November marks World Town Planning month, which commemorates the ideals of community planning that bring professional planners and the general public together.

The theme for 2015 is Housing Regeneration, and addresses the pertinent issue of urban decay, and the revitalisation of the whole physical, social and economic environment of an area.

In response to this GIBB, a South African black-owned engineering consulting firm recommends that inner cities become the focus for housing regeneration.

Eriva Nanyonjo, a Junior Town Planner with the firm,  raises the concern that if one looks at the population and exponential population growth over a ten year period, urban regeneration projects need to be developed to accommodate millions more.

Cities hold the key to unlocking development

As the main growth centres of economies and rapid urbanisation, cities worldwide face challenges such as environmental degradation, service provision and the delivery and provision of public transportation.

Istell Orton, GIBB Senior Town Planner, meanwhile says that even though cities are faced with these challenges, “they hold the key to unlocking development and present real opportunities for unleashing economic potential and creating sustainable livelihoods for all.“

“Essentially, CBDs which are historically a 06h00 to 18h00 environment, based primarily on office and retail space, need to change due to the existing patterns of decentralisation of CBD functions in an effort to become 24 hour residential environments supported by social functions, consumer retail, small scale office uses as well as commercial and even light industrial employment opportunities,” Orton explains.

Looking at more than housing development

Charlotte van der Merwe, GIBB Senior Urban and Rural Planner and Manager, proposes the identification of inner city areas for regeneration, renewal and upliftment, putting forward holistically, thoroughly researched and implementable development plans.

“Regeneration proposals are based upon more than housing development and physical space considerations, they focus on city revitalisation and rejuvenation,” she added.

For successful regeneration Van Der Merwe adds that “Good governance, where leadership takes initiative and responsibility; the importance of planning, where planning is involved from the beginning and not on an ad-hoc basis; as well as public participation, where the public is involved and has a say in the community they live, or would like to live in is key.”

“Instead of focusing on inner city problems, we focus on inner city potential,” she concludes.