Cape Town develops city places into more beautiful Bellville and economic growth. The City of Cape Town officials have turned spaces into opportunities and updated them with more facilities.
Reportedly, the revitalization of Bellville is gathering pace, taking the form this week of the opening of the Sanlam Urban Garden on the corner of Bill Bezuidenhout and Strand Streets.
Member of the Mayoral Committee for Economic Growth and Tourism – Alderman James Vos said that the project was part of a broader effort to unlock the economic potential of key precincts through targeted urban interventions.
The garden was developed through a partnership with Sanlam and aligns with a larger movement i.e. Better – Bellville – Together: a collaborative place-making initiative that has been taking shape in Bellville and is supported by the funding of urban specialists of the City of Cape Town, the Greater Tygerberg Partnership (GTP).
Considering this Alderman James Vos stated that this place-making is one of the pillars of the city strategy to stimulate jobs, investment and enterprise development. He said that they are intentionally backing place-making projects through GTP to convert underutilized spaces into vibrant, functional places that attract foot traffic, foster business activity, and build community pride.
According to Vos, these projects are designed to beautify public areas but to turn them into engines of economic opportunity. The research shows that green spaces benefit surrounding communities through reducing stress, promoting more active lifestyles, and improving overall mental health. Further findings show that the presence of natural beauty promotes community connection and neighborhood satisfaction.
“When people feel connected to a place, they stay longer, spend more, and support local enterprises. That is the outcome we are working towards,” said James Vos.
Vos further stated that they are motivated to witness another physical transformation – this new garden formed part of a growing network of public gardens in Bellville. These changes are all made possible through public-private partnerships and the strategic placement of public spaces, breathing new life into Bellville and reflecting the true spirit of the community.
CEO of the Greater Tygerberg Partnership – Warren Hewitt said that as a private company ‘Sanlam’ is demonstrating its pride by supporting the revitalization and beautification of the area. The more companies that look after and invest in their ‘front stoep’ by supporting infrastructure and public space upgrades – the more we will see visible improvements, broader community upliftment, a stronger local economy, and ultimately, more job creation.
Bellville has been identified as a key urban node in the development vision of the City of Cape Town, and the work being carried out on the ground is helping to reposition the area as thriving, mixed-use district. The goal is to build momentum block by block, space by space, with interventions that breathe life back into neglected corners of the city.
Alderman James Vos said that these kinds of projects are central to the economic growth mission. They support job creation, stimulate enterprise, and foster a sense of place, laying the foundation for a more inclusive and opportunity-rich Cape Town.