Dundee residents can expect the town to get a major facelift thanks to the Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs’ (COGTA) Urban Regeneration Project.
Last week officials from COGTA and consultant Striation/ Focus Consortium met with various stakeholders in town to discuss the way forward. On the agenda was how the project planned to rejuvenate the town. Skura Mthembu from Striation/ Focus Consortium led the presentation, highlighting the areas that are going to be focused on.
The entrances to town, Beaconsfield Street, Victoria Street, the taxi rank and Ziga Sithole Street were identified as the key areas that need revamping.
Entrances
Plans for the entrances include more inviting signage, as well as the possibility of statues to be erected. COGTA also plans to put in pedestrian walkways to make it easier for people on foot. Norman Parkinson, Chairman of Dundee Tourism, stressed the importance of having an inviting and friendly entrance to town. “You don’t get a second chance to make a first impression,” he said. The group that gathered agreed that the entrances need to create an idea of what people can expect in town.
Beaconsfield Street
Thanks to COGTA, this area has been earmarked to be a historical precinct. Historical buildings will be preserved, with engravings detailing their historical importance. There were also discussions on erecting statues in the area to give it a more historical feel. Everyone was in agreement that the town needs to keep its historic atmosphere.
Victoria Street
While pleased with the overall feel of the area, Mr Mthembu said they need to look at traffic-calming measures and plant more trees. He also focused on the problem of informal traders, saying that they take up space on the pavement. He added that informal traders need to be regulated. Speaker Mdluli agreed with this, and said that there need to be ‘no trading zones’ in the CBD. “Other towns have informal traders, but they are regulated,” he said.
Taxi rank
Passenger comfort is the main concern for the taxi rank. Plans include more street furniture as well as covered walkways to provide shade for residents. The biggest concern, however, is that the municipality does not own the land on which the taxi rank is situated. The company who owns the property has plans for improvement.
Ziga Sithole Street
The area connecting town to Sibongile could become a sporting district if plans come to fruition. Mr Mthembu said that they are looking at ways to improve the area. Plans include walkways for pedestrians, the erection of sporting facilities and cleaning up the stream. There was also talk of ‘gap houses’ in the area to help develop the open spaces.
COGTA and Striation/ Focus Consortium will now go back to the drawing board and return with a plan for the town. They will then meet with stakeholders again to finalise the way forward for Dundee.