UIP to drive Pinetown into new era

THE GO!Durban project has backed the move to create an urban improvement precinct in Pinetown in an effort to financially increase the value of the area.

With the visible upgrade of the road systems in Pinetown for the first phase of the GO!Durban integrated rapid public transport network, residents and business owners in the area can look forward to an upgraded urban environment which is poised to stimulate the economy in the area.

A proposal was launched for an urban improvement precinct (UIP) to be established to mimic the body that helped increase commercial property values, fixed signposts, removed graffiti and persuaded the municipality to invest in broken infrastructure in the uMhlanga area.

At a public meeting in Pinetown recently, three volunteers offered to take up the cudgel to begin the lengthy process to establish a Pinetown UIP. The area covered includes the central business district, Lahee Park to the M19, St John’s Avenue to the M13, Otto Volek Road and the Old Mutual towers.

This meeting marked the beginning of a connection between GO!Durban’s transport infrastructure and operational upgrades with the opportunities that are needed to maintain and manage the upgraded precincts for the economic benefit of businesses and residents in the area.

The UIP Company’s, Cara Reilly, said precinct management offered an economic and investment solution to urban centres. “Urban degeneration and decay underpins increased crime which leads to fear and ultimately an undesirable space, specifically public space that translate into private property devaluations via rentals.

“While the city owns the public space, it is those businesses, with vested interest in that space, that must drive change and partnerships to prevent or reverse urban decay. The aim is to secure property values by building investor confidence and retaining existing or attracting new businesses,” said Reilly.

Core to the establishment of a UIP is to create and maintain a relationship with eThekwini Municipality, provide privately funded supplementary services that include security and cleaning and create dedicated points of contact to allow for the municipality and the UIP to have a single entry of communication and form a catalyst for social and environmental development.

Legislatively, it takes up to 18 months to establish a UIP and once the administrative process has been completed, the UIP budget must correspond with the municipality’s year-end. Funds are drawn in the year from July.

“The eThekwini Municipality acknowledges the tremendous value that the private sector adds to the economic development of the City,” said Mayor Councillor, Zandile Gumede.”With the city’s investment into GO!Durban, we believe this too will provide a foundation for many other opportunities. We trust that the plans to establish a UIP will further add value to this area which will in turn drive a positive growth in the local economy.”