Consultancy completes regeneration plan for Pietermaritzburg CBD

1st August 2014

By: David Oliveira

Creamer Media Staff Writer

  

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The integrated planning and development unit of engineering and project management consultancy Royal HaskoningDHV (RHDHV) completed the preparation of a local area plan (Lap) for the central area and central business district (CBD) extension node (CACEN) of Pietermaritzburg, which falls under the Msunduzi municipality, in KwaZulu-Natal, last month.

“Municipalities are legally mandated by government to prepare spatial development frameworks (SDFs), which provide the broad strategic intent or vision of a municipality to unlock economic development,” explains RHDHV urban planner Toni Redman.

She adds that RHDHV was contracted in January 2013 to translate the existing SDF into a more localised area plan focused on the traditional CBD and the adjacent CBD extension areas of Msunduzi.

“Through this project the Msunduzi municipality has recognised that significant change has, and will continue to occur, in and around the CBD and central area, which is a critical regional hub along the primary N3 highway economic corridor of the country. Accordingly, the mun- icipality needed to review and amend its central area and CBD planning to allow this primary provincial development node to effectively perform its role as the economic and admin- istrative hub of both the city and surrounding region.

“Pietermaritzburg is the capital of KwaZulu-Natal and operates as a major economic centre for the KwaZulu-Natal hinterland. Together with business, administrative and social services, the CACEN plays a significant role not only for its residents but the residents of Msunduzi municipality and in the wider area,” Redman asserts.

She explains that in understanding the role that CACEN provides for the broader municipal area, RHDHV is able to assess the performance of the CACEN area and to determine what spatial, economic and infrastructure dimensions need to be enhanced, corrected or introduced to promote the revitalisation of Pietermaritzburg and further economic development opportunities.

RHDHV have suggested a series of strategic interventions to bring about the regeneration of CACEN. “These include focusing on getting the basics right with respect to urban management and service delivery; supporting the introduction of a new public transport system; and providing an enabling environment for both the public and private sector to unlock economic development opportunities in the area.

“Focusing on urban management and the quality of the public realm will to a large extent result in businesses being more willing to invest in new property in Pietermaritzburg and will, in turn, promote economic development,” Redman says.

There are a number of existing strategic interventions that are planned or proposed for the CACEN area. These include the development of an integrated rapid public transport network (IRPTN), the Pietermaritzburg Urban Renewal Project, proposed new Provincial Legislature buildings and a number of smaller, private sector-driven development projects that will inject new life into Pietermaritzburg.

The Lap for CACEN also suggests that the planned investment into the IRPTN be leveraged and supported with the redevelopment of additional priority areas. These areas provide an opportunity to create practical, sustainable, memorable and high quality urban environments that accommodate a range of new housing and commercial opportunities, public space and the intensification of land use along the bus rapid transport trunk route.

The areas identified include Alexandra Park, the Northern CBD Gateway, Dales Park and Upper Boom street.

St Johns Village Project
RHDHV has also received full planning approval for the construction of the St Johns Village mixed-use residential development in Howick, KwaZulu-Natal, which is currently in the first of four phases. Phase 1 of the project is scheduled for completion this year.


Construction of the gatehouse and entrance road was completed in February, RHDHV urban and rural services market segment leader Dominic Collett tells Engineering News.

Phase 1 of the project, which is valued at about R12-million and will be completed in September, involves the construction of bulk services of roads, water, sewerage and stormwater drains.

“Phase 2 involves a residential component. This mixed-use development includes a frail-care area, a hotel, offices and retail buildings, as well as residential buildings, which are standalone houses.

Market demands will determine the timing and roll-out of phases 2 to 4,” Collett explains.

He explains that, as the site had a significant wetland area, the town planning and layout of the development needed to take advantage of the extensive green belt, which resulted in a significant allocation of space for the development of agricultural areas around the residential areas and a conservation area.

Collett notes that 64% of the 163 ha development area is allocated to agricultural and conservation areas.

“What we have had to do is limit the concentration of stormwater runoff. In terms of the development layout and road alignment, we have matched the topography to allow for limited interruption of water flow across the development.

“We have tried not to concentrate any water, so there are long channels that dissipate the water rather than concentrate it at a low point discharge. We had to keep the entire civil infrastructure out of the wetland buffer zone, which has been a significant challenge,” Collett explains.

He adds that, owing to the agricultural strip, RHDHV has been able to design stormwater discharge areas that will provide water for the crops.

Private-sector environmental consultant Umfula Environmental has conducted an independent environmental-impact study, with environmental assessment practitioner Lauren Booth heading the construction monitoring aspects.

Edited by Megan van Wyngaardt
Creamer Media Contributing Editor Online

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