The City of Cape Town is hosting a meeting in Strand about the visionary urban regeneration of its central business district (CBD). All residents and interested and affected parties are encouraged to attend this engagement on Thursday, 5 May 2022. Read more below:

The City is piloting a new approach where communities can map community planning initiatives within their area. Devising the Strand Local Spatial Development Framework, or local neighbourhood plan, is one of the first of these initiatives and the inaugural meeting is taking place this week.

The details are as follows:

• Date: Thursday, 5 May 2022
• Time: from 18:00
• Venue: Strand Town Hall, Piet Retief Street, Strand
• Residents and interested parties are also requested to please Register to participate in the Strand Local Spatial Development Framework process on the City’s website

  ‘Future Strand’ is an intervention to revitalise this beautiful seaside town, making it a place for people to live, invest and linger even more. It comes in response to a growing desire among residents and business owners to see Strand reach its full potential. I therefore want to encourage all of those with an interest to see Strand flourish, to attend this very important first engagement,’ said the City’s Deputy Mayor and Mayoral Committee Member for Spatial Planning and Environment, Alderman Eddie Andrews.

  The purpose of the Local Spatial Development Framework (LSDF) is to re-establish this once vibrant and economically sustainable neighbourhood, create a sense of belonging, and to establish a multicultural community. It formulates a spatial vision, related policy guidelines and interventions that will assist to rebuild the future of Strand in a sustainable manner, and to integrate and connect Strand with the surrounding areas.

  This strategy and action plan for the project contains proposals for a number of initiatives over a short period (one year) and in the longer term (five to seven years). It is anticipated that the combination of place-based activations, public art installations, and improvement of the aesthetic of the town such as an improved street scape will result in inward investments by property developers, business owners, and homeowners’ associations.

  ‘The combined asset value of the 21 largest properties in Strand CBD is R250 million and hence there is a significant interest to protect and enhance this portfolio. A Project Management Team (PMT) consisting of officials from key City departments has been appointed to coordinate and provide support for City projects in this precinct. The intention is for the PMT to meet regularly with community organisations and residents to co-create a vision for the precinct and to support Future Strand in the development of a Local Spatial Development Framework (LSDF),’ said Alderman Andrews.

  It is the City’s intention to, together with the local community, embark on a journey to refine the overall spatial vision for the Strand area. The collaboration will result in a draft neighbourhood plan or LSDF that will guide future development within the area and aim to revitalise the town and re-ignite the economy of the area.

  ‘Those living in Strand have first-hand knowledge of the needs and priorities in their area. We want them to work with the PMT to identify these and to craft a vision for the area, based on their experience and understanding of the local issues and history. It is time we tap into their knowledge and experiences. Also, we want residents and community organisations to propose solutions and innovative actions, and to work with the City on a plan of action,’ said Alderman Andrews.

Source: City Of Cape Town