New Pretoria CBD precinct promises better transport, policing, housing and business

Tshwane metro is planning to develop a new area in the west of Pretoria CBD near the fresh produce market.

The market node precinct draft plan promises to introduce smart street lights with electronic surveillance, specified trading areas on the sidewalks, non-motorised vehicle lanes, urban agriculture, a recycling and bio-waste plant, housing, more visible policing and improved by-law enforcement among other things.

The metro has called on the public to provide their inputs.

According to the tender brief, the precinct will be between WF Nkomo, E’skia Mphahlele, Rebecca and Staatsartillerie streets.

The precinct plan report said the presence in the area of second-hand vehicle dealers, as well as car scrapyards, was a clear indication of the market adapting to new needs.

Meanwhile, according to a 2011 census, the area was also subject to high unemployment, low income earning residents, illegal land use, businesses suspected of not paying rates and taxes, illegal house occupation, drug- and xenophobic-related incidents.

Tshwane mayoral spokesperson Jordan Griffiths said the aim was to convert the market into a space that was inviting, safe, walkable and had access to great shopping and acceptable parking and driving standards.

According to the precinct plan report, Tshwane had to seriously consider the wellbeing of the market and not deprive it of re-investment, maintenance and even expansion, should such expansion prove to be financially feasible.

The plan report also found the infrastructure of the market had not been maintained adequately over the years.

It said the food industry requirement had changed over recent decades, to the extent that existing facilities would not comply with the requirements of all affected people in the industry.

Tshwane mayor Randall Williams said the draft plan served as an opportunity to harness the true economic potential of the precinct and direct the future land use planning in the area.

“The market precinct is a sustainable and prosperous precinct in the metro, accessible to all. The new precinct would be pedestrian-friendly.

“It would be well connected to public transport with dense housing and mixed-use developments in the area,” Williams said.

“Public transport will be integrated with the entire city so residents across all regions can come buy at the market.”

Williams said the urban management designs and guidelines that had been put in place would help to advance development in the area.

“A strength, weakness, opportunities and threats analysis of the precinct area has been conducted to ensure that a comprehensive vision could be put in place for the market.”

He said this was aimed at building the market’s strategic importance.

“Our administration wants to create a city of opportunity that creates economic growth, attracts investment, which in turn will lead to job creation, providing residents with new employment opportunities.”

Williams said public participation would be carried out through the office of the speaker on the precinct plans and residents were encouraged to participate as once the plan was formally announced public participation usually ran for just 30 days