ALKS are under way to find ways of revamping Randburg’s decaying central business district, with input from local residents and businesses sought on revising the urban development framework for the area.
On Tuesday, 26 January and Wednesday, 27 January, The Urban Design Studio (TUDS), in charge of drawing up the revised plan, led discussions alongside the Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA). Members of the public were encouraged to attend the meetings and give their thoughts.
Over 40 concerned residents, business people, property owners, shoppers and public transport owners gathered at the Ferndale Recreation Centre for the second meeting.
“We are looking for ideas and solutions from the people in this region towards improving it and finally implementing the plans that we’ve had for the area,” said Sharon Lewis, the executive manager of planning and strategy at the JDA.
A presentation was given that included a list of priorities – such as quality of the public environment, which largely contributes to the image of the neighbourhood; undesirable land use and activities, such as illegal traders; housing shortage; residential densification; and conflict between pedestrians and vehicles.
Vacant land
Vacant and underused land, public transport access, and market and property economics were top of the agenda, with tax levies taking centre stage. “Just like the guys that own the properties, we pay our rent with added tax levy on top to help sustain these buildings,” said a store owner from the Sanlam Shopping Centre.
Many of the attendees were worried about the decline in revenue that business owners were experiencing as fewer consumers came into the region; others were concerned about safety.
A major concern was the amount of unoccupied space in the area: both buildings and land. Citizens were concerned about the number of big retailers, such as Shoprite and Woolworths, that had left Randburg.
Safety
Safety was another major concern. “If we could have cameras such as the CCTVs in downtown Joburg then that could assist the police in identifying and finding criminals,” said one person in the audience.
The empty space also created safety concerns, according to a representative of the Randburg Youth Chamber of Business. He gave an example of purse snatchers being able to flee from the scene because there was too much unoccupied parking around the shopping centre.
Key issues that put the community under distress, among others, were the decaying City-owned buildings and the taxi rank. “The area looks filthy and does not attract anyone,” they agreed.
Revised plan
“We want this area to get an upgrade just like Braamfontein and Newtown did,” they said. “Randburg should become a business hub in which small businesses can thrive and create jobs.”
The locals wanted projects to be led by people residing in or familiar with the region, especially if they were going to be appointed as community liaison officers.
Although there had been previous attempts to plan revamps for the area, they had not come to fruition.
Marinda Schoonraad, TUDS’ managing director, said the previous plans for the Randburg CBD had been “paper plans that were not efficiently executed”.
She explained: “We are in the process of drawing up something that can happen, will be implemented and improve the area.”
The company was making intense efforts to involve all the stakeholders and the City council in the revised plan and to ensure it would be realistic. TUDS intended to change feelings of apathy towards the region, she added.
“We are planning to submit the new revised urban development framework to the council by the end of April … implementing it will make a big difference.”
Job creation
The immediate implementation focus would be on projects that would lead to job creation and regeneration of the node following the exiting of big business from the area.
Lewis said the JDA was also looking to actively participate in the revamping of Randburg. “The previous plan was a bit high in the sky,” she explained. “We are doing our best to make [this] a realistic plan that will have projects both for the short term and long term.”
Open space
She agreed that “there definitely is a need to do something about the open space in Randburg”. Plans to upgrade the mall, to use the vacant parking and to rejuvenate municipal-owned properties were on the cards.
“What the JDA wants to do with the plan is new projects involving capital improvement in the public space.”
She mentioned repairing lights, putting up branding signs and creating pavements. “Not only does this action create an identity for the area, it also upgrades the quality of the public space.”
Ward 102 councillor Alison van der Merwe said she hoped the City would invest in the future of the region. “This project will need the full backing of both politicians and officials.”
She looked forward to the completion of the revised plan. “I encourage all stakeholders to participate as Randburg has been indicated to be a mayoral priority … We want to see these solutions implemented for this area.”
TUDS will host open days for urban development frameworks, not only for Region B, starting on 9 March. For more information on these, contact the company on 012 362 2434.
Story: City of Johannesburg