People come to First Thursdays in Cape Town for other people. It provides a place for us to hang out in the same place with people that are different from us. Simply adding people to the Cape Town city centre at night has fueled a dramatic surge in the city's night-time economy. 

Join First Thursdays co-founder Gareth Pearson and I as we discuss:

- How he became interested in making places work better

- How the Cape Town municipality used to think of First Thursday and how they think of it now (20min)

- How diverse activities attract diverse audiences (23min)

- What the effects of First Thursday are on Cape Town (28min)

- Gareth’s advice on what to think about when wanting to start a similar programme in your town (33min)

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Subscribe to the Places Plus Podcast:

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Website: https://placesplus.co.za/

Email: alan@placesplus.co.za

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Find Gareth online:

Company website: https://www.stadiumplac.es/

Email address: gp@stadiumplaces.co.za

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/garethpearson/

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Mentioned in discussion:

First Thursdays: https://first-thursdays.co.za/

Cape Town Central City Improvement District: https://www.capetownccid.org/

A Pattern Language book: https://www.loot.co.za/product/christopher-alexander-a-pattern-language/vkdk-361-g720