Call on residents to help craft a spatial vision for Kensington and Factreton areas
22 September 2025
The City of Cape Town invites residents to participate in the crafting of a Local Spatial Development Framework (LSDF) for Kensington and Factreton along the Voortrekker Road Corridor. All stakeholders are invited to submit comments on the draft contextual framework that will form the foundation of the spatial vision for these areas. Read more below:
An LSDF determines the development vision for an area on a local level. Once approved by Council, the City uses the LSDF for guidance when making decisions about development applications and land uses in the area; and in the end, these decisions very much determine how a neighbourhood will function, look and feel a few years down the line.
The study area is located along Voortrekker Road and includes Acacia Park and Wingfield, as well as parts of Thornton and the Maitland cemetery.
Kensington and Factreton are facing a range of development challenges, including the growth of informal settlements and land invasions, congestion, and pressure on existing services infrastructure in some areas.
Still, it is well located with easy access from the N1 and via Voortrekker Road; is in close proximity to transit routes and job hubs, which could attract investment. Vacant and underutilised land, including the Wingfield military base, also provides opportunities for urban regeneration.
The point of departure for the LSDF-process is the contextual framework that provides a broad overview of the challenges, needs, constraints and opportunities. It also contains other data for Kensington and Factreton such as information about the population, employment levels and income; the state of the urban and natural environment and heritage; land use and development trends; the supply of and demand for housing; state of the local economy and property market; social and community facilities; movement and mobility; and current services and infrastructure.
‘Those who live and work in these areas, and own properties have first-hand experience of the unique qualities of their neighbourhoods. We want to tap into your knowledge to refine the report so that we can have a more complete understanding of how Kensington and Factreton can be spatially reimagined and revitalised to reach its full potential in coming decades. Thus, I encourage locals to please get involved in this process. Collaborate with us, and submit your comments as we are mapping the way forward,’ said the City’s Deputy Mayor and Mayoral Committee Member for Spatial Planning and Environment, Alderman Eddie Andrews.
For more information, and to submit comments and proposals:
• Go to www.capetown.gov.za/haveyoursay or visit the Kensington Library
• Send an email to TableBay.DistrictSDF@capetown.gov.za
• Submit written proposals at the Subcouncil 3 office
• The closing date for comments is 22 October 2025
The City will answer questions and receive inputs on the LSDF-initiative at an Open Day to be hosted as follows:
• Saturday, 4 October 2025
• From 10:00 to 14:00
• At the Kensington Civic Centre in Factreton Avenue
Some salient points from the Baseline and Analysis Report:
• Given its location along the Voortrekker Road Corridor and good access, the study area is suitable for intensification of all land uses, and higher densities
• It is located between the N1 and R102 and thus easily accessible by road; is served by passenger rail and minibus-taxis, with GABS providing direct bus connections to the Cape Town CBD, Parow, Goodwood and Bellville
• However, Voortrekker Road experiences traffic congestion during peak periods; and only three out of six train stations are currently functional
• The Wingfield site that is owned by the National Government is largely vacant and underused, and has huge development potential, in particular for housing, community, health, and education facilities
• The Voortrekker Road Corridor is an urban development zone and can trigger renewal with public sector investment, the optimisation of land uses (industrial, business, retail, residential) in support of transit-oriented development, higher densities and infill development
• There is a need for affordable housing, as demonstrated by various informal settlements in the area and land invasions
• Although there are numerous parks, the area is lacking larger parks to facilitate community events or diverse recreational activities; and it only has one sports ground
• Large tracts of land are flood-prone; and there is pressure on existing services infrastructure in some areas
The City’s intention with this process is to coordinate efforts among different stakeholders; to build consensus on a shared spatial vision for the area; to translate this vision into guidelines and an implementation plan; to update the land use and road access guidelines to current realities; and provide guidance on land use, development and investment decisions.
Once finalised and approved by Council, the LSDF for Kensington and Factreton will elaborate on and support the spatial development guidelines as set out in the Table Bay District Spatial Development Framework, which is the higher order spatial plan for the area.
Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
