The eThekwini Municipality has invited members of the public to give their input and comment on the city’s Central Densification Strategy.

The strategy provides policies and guidelines on building and planning for the city, which informs densification proposals.

The public meetings will provide detailed information on the location of densification areas, urban design, typology, incentives and scheme controls to facilitate densification.

The Municipality is conducting a feasibility study of the Strategy on the urban core (outer boundaries i.e. the connections between Pinetown, Durban CBD and uMlazi) in order to ensure sustainable resource use and the creation of sustainable human settlements.

A key aspect of the strategy will involve the identification of land parcels and detailed land use changes at scheme level to affect the objectives of the study through the selection of pilot sites to test densification.

Meeting housing needs

EThekwini Mayor Zandile Gumede says the Municipality developed the Central Densification Strategy to ensure that while facing these challenges, the city remains a premier place in which people will choose to live, work, invest and visit.

“The strategy will inform where detailed densification should take place, why those areas were selected and how it will assist the city to respond to areas under pressure for densification. At the time it will ensure that the natural environment is protected,” she explains.

Mayor Gumede said the strategy will assist the Municipality to meet the needs of housing of different income levels.

“It will also assist to restructure the built environment in a more efficient, equitable and convenient manner for residents. At the same time it will promote high quality living environments by providing people with access to economic and social opportunities,” she concludes.

Interested parties are invited to attend the public meetings scheduled as follows:

• 11 November at Woodhurst Library, Galaxy Place in Chatsworth from 2pm to 5pm,
• 12 November at Bonela Secondary School, 31 Bonela Road from 2pm to 5pm and,
• 13 November at Pinetown Civic Centre from 1pm to 5pm.