[Image: City of Cape Town]
While Cape Town’s Central Business District (CBD) scrambles to stay liveable, the city council wants residents to weigh in on a newly-updated spatial plan.
They first dropped the idea on Capetonians last year, and now they’re back with what they claim is a better version.
“The draft local spatial development framework (LSDF) intends to transform the Cape Town CBD into a more people-centred environment with urban design interventions to improve mobility and access for pedestrians, efforts to optimise heritage areas, a public land programme to inform land release in support of affordable housing opportunities, and an appropriately scaled urban form and interface to encourage mixed-use intensification,” said City’s deputy mayor and mayoral committee member for spatial planning and environment, Eddie Andrews.
“With mixed use, we mean development that accommodates multiple uses such as business, retail, and residential opportunities for existing and new buildings. We need the CBD to be accessible, safe, attractive, and inclusive. The LSDF must guide development decisions to accommodate the growth in the property market, facilitate mixed-use and residential intensification, while leveraging the character and traditional urban fabric opportunities.”
Let’s not sugar-coat it: affordable housing in the city centre has been scarce for ages. Rights groups like Ndifuna Ukwazi have been calling out the Apartheid-era spatial planning hangover for years, pointing out how workers – especially poorer, working-class people of colour – are being priced out of the CBD. Add a crumbling rail system into the mix, and getting into town from the outskirts is a daily mission.
But it’s not just legacy issues messing things up; Cape Town’s growing rep as a remote work haven has only fanned the flames. Landlords have latched onto digital nomads like moths to a ring light, pushing prices up and locals out. Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis even floated a tax idea to try and rein things in. Bold move.
As if things weren’t congested enough, the CBD’s population is projected to balloon by another 50,000 people by 2040. That’s a lot more folks needing somewhere to stay, not to mention transport, parks, Wi-Fi, and a place to buy decent coffee. If there’s no solid plan, things could get messy, and fast.
So What’s in This Draft Plan, Anyway?
The new draft local spatial development framework (LSDF) is optimistic, coming with a whole list of to-dos, from green spaces to better sidewalks. Here’s a bite-sized breakdown:
- Public transport: making it easier (and less soul-crushing) to get into town
- Urban greening: upgrading parks for both humans and their fur babies
- Height restrictions: making sure nobody blocks your iconic Table Mountain Insta shot
- Investment: more opportunities for the private sector to get involved (hopefully without ruining it)
- Mobility access: not forgetting those with disabilities in the infrastructure conversation
Some of the short-term plans proposed by the City include:
- Improving the public realm from the Cape Town station to Dock Road/V&A Waterfront with interventions along Long, Loop, and Bree Street and Buitengracht
- Transforming Harrington Square to improve the public realm
- Developing a concept vision for the Grand Parade, including uniform formal trading market structures; linkages to Darling and Hanover Streets, and the Castle; as well as a pedestrian link over Strand Street;
- Upgrading the outdoor gym at Kamp Street, opposite De Waal Park
- Upgrading of Jutland Park to include pathways and a park for dogs
- Upgrading of Long Street swimming pool
- Expanding the Chapel Street Clinic
Once approved, it will also inform public investment in infrastructure to ensure that the CBD transitions into a more sustainable, equitable, inclusive, liveable and resilient space to the benefit of current and future generations of Capetonians.
Want to Rant or Rave? Here’s How to Do It
If you’ve got thoughts (and let’s be honest, most Capetonians do), now’s your chance to spill. The city’s hosting three online info sessions where you can poke holes, offer praise, or just see what’s cooking:
- Tuesday, 15 April from 14:00 to 15:00
- Thursday, 24 April from 15:00 to 17:00
- Wednesday, 7 May from 15:00 to 17:00
The comment period will close on Sunday, May 11.
Just head to the City’s website to check out the draft plan and find the session links.
“It is in everybody’s interest to get involved and contribute to the discussion. Your input matters, and we will take this into account as we finalise the draft LSDF for Council’s approval once the public participation process has been concluded,” said Alderman Andrews.
Whether you’re a hopeful future resident, a grumpy current one, or just someone with opinions and Wi-Fi, now’s the time to shout into the planning void. They’re listening, they say.
[Source: City of Cape Town & News24 & Cape Towner]
