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Once there, they found out that the village had turned into a city, and everything had changed beyond the imaginable. The parents carefully observed and analysed the landscape. The boundaries had blurred. They thought to themselves, “Here we are, like travellers in our own city, it’s a bit crazy.” Where should they start? “Why not here? Follow me, kids!” They used the human-sized buildings as background for their first selfies. Their random exploration of the city was a lovely walkabout.
In front of them was an avenue shaded by blooming jacaranda trees. It formed an urban pathway filled with a wonderful energy. With its bars, restaurants, barber shop, bakery and florist, the place was alive with the sounds of life. They overheard energetic and cheerful voices engaging in typically Mauritian conversations. “We missed that, didn’t we?”
Two hundred metres away, the seamless connection between a green oasis and the architecture added vibrancy to the
city. “Let’s take a break.” From an inviting bench, their older child swept the landscape with his hand. An unimpeded view that stretched out to the mountains in the distance and the sky above. The foreground hummed with exciting features, including a reflecting pool, an outdoor roller-skating rink and self-service bikes.
“So, how’s our new home?” asked the father. “Exactly as I imagined,” said their younger daughter before pausing, and adding with a smile, “If not better!” Everything was buzzing, alive and vibrant around their little family. They could see a street artist striking unlikely poses here, and a dog running off-leash alongside its owner there, and further away babies walking their mothers. One thing that left no doubt was that, “This city must have been created by a pedestrian.”
bigger picture
2021 / NO 3 / MOKAZINE 35
Nathan Iyer, architect, urban designer and master thinker of Moka Smart City
« Throughout the history of cities, particular events have shaped their trajectory, in some cases not always for the better. However, in some instances,
a special moment dawns, which places
a city on a new path of positive change and growth. A moment such as this exists now in Mauritius.
The country stands at a point of greatness. Recent evidence has shown remarkable change and growth. The last ten years have been characterised by a view of the future with great optimism, conviction, and delivery. Moka Smart City is important in continuing this recent tradition of growth, modernisation and addressing national priorities. Telfair is an amazing opportunity to establish a new city centre that resolves the present spatial imbalances within the heart
of the island, whilst at the same time furthering boost.
It is a new vibrant city centre that
brings together the highest quality of international best practice in urban development, with the uniqueness and charm of Mauritius. Telfair is grounded in the principles of quality urbanism, which encourages a more urban, sustainable, walkable, mixed-use, and street related pattern of development, ensuring a sense of place and community. »