New Doornfontein Yesterday And Tomorrow is a unique insight in respect of the history and planned development of Johannesburg in he early 1970s. There is no date of publication but internal evidence indicates that this book was probably published circa 1970/1971. All the units in the book are still Imperial as South Africa only converted to the metric system in 1974.
This book appears to be a prospectus put together by a firm of architects and planners. Abramowitch, Schneider, Sacks and Associates on behalf of a consortium known as the Doornfontein Development Company (Pty) Ltd. It was a proposal to redevelop an area of approximately 51 acres covering about 13 blocks, which comprised the historic suburbs of Doornfontein, which at this stage of the citys history was very run down.
The prospectus id divided into 3 parts, the first section is a very short overview of the history of Doornfontein, (really just a page of text and a photograph). The second part consists of a far more in-depth survey of the existing suburb and the topics covered, range from the population census to a topographical survey. The third part consists of the proposals and plans for the revitalisation of the suburb.
The third part is a fascinating glimpse into the way planners envisaged urban planning and renewal in the early 1970s.
Even more fascinating is the depiction of a changed Johannesburg skyline. Part 3 is a detailed proposal as to what the consortium envisaged Doornfontein could look like.
For whatever reason the proposal did not appear to go beyond the prospectus phase. It would have been fascinating to see how and where Johannesburg might have developed if the scheme had been implemented.
A truly interesting part of Johannesburg history and possibly unique.
Hard Cover. Matt pictorial boards. Boards are clear, clean and intact. In Very Good condition. Some shelf wear and scuffing along the edges, spine edges and on spine. Covered by plastic cover.
Illustrated in B/W photos and drawings and text. In Fine Condition. Contents are clean and bright.
No Dust Jacket.
Publishing: unknown.
Binding Condition: Fine
Overall Condition: Fine
Size: Folio, 306 mm X 427 mm X 29 mm. (12,5 inch X 16 inch)
Pages 129
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