SPECIAL FEATURE
Building mega-cities Ambitious construction plans are afoot in Gauteng.
Housing at Fleurhof Ext 2, sponsored by the Madulamoho Housing Association. CREDIT: Gauteng Partnership Fund
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he fourth quarter of 2020 and the first half of 2021 must be growth periods for the construction and property sectors – for the simple reason that they barely functioned during the lockdown caused by the global pandemic. South Africa is fortunate in that it is emerging from the lockdown at the same time as summer days lengthen and the national government is getting down to brass tacks with its long-awaited infrastructure programme. With a dedicated unit within the Presidency, a conference has been held and more than 200 hundred possible projects have been whittled down to 51 projects that have been gazetted. By 2030 Gauteng will have two huge new cities, socially diverse, digitally connected and ecologically responsible and sustainable. That’s if the Provincial Government of Gauteng brings to fruition its plans for the west (Lanseria to Haartbeespoort Dam) and in the south, where Vaal River City will stretch from Vereeniging to Sasolburg in the Free State. In the 25 years since South Africa has been a democracy, more than 1.2-million subsidised houses have been built by government in Gauteng. Provincial government has pledged to release 10 000 serviced stands as part of its Rapid Land Release GAUTENG BUSINESS 2020/21
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programme and it intends finishing incomplete housing projects in Alexandra, Evaton, K liptown, Bek k ersdal and Winterveldt. Bodies such as the National Housing Finance Corporation, Indlu and Umastandi (social capital entrepreneurs) are working together with provincial authorities to find ways to formalise and monetise the township market so that sustainable incomes can be generated and affordable housing and rental stock becomes more readily available. An important concept for developers in Johannesburg is the tax incentive that accompanies the Urban Development Zone (UDZ). The City of Johannesburg and the South African Property Owners Association (SAPOA) have developed a database for all UDZ proper ties. Information about the owner of the plot, the valuation and zoning rights is available for every stand. Va r i o u s “i m p rove m e n t districts” have also been created, for example the RID (Retail Improvement District) where businesses in a designated area pay levies to secure improved cleaning and security services. The Johannesburg City Improvement District Forum shares information among the CIDs. Expenditure by CIDs
