Cape Town: The city encouraged public to attend the online information sessions about the draft local spatial development framework (LSDF) for the Cape Town CBD. The draft framework includes a proposed Mobility and Access Plan for a first round of public participation. Two more information sessions will be hosted on April 24, 2025 and May 07, 2025.
Reportedly, the LSDF presents the vision of City of Cape Town for the future growth of CBD and will guide decisions about land use and development, density, the public realm including streets and urban design. All the residents, business owners and stakeholders are invited to submit their comments and opinion by May 11, 2025.
Once approved, the LSDF will also inform public investment in infrastructure to ensure that the CBD transitions used into a more sustainable, equitable, inclusive, liveable and resilient space to the benefit of current and future generations of Capetonians.
Considering this, Deputy Mayor and Member of the Mayoral Committee for Spatial Planning and Environment – Alderman Eddie Andrews said that he encouraged the residents and property owners to be a part of this process, to submit comments and attend the information sessions where the officials will give presentations and answer questions.
It is in interest of everybody to get involved and contribute towards the discussion. Everyone’s input matters and they will take this into account as they finalise the draft of LSDF after the public participation that process has been concluded.
Alderman Andrews added that the LSDF intends to transform the CBD into a more people-centred environment with urban design interventions to improve mobility and access for pedestrians, efforts to optimise heritage areas, a public land programme to inform land release in support of affordable housing opportunities and an appropriately scaled urban form and interface to encourage mixed-use intensification.
With mixed-use, they meant development that accommodates multiple uses such as business, retail and residential opportunities for existing and new buildings. The CBD is key to future resilience and economic health of Cape Town and they need to ensure the area which is accessible, safe, attractive and inclusive.
Such future development decisions must accommodate the growth in the property market, while leveraging the character and traditional urban fabric opportunities.