Inside Kempton Park’s redevelopment vision

The City of Ekurhuleni has outlined an ambitious long-term vision to transform key parts of Kempton Park and its surrounding growth corridors through a series of interconnected precinct plans aimed at driving urban renewal, improving transport integration, encouraging mixed-use development, and strengthening regional economic growth.

The plans form part of the municipality’s broader spatial development strategy linked to the Municipal Spatial Development Framework (MSDF), Regional Spatial Development Framework (RSDF), and the long-term Aerotropolis Master Plan.

Among the key focus areas are the Kempton Park CBD, the Terenure BRT Station Precinct, the Dries Niemandt Precinct, and the Bredell Precinct, all intended to support transit-oriented development, infrastructure investment, economic expansion, and more integrated urban growth.

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According to the city’s precinct planning documents, Kempton Park has been identified as a major regional node due to its strategic location, existing transport infrastructure, and proximity to O.R. Tambo International Airport.

The plans aim to reposition the area as a vibrant and connected urban hub capable of supporting residential growth, business development, public transport integration, and improved quality of life for residents and commuters.

At the centre of the strategy is the revitalisation of the Kempton Park CBD, where the municipality envisions a 24-hour mixed-use urban environment supported by upgraded public spaces, safer pedestrian routes, improved transport systems, and higher-density residential and commercial developments.

The city plans to strengthen the role of the Kempton Park Rail Station as a multi-modal transport hub through upgrades to rail, taxi, and future bus infrastructure, including links to the planned Integrated Rapid Public Transport Network (IRPTN).

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Pedestrian-friendly infrastructure, non-motorised transport routes, landscaped public spaces, and improved sidewalks are key parts of the redevelopment strategy aimed at encouraging walkability and reducing reliance on private vehicles.

The precinct plan also highlights the importance of economic revitalisation through mixed-use developments, medical and civic precincts, retail activation, and the redevelopment of underutilised land parcels near transport corridors.

Supporting the broader CBD strategy is the Terenure BRT Station Precinct Plan, which focuses on developing high-density, mixed-use nodes along the future Bus Rapid Transit corridor on Zuurfontein Road.

The Terenure precinct covers approximately 250 hectares and includes residential suburbs, commercial areas, industrial land, and retail centres such as China Gate Mall.

The municipality believes the area has strong potential for transit-oriented growth, given its location along major regional transport routes linking Kempton Park, Johannesburg, Midrand, and surrounding economic hubs.

Key proposals for the Terenure precinct include upgraded pedestrian and cycling infrastructure, improved public transport facilities, densification around transport nodes, and the redevelopment of vacant or underutilised land for affordable housing and mixed-use developments.

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The city also plans to revitalise strategic nodes such as the China Gate Mixed-Use Node and the Bloekomdraai Community Node through public space upgrades, improved connectivity, and investment in supporting social infrastructure.

Environmental sustainability forms an important component of the Terenure plan, with proposals for improved stormwater management, landscaping, and the preservation of environmentally sensitive open spaces and river systems.

The Dries Niemandt Precinct Plan complements both the CBD and Terenure frameworks by focusing on urban integration, mixed-use development, and improved movement networks within the surrounding area.

The precinct plan encourages infill development and the redevelopment of underutilised land to create a more integrated urban environment that balances residential, commercial, and recreational land uses.

According to the municipality, improved pedestrian and cycling routes, safer public spaces, and enhanced connectivity between key destinations are central to the Dries Niemandt strategy.

The plan also places strong emphasis on high-quality public spaces, cohesive streetscapes, and urban design guidelines to enhance the visual character and functionality of the precinct.

The broader regional strategy also includes the Bredell Precinct Plan, which outlines a long-term vision to transform the largely agricultural area into a strategic logistics and mixed-use development hub supporting the wider Aerotropolis economy.

Located east of Kempton Park CBD and northeast of the airport, the Bredell precinct covers approximately 2,783 hectares and is expected to play an increasingly important role in logistics, light industrial activity, agri-processing, and mixed-use development linked to regional growth.

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The municipality envisions creating a high-intensity mixed-use core at the intersection of Third Avenue and High Street, featuring retail, offices, residential developments, civic facilities, public squares, and green public spaces.

The Bredell plan also proposes improved road infrastructure, future public transport integration, ecological corridors, non-motorised transport routes, and phased catalytic developments to unlock long-term investment potential.

Environmental sustainability and green infrastructure are key to the Bredell strategy, with proposals for stormwater management systems, biodiversity protection, indigenous landscaping, and Water Sensitive Urban Design Systems (WSUDS).

Across all four precincts, the city’s long-term vision is centred on creating a more connected, inclusive, and economically resilient urban environment, supported by coordinated public and private-sector investment.

The municipality believes the precinct plans will help unlock development opportunities, attract investment, support job creation, improve transport integration, and strengthen Kempton Park’s role within the broader Aerotropolis and metropolitan economy.

Implementation of the various projects will take place in phases, with priority given to catalytic developments, transport upgrades, public realm improvements, and infrastructure interventions that can stimulate further investment and long-term urban regeneration.

Full precinct plans can be found at www.ekurhuleni.gov.za/expressions-of-interest-for-precinct-plans/