A robust plan to rejuvenate the Durban Central Business District (CBD) was tabled last week by eThekwini Mayor Zandile Gumede during the official launch of the radical CBD clean-up and safety programme.

The programme, which Mayor Gumede said will attract investment and create more employment, aims to address cleanliness and safety related issues which includes crime, grime, illegal trading and derelict buildings.

The mayor applauded city officials for the great work undertaken in the past three weeks as part of the first phase of the programme that ensured cleanliness, compliance and safety.

“To sustain the great strides achieved, the Supply Chain Management process is underway to appoint a dedicated team to take full responsibility of CBD urban management,” she said.

Mayor Gumede outlined the key elements of the programme which are; safety and security, saying that an outcome-based visible security team is to carry out key protection mandates with clear indicators for each precinct.

Informal traders and waste management

Another key element of the CBD clean-up programme according to the Municipality is to promote informal trading by streamlining trading areas, providing associated facilities and having a progression plan for street traders as they are positive contributors to the local Gross Domestic Product.
The third element of the programme is ensuring a revived waste management plan, which will talk to business needs as well as residents. The city said it will also continue to implement its by-law enforcement strategy.

“Furthermore, the city will continue carrying out its environmental awareness campaigns and stimulate interest and active participation from communities to promote, enhance and protect the green areas in the city,” the city said.

Mayor Gumede added that the CBD clean-up is one of the Municipality’s signature programmes expected to fulfil its 2030 vision of being Africa’s most caring and liveable City.

“What I just presented are clear and achievable goals which will result in us attracting more investors, creating 250 000 jobs and accommodating 450 000 people when the plan is fully developed.”