Cape Town intends to develop strategic railway sites

Cape Town signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) in terms of which they will seek to maximise the development opportunities associated with land they own around railway stations and along railway lines.

This MOU will open the way for the construction of high density housing on well-located land within Cape Town owned jointly by PRASA and the City.

The MOU also commits both parties to further develop the areas around stations by encouraging a range of different social and economic activities in these environments. These activities can be made viable and sustainable through integration with the rail network. Such mixed-use areas have the potential to create unique environments for promoting community access to socio-economic opportunities within rail corridors, and will also support a range of densified housing developments.

Cape Town is faced with the dual challenge of managing the need for sustainable growth and development, while at the same time meeting the increasing demand for new housing. Increasing residential density is a key strategy for meeting these demands. The City needs to maximise the use of the very limited land - especially well-located land - that is available for building homes for those in need. Well planned, higher density residential buildings are the most viable option to effectively and efficiently solve the housing challenge in Cape Town. Well-located land refers to land in close proximity to public transport routes, activity routes and corridors where a range of amenities and conveniences are available.

This kind of strategic development is also important for making public transport systems viable and encouraging developments which are not car dependent and where people can access facilities, amenities, conveniences and opportunities on foot as well as by public transport. Higher densities are also more conducive to sustainable local economic development opportunities.

The MOU envisages a closer working relationship between the City and PRASA to ensure that the City's proposed urban growth corridors are supported by rail-based public transport where this exists. It will also ensure that where there are opportunities for new passenger rail services, that the development of these corridors and services are aligned.

The City and PRASA have agreed on an action plan and joint planning committee to implement the aims of this MOU, including the prioritisation of the development of a maximum of three key stations. This will allow the two parties to align their planning, including in the City's north-eastern growth corridor.

"This MOU represents a major step forward in making full use of the available urban land resources in the City and PRASA's portfolios as well as moving towards a more efficient, functional city design based on high density targeted development," said Executive Mayor Dan Plato.

http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/MediaReleases

Posted at 10:40AM Nov 20, 2009 by Editor in Residential  |  Comments[3]