How Cape Town volunteers are turning CBD spaces into urban oases

Mission for Inner City Cape Town has mobilised 140 volunteers to green public spaces in the central business district, up from more than 50 when its Green Squad launched 18 months ago. The project has planted 2,100 plants and 35 trees to create places where commuters, office workers and restaurant staff can rest or read. Urban gardener David Moses and greening lead Vincent Truter say the initiative aims to involve people in caring for shared spaces. Some planters had to be replanted four times after plants or planters were stolen or damaged.