ETHEKWINI Municipality has some exciting plans for the Warwick precinct that aim to transform the key city gateway into an efficiently functioning precinct geared towards accessibility and connectivity.
The proposed plans allow for a seamless flow of traffic, giving pedestrians ample pathway space while ensuring that traders also have space for their stalls. The vision for the precinct is to create a mixed-use trade and transport hub that will be an attractive thriving centre of diverse commercial, social and cultural exchange.
This was revealed at a consultation meeting on, Wednesday where the draft Warwick Precinct Plan was presented to interested stakeholders. The City is calling on the public to comment on the plan.
The plan is one of eight that form the Local Area Plan for the inner City which will guide development in the central business district, creating a more integrated and accessible environment while boosting business confidence. Almost 50 percent of the precinct land area is reserved for a transport or infrastructure.
The Warwick precinct is seen as a strategic priority not only for the City, but for the National Treasury as well. It is the gateway to the inner City, and a major transport hub through which approximately 300 000 – 400 000 commuters pass daily.
There are currently at least 2 500 street traders with an estimated R750 million to R 1 billion annual turnover.
The proposed Warwick Precinct Plan will make the City centre more pedestrian orientated, integrated, accessible and efficient. The Integrated public transport plan will play a huge role in the integration of the City, allowing for free movement of people in and around the CBD.
The plan aims to ensure that the Warwick precinct becomes a safe, efficient and vibrant space that will unlock its full potential to serve the needs of the various communities that work, live, play and commute through the area.
The proposed plan involves new and improved transport connections, rationalised public transport, pedestrian priority, public realm upgrades, mixed use development, and an improved trading environment. The proposed plan focuses on creating a balanced transport network, acknowledging that all modes have a part to play, but that priority will be given to the higher capacity modes of transport. The full growth potential of Warwick and the Inner City can only be realised if the efficiency of the transport system is maximised.
The plan’s focus is also on the integration of land use and transport through the creation of local walkable neighbourhoods as the key structuring element for intensifying and extending development in the inner City.
Walking will be the primary transport mode in the City centre and the focus will be on creating and promoting a pedestrian network across the City that will be functional, efficient and safe. To achieve a more sustainable transport system, cycling wil be promoted as a safe, convenient and low cost alternative for Inner City transportation.
The plan also proposes the reconfiguration of roads within the precinct, a deck over Market Street to make a safe connection via the market and station to Bertha Mkhize (Victoria) Street.
The City is calling on all interested parties to comment on the draft plan. Feedback will be considered before a final plan is drawn up. The City is committed to garnering as much comment about the plan and will consult with stakeholders at every planning and implementation phase. To register as a stakeholder or submit your input email innercity@durban.gov.za. Information is also available on the official eThekwini Municipality website: https://www.durban.gov.za/Resource_Centre/Current%20Projects%20and%20Programmes/Inner%20City%20LAP/Pages/default.aspx. The comment period closes on 5 October 2016.
