according to the climatic characteristics of the town. With an average four rainy days per week, we wanted the town to look gay and cheerful, even in bad weather", Prem Sewnath explains.
This is why the municipality is combining the project with other initiatives. "Now that the Trou-aux-Cerfs path has been rehabilitated, the municipality will be enhanced with flower pots, then it will be the turn of Chasteauneuf Street."
Yet from theory to action, there is sometimes a big gap. How to change the colors of the town? "Everybody is invited to participate, from NGOs to students and residents", says the Project Head Inspector, underlining what is being carried out in two primary schools, La Confiance and Curepipe Road Governement School, in terms of environmental sensitisation.
"As I indicated, the color samples are already at the disposal of the general public. The next step is to settle the legal aspect, through which we will encourage their use", the mayor goes on. As it is, there is no specific regulation that can impose the use of certain colours or any kind of fine for those that do not maintain their fronts. "Only in case of decrepitude, illegal construction or security risk can we verbalise", replies the Town Secretary. But the authorities are confident: the colour scheme can be implemented both in the short and long terms: "When delivering construction permits, we can, as licensing authority, recommend the colors."
Then, it could be simpler to rejuvenate Curepipe by beginning with new buildings. "On a longer term, we are envisaging incentives for repainting older structures." This could include cheaper prices for chosen tones. "Along withrefurbishment, facades would be repainted in harmony".
Meanwhile, the municipality is launching a flowering programme of which citizens will be able to see the starting point at the municipality itself for the Christmas holidays. "We are also looking forward to install flower pots on each side of Chasteauneuf Street" explains Subash Lobin. The project will take form with the help of a flower specialist.
Everything in that flowery plan seems to have been taken into account. "We have made sure that the flowers would not be destroyed by vandals. In fact, pots would be fixed at a sufficient height on buildings in a way that they will also be removed easily from time to time. "We will also ensure that they will match the tones of Curepipe". Now, authorities expect a good reply from citizens
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