ETHEKWINI Municipality is calling on residents to submit their comments on the Draft Annual Spatial Development Framework (SDF) for 2017/18, which aims to guide and manage spatial development and investment in the City.
Mayor Zandile Gumede said the SDF was a tool developed by the City to address spatial inequalities and inefficiencies in society.
“It is important for the City to have this document to guide the future growth and respond to the development needs of the residents of eThekwini,” she said.
Gumede said as the City was faced with global environmental challenges, the framework would assist with various mechanisms to assess environmental sustainability.
“As government, we want to radically transform spaces people live in through better coordinated land use management and spatial development,” she said.
The SDF 2017/2018 is available at all Municipal Libraries and Sizakala Centres for viewing and comments. Residents are encouraged to comment on the document for the City to create a SDF that works for everyone.
Gumede said the framework helped to address some of the issues hindering investment. “It is a vital plan that connects various areas of industry with areas of trade and businesses. This influences our environment and the upgrading of infrastructure which in turn attracts more investments and create employment opportunities,” she said.
She said communities and business sectors commenting on the draft document, would help guide the city to determine special requirements of respective wards and towns to undertake plans for development.
The framework addresses socio-economic issues and creates economic development opportunities to those areas that have potential for local economic growth
The SDF document can also be downloaded on the eThekwini Municipality’s website: www.durban.gov.za/City_Services/development_planning_management/Pages/Strategic-Spatial-Planning-(Framework-Planning)-2.aspx
The deadline for all comments is 24 April. The public is urged to provide written comments marked for the attention of the Senior Manager: Ms Helene Epstein: Strategic Spatial Planning Branch, Development Planning Department, Room 226, 2nd Floor City Engineers Building, 166 KE Masinga Road, Durban.
Residents can contact Nelisiwe Mngadi or Siauree Dehal on 031 311 7758 or 031 311 7744 or email: Nelisiwe.Mngadi@durban.gov.za and Siauree.Dehal@durban.gov.za for further information.
