Durban mayor launches inner-city regeneration programme

He was speaking to the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry, property developers and the business community at the 'City Means Business' meeting that was held at the Grayville Convention Centre on  Wednesday.

Derelict and problematic buildings in the city centre were at the center of conversation. 

READ: Building collapses in Durban CBD

Kaunda says the municipality has made significant investments in the CBD but these can only be successful if eThekwini's by-laws are carried out by authorities, businesses and residents in the inner city. 

More than 100 bad buildings have been identified, about 33 of these are within the point precinct. 

Kaunda says plans have been developed to rejuvenate the inner city. 

“The city is unable to derive maximum economic benefits from these areas because they are in a state of decline due to lack of cooperation among all stakeholders and inadequate law enforcement. Another contributing factor to this deterioration is a steady decline in the property rates, the relocation of businesses and middle-income residents.”

"In response to this challenge, the Municipality has developed an inner-city regeneration plan. Emphasis on the following fundamental issues: Cleaning and maintenance focusing on the removal of litter and cleaning of stormwater systems, fixing street lighting, CCTV Cameras and ablution facilities; Bad Buildings; Attracting mixed-income and mixed-use housing development; Homelessness;  Enforcement of by-laws; and stakeholder management."

"The inner-city offers a unique opportunity and responsibility, and we have to take this responsibility very seriously. We must applaud the smaller developers that continued to maintain their buildings," he said. 

eThekwini's Economic Development and Business Support Deputy City Manager, Philip Sithole said: “Dilapidated buildings are a major challenge in attracting investment in the inner-city."

“The City has incentives in place, some of which are in progress to support those property owners who want to regenerate bad buildings. Fast-tracking of plans related to bad buildings, rates payment plan for bad and distressed buildings, tax incentives with SAR’s, social housing are some of the support in place to help property owners,” 

“As the city, we have intensified our efforts to address this undesirable situation, commencing with the Mahatma Gandhi node in the point precinct which has about 33 bad buildings. We remain committed to working with the private sector, considering that 75% of the bad buildings are privately owned,”  he said. 

The Deputy President of the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Gladwin Malishe said: “Inner-City regeneration has long been a priority for eThekwini Municipality, the Durban Chamber, our members, the business community as well as the local community. At several of the Durban Chamber's Forums such as the Central Area Forum, Southern Area Forum and Safety and Justice Forum the inner-city has been a contentious and heated topic of discussion.”

“Many businesses have either closed down or scaled down their operations because of the issues and challenges experienced in the inner-city. That is why the City Means Business series of engagements offer a glimmer of hope to many disillusioned businesses, property owners and stakeholders with a vested interest in our inner-city." 

“Going forward, if we are to make any headway or progress in addressing the socio-economic issues plaguing our City, then we need to acknowledge that there is a need for more significant and impactful public-private engagement and collaboration especially on vital projects and programmes such as Inner-City Regeneration,” Malishe said.