Residents have been urged to attend upcoming meetings in their areas regarding the Land Use Scheme, where they will have the opportunity to engage with City officials and obtain information related to their properties.
According to a statement by the communication specialist of the City of Joburg, Virgil James, Johannesburg’s history shows that the Town Planning Scheme has been periodically reviewed every 20 years beginning in 1940, 1960, 1980 and 2000.
He added that it was reviewed again in 2013 and again last year. This became necessary in order to facilitate socio-economic development by ridding the scheme of developmental restrictions. This was worsened by the fact that the City had 16 different town planning schemes with differing regulations, controls, and processes applicable in its area of jurisdiction.
Over time, it became clear that a single comprehensive scheme was necessary and therefore the City of Johannesburg’s Town Planning Scheme was recently revised and became operational in the City from 1 February this year as the Land Use Scheme (LUS).
James added that notably, there are four changes that promote and improve development through various applications. These are the designation of special development zones; parking; rezonings and recognition; protection and management of the environment.
The details of the meetings are:
- 31 August at 10am–1pm at Paterson Park Recreation Centre / Jabula Recreation Centre (Region E)
- 4 September at 6pm–9pm at the Midrand Fire Station (Region A)
- 5 September at 6pm–9pm at Marks Park (Region B)
- 7 September at 10am–1pm at Klipfontein-View MPC (Region E)
- 14 September at 10am–1pm at Cosmo City MPC (Region C)
- 12 September at 6pm–9pm in Grosvenor/ Mayfair (Region F)
- 21 September at 10am–1pm at Ernest Ullman Recreation Centre (Region E)
- 25 September at 6pm–9pm at East Bank Hall (Region E)
- 28 September at 10am–1pm at the Parkhurst Recreation Centre (Region B)
- 5 October 2019 at 10am–1pm in Rabie Ridge / Ivory Park (Region A).
“Residents are encouraged to attend these meetings and gain valuable insight into the current LUS. It is hoped that there will be better compliance and a reduction in illegal buildings through these discussions. At the same time, residents will get to know how the LUS promotes economic development and protection of the environment,” said James.
Details: Stakeholder Manager in the Office of the MMC for Development Planning Poppy Louw poppyl@joburg.org.za; 081 235 4999.
Related article:
