SPECIAL FEATURE Durban’s inner city is to be revitalised New plans and a North Coast boom offer investment opportunities in eThekwini. The metropolitan municipality of eThekwini stretches from Umkomaas in the south to the King Shaka International Airport in the north, Cato Ridge on the N3 marks the western boundary with Durban’s harbour mouth the easternmost point. The city of Durban is growing fast and it is growing in two quite different ways – northwards in the vicinity of Umhlanga and the airport, and upwards in the inner city as densification becomes a key priority in boosting the city economy and improving the lives of its residents. The inner city re-imagined Six years ago, the eThekwini Municipality adopted a densification strategy which entails careful planning along three main urban corridors which connect to the city centre. Land-use management along these corridors will encourage diverse investments while at the same time introducing an Integrated Rapid Public Transport Network (IRPTN). An Inner City Local Area Plan (LAP) for Durban has been developed that aims to make the inner city of Durban “Africa’s leading, most vibrant, liveable, walkable City Centre”. Developed for the Strategic Planning unit of the eThekwini Municipality by a Joint Venture called IPPU, the LAP is based on four main principles: • the connected city: tackling the legacy of the disconnected city of apartheid, the plan promotes the integration of different modes of transport (bus, taxi, pedestrian, rail, etc). • the walkable city: the aim is for residents to be five minutes’ walk from public transport, shops, schools, healthcare facilities. A good variety of residential accommodation is key. • land-use intensity: the plan proposes that land-use approvals be more flexible, allowing for more variety and greater density. The plan cites an example of art gallery at street level, with offices above and accommodation on top. If more people live in an area, then shops become more viable and it is easier to provide bulk services. • starting with small projects and finding ways of championing the development of the inner city. The IPPU Joint Venture comprises Iliso, TPI, PMSA, UrbanEcon including Cox Architecture, Urban Solutions, Urban Earth, Jo Lees and Joe Kitching. The Point Waterfront Development is a major project that is in the process of transforming what was an under-utilised and somewhat rundown part of the city into a vibrant, multiuse precinct. Some projections put the total potential investment value of the project at R40-billion and the number of permanent jobs to be created at 6 750. It is an ambitious plan that links the city's beach promenade and the harbour. It offers a property use mix of office space, retail shops, residential dwellings and leisure options. The 55ha site has already seen significant investment. A cruise terminal in the harbour backing on to the Point has been approved. Other major projects in the inner city include: • the Warwick Junction transport interchange which has received road upgrades but could be an even greater enabler of trade • the Centrum Government Precinct which will formalise the relationship between buildings such as the International Convention Centre and a related hotel, the library, council chambers and the redevelopment of Gugu Dlamini Park. Northwards Two things have changed the KWAZULU-NATAL BUSINESS 2018/19 22
OVERVIEW INDABA LODGE RICHARDS BAY
Advancing economic transformation B
OVERVIEW is well known for its outs
OVERVIEW Postbank focusses on takin
OVERVIEW is an important part of th
LISTING Social Development MEC: Wez
LISTING UMZINYATHI DISTRICT MUNICIP
INDEX INDEX Agriculture House .....
18 16% GDP CONTRIBUTION KWAZULU-NAT
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...