Plan to upgrade Cape Town CBD, 50 000 new residents by 2040

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Amidst a housing crisis in the Cape Town Central Business District (CBD), the city council is encouraging residents to comment on an updated draft spatial plan for the area. According to a statement, the city first presented its plan to Capetonians last year, before updating it to the current proposal.

Cape Town CBD housing crisis

The shortage of affordable residential accommodation in the city centre has been a challenge for years. Rights organisations like Ndifuna Ukwazi have long complained about the ongoing legacy of Apartheid-era spatial planning, with many poorer workers of colour struggling to find accommodation they can afford in the CBD. The unreliability of public transport, in particular passenger rail, also makes it hard to commute to the city centre.

But the city’s popularity as a destination for remote workers has compounded the Cape Town CBD housing crisis, as landlords often prefer to cater to this wealthy segment. Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis even suggested applying a tax to address the issue.

50 000 new CBD residents by 2040

Adding to the current Cape Town CBD housing crisis, the city continues to grow. 50 000 new residents are expected to live in the area by 2040. This means that the city needs to have a plan to provide more housing and other infrastructure over the coming 15 years.

Overview of the draft local spatial development framework

The updated draft local spatial development framework (LSDF) covers more than just Cape Town’s CBD housing crisis. It also addresses:

Public transport: improving access to the city and making the city more pedestrian friendly
Urban greening: upgrading public parks for humans and dogs
Building height restrictions: preserving views of landmarks like Table Mountain
Investment: creating opportunities for public-private investment
Mobility access: ensuring people with disabilities can access transport and other infrastructure

“The LSDF intends to transform the CBD into a more people-centred environment,” said the City’s Deputy Mayor and Mayoral Committee Member for Spatial Planning and Environment, Alderman Eddie Andrews. He added, “Thus, in short, we need the CBD to be accessible, safe, attractive, and inclusive.”

There are three online public information sessions taking place:

Tuesday, 15 April at 14:00 to 15:00
Thursday, 24 April at 15:00 to 17:00
Wednesday, 7 May at 15:00 to 17:00

If you want to have your say about the plan to upgrade the Cape Town CBD, go to the City’s website. There, you will also find the links to the information sessions.

“It is in everybody’s interest to get involved and contribute to the discussion. Your input matters, and we will take this into account as we finalise the draft LSDF for Council’s approval once the public participation process has been concluded,’ said Alderman Andrews.