The Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA) will, this year, commence with the Balfour Park Transit Precinct Development. This development is centred on the City of Johannesburg’s spatial vision for the city and is in line with the Growth and Development Strategy 2040, as well as based on corridor Transit-oriented Development (TOD).
In a statement by a member of the executive team at JDA, Susan Monyai, the Balfour Park Transit Precinct Development will not only facilitate a visibly improved public environment and develop non-motorised transport facilities to create an integral precinct, but the development will go a long way in stimulating investor and public confidence in the precinct.
- The overall objectives for the Balfour Park Precinct project are to:
- Integrate transportation and land use by concentrating development along transport corridors and destinations
- Turning of Corlett Drive, Athol Street and 22nd Avenue into commercial strips
- Improve connections between different destinations within the corridor
- Support growth of economic and industrial nodes to increase employment opportunities in the areas
- Promote the efficient movement of people through the development of environments that encourage people to walk, cycle and use public transport
- Development of non-motorised transport facilities and networks
- Develop safe, comfortable and inviting public areas that integrate the unique history, culture and character of the corridor
- Promotion of densification and mixture of land uses along the arteries.
Monyai said that the Balfour Park Precinct is located along Louis Botha Development Corridor and includes the area between Corlett Drive and Athol Street, with a width including two and five city blocks each side of Louis Botha Avenue. The precinct falls mainly within Ward 74 and comprises of portions of the suburbs of Highlands North (and extensions), Waverley (and extensions), Gresswold, Savoy Estate, Kew and Glenhazel.
“The City has identified a kick-start zone to give effect to the implementation of this plan. This is located in the south-eastern corner of the project area and, on Athol Streets, it starts from St Marys High School and ends at the North View High School,” Monyai added.
“The Balfour Park Precinct transformation is guided by the completed Strategic Area Framework for the Louis Botha Development Corridor and the Balfour Park Precinct Plan and Urban Design Framework.
“The Balfour Park Precinct Development will supplement the various developments that have been taking place in the Louis Botha Corridor, this includes Orchards Clinic, the Rea Vaya Phase 1C rollout and the recently completed Paterson Park Multipurpose Centre.”
Ward 74 councillor Dave Fisher said, “I welcome the announcement that this project is moving forward. In July 2017 there was a public meeting at Northview School where this project was discussed and comments and suggestions were made by local residents and businesses. Since then, I have had various engagements with the City. The news that improvements will be made in the area, especially to increase learner safety, will be welcomed by the greater community.”
Details: Johannesburg Development Agency www.jda.org.za
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