The City of Johannesburg’s MMC for Development Planning, Funzela Ngobeni, has issued a festive message to residents.
Here is what he had to say …
The year 2017, as the MMC for the Department of Development Planning, has been one filled with many successes and challenges, but mostly lessons on how we as the City can improve on the delivery of better, efficient services to the residents of Johannesburg.
My hopes for the year 2018 is for the coalition government to continue on its path of changing the lives of the poor residents of this City, and accelerate service delivery. As the political head of Development Planning, I hope to see the implementation of our game changer, also known as Diphetogo [changes], which will take the administration closer to achieving its goal of 5 per cent economic growth by 2021.
Highlights for the Department of Development Planning
- City transformation
Inclusionary housing was recommended as a mechanism in the Spatial Development Framework, and given a thumbs-up after a report was presented to Council in July. The policy for the programme is currently being drafted. The implementation of inclusionary housing will allow the City to be inclusive and ensures adequate provision of housing opportunities for residents.
The formulation of Urban Development Frameworks for areas such as Grant Avenue in Norwood, the Inner City Eastern Gateway, Fordsburg and Mayfair, as well as Derrick Avenue in Cyrildene, will guide the new spatial visions the City has for the areas.
The City, in partnership with various stakeholders, launched a report reflecting on the transit-orientated development and spatial transformation in Johannesburg in August this year. The series of reports was the end product of a two-year collaboration with researchers and professionals to reflect on the work done by the City to change the urban landscape.
- Corporate Geo-Informatics systems
The Corporate Geo-Informatics systems directorate launched and held its first Mapletics Geography Challenge, where 67 Grade 10 to 12 learners from 10 high schools participated.
The new Online Maps website recently became available to all City departments via the intranet. The new map viewer has been redesigned to offer simple user functionality and added features like zoning, valuation and Census 2011 data, which will contribute towards better service delivery by City officials.
The new Heritage Register was recently implemented, providing property owners, potential investors and developers, with sufficient information that is easily available. It can also be useful to others, including City officials, researchers, architects, journalists, tour guides and heritage enthusiasts.
- Building development management
The consultative sessions of the draft outdoor advertising bylaws were concluded in June and a final draft of the document was compiled, with the consideration of public input. Through the proposed bylaws, the City aims to reduce the number of illegal signs around Johannesburg and help the industry realise maximum value on approved signs.
Previously, the City regulated the industry by taking matters to court on each contravention. This cost time and money that could be rechanneled to other services. Section 29 (3) of the proposed bylaws authorises the City to remove illegal signs due to their non-approval status, rather than only according to the imminent danger they may pose.
Adherence to the City’s Outdoor Advertising Bylaws improves the safety… of pedestrians and motorists. It also saves the City’s infrastructure from accelerated wear and tear. Complying with bylaws [allows] the immediate communities to be active citizens, and be able to work with the City in minimising clutter and ensuring that there is co-existence of road traffic signs [and] advertising signs.
- Land use development management
The land use development directorate held public participation engagement sessions on the draft Land Use Scheme during September and October. The proposed document seeks to do away with the City’s historic town planning schemes, adopted in the 1970s and early 1980s, in favour of a new consolidated regulatory tool. Johannesburg has 16 different historic town planning schemes; each different in their definition of land use, and prescribe different processes to obtain land-use rights. But these differences create challenges for residents and the developing community.
In thanks
I would like to take this opportunity to thank City officials of Region F for their continuous dedication to making the most central region, in which the inner city is located, be a flagship of the City.
An extended word of appreciation goes to our partners in the Johannesburg Inner City Partnership Forum for their commitment towards working together to revitalise and rejuvenate the inner city. We look forward to welcoming more officials and residents into the A Re Sebetseng clean-up campaign in 2018.
My warmest thoughts and best wishes for a wonderful holiday and a happy New Year, to all Caxton readers. May peace, love and prosperity follow you always.
