Ethekwini municipality’s plan to radically change the face of the Durban CBD into a ‘walkable city’ is rapidly gaining momentum.
|||Durban - Ethekwini municipality’s plan to radically change the face of the Durban CBD into a “walkable city” is rapidly gaining momentum, with the aim being to finalise the plans before the end of the year.
About 450 000 people will live in the city centre, and there will be about 250 000 job opportunities.
The reduction of lanes in Dr Pixley ka-Isaka Seme (West) Street to accommodate pedestrians, extending the beachfront promenade into a 24km stretch that loops back into the city centre for cycling and jogging, and more retail and accommodation space around the Moses Mabhida Stadium precinct, were some of the details of the plans presented on Friday.
The plans have been welcomed by the hospitality and tourism industry as a boost for Durban.
Cathy Ferguson-Dale, of The Planning Initiative, who are part of the consulting team on the project, said Durban needed to implement an inner city regeneration strategy in much the same way that Cape Town and Johannesburg had successfully done.
“The draft plan that has been developed so far, is similar to the way other leading cities such as London and New York developed and implemented their inner city plans. We have to emphasise that we are still in the drafting stage, with the aim to finalise the proposal before the end of the year,” said Ferguson-Dale.
The main aim, was to make the Durban city centre more accessible, generate economic spin-offs, create job and housing opportunities, and creating a “walkable” city.
“We started the planning in May last year, and we need the input from residents before the proposal is finalised. The plans are geared towards creating a city centre that can compete with other international city centres. Residents will benefit in the end, with access to facilities, and could live and work in the city centre,” said Ferguson-Dale.
Through the rejuvenation of the inner city, she said about 450 000 people would be able to live in the city, and there would be about 250 000 job opportunities.
“Every resident will be within a five-minute walk, that’s about 400m, of facilities such as shops, restaurants and integrated transport nodes,” she said.
The strategy also aims to have 90 percent of the buildings in the inner city recycle their grey water.
Phillip Sithole, head of Durban Tourism, said the new urban regeneration plans for the city would definitely be a draw-card to enhance green tourism in the region.
“Tourism trends have revealed that travellers want experiences that go beyond tour buses and cabs, and are now more conscious of protecting the environment by using non-motorised means of transport. The plans will make the tourism offering of the beachfront precinct more attractive and more appealing to all age groups,” said Sithole.
He said the new walking and cycling routes would encourage more tourists to cycle through the city to major attractions along the promenade.
“Currently walking tours that are offered at Durban Tourism are extremely popular and this new development will enhance this offering.
“The plans to link the Point precinct and uShaka Marine World will be extremely beneficial to our cruise liner passengers, especially once the new terminal is complete, as they will have now have a good alternative of experiencing the city by foot,” Sithole said. The precinct around the stadium was also a key node with close accessibility to the beach, casino and restaurants.
Charles Preece, East Coast operations director for the Federation for Hospitality Association of South Africa (Fedhasa) said the regeneration project was a good idea.
“This is probably the biggest opportunity we have at the moment.
“It’s very ambitious but it has to be done.
“It will help the hotels and places bordering down town areas,” said Preece.
Independent on Saturday