With collective commitment District Six will work
26 November 2020
Earlier today, 26 November 2020, the City of Cape Town presented its Social Charter to attendees of the second workshop about the local spatial development framework for District Six. The Social Charter represents the guiding principles and the City’s commitment to working with all residents and stakeholders in finalising a spatial vision for District Six.
The City hosted the introductory meeting about the local spatial development framework (LSDF), or local neighbourhood plan for District Six on 22 September 2020, and the first workshop was on 22 October 2020.
The second workshop was hosted online, as well as in person, earlier today.
‘We presented the City’s Social Charter at the start of today’s meeting. The purpose of the charter is to make clear the City’s intentions with the process, our guiding principles, as well as our commitment to the beneficiaries and other residents in realising one of the most important redress projects we will see in Cape Town in coming years. As I have said before, the City is working closely with residents. We want to include everybody, and I am encouraging residents and all interest groups to please contribute to this process and to fully participate. There should be no doubt that the City is committed to following an engagement process that is extensive, inclusive, thorough, and transparent,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Spatial Planning and Environment, Alderman Marian Nieuwoudt.
The City’s Social Charter stipulates as follows:
The City is committed to re-establishing the once vibrant neighbourhood of District Six in collaboration with the District Six community and other residents
Central to this redress project, is the finalisation of a spatial vision that will see the return of beneficiaries to a community that is diverse, inclusive, safe, and caring; sustained by a strong local economy; and where there is a sense of belonging and opportunity
The City is currently refining the overall spatial development framework, or local neighbourhood plan, for District Six. We are doing so in collaboration with the District Six community and other residents. We call on all interest groups and stakeholders to be part of this process
We want as many residents as possible to participate in refining the spatial vision for District Six and to share their views, and information. We are committed to a process that is thorough, transparent, inclusive, extensive and within the legal framework
The City will not, and has no intention, to sell City-owned land in District Six. The land we own will be used and developed to the benefit of the District Six community.
We are committed to working together with the Western Cape Government, and the National Government who is taking the lead for the redevelopment of District Six and the restitution process
The spatial vision will enhance the investment programmes for District Six beyond those of the housing projects, and focuses on the public realm because a community also exists outside of our homes, in public spaces and shared facilities
Housing and restitution is fundamental, but the local neighbourhood plan addresses the bigger picture: how District Six will link and connect with the CBD and neighbouring suburbs
The return of the people to District Six is long overdue. The City is focused and we are working with intent and urgency to avoid further delays to this redress project. We invite residents to join us on this journey, in a spirit of common purpose that is inspiring, constructive and solution-driven.
The 2012 District Six Spatial Development Framework forms the basis of the workshops, and is available on the City’s website.
‘Similar to the District Six process, the City is also working on local spatial development frameworks for other areas, and will communicate about these in due course,’ said Alderman Nieuwoudt.
Information about the ongoing process, and documents and presentations related to the LSDF for District Six are available on the City’s website, please click on this link: https://bit.ly/CCT-DistrictSix
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Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
