Public engages with city over future plans

ETHEKWINI municipality invited the public to an Open Day last week, where they were encouraged to comment and engage on the City's Inner City Local Area Plan (LAP).

Locals were encouraged to view the draft planning proposals prepared for the eThekwini's Inner City area with the idea behind the Open Day to provide the community with an opportunity to comment on the major City planning initiatives. Unfortunately few residents on the Berea were able to attend the public engagement session on a working day.

Cathy Ferguson, a project manager from Planning Initiative, introduced the two presentations saying, “Great cities of the world are livable communities of people where government, commerce and culture thrive. They offer a variety of lifestyle and recreation and are places where the human spirit can thrive socially, economically and culturally. Durban has the aspirations to be a great city, therefore the municipality is preparing a plan to develop and regenerate the Inner city,” she explained.

While large posters of the proposals were displayed throughout the day for viewing, officials also attended to various questions the public the public had including verbally explaining the overview of the proposals.

Ferguson said a vision for the Inner City was proposed to “By 2040 the Inner City of Durban will be Africa's leading , most vibrant, livable, walkable City Centre providing economic, residential, sporting and leisure opportunities for all.”

Zakhi Mkhize, Inner City, LAP project manager at eThekwini municipality said there were a number of plans for the inner City integrated into the (local area plan) LAP,

Roey Anigbogu, a Point Waterfront resident at the Open Day, said although she hadn't seen the presentation, the posters were “fabulous.” “I think the plans are great as long as it doesn't negatively affect the lower income citizens. I'm also concerned about the relocation of Addington Primary School because most of the children live so close to the school,” she said.

Forms will also be available for the public to record their suggestions and comments on the proposals.

Councillor Martin Meyer, better communication to the public might have resulted in more residents attending the open day. “It should have been held at times better for residents, as many work on a Friday. I hope there will be another opportunity for engagement and I am hoping we can get the draft proposal posters up at the Windermere library for those that don't have access to the eThekwini website and social media. I am still looking at the areas of the plan that might affect our ward and will make recommendations in due course,” Meyer added.

Any ideas, feedback, interesting proposals or comments related to the project can be e-mailed to: InnerCity@durban.gov.za

The public can visit the website for updates on the project:

https://www.durban.gov.za/Resource_Centre/Current Projects and Programmes/Inner City LAP/ >