During the construction of the Sibaya Coastal Precinct – along the northern corridor of KwaZulu-Natal, between the natural boundaries of the Ohlanga and uMdloti river estuaries – more than 300 000 jobs are set to be created and an estimated R50-billion invested to produce the lifestyle development.

Having taken ten years to develop, the 1 042 ha Sibaya Coastal Precinct is conceptualised around “connecting people to what really matters in life: family, community and nature”, according to developer Tongaat Hulett Developments.

To stimulate economic opportunities and development, Sibaya will comprise offices, shops, restaurants, educational institutions, recreational opportunities and more to complement the residential offering. Seven distinct development nodes with a mix of uses will be connected through the new infrastructure.

The Sibaya Casino and Entertainment Kingdom is already an established recreational experience within the coastal precinct and four residential developments were launched recently.

Tongaat Hulett Developments planning director for Sibaya Coastal Precinct Rory Wilkinson says, by only developing around the hilltops, preserving the valleys and coastal forest and connecting the different areas by paths, trails and green boulevards, Sibaya is a place where people can “live seamlessly with the natural world”.

He adds that the area is already highly sought after by investors and potential residents, owing to its “breathtaking landscape and unique lifestyle offering”.

A key aspect of the project is to preserve the environment, thereby making way to rehabilitate 60% of the managed open space and retaining the existing coastal Hawaan forest as a natural asset. “The spatial structure of compact urban centres and urban hilltop settlements will be balanced with an equally powerful open space lattice. This will enhance sustainability by reducing the spatial footprint and reinforcing the natural topography,” states Wilkinson. This open space will be accessible to residents and visitors.

As part of the longer-term vision to protect and conserve this area, rich in indigenous fauna and flora, a Sibaya Conservation Trust will be established to oversee the management of the Hawaan forest area.

He explains that the expanse of forest, sea and open space means Sibaya will ultimately add a valuable green asset to the greater Durban experience and provide access to a stretch of previously inaccessible coastline.

The surrounding communities of Waterloo and Blackburn, among others, will become custodians of the extensive natural assets under the auspices of the Socioeconomic Sustainability and Innovation Programme which has already been successfully initiated by Tongaat Hulett Developments in Cornubia. According to Wilkinson, this will see the green corridors being sustainably managed and secured for conservation, and passive and active use.

“Activities will include mountain biking, hiking, bird watching and jogging. Opportunities also exist for connecting uMdloti to uMhlanga through the boardwalks and trails through these green corridors,” adds Wilkinson.

“Our carefully considered infrastructure conceived in collaboration with urban planner and architect Nathan Iyer will contribute toward a dynamic, inclusive community, which will deliver more than 25 000 permanent jobs for residents in the region. The uMdloti community can also expect to benefit from improvements in infrastructure and an increase in economic opportunity,” he says.

Developments within the precinct will be guided by a considered set of guidelines that capture the architectural vision created by Tongaat Hulett Developments. “We have defined a sensitive approach to architecture that has room for plenty of individual interpretation, while providing the basis of a consistent language throughout.”

From a technical perspective, the architectural approach emphasises responding to the local climate and landscape over any one specific theme or style. Developers are therefore strongly encouraged to make use of natural ventilation and lighting wherever possible, as well as consider water-harvesting and energy-saving features in their buildings.

With approvals in place for nodes 1 and 5, developers, investors and end-users now have access to the range of residential, commercial, educational and recreational opportunities that reside within the initial phases of Sibaya’s development.