City partners with private investors to transform and revitalise the inner city
Wednesday, the Executive Mayor, Cllr Herman Mashaba and MMC for Development Planning, Cllr Funzela Ngobeni, held yet another successful Inner City Partnership Forum.
Millions of Rands are being injected into the inner city. This follows presentations by private investors which is taking firm footing towards rejuvenating and transforming the city.
The city also gave feedback on the progress it has made in terms of strategic interventions it committed to at the partnership forum that was hosted on the 27 July 2017.
In addressing the multi-department and multi-entity supported response to challenges of urbanization in the inner city, a number of projects and programmes aligned to the city’s key strategies are currently underway.
These projects focus on sustainable growth and investment, sustainable urban management service delivery sustainable human settlements.
There has been significant improvement and concerted efforts by the JHB City Improvement District Forum who have implemented a range of initiatives to enhance property investment, promote Sustainable Place Management and Urban Management institutions throughout Johannesburg.
There is also an increase of social initiatives such as the park upgrades and green space management.
Inner City Cross Border Shopping Incentives and UDZ Research
The Johannesburg Inner City Partnership (JICP) has also commissioned a writer, researcher, planner and policy developer to conduct research on the scope and nature of cross border shopping in the Joburg CBD.
This study has cast a spotlight on how the activity of cross border shopping operates in the spatial environment, how it operates from the perspective of shoppers and how it operates from the perspective of retailers.
Cross border shoppers are international visitors to Johannesburg. Their visits to the city increase the demand for services, products and good infrastructure. These are all economic imperatives that attract jobs and investment in the inner city.
Tracking and Registering City Heritage Register
The initiation of the Heritage Register will also ensure that there is sufficient information easily available for potential investors and developers to allow them to make informed decisions when purchasing property in the Inner City and other parts of Johannesburg.
Urban Agriculture Initiative
Food security challenges remains an important priority for the city. To begin addressing this JICP with support from Wouldn’t It Be Cool (WIBC) launched the Urban Agriculture initiative, a roof-top farm in the inner city. This initiative has already starting creating jobs, entrepreneurial opportunities, youth development and skills development.
Inner City Property Development/ Management Advocacy
The public/private partnership is also bearing positive results. TUHF is currently financing entrepreneurs looking to purchase, and convert buildings into low-cost housing for residents in the city.
To date, the Trust for Urban Housing Finance (TUHF) has made investments in the Empire Perth & Knowledge Precinct, Eastern Gateway and the Louis Botha Avenue.
CLLR FUNZELA NGOBENI
MMC Development Planning
For media queries, please contact:
Sekgabo Kedijang
Media Specialist
Office of the MMC: Development Planning
Tel: 011 407 6024
Cell: 081 234 4642
E-mail: sekgabok@joburg.org.za
