Mayor shares plans of revitalising CBD
“Due to the specific challenges facing the inner city, as well as its strategic importance as the primary node of the metro, it is proposed that the CBD be treated as a distinct specialised zone within the city.”
The Tshwane metro is working on bettering infrastructure, policing and bringing investment in the Pretoria CBD as the mayor sets eyes on implementing a number of interventions to revitalise the centre of the capital.
Tshwane mayor Randall Williams said a strong CBD was vital for Tshwane.
Williams said the inner city currently formed part of region 3, which included areas such as Atteridgeville, parts of the west, the Moot and north of Pretoria.
“Due to the specific challenges facing the inner city, as well as its strategic importance as the primary node of the metro, it is proposed that the CBD be treated as a distinct specialised zone within the city.”
He said approval of this proposal would assist in developing a better understanding of the unique issues that had to be dealt with in the inner city.
Williams said the interventions aimed to revitalise the CBD included reviewing by-laws, streetscape guidelines, proposing development incentives and fighting crime.
He said his office was currently aiming to create a “safe CBD”.
“We hope to achieve this in the coming months.”
Williams said the metro had identified an office which it intended to use as an inner-city police station for Tshwane metro police department.
“This will be a massive achievement for the city once it is launched.”
Williams said he supported the notion that a conducive business environment was important for the retention and attraction of investment and business in the CBD.
“In turn, this provides many economic and social opportunities and benefits for residents of the city including the CBD.”
He said in order to create a more conducive business environment within the city and the CBD, the metro was currently implementing the following:
– ease of doing business programme;
– providing business retention and expansion services;
– administering regional industrial forums focused specifically on service delivery;
– fast-tracking development applications for strategic urban developments and strategic investment initiatives;
– develop a fiscal and non-fiscal incentive framework;
– investigating the development and operationalisation of a municipal one-stop shop; and
– building synergies with the private sector through partnering for inclusive growth programme in conjunction with the national treasury.
He said current projects in the works for the CBD was also extending the A Re Yeng operations.
“We anticipate the launch and operation of Line 2B (CBD to Menlyn) by the end of May 2021.”
Williams further said his administration understood that the tourism sector had the highest potential for job creation.
“Investment in new product offerings is critical to ensure that we repurpose and reposition tourism in Tshwane as a leading sector.”
He said among the set of interventions in the CBD was to focus on implementing the Lalela Project on Church Square.
The Lalela Project is aimed to be an open-air entertainment hub and attract locals and international tourists.
“This will represent a symbolic reflection of our country’s transition with the installation of a set of Nelson Mandela’s footprints, which were donated to the city by the former president, and the construction of a free-speech amphitheatre.”
Williams said the metro had commenced the review of the Tshwane land use management and zoning classification scheme to ensure a more receptive environment for home-based small business operations.
“One of the most enduring ways to keep the city sustainable and financially viable is to grow the city’s rates base as a primary source of income,” he said.
“As such, group property is preparing a basket of strategic land parcels for disposal through long-term lease agreements, based on a best-value-for-money proposition.”
He said this included property such as the historic Pretoria show grounds that had recently been returned to the ownership of Tshwane metro.
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