Bellville CBD Local Spatial Development Framework
Comment period is closed.
The Bellville central business district (CBD) is the second metropolitan node of Cape Town. It is well-located and accessible, with great potential for inclusive growth and development. The City is driving the regeneration of Bellville CBD by implementing a prioritised programme of urban development and precinct management.
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Email your queries and suggestions on how Bellville CBD precinct can be further improved to BellvilleCBD.Precinct@capetown.gov.za.
The Bellville CBD vision
Council approved the LSDF for Bellville CBD in December 2023, which outlines our long-term spatial vision for the area. It provides a mix of residential, commercial, retail, and recreational spaces, all interconnected within pedestrian-friendly precincts and green spaces. Central to this vision is a new vertically integrated public transport hub, supported by top-quality public spaces and social amenities to attract private sector investment.
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Government precinct
A land use planning application has been submitted for the consolidation, rezoning, subdivision and permanent departures of Erf 26364 and Erf 11141 on the eastern edge of the Bellville CBD. The application, which was circulated for public comment from 24 July to 28 August 2026, is for a mixed-use development comprising residential accommodation, retail, and office uses.
City Connect
Precinct management
Strong precinct management is the foundation of investment in, and development of, urban area. To this end a number of precinct management initiatives are being implemented by the City, and its partners, to improve the situation on the ground. This includes:
- An onsite Precinct Manager who timeously responds to daily precinct issues as they arise.
- Drafting a Precinct Management Plan which puts forward the agreed to, collective plan of action for the management of the CBD.
- Multi-stakeholder, focused task teams aimed at tackling recuring challenges such as problem buildings, infrastructure challenges, issues arising from social ills and homelessness, regulating informal trading, and enforcing bylaws.
- Collaboration with state owned enterprises (e.g. PRASA, Transnet, Eskom) and provincial and national spheres of government.
- Ongoing engagements with residents, businesses, local stakeholders and interested parties.
Precinct development
Several infrastructure upgrade projects and operational improvements necessary to realise this vision are in progress. These include:
- Bellville Road Scheme Review
- Bellville Public Realm Strategy
- Upper Elsieskraal Corridor
- South Street
- Bellville Heritage Study
Pedestrianisation and upgrade of Charl Malan Street
In line with the LSDF and the Public Realm Strategy, we plan to upgrade Charl Malan Street into a quality public environment, which reduces conflict between pedestrian activities, informal trading and private vehicles.
Public Realm Strategy
'Public Realm' is a term used to describe the publicly owned places and spaces that are free and open to everyone, including streets, squares, forecourts, parks and open spaces.
We have developed a Public Realm Strategy for the Bellville CBD designed to guide short-term initiatives aimed at enhancing safe pedestrian experiences and contributing to the long-term developmental goals outlined in the LSDF. The strategy includes a roster of projects that we are integrating into the City's ongoing operations.
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Kruskal Avenue – Lower Blanckenberg Street upgrade
With the completion in late 2025, a clear pedestrian-friendly, north-south route has been created along Lower Blanckenberg Street, Kruskal Avenue and Teddington Road, to the north of Voortrekker Road. The upgrades include a quality environment that focuses on pedestrian comfort (seating, tree planting, bollards) and security (public lighting, CCTV cameras, signage). Informal trading is a key activity along this route and the upgrades included regularising this activity into designated trading bays.
This upgrade marks the approach the City is looking to pursue to improve the public engagement within the street network of the CBD.
South Street upgrade
The City aims to continue the Kruskal Avenue upgrades into South Street, an east-west link (under Tienie Meyer Bypass) that runs adjacent to the Bellstar Junction and connects the railway station with the mini-bus taxi rank and bus terminal. As such, South Street serves as a primary pedestrian route and the conceptual design aims to improve pedestrian comfort and security.
Informal trading activities will be a key component of the undertaking. A conceptual design has been prepared and discussed with the public and local landlords via a formal public participation process (14 February 2025 – 17 March 2025). The detail design work is expected to begin in the second half of 2026.
Charl Malan Street upgrade
The next phase of investigation is the upgrade of Charl Malan. Once again, the aim is to continue the public realm upgrades with the am of improving the comfort and safety of pedestrians.
Informal Trading in the CBD
The Bellville CBD Informal Trading Plan was approved by Council in 2024. The plan provides for 373 existing trading opportunities and approximately 152 new trading opportunities, which were created to accommodate the current high number of unpermitted traders.
It is evident by the number of unpermitted traders in the area that the demand for informal trading opportunities far exceeds the current supply. The Area Economic Development Branch is currently implementing the approved trading plan. This includes:
- the demarcation and numbering of the new trading bays, and
- land reservation to accommodate a new market with around 90 trading opportunities.
The new trading opportunities are currently being advertised to members of the public through the City’s Informal Trading Permitting System (ITPS) and successful applicants are issued with trading permits.
As an important element of the Bellville CBD Precinct Management Plan, the City works with its partners to enforce the trading by-laws and permit conditions in this area. Furthermore, the City continues to investigate areas where new trading opportunities can be created while working to improve conditions on the ground, such as the provision of economic infrastructure.
This is not only an attempt to create a conducive environment for trading but also to accommodate as many unpermitted traders as possible in order to minimise informal trading taking place in inappropriate areas, which negatively impacts the area of place-making, safety, traffic congestion, overtrading, etc.
Bellville Road Scheme review
To accommodate the imagined regeneration and future development of Bellville CBD, we need to upgrade the surrounding road network. This will improve efficiency and provide for improved public transit and non-motorised options.
The proposed road structure has been incorporated into the City’s Comprehensive Integrated Transport Plan (CITP), which was prepared by the City’s Urban Mobility Department. The most progressed upgrades include:
- the northern extension of Robert Sobukwe Road,
- the eastern extension of Tienie Meyer Bypass, and
- the southern extension of Willie Hofmeyer Avenue links.
These upgrades were presented to the public during a formal public participation period held between 14 May 2024 – 28 June 2024. The project, currently unfunded and unapproved, is progressing through the City’s internal project pipeline process. The City is also progressing the eastern extension of Church Street, to link with Robert Sobukwe Road at Reed Street. According to the long-term plan, this link provides a key east-west route parallel to Voortrekker Road.
Heritage Study
A heritage study conducted for the Bellville CBD was a key contribution to the LSDF, and formed part of a series of studies focusing on the area. This study documented the area's rich history and identified key heritage resources, reflecting the origin of the node and the subsequent impact of Apartheid-era spatial planning.
It highlights broad heritage themes that interlink the area's cultural and spatial significance with its future redevelopment plans. This study serves as a critical guide for public investment and planning, to ensure that the heritage of Bellville is preserved, resurfaced and celebrated as the area undergoes transformation and densification.
Upper Elsieskraal River
The Elsieskraal River originates in the Tygerberg Hills, west of Durbanville. It passes through the culverts beneath the N1 freeway beyond Voortrekker Road, through Jack Muller Park, through Elizabeth Park, under Tienie Meyer Bypass, before heading westwards towards Parow.
Through the City’s Liveable Urban Waterways initiative, the upper Elsieskraal River corridor is underway.The intention is to improve the ecological function of the river network, improve stormwater function and create quality public places along the length of the river.
The public is invited to participate in the planning and design of the proposal. To find out more or to register as an interested and affected party, email the consulting team at Lukhozi Consulting Engineers at n.ritsch@lukhozi.co.za.
AJ West Development Opportunity
A land use planning application has been submitted for the consolidation, rezoning and subdivision of a portion of land on the western edge of the Bellville CBD. The application, which was circulated for public comment between 31 January and 3 March 2025, is for a mixed-use development including around 1000 residential units.
Relocation of the Bellville Safe Space facility
As mentioned above, the eastern extension of Church Street to connect with Robert Sobukwe Road is being progressed by the Urban Mobility Department. In order to enable this link, the Bellville Safe Space facility must be relocated. A receiving site has been identified and the land use planning application for the development has been approved.
The Community Services and Health Department are currently working towards developing a new Safe Space facility, which will accommodate the occupants from the existing facility and make way for the Church Street extension.
Contact us
For more information, email Bellville.LSDF@capetown.gov.za.
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About the Bellville CBD LSDF
Bellville CBD is a well-located and accessible metropolitan node with great potential for inclusive growth and development.
Council approved the LSDF for Bellville CBD in December 2023, which outlines our long-term spatial vision for the area. It provides a mix of residential, commercial, retail, and recreational spaces, all interconnected within pedestrian-friendly precincts and green spaces. Central to this vision is a vertically integrated public mobility hub, supported by top-quality public spaces and social amenities.
The LSDF also features a high-level implementation plan (a programme of projects) to guide the execution of these initiatives. To bring this vision to life, we will continue to engage with the Bellville community, along with other local residents and stakeholders, as their involvement is crucial in realising the development vision for the area. Work is already underway on a multitude of initiatives.
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Urban Management
Public engagements with residents, businesses, local stakeholders and interested parties during the public participation process in 2022 confirmed that there is wide spread support for the regeneration of the Bellville CBD. However, it is vital that we focus on the noticeable blight, urban decay and antisocial behaviours occurring in the CBD if we want investor confidence in the area to return.
As such, the City and its partners strive to stabilise the area through targeted short-term interventions around urban management.
Bellville Road Scheme review
To accommodate the imagined regeneration and future development of Bellville CBD, we need to upgrade the surrounding road network. This will improve efficiency and provide for improved public transit and non-motorised options.
The Bellville Transportation Masterplan (a key reference document of the LSDF) put forward a proposed road structure, which was included in the LSDF and the City’s Comprehensive Integrated Transport Plan (CITP) coordinated by the City’s Urban Mobility Department.
Public Realm Strategy
'Public Realm' is a term used to describe the publicly owned places and spaces that are free and open to everyone, including streets, squares, forecourts, parks and open spaces.
We have developed a Public Realm Strategy for the Bellville CBD designed to guide short-term initiatives aimed at enhancing safe pedestrian experiences and contributing to the long-term developmental goals outlined in the LSDF. The strategy includes a roster of projects that we are integrating into the City's ongoing operations.
Opportunity Area Heritage Study, 2021
A heritage study conducted for the Bellville CBD, which was a key contribution to the LSDF, formed part of a series of studies focusing on the area. This study documented the area's rich history and identified key heritage resources, reflecting the origin of the node and the subsequent impact of Apartheid-era spatial planning.
It highlights broad heritage themes that interlink the area's cultural and spatial significance with its future redevelopment plans. This study serves as a critical guide for public investment and planning, to ensure that the heritage of Bellville is preserved, resurfaced and celebrated as the area undergoes transformation and densification.
Upper Elsieskraal River Corridor Plan
The Elsieskraal River runs along the western side of the Bellville CBD. The intention is to create a corridor of interconnected quality public spaces along the river, which stretches from Jack Muller Park (just south of the N1) through Elizabeth Park and beyond. Through the City’s Liveable Urban Waterways initiative, the upper Elsieskraal River corridor has been initiated and the public is invited to participate in the planning and design of the proposal.
For more information, refer to the background information document.
Closure and pedestrianisation of South Street in the Bellville CBD
South Street, situated south of Bellville Central Business District (CBD) under Tienie Meyer is a central pedestrian thoroughfare connecting the Bellville Railway Station, the Minibus Taxi rank, the Bus Terminus and the CBD.
As such, South Street serves as a primary pedestrian route and the envisioned road upgrades aim to improve the pedestrian experience through improved public lighting, street furniture, directional signage and informal trading activities.
The proposed upgrades necessitates the closure of South Street to general vehicular traffic to create a pedestrian friendly urban environment below Tienie Meyer between Durban Road and Charl Malan.
The public were invited to review and comment on the proposed street closure between 14 February and 17 March 2025.
Contact us
For more information, email Bellville.LSDF@capetown.gov.za.
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