Plans are under way to turn the Roodepoort central business district (CBD), where there has been infrastructural decay in recent years, into a vibrant transport and commercial nerve centre, according to the City's economic development unit.

Lebo Ramoreboli, the project consultant: area regeneration in the City's department of finance and economic development, says that preliminary studies into urban regeneration done in 2004 came up with proposals to turn Roodepoort's fortunes around.

"Roodepoort has a unique character compared with other CBDs in Johannesburg, a character which we can tap into to develop the area into a transport, commercial and possibly a historical centre. Also, it has its own unique customer base, which we have to consider in order to come up with proposals to regenerate the area."

The Roodepoort CBD, in Region 5 - one of the most attractive regions in Johannesburg, is a nodal transport area for people from Soweto and the surrounding informal settlements.

"We realised that there was a lot of development in Region 5. Big shopping centres like Westgate were springing up and as a result of these developments, the Roodepoort CBD was losing out. Businesses started to move out and potential customers went to these big shopping centres," says Ramoreboli.

The City had to formulate an economic vision that would regenerate the economy of the CBD, she says. "We had to come up with short term and long term strategies to redress the situation. Our short term strategy will see us dealing with cosmetic issues like stepping up urban management and providing quality basic services. We will also deal with crime in the area."

Consisting of mixed-use facilities, the City had to identify some sustainable niche markets for the CBD. Ramoreboli says the establishment of restaurants and entertainment centres are two of the ideas that have to be considered.

Once a vibrant business centre, the central business district has taken on a somewhat shabby appearance as businesses have relocated to the more lucrative areas of Randburg and Sandton. In 2004, local businesses and other stakeholders began discussions on turning the area into a city improvement district (CID).

At the first of a series of meetings involving businesses and various stakeholders in November 2004, a steering committee was formed to oversee the establishment of a CID, which will act as a Section 21 Company.

So far, four consultative meetings with representatives of all stakeholders have been held.

The establishment of the CID is being spearheaded by the Roodepoort Development Forum, a non-profit organisation that aims "to reverse the urban decay in the CBD and return it to its former glory as a vibrant business centre", the Johannesburg Property Company, the Johannesburg Development Agency, property owners, councillors and officials from Region 5.

"First of all we have to get everyone in Roodepoort to buy into the project. We will then prioritise the stages and find out who will be responsible for generating the funds for the project. Then we will be on our way to making Roodepoort develop more in line with the rest of the city," Ramoreboli says.

The City of Johannesburg, in line with its 2030 vision, is making an effort to transform some areas that have been experiencing urban decay. City improvement districts have been established in central Johannesburg (Gandhi Square), Rosebank, Braamfontein, Sandton and Illovo.

"Initially, we were discouraged by the response of residents and other stakeholders when we sent consultants to do research on the establishment of a CID. But after some consultative meetings, they became co-operative," Ramoreboli says.

CIDs are being established, or are under investigation, in Ewirda Valley, Louis Botha/Orange Grove, Wynberg, Randburg, Parktown, Rivonia, Greater Ellis Park, Newtown and the Fashion District of the Joburg CBD.

Johannesburg Agency