Known as the Cape Town Spatial Development Framework (SDF), it will supersede the guide plans and spatial plans now used to reach land use decisions. The draft SDF is complemented by eight district spatial and environmental plans.

The Planning and Environment Portfolio Committee has approved the public participation process on the draft City SDF, as well as on three of the district plans (for Blaauwberg, Eastern ex-Helderberg and Mitchells Plain – Khayelitsha). The remaining district plans will be submitted to the Committee in August – at which point the public participation process will begin.

Councillor Brian Watkyns, chairperson of the Planning and Environment Portfolio Committee, said the Spatial Design Framework will assist planners to shape, in a life-enhancing way, the future development and growth of the Mother City.

Spatial plans are used to assess applications submitted by property developers. They also guide changes in land-use rights and public investment in infrastructure.

“The Spatial Development Framework SDF? accordingly provides a useful and effective means of monitoring and managing land development in the city,” Watkyns said. “It informs investors about what they are ‘buying’ and where development opportunities exist in the short and longer term.

“The implementation of these plans relies on partnerships between the private sector, communities and other spheres of government,” he said.

The City will now finalise the City Spatial Development Framework and district plans through a series of public and sector stakeholder meetings.

“In preparing the SDF, we were guided by four inter-related, overarching ideas that will assist us in planning the evolution of Cape Town,” explains Watkyns.

“Firstly, our city needs to be resilient and adaptive, as Cape Town’s prosperity will be decided by how well it responds to the challenges within the city and future development trends.

“Cape Town also needs to be restrained from expanding uncontrollably and absorbing all surrounding towns as it grows.

“Thirdly, we need to conserve the natural resources which make Cape Town a special place for residents and visitors alike – these natural ‘anchors’ must play an important role in shaping where and how the city grows.

“And, finally, our city needs to invest in vibrant development ‘corridors’ that are well served by public transport and cycle and pedestrian routes.”

These ideas will be implemented through five key strategies:

1. Enhancing the accessibility and value of the natural and rural environment and open spaces for the people of Cape Town.

2. Establishing an integrated grid-based movement system; this is a move away from the radial movement system we have at the moment, where most roads lead in and out of the central city. A multi-directional (grid) movement system will offer better north-south and east-west links , and connect people to new growth areas in the city.

3. Consolidating and intensifying development on the accessibility grid; this means encouraging higher-density and mixed-use developments in areas that have good access to public and non-motorised transport facilities.

4. Directing urban growth and promoting compact, integrated development; this will result in a city structure where people live closer to jobs and services (shops & facilities), with reduced travel time between the two.

5. Developing more great people places where people are able to gather, relax and enjoy our vibrant urban and natural spaces.