Urban Planning and Design Department
What we do
The Urban Planning and Design (UPD) Department provides strategic, coordinated and objective guidance and oversight to the growth, planning and development activities of the public and private sector in the form of spatial planning and urban design policies. We also aim to facilitate development by investigating and implementing mechanisms, as well as contribute towards transforming the built environment by working transversally with City departments to implement projects.
View a diagram of the department structure.
We include
Metro-Spatial Planning and Growth Management
This branch is responsible for preparing the
Municipal Spatial Development Framework (MSDF),
Land Use Model (urbanisation estimates), and other spatially targeted initiatives. It focuses on spatial data and analyses that serve as the basis for the organisation's planning policies and strategies that target sustainable urbanisation, and is often the primary link to the sectoral plans developed by various directorates in the City.
The Information and Knowledge Management Unit is a key role player in the utilisation of big data for the spatial analysis of trends in the built environment. The Metro Spatial Targeting Unit focusses on key projects in land preparation and feasibilities that support the City's Property Development Department, as well as local planning for key central business districts.
District Planning and Mechanisms
The District Planning and Mechanisms branch is responsible for preparing Cape Town’s eight
District Spatial Development Frameworks (DSDFs) and various
Local Spatial Development Frameworks (LSDFs), as well as providing spatial planning input and proactive planning assistance for capital projects and development applications.
Its spatial targeting and mechanism unit’s core focus is to:
- Enhance the reliability and validity of planning products through data-driven planning;
- Improve the spatial targeting capability of the department to prioritise public and private sector investment; and
- Assist with
strategic land identification and
develop enabling mechanisms to implement the development proposals contained within spatial frameworks across all scales of planning.
Urban Design
Urban Design is a multi-disciplinary branch with different units – urban design, architecture and landscape architecture – collaborating on a variety of projects and initiatives. Its vision is to improve residents’ everyday lives by facilitating the transformation of the built environment in various communities, especially in previously disadvantaged areas. The branch is responsible for developing policies to improve the quality of urban areas, such as the City’s
Urban Design Policy and other planning projects.
Urban Development Implementation
This branch provides a specialist contract and project management service to the Spatial Planning and Environment Directorate. Its functions include ensuring that the work of the directorate complies with IDP programmes and corporate policies. It is responsible for project, contract and supply chain management processes linked to the construction of public service-related development projects. This branch also maintains sector-specific norms and standards to ensure compliance and innovation within the legislative delivery system.
Urban Sustainability Unit
This unit's primary role is to ensure that sustainable principles and global resilience strategies are integrated into the planning, design, and implementation of urban development. This is done through consultation services and select project implementation targeting the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The unit strives to address the issue of future-proofing our built environment through continuous and comprehensive collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.
Local Planning Support (LPS)
This branch provides specialised support to landowners, micro-developers, and communities to promote sustainable neighbourhoods and affordable housing. Its work focuses on guiding small-scale rental and affordable housing development to ensure compliance with policy and regulation, while creating income-generating opportunities and improving urban liveability. Through education, outreach, advice, and facilitation, the LPS makes planning services more accessible, strengthens regulatory processes for backyard and small-scale rental development, and collaborates with communities, external agents, and other City departments to enable dignified, compliant, and sustainable urban growth.
