Demystifying urban planning: Come see how the City does it

19 Jul 2023 in Where We Govern

The public is invited to visit the Civic Centre where the City’s Urban Planning and Design Department will be showcasing its multiple projects and planning initiatives aimed at accommodating future population growth and sustainable development in Cape Town. This is also an opportunity for learners to explore careers in urban planning and design, such as architecture, urban design, landscape architecture, town planning and construction management; and for students and lecturers from tertiary institutions to meet our professionals. Those involved in property development and the built environment will find the exhibition equally informative. Read more below:

All of those who are interested in learning more about how the City manages population growth and development in Cape Town should make use of this opportunity to learn more about the policies and projects spearheaded by the City’s Urban Planning and Design Department.

‘Demystifying our work is an important part of making residents, planning professionals, and all of those who live and work in Cape Town understand how this is being done, and how to contribute to our collective effort in a meaningful way.

‘More people are moving to Cape Town in search of better lives and opportunities. The City, as a forward thinking and responsible administration, is managing this growth on multiple levels. In this sense, we are guided by spatial plans that stipulate our collective vision of how our finite land should be used, what should be developed – how, and where, to cater for our needs. These spatial development frameworks have been reviewed and revised over the past 24 months or so. Many residents and stakeholders participated in these processes. These revised frameworks assist us in creating a more equitable and liveable city, where more people will experience improvements to equalise access to opportunities, with due consideration given to the protection of our environment and natural assets, such as our coastline, sensitive and protected areas, and our cultural heritage.

‘I invite residents, learners, residents associations, our business sector and professionals involved in the urban realm, to visit the exhibition. Our officials will be present to answer any questions you may have about our policies and projects,’ said the City’s Deputy Mayor and Mayoral Committee Member for Spatial Planning and Environment, Alderman Eddie Andrews.

Exhibition information:

  • Friday 28 July; Tuesday 1 August, Wednesday 2 August 2023
  • From 11:00 to 16:00
  • Civic Centre, 12 Hertzog Boulevard, Cape Town
  • 2nd Floor Concourse level
  • Parking is available at the Woodstock Entrance Parking Area at the Civic Centre

The exhibition will cover:

  • Our spatial planning policy –Overviews of the newly approved Municipal Spatial Development Framework, the eight District Plans (integrated Spatial Development Frameworks and Environmental Management Frameworks), and Local Spatial Development Frameworks;
  • Some of the tools and mechanisms we are developing to assist and guide our decision making processes;
  • How we do spatial planning and how to get involved;
  • How to ensure Cape Town’s growth is managed in a way that protects our finite resources and improves our resilience against unforeseen shocks and climate change;
  • Designing for the future, come see how we design clever, liveable, sustainable spaces;
  • Our capital projects – where we are busy doing what;
  • Provide an overview of the department and the various teams that make all the work possible.

‘I hope to see residents and learners arriving in their numbers. Please set aside some time on one of these days to come view our work, and meet our professional experts,’ said Alderman Andrews.

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