Residents given chance to weigh in on city’s land use scheme policy

The City of Johannesburg (CoJ) department of development planning (DDP) has called on public participation as the city commences with a process through which residents will given the opportunity to give input into the framework that shapes how land is used across the city.

Read more: Meetings to discuss Land Use Scheme

The DDP issued a statement on February 12 urging interested parties to participate in their upcoming public consultative meetings to review the city’s land use scheme (LUS) of 2018.

The scheme is a legislative tool used by the city to guide and manage development, strategies, and policies, promoting sustainable development and quality of life for all residents. The LUS also outlines the development rights assigned to different properties, and provides property owners with a variety of possibilities for developing their properties through various applications.

Also read: MMC for Development Planning Reuben Masango is concerned about illegal land use

Presided over by the chairperson of the development planning section 79 portfolio, councillor Juwairiya Kaldine, the public meetings will be held in all seven regions of the city, and will be open to all residents.

The first CoJ land use scheme, as set out in Section 24(1) of the Spatial Planning Land-Use Management Act (SPLUMA), became formally operational on February 1, 2019. In terms of Section 27(1) of SPLUMA, the municipality is required to review its land use scheme at least every five years.

CoJ member of the mayoral committee (MMC) for development planning, councillor Eunice Mgcina, has urged all residents to attend the consultative meetings to air their views, concerns, and recommendations. Mgcina said that the feedback from residents is important and invaluable in ensuring that the policy reflects the needs and aspirations of all members of the public.

“Participation in these upcoming public consultation meetings on the review of the city’s land use scheme is an important opportunity for your voices and opinions to be heard, and for you to contribute to shaping the future of land use in our communities,” said Mgcina. “Attend the meetings, share your thoughts, help us create a more sustainable and inclusive environment for everyone.”

The meeting for Region E will be hosted on February 14 at the Jabula Recreation Centre on Anne Street in Sandringham, with a starting time set for 10:00. An online stakeholder engagement, where community members from Regions A, B, C, D1, D2, E, F, and G can attend, is scheduled for 18:00 on March 5. The closing dates for all comments is March 7.

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