CGH Co-design Exhibition

This exhibition showcases the process of co-design and includes short videos, documentaries, along with live poetry and story readings. For the residents, it is a celebration of self-management. For outsiders, it’s an opportunity to interact with us and participate in or start a conversation.

Why Co-design at Cissie Gool House

Until now, the Occupier Community at Cissie Gool House has largely focused on resisting eviction.

There are some indications, albeit contradictory, that the rights of the residents to continue staying at CGH are being recognized. A positive development was the Tender issued in October 2021 by the City of Cape Town for a Building Management Agency for Cissie Gool House. The Tender also confirms the City of Cape Town’s plan to redevelop Cissie Gool House for social housing. A team of consultants has already been appointed and has commenced work on this project.

These positive developments raise several urgent questions for the Occupier Community at Cissie Gool House:

1. Although the management agency is tasked with executing the City’s wishes, how do Occupiers ensure that our interests are adequately addressed?
2. How do we ensure that the Management Systems we have already established are respected and supported?
3. A team of consultants is already working on the design. How do we intervene to ensure that the design accommodates our needs?
4. What is our vision for the kind of housing we would like to see at Cissie Gool House?
5. What actions do we need to take to ensure that this VISION is realized?

The co-design process carried out between 2021 and 2022 sought to find answers to some of these questions. The process is ongoing and will continue in 2023, focusing on the identification and implementation of maintenance activities and addressing the discussion of which management model the CGH residents envision for the future.