City Council approves local neighbourhood plans for Bo-Kaap, District Six, Two Rivers
31 May 2023
The City of Cape Town’s Council has approved the local neighbourhood
plans or local spatial development frameworks (LSDFs) for Bo-Kaap, District
Six, and Two Rivers. These plans are the products of extensive collaboration
between the City’s Urban Planning and Design Department, local communities, and
interested and affected parties.
'Council's approval of the LSDFs for the Bo-Kaap and District Six in particular, is a historical and momentous occasion for the communities from these areas. For the first time in Cape Town's history, we now have plans to guide spatial development and land use on a local level for one of our oldest residential neighbourhoods, that being the Bo-Kaap, and for District Six, where beneficiaries are returning to their land after the devastating forced removals of the 1960s.
'These plans are the products of many months' collaboration between the City, local residents, interest groups, and representatives from the community. We tapped into local residents' knowledge and experience of their areas, we listened and we refined the plans. Numerous meetings were hosted, and residents donated many hours to contribute and collaborate with us. I want to thank all of you for the hard work and commitment. These LSDFs do not belong to the City, they are your plans to map the future of your respective communities,' said the City's Deputy Mayor and Mayoral Committee Member for Spatial Planning and Environment, Alderman Eddie Andrews.
Bo-Kaap LSDF
The Bo-Kaap is the oldest residential neighbourhood in South Africa and one of Cape Town's most iconic areas with its rich history and unique architecture. Many Bo-Kaap families have been living there for generations, and have contributed significantly to our cultural heritage.
The City recognises that this heritage should be protected and enhanced to the benefit of the local community and Capetonians in general through coordinated sustainable development.
The LSDF takes into consideration the exceptional potential that Bo-Kaap offers in terms of tourism and economic opportunities for its residents, and quality of life for those who call this their home. It focuses on what the Bo-Kaap could look like in the future, the local access and movement, the type of developments that should take place and where, while also preserving the Bo-Kaap's unique heritage, culture and way of living.
'Managing development within such a sensitive heritage area is sometimes a challenge. Given the need to encourage development while providing detailed guidance for dealing with heritage matters, the LSDF has been approved on condition that detailed heritage guidelines be developed and submitted to Council for consideration and approval,' said Alderman Andrews.
District Six LSDF
Re-establishing the community of District Six is one of the most exciting and important projects the City is undertaking in collaboration with the National Government, the District Six community, and all other residents, interested parties, and stakeholders.
The City is not involved in the restitution process, nor the development itself. However, the City is responsible for creating an overall planning vision for District Six. The LSDF that has been approved by Council today was drafted and refined in collaboration with the District Six community, and other Capetonians over a period of nearly three years.
The purpose of this spatial plan is to re-establish this once vibrant neighbourhood, to create a sense of belonging, and to establish a multicultural community. Furthermore, to manage urban growth, plan for employment and improve access to economic opportunities.
The LSDF also focuses on the public realm, how we can shape and form the future District Six community with public open spaces; what we want these spaces to look like, how we want to use them, and how we want them to connect us with one another, and the other surrounding neighbourhoods. The public realm improvement is where the City intends to invest in creating quality spaces for the District Six residents.
'On this note, I am pleased to say that we hosted a successful meeting with residents on Saturday, where we presented the proposals for the upgrade of Chapel Street, in the heart of District Six. This is our very first public realm project flowing from our close collaboration with the community of District Six,' said Alderman Andrews.
Two Rivers LSDF
The Two Rivers LSDF sets the vision for the area, namely to intensify the residential, economic, recreation and institutional urban activities through the development of the limited vacant land; and also to connect the precincts at the confluence of the Liesbeek and Black Rivers.
The plan details the actions and interventions to make the development of this area possible, as well as to materialise the creation of a green park.
Apart from addressing the need for housing and employment opportunities, the LSDF also seeks to enhance and protect the river corridors and open spaces, and heritage resources.
The LSDFs for Bo-Kaap, District Six, and Two Rivers elaborate on and support the spatial development guidelines as set out in the Table Bay District Spatial Development Framework, which is a higher order plan for the greater Table Bay area, and the Cape Town Municipal Spatial Development Framework.
End
Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
