I N D U S T R Y I NS I G H T |
BAYETE CAPITAL
PLANNING FOR A PROSPEROUS FUTURE Bayete Capital CEO Dr George Smith discusses the importance of spatial planning in transforming South Africa’s socio-economic landscape into one that is both equitable and geared for growth.
A
t the heart of spatial planning lies the belief that the places we make ultimately shape the way in which we live and how well we live. It is therefore critical that this discipline be guided by the key principles by which we seek to build our society, such as justice, equality and freedom,” states Smith. Spatial planning is about more than simply identifying the mechanics of land use management – rather, it provides the framework that guides land-use management decisions. As a discipline, it considers the urban system as a whole, which is made up of a variety of interconnected complex parts competing with each other (for example, conservation versus development or pedestrian versus vehicular traffic). Key principles underpinning current spatial planning approaches in South Africa’s cities include connectivity, inclusion, sustainability, and the promotion of public and non-motorised transport.
Benefits of spatial planning Spatial planning provides cities with a well-considered guideline for their growth and development.“It is always forward-looking and mediates between competing interests for land use and
12
CITY OF JOBURG 2022
resources. It is further underpinned by public participation processes, which seek to gain consensus among all role players for a common vision. For this reason, spatial planning provides municipalities with a reliable framework to plan and allocate their resources,” Smith explains. One of the key objectives of current spatial planning in South African cities is to redress the imbalances created by the apartheid city, notes Smith. This entailed either the exclusion of certain communities from the urban system or the housing of previously disadvantaged populations in ‘dormitory’ communities lacking in social and economic infrastructure. “To redress these imbalances, spatial planning policies actively promote the restructuring of the city to provide affordable residential accommodation in well-located nodes, and also promote the development of social and economic infrastructure in former township areas.” Spatial frameworks are also instrumental in guiding investment in infrastructure in these areas, Smith adds.
explaining that, over time, certain areas naturally decline due to the expansion of cities in other areas.“These areas of decline then offer opportunities for lower-income earners to establish a foothold in the urban system before they are subjected to the forces of gentrification. This sees higher-income earners moving back into an area, accompanied by significant investment in upgrading. “The process of decline and renewal is thus a key part of the urban system and, therefore, an important focus for spatial planning. Much of this focus in South African cities now concerns itself with the redevelopment of existing built forms, which is evident in the conversion of large areas of CBDs into residential accommodation or office space in suburban nodes into residential accommodation,” he explains.
The informal settlements challenge South Africa also faces an ongoing challenge to spatial planning and service delivery in the form of mushrooming informal settlements, which are haphazardly laid out and poorly serviced with basic amenities. This situation plays out across all of South
Decline and renewal He describes the development of cities as a “history of invasion and succession”,
Dr George Smith, CEO, Bayete Capital
