Heritage Cases

The Thomeng waterfall site sits approximately 10km away from the proclaimed Taung World Heritage Site. It has been incorporated into the scheme due to its high cultural and ecological value. The proposed position of the parking lot is close enough for people to utilize it yet far enough away to conserve the waterfalls. This will be the only area cars are allowed to park, the higher terrace will be reserved solely for the pedestrian. Currently users park their vehicles right next to the falls on the upper terrace. Current research shows that the site is used by over a thousand people during holidays such as Easter and Christmas, very little restriction, control or infrastructure is currently provided for these people. This scheme draws its form from existing movement routes as well as serving to protect culturally and ecologically sensitive areas from over-usage and vehicles. The road between Norlim and Thomeng is a existing public road, and has been designed in accordance with the requirements of the Local Administration. As such the alignment is consistent with the requirements laid down. The entrance to the Falls area is the same as the previous existing informal access road. Adjustments, for safety reasons, were required to the vertical alignments (slight cutting of rises and filling of adjacent depressions). Paving blocks were specified in order to maximise the potential for local sub-contractor and labour development objectives of the employer. These blocks also help prevent soil erosion especially on slopped areas of the road. The parking area is slightly raised, as the previous area was subject to seepage and flooding. The adjusted platform is at the same height as the surrounding ground plus 100mm.