Tasmi Quazi
Kristin Neudorf, a public health research consultant and contributor to the Open City Projects has written a second piece in a series on Warwick Junction, this time profiling the Herb or Traditional Medicine Market – locally known as the Muthi Market.
The Open City Projects blog which featured the first article in the series titled Markets of Warwick, Durban is aimed at profiling public space best practices in terms of sustainable use of material, landscaping or unexpected programming; and its role in encouraging more connectedness to cities.
Again with unique perceptiveness, in her second article titled “Herb Market on an abandoned motorway”, she aptly captures the dynamics of the traditional medicine sector as an urban livelihood practice and the history of the development of the Market. Kristin writes:
“Durban’s Warwick Junction is home to one of the largest Muthi markets in South Africa, and from an urban planning perspective, the history of the market space is as fascinating as the Muthi itself…
…The space that is now the Herb Market started out as a motorway overpass that was deserted…
The transformation of the former overpass into a safer, healthier and less congested space for the Herb Market is an impressive example of innovation and ingenuity in urban planning. After a major clean-up operation, lighting, water taps and toilets were installed, and kiosks and stalls were built in consultation with the healers and traders themselves…”
Read the full article, here.
