City to consider all comments submitted on proposed changes to Municipal Planning By-law

06 September 2024

The City of Cape Town published the proposed revised Municipal Planning By-law on 22 July 2024 for public comment. The draft includes a number of proposed amendments and new provisions to the MPBL that regulates development and land use in the city. The 60-day period for public comment ends on 23 September 2024, and we encourage residents, and interested and affected parties to submit their input as all comments will be assessed in refining the by-law. 

The City is aware of assertions voiced in a statement by the Collective Ratepayers' Association about the public participation process.

First off, we want to confirm that the current ongoing public participation process about the proposed revisions to the Municipal Planning By-law fully complies with the statutory requirements of the Municipal Systems Act. This plan has been developed in consultation with the City's public participation unit and agreed on accordingly:

• The commenting period started on 22 July 2024, allowing residents, stakeholders, and interested and affected parties with 60 days to peruse the proposed revisions and additions to the MPBL and to submit comments by the closing date of 23 September 2024 (comments to be submitted to lums@capetown.gov.za)
• All of the relevant documents and notices are available on the City's website and also at City libraries and Subcouncil offices
• The relevant documents that residents can peruse for a better understanding include:

• the draft revised MPBL itself;
• a summary of the proposed changes and additions;
• an explanatory memorandum that provides more information on the intentions of the proposed revisions and additions;
• two maps of the areas that have been identified for the proposed additional land use right for the development of affordable rental flats;
• the multiple media releases (highlighting e.g. proposed changes) and advertisements.

• Go to www.capetown.gov.za/haveyoursay to see the above.
  
   
  All of those who want to raise concerns and submit comments on the revisions have time until 23 September to do so. The City remains willing to meet with concerned groups, such as the CRA. We welcome all input and comments.
   
  
  Once the public participation period has closed on 23 September 2024, the officials will collate all of the comments and assess these to see how the MPBL can be further improved and refined, taking into account the concerns and proposals that have been submitted by the public during the 60-day commenting period.
  
   
• It is important to add that contrary to the CRA's assertions, the City gives feedback on the comments received during the commenting process. The public's comments, together with the City's remarks to these, are included in the report that will serve before Council when we submit the revised MPBL for final approval. It is a public document, and thus, available to all of those who are interested in following the process.
  
   
  Densification
  
  Broadly speaking, the concerns raised by the CRA relate to densification and new developments; and the City's approach in enabling controlled densification through the proposed amendments in the MPBL.
  
   
  Being a responsible administration, the City is planning ahead in meeting the demands and needs of those who are settling in Cape Town, from the business sector to residents.
  
   
  The City is determined to manage urban growth in a manner that will ensure the city's sustainability and resilience.
  
   
  We have very limited resources – developable land is scarce in Cape Town; likewise our water and energy resources. We need sufficient densities to make the provision of public services financially viable, amongst which public transport.
  
   
  We have to use our scarce resources responsibly, and protect our natural assets such as our coastline, Table Mountain National Park, vleis, rivers, wetlands, and nature reserves and protected areas. One way of protecting these natural assets is to ensure development happens in a sustainable and managed manner; and not to allow it to happen haphazardly.
  
   Sprawling cities that are not densified are financially unsustainable; drain resources; and add tonnes of carbon emissions to the air due to congestion and the long distances people need to travel to get to and from work; and other destinations.
• Sprawling cities often end up with millions of informal homes on the outskirts that do not have access to water, sanitation, roads, and electricity; or are often illegally connected to services; and built in locations that are unfit for habitation. We have seen this in Cape Town already during the recent heavy rains – many people were rendered homeless because they have settled in areas that are floodplains or wetlands
• The new provisions in the MPBL are intended to enable development in lower income areas where the need for affordable, dignified, and safe housing is dire.
• The City will do all it can to enable the private sector to meet this demand as government alone simply cannot deliver housing at pace, and to the extent that the private sector can.
  
   
  
  Making provision for densification and population growth
  
  The latest census confirms major growth in Cape Town, with projections indicating our population may soon surpass five million.
  
   
  
  The City is preparing for this growth by addressing the legislative environment, among which the now revised draft Municipal Planning By-law; and through infrastructure development to meet the demands of our growing population, and to provide for the impact of densification. We will be spending R120 billion over the next 10 years in expanding infrastructure to secure potable water provision; dealing with waste water treatment; and so forth.
  
   
  
  Our commitment is clear:
• The City of Cape Town has set a South African record for the largest single-year infrastructure investment, totalling R9,4bn for the 2023/24 financial year ending 30 June this year.
• At a combined R39,5bn for the next three years, our infrastructure budget is 80% bigger than the next biggest city – Johannesburg – and almost 100% bigger than the third biggest, Durban.
• The City's 10-year pipeline is valued at an estimated R120bn. The majority of the projects are classified as 'Economic, Social and Governance (ESG)' and linked to the City's overall Climate Change Strategy.
  
   
  
  Densification is a reality of our collective future, and of growing cities. The challenge is in finding the balance between protecting our natural and heritage resources, and meeting the needs of this growth in a sustainable manner that will ensure Cape Town is liveable, and resilient to climate change shocks; and other unforeseen challenges.
  
   
  
  We welcome robust discussions and input in how to fine-tune our efforts, as encapsulated in the draft MPBL, and encourage residents and stakeholders to submit their comments by 23 September 2024.
  
   
  
   
  
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Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office