City of Cape Town Link

Heritage information and resources

<div class="ExternalClassA7CE3483F25A4BCB93BDD934E1D1C21D"><p>By maintaining (and adding to) a heritage database, the City and civil society can work together to nurture and conserve heritage resources for future generations.</p></div>

<h2 class="sectHeading">Cape Town's heritage database</h2><p>In keeping with the general principles for how to manage heritage resources as outlined in the <a href="https://www.gov.za/documents/national-heritage-resources-act" target="_blank">National Heritage Resources Act<i class="icon link-external"></i></a>, the City of Cape Town holds that all cultural values, sites and landscapes of historical importance and value, areas of scenic beauty and places of spiritual importance must always be taken into account before any changes are made to our city.</p><p>The City maintains a database of heritage resources within our Metropolitan area. Our database includes (but is not limited to) structures, streetscapes, settlements, symbolic sites, natural and cultural landscapes, and significant plantings.</p> <span> <div class="notification with-heading white-copy blue bg-navy"><div class="graphic no-border"> <i class="info wellrun"></i> </div><div class="desc"><h4>Did you know?</h4><p> <b>A well-run city:</b> The National Heritage Resources Act actually requires that local authorities, like the City of Cape Town, maintain a database of the heritage resources within the boundaries of its area of jurisdiction. Our database was started in the 1980s, well before the proclamation of the National Heritage Resources Act 25 of 1999</p></div></div></span> <h2 class="sectHeading">Environment and Heritage Resources Information Centre (EHRIC)</h2><p>The Environment and Heritage Resources Information Centre (EHRIC) has been set up by the City to allow researchers access to historic records and to facilitate good heritage management. EHRIC consists of historic documents, reports and publications, historic maps, photographs, plans and photographic negatives. Some of these documents are fragile and are only available in digital format.</p><p>We have the following collections available to the public:</p><h4> Historical map collection</h4><ul><li>Comprehensive catalogue is on-going </li><li>Digital scans are freely available on request </li><li>Access to originals is restricted </li><li>Maps that are too fragile for handling are not available for viewing</li></ul><h4> Historic printed media </h4><ul><li>Box files with City reports and publications </li><li>Select annual reports available, including mayoral minutes </li><li>Old property records (Yellow Pages) </li></ul><div class="notification with-heading dark-copy pink bg-light-grey"><div class="graphic with-border"> <i class="info note"> <br></i></div><div class="desc"><h4>Please note</h4><p>EHRIC is open to the public by appointment only. Contact us on <em><a href="mailto:heritage@capetown.gov.za">heritage@capetown.gov.za</a>.</em></p></div></div><h2 class="sectHeading">Heritage Advice Guideline Series</h2><p>We are creating a Heritage Advice Guideline Series to help you understand heritage resources management, including: the protection and management mechanisms for heritage resources; and the processes for making heritage-related development applications.</p><p> <a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Graphics%20and%20educational%20material/Heritage_Resource_Management_Brochure.pdf" target="_blank">Booklet 01 - Heritage Resources Management</a><br><a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Graphics%20and%20educational%20material/Heritage_Advice_Guidelines_Booklet_02.pdf" target="_blank">Booklet 02 - How to Design in a Heritage Context</a><br></p><h2 class="sectHeading">Heritage pamphlets</h2><p>Whether you are exploring the city as a visitor or looking to understand how we <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Explore%20and%20enjoy/cape-towns-history-and-heritage/Understanding-our-history-and-heritage/Protecting-our-heritage">protect our heritage resources</a>, our heritage pamphlets are an excellent source of heritage information for Cape Town.</p> <span> <div class="content-accordion"><div class="content-trigger contentTrigger"><h3>Heritage pamphlets<i class="icon button-down-arrow"></i> </h3><div class="content-toggle contentToggle" style="display:none;"><p> HAP 1 <a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Graphics%20and%20educational%20material/HAP01_HeritageResources.pdf" target="_blank">Heritage Resources</a><br> HAP 2 <a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Graphics%20and%20educational%20material/HAP02_HeritageAreas.pdf" target="_blank">Heritage Areas</a><br> HAP 3 <a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Graphics%20and%20educational%20material/HAP03_CulturalLandscapes+Vegetation.pdf" target="_blank">Cultural Landscapes and Historic Vegetation</a><br> HAP 4 <a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Graphics%20and%20educational%20material/HAP04_DesignInHeritageContext.pdf" target="_blank">Design Guidelines in a Heritage Context</a><br>HAP 5 <a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Graphics%20and%20educational%20material/HAP05_BoundaryEnclosures.pdf" target="_blank">Boundary Enclosures in Heritage Areas and to Historic Buildings</a><br>HAP 6 <a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Graphics%20and%20educational%20material/HAP06_Garages+Carports.pdf" target="_blank">Garages and Carports in Heritage Areas and for Historic Buildings</a><br>HAP 7 <a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Graphics%20and%20educational%20material/HAP07_Roofscapes.pdf" target="_blank">Roofscapes in Heritage Areas and of Historic Buildings</a><br>HAP 8 <a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Graphics%20and%20educational%20material/HAP08_Security.pdf" target="_blank">Security in Heritage Areas and for Historic Buildings</a><br>HAP 9 <a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Graphics%20and%20educational%20material/HAP09_LangaHeritage_PART1.pdf" target="_blank">Langa Heritage and Sites - PART 1 </a><br> HAP 9 <a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Graphics%20and%20educational%20material/HAP09_LangaHeritage_PART2.pdf" target="_blank">Langa Heritage and Sites - PART 2 </a><br> HAP 10 <a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Graphics%20and%20educational%20material/HAP10_Company%27s_Garden_Self-guided_Walk.pdf" target="_blank">Company's Garden Self-guided Walk </a><br> HAP 11 <a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Graphics%20and%20educational%20material/HAP11_Alt+AdditionsGuidelines.pdf" target="_blank">Alterations and Additions in Historic Residential Areas </a><br> HAP 12 <a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Graphics%20and%20educational%20material/HAP12_StJamesKalkBay.pdf" target="_blank">Guidelines for Work in St. James and Kalk Bay Heritage Area </a><br> HAP 13 <a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Graphics%20and%20educational%20material/HAP13_BoKaap.pdf" target="_blank">Guidelines for Work in Bo-Kaap Heritage Areas </a><br> HAP 14 <a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Graphics%20and%20educational%20material/HAP14_DRAFTCliftonBakovenGlenBeachBungalows.pdf" target="_blank">Guidelines for Work in Bungalows Heritage Areas </a><br> HAP 15 <a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Graphics%20and%20educational%20material/HAP15_MamreMissionVillage.pdf" target="_blank">Guidelines for Work in Mamre Heritage Area </a> (Also see website: <a href="https://mamrerevitalization.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Mamre Revitalisation Project<span class="icon link-external"></span></a>) <br> HAP 16 <a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Graphics%20and%20educational%20material/HAP16_PhilippiHeritage.pdf" target="_blank">Philippi Heritage Information Brochure</a><br>HAP 17 <a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Graphics%20and%20educational%20material/Slave%20Heritage%20Walks%20complete%20pamphlet%2017%20HAP%20readable.pdf" target="_blank">Slave Heritage Walks</a></p></div></div></div></span> <p>You may also be interested in <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Explore%20and%20enjoy/cape-towns-history-and-heritage/Heritage-sites-and-buildings/Walking-heritage-tours-of-the-city">Walking heritage tours of the City</a>.</p><h2 class="sectHeading">Interactive map</h2><p>You can check a property or area’s local heritage status online. Visit our <a href="https://citymaps.capetown.gov.za/EGISViewer/" target="_blank">City Map Viewer<i class="icon link-external"></i></a> to find properties, identify streets and find out its status (e.g. whether it's a Heritage Protection Overlay Zone (HPOZ) or a listed heritage site).</p> <b>Heritage Protection Overlays </b> <p>Many areas in Cape Town are protected under Heritage Protection Overlay zoning (HPO) because of their special historic and cultural significance, and our laws protect the character and quality of these environments. An area can be included in the HPO because of the high quality, or concentration or extent of groupings of cultural heritage resources within it, or because of an extensive landscape resource, place or cluster of buildings. </p><p>Please see <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/Residential-property-and-houses/Build-or-renovate-your-property/Your-heritage-site-or-building">Your heritage site or building</a> for further guidance. </p> <span> <h2 class="sectHeading">Get heritage advice</h2></span> <p>Contact a <a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Forms%2c%20notices%2c%20tariffs%20and%20lists/EHM_District_Offices_Contact_List.pdf">Heritage Management District Office </a>near you for more information and general advice.</p><p>You may also want to visit our <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Departments/Environmental%20Management%20Department">Environmental Management Department page</a>.</p>

Our well-maintained heritage database and preserved heritage records are available to the public in a number of ways.

Heritage Advice Guideline Series: Booklet 01	Heritage Advice Guideline Series: Booklet 01	695316	GP0\|#5702b03d-251a-4a3f-8243-b5b3f7bb764a;L0\|#05702b03d-251a-4a3f-8243-b5b3f7bb764a\|Booklet;GTSet\|#f1e8889f-f7d7-4d5b-a3f5-af0ca2e076ea;GPP\|#5340fe0b-73a7-472c-bef7-04e450fb5c4f;GPP\|#0972c695-fd19-46c4-ab5d-9601f17b780e;GP0\|#63522a5c-a6fd-40ae-a313-2b363ab1ec33;L0\|#063522a5c-a6fd-40ae-a313-2b363ab1ec33\|Guideline;GTSet\|#f1e8889f-f7d7-4d5b-a3f5-af0ca2e076ea;GPP\|#d8892104-ce90-493e-b813-93c488f4b1d3;GPP\|#0972c695-fd19-46c4-ab5d-9601f17b780e	2020-11-22T22:00:00Z
Heritage Advice Guideline Series: Booklet 02	Heritage Advice Guideline Series: Booklet 02	1622494	GP0\|#5702b03d-251a-4a3f-8243-b5b3f7bb764a;L0\|#05702b03d-251a-4a3f-8243-b5b3f7bb764a\|Booklet;GTSet\|#f1e8889f-f7d7-4d5b-a3f5-af0ca2e076ea;GPP\|#5340fe0b-73a7-472c-bef7-04e450fb5c4f;GPP\|#0972c695-fd19-46c4-ab5d-9601f17b780e;GP0\|#63522a5c-a6fd-40ae-a313-2b363ab1ec33;L0\|#063522a5c-a6fd-40ae-a313-2b363ab1ec33\|Guideline;GTSet\|#f1e8889f-f7d7-4d5b-a3f5-af0ca2e076ea;GPP\|#d8892104-ce90-493e-b813-93c488f4b1d3;GPP\|#0972c695-fd19-46c4-ab5d-9601f17b780e	2022-11-16T22:00:00Z
Heritage Advice Pamphlet 01: Heritage Resources	Heritage Advice Pamphlet 01: Heritage Resources	774036	GP0\|#367c7831-4239-4ad6-824a-c4325897c033;L0\|#0367c7831-4239-4ad6-824a-c4325897c033\|Pamphlet;GTSet\|#f1e8889f-f7d7-4d5b-a3f5-af0ca2e076ea;GPP\|#5340fe0b-73a7-472c-bef7-04e450fb5c4f;GPP\|#0972c695-fd19-46c4-ab5d-9601f17b780e	2005-05-31T22:00:00Z
Heritage Advice Pamphlet 02: City of Cape Town Heritage Areas	Heritage Advice Pamphlet 02: City of Cape Town Heritage Areas	1734312	GP0\|#367c7831-4239-4ad6-824a-c4325897c033;L0\|#0367c7831-4239-4ad6-824a-c4325897c033\|Pamphlet;GTSet\|#f1e8889f-f7d7-4d5b-a3f5-af0ca2e076ea;GPP\|#5340fe0b-73a7-472c-bef7-04e450fb5c4f;GPP\|#0972c695-fd19-46c4-ab5d-9601f17b780e	2005-05-31T22:00:00Z
Heritage Advice Pamphlet 03: Cultural Landscapes and Historic Vegetation	Heritage Advice Pamphlet 03: Cultural Landscapes and Historic Vegetation	738431	GP0\|#367c7831-4239-4ad6-824a-c4325897c033;L0\|#0367c7831-4239-4ad6-824a-c4325897c033\|Pamphlet;GTSet\|#f1e8889f-f7d7-4d5b-a3f5-af0ca2e076ea;GPP\|#5340fe0b-73a7-472c-bef7-04e450fb5c4f;GPP\|#0972c695-fd19-46c4-ab5d-9601f17b780e	2005-05-31T22:00:00Z
Heritage Advice Pamphlet 04: Design Guidelines For a Heritage Context	Heritage Advice Pamphlet 04: Design Guidelines For a Heritage Context	673084	GP0\|#367c7831-4239-4ad6-824a-c4325897c033;L0\|#0367c7831-4239-4ad6-824a-c4325897c033\|Pamphlet;GTSet\|#f1e8889f-f7d7-4d5b-a3f5-af0ca2e076ea;GPP\|#5340fe0b-73a7-472c-bef7-04e450fb5c4f;GPP\|#0972c695-fd19-46c4-ab5d-9601f17b780e	2005-05-31T22:00:00Z
Heritage Advice Pamphlet 05: Boundary Enclosures in Heritage Areas and for Historic Buildings	Heritage Advice Pamphlet 05: Boundary Enclosures in Heritage Areas and for Historic Buildings	556192	GP0\|#367c7831-4239-4ad6-824a-c4325897c033;L0\|#0367c7831-4239-4ad6-824a-c4325897c033\|Pamphlet;GTSet\|#f1e8889f-f7d7-4d5b-a3f5-af0ca2e076ea;GPP\|#5340fe0b-73a7-472c-bef7-04e450fb5c4f;GPP\|#0972c695-fd19-46c4-ab5d-9601f17b780e	2005-05-31T22:00:00Z
Heritage Advice Pamphlet 06: Garages and Carports in Heritage Areas and for Historic Buildings	Heritage Advice Pamphlet 06: Garages and Carports in Heritage Areas and for Historic Buildings	724775	GP0\|#367c7831-4239-4ad6-824a-c4325897c033;L0\|#0367c7831-4239-4ad6-824a-c4325897c033\|Pamphlet;GTSet\|#f1e8889f-f7d7-4d5b-a3f5-af0ca2e076ea;GPP\|#5340fe0b-73a7-472c-bef7-04e450fb5c4f;GPP\|#0972c695-fd19-46c4-ab5d-9601f17b780e	2005-05-31T22:00:00Z
Heritage Advice Pamphlet 07: Roofscapes in Heritage Areas and for Historic Buildings	Heritage Advice Pamphlet 07: Roofscapes in Heritage Areas and for Historic Buildings	567452	GP0\|#367c7831-4239-4ad6-824a-c4325897c033;L0\|#0367c7831-4239-4ad6-824a-c4325897c033\|Pamphlet;GTSet\|#f1e8889f-f7d7-4d5b-a3f5-af0ca2e076ea;GPP\|#5340fe0b-73a7-472c-bef7-04e450fb5c4f;GPP\|#0972c695-fd19-46c4-ab5d-9601f17b780e	2005-05-31T22:00:00Z
Heritage Advice Pamphlet 08: Security in Heritage Areas and for Historic Buildings	Heritage Advice Pamphlet 08: Security in Heritage Areas and for Historic Buildings	549316	GP0\|#367c7831-4239-4ad6-824a-c4325897c033;L0\|#0367c7831-4239-4ad6-824a-c4325897c033\|Pamphlet;GTSet\|#f1e8889f-f7d7-4d5b-a3f5-af0ca2e076ea;GPP\|#5340fe0b-73a7-472c-bef7-04e450fb5c4f;GPP\|#0972c695-fd19-46c4-ab5d-9601f17b780e	2005-05-31T22:00:00Z
Heritage Advice Pamphlet 09: Langa Heritage Part 1	Heritage Advice Pamphlet 09: Langa Heritage Part 1	1416810	GP0\|#367c7831-4239-4ad6-824a-c4325897c033;L0\|#0367c7831-4239-4ad6-824a-c4325897c033\|Pamphlet;GTSet\|#f1e8889f-f7d7-4d5b-a3f5-af0ca2e076ea;GPP\|#5340fe0b-73a7-472c-bef7-04e450fb5c4f;GPP\|#0972c695-fd19-46c4-ab5d-9601f17b780e	2015-12-31T22:00:00Z
Heritage Advice Pamphlet 09: Langa Heritage Part 2	Heritage Advice Pamphlet 09: Langa Heritage Part 2	1480838	GP0\|#367c7831-4239-4ad6-824a-c4325897c033;L0\|#0367c7831-4239-4ad6-824a-c4325897c033\|Pamphlet;GTSet\|#f1e8889f-f7d7-4d5b-a3f5-af0ca2e076ea;GPP\|#5340fe0b-73a7-472c-bef7-04e450fb5c4f;GPP\|#0972c695-fd19-46c4-ab5d-9601f17b780e	2015-12-31T22:00:00Z
Heritage Advice Pamphlet 10: Company's Garden Self-Guided Walk	Heritage Advice Pamphlet 10: Company's Garden Self-Guided Walk	11421210	GP0\|#367c7831-4239-4ad6-824a-c4325897c033;L0\|#0367c7831-4239-4ad6-824a-c4325897c033\|Pamphlet;GTSet\|#f1e8889f-f7d7-4d5b-a3f5-af0ca2e076ea;GPP\|#5340fe0b-73a7-472c-bef7-04e450fb5c4f;GPP\|#0972c695-fd19-46c4-ab5d-9601f17b780e	2015-12-31T22:00:00Z
Heritage Advice Pamphlet 11: Alterations and Additions in Historic Residential Areas	Heritage Advice Pamphlet 11: Alterations and Additions in Historic Residential Areas	1256184	GP0\|#367c7831-4239-4ad6-824a-c4325897c033;L0\|#0367c7831-4239-4ad6-824a-c4325897c033\|Pamphlet;GTSet\|#f1e8889f-f7d7-4d5b-a3f5-af0ca2e076ea;GPP\|#5340fe0b-73a7-472c-bef7-04e450fb5c4f;GPP\|#0972c695-fd19-46c4-ab5d-9601f17b780e	2007-02-28T22:00:00Z
Heritage Advice Pamphlet 12: Guidelines For Work in St. James & Kalk Bay Heritage Area	Heritage Advice Pamphlet 12: Guidelines For Work in St. James & Kalk Bay Heritage Area	1234633	GP0\|#367c7831-4239-4ad6-824a-c4325897c033;L0\|#0367c7831-4239-4ad6-824a-c4325897c033\|Pamphlet;GTSet\|#f1e8889f-f7d7-4d5b-a3f5-af0ca2e076ea;GPP\|#5340fe0b-73a7-472c-bef7-04e450fb5c4f;GPP\|#0972c695-fd19-46c4-ab5d-9601f17b780e	2007-02-28T22:00:00Z
Heritage Advice Pamphlet 13: Guidelines For Work in Bo-Kaap Heritage Area	Heritage Advice Pamphlet 13: Guidelines For Work in Bo-Kaap Heritage Area	891466	GP0\|#367c7831-4239-4ad6-824a-c4325897c033;L0\|#0367c7831-4239-4ad6-824a-c4325897c033\|Pamphlet;GTSet\|#f1e8889f-f7d7-4d5b-a3f5-af0ca2e076ea;GPP\|#5340fe0b-73a7-472c-bef7-04e450fb5c4f;GPP\|#0972c695-fd19-46c4-ab5d-9601f17b780e	2007-02-28T22:00:00Z
Heritage Advice Pamphlet 14: Draft Guidelines For Work in Bungalows’s Heritage Area	Heritage Advice Pamphlet 14: Draft Guidelines For Work in Bungalows’s Heritage Area	973357	GP0\|#367c7831-4239-4ad6-824a-c4325897c033;L0\|#0367c7831-4239-4ad6-824a-c4325897c033\|Pamphlet;GTSet\|#f1e8889f-f7d7-4d5b-a3f5-af0ca2e076ea;GPP\|#5340fe0b-73a7-472c-bef7-04e450fb5c4f;GPP\|#0972c695-fd19-46c4-ab5d-9601f17b780e	2007-02-28T22:00:00Z
Heritage Advice Pamphlet 15: Guidelines For Work in Mamre Heritage Area	Heritage Advice Pamphlet 15: Guidelines For Work in Mamre Heritage Area	1421454	GP0\|#367c7831-4239-4ad6-824a-c4325897c033;L0\|#0367c7831-4239-4ad6-824a-c4325897c033\|Pamphlet;GTSet\|#f1e8889f-f7d7-4d5b-a3f5-af0ca2e076ea;GPP\|#5340fe0b-73a7-472c-bef7-04e450fb5c4f;GPP\|#0972c695-fd19-46c4-ab5d-9601f17b780e	2007-02-28T22:00:00Z
Heritage Advice Pamphlet 16: Philippi Heritage	Heritage Advice Pamphlet 16: Philippi Heritage	2641397	GP0\|#367c7831-4239-4ad6-824a-c4325897c033;L0\|#0367c7831-4239-4ad6-824a-c4325897c033\|Pamphlet;GTSet\|#f1e8889f-f7d7-4d5b-a3f5-af0ca2e076ea;GPP\|#5340fe0b-73a7-472c-bef7-04e450fb5c4f;GPP\|#0972c695-fd19-46c4-ab5d-9601f17b780e	2007-02-28T22:00:00Z
Heritage Advice Pamphlet 17: Slave Heritage Walks	Heritage Advice Pamphlet 17: Slave Heritage Walks	5753038	GP0\|#367c7831-4239-4ad6-824a-c4325897c033;L0\|#0367c7831-4239-4ad6-824a-c4325897c033\|Pamphlet;GTSet\|#f1e8889f-f7d7-4d5b-a3f5-af0ca2e076ea;GPP\|#5340fe0b-73a7-472c-bef7-04e450fb5c4f;GPP\|#0972c695-fd19-46c4-ab5d-9601f17b780e	2005-06-01T10:00:00Z