The latter, is being supported by FIFA. A modern stadium not far from the CBD. Integrated into the best the city has to offer. Within walking distance of hotels, the nightlife and in the case of Cape Town, within walking distance of our 22 million visitor tourist trap, the V&A waterfront, to be linked to the stadium by a new boulevard.

Even with the lower noise pollution from the much larger stadium, Green Point and the CBD are the hub of Cape Town and for the foreseeable future will and should remain noisy. Minstrels marching from the CBD into the new stadium, the Argus and its crowds, community festivals and major concerts, inside and outside the stadium.
It’s part of a bolder and newer Cape Town not stuck in outdated urban planning tactics still being fiercefully proposed by outdated urban planners.

The new stadium, bus rapid transit system, proposed new urban nodes and public community spaces are being delivered and unveiled to move the bolder Cape Town into the global spotlight. Out of the hidden residential stadium locations such as Newlands and into our dramatic and majestic locations such as Green Point.

The Wingfield site would have resulted in an EIA process which would have cost us time and money. It was the most expensive option due to the site sensitivity, would have required millions to upgrade the station and still suffers from debates surrounding the ownership and parts of the land. Not to mention the possibility of having to move the naval base from the site to allow for construction. In a 7 year pre Olympic period, this may be feasible but given the pressure from sponsors and FIFA to ensure Cape Town plays a larger role during 2010, this was simply not an option.

Green Point stadium will become part of the urban fabric. A seamless link using the new boulevards and IRT system from the CBD to the urban park, promenade and V&A.
A Cape Town central station, upgraded for the first time in over 30 years, will along with the Hertzog Boulevard’s IRT stations act as the main transport hub. Close to 700,000 passenger trips take place using rail and transport services to the CBD. There is no better transport hub which sees all our routes directed to one location.

I refer you to FIFA’s 2007 description of the ideal stadium site/location.
Source: FIFA 2007, Football Stadiums, Technical recommendations and requirements

Stadium location:

In an ideal world, the ultimate location would probably be a large city-centre site with good access to public transport, major roads and motorways and parking that can be used by others when games are not being played. This reduces the possibility that large parking areas will be used for as little as 100 to 200 hours per year. A stadium with ambitions to host international events is more attractive to event holders if it is within comfortable reach of hotels and active commercial environments and at least one international airport.

Sounds like Green Point to me. The site where Cape Town’s football history started.

Transport – the city is implementing a rapid bus transit system (IRT), integrated with the minibus taxi industry, while major highway intersections are being upgraded and reworked.

I don’t think Wingfield is suitable for accommodation. The Green Point common is within walking distance from the City Bowl and Atlantic Seaboard hotels.

Golf course, well… Cape Town has 18 courses on my count. Take a drive.

Noise – engineers designed the roof to allow noise produced by the crowd to be reflected back into the stadium.

Views – who cares when the value of the property has doubled? The infrastructure around Green Point will be admirable. And if you want views then don’t live in the city!

If you were living in Europe then maybe that’s your reason for being ignored, possibly? In the end a decision has to be made, not everyone will like it, which is unfortunate, but that’s life.

I have asked, but received no reply ” who took the decision to site the stadium in Green Point?”

Having been personally involved in the Olympic bid for the 2004 Olympics, I have to say that from every possible point of view the Wingfield site was better than Green Point, so why put a stadium in a place where no matter how beautiful it is, it is difficult to get to, and creates a myriad of problems of access, and sustainability. 90% of ticket holder or spectators will have to cross the city at a point where the roads are under huge pressure anyway. No train, no rapid transit. Taxis!? A nightmare.

Wingfield has train service and a great deal of space, as well as proximity to Canal Walk.
No need to cross the city for every match. Close to most supporters of the sport of Soccer.

At green point we have had THREE stadia in my lifetime, We have lost a nice little golf course, and now have a six hole apology. Sweet none the less.

We have a stadium that will be noisy, and interrupts the views of many dedicated and loving residents of the area. Who were there long before this monstrous decision.
Dont even ask about the hotels in earshot.

Who made this high handed decision to build in Green Point?
No one is prepared to say. I dont even get the courtesy of a reply to my mail.

Certainly we the citizens were ignored. No matter how beautiful this stadium may be, it is in entirely the wrong place.

Ernest Ford.

Durban needde an iconic design, and therefore requested an arch. It also did not have the noise and height limitations set out by the environmental affairs ministed.