Link to document:

https://www.capetown.gov.za/en/Planningportal/Documents/SDF_Technical_Report_2012_Interactive.pdf

Description of Document:

To provide a long term vision (+20 years) of the desired spatial form and structure of Cape Town with the following guiding principles,

1) The public good should prevail

2) Work harmoniously with nature

3) Urban efficiency

4) Precautionary approach

5) Equality and Equity

Implications for GSCID area:

The GSCID area is adjacent to the Claremont sub-metropolitan Node with Main Road, an identified activity route, as part of the municipal accessibility grid.

Main Road is identified as an area of intended intensification with the increased construction of mixed-use buildings and a variety of land uses.

The GSCID Area forms part of a Tourism Development Area that continues to Muizenburg therefore important heritage landmarks and tourism opportunities are to be highlighted, encouraged and capitalised upon.

Link to document:

https://www.capetown.gov.za/en/TransportCapeTown/Documents/2014-05-13_Transport_Plan_2013-18.pdf

Description of Document:

A long term (+20 years) to continually improve the transport network for the benefit of all its citizens, businesses and visitors.

Implications for GSCID area:

The GSCID Area currently has a high level of accessibility that is only set to increase and improve. Main Road is identified as a PT1 Zone where public transport is promoted and the use of private vehicles is limited. More compact development and improved financial viability of projects is possible due to lower parking requirements – also, reduced red tape for developments in PT1 and 2 zones which do not have to apply for a departure from parking regulations.

Link to document:

https://www.capetown.gov.za/en/Planningportal/Documents/Boundary%20Walls%20%20Fences%20Policy_Final.pdf

Description of Document:

The purpose is to control the appearance of boundary walls and fences and the installation of security devices on top of walls and fences in the City of Cape Town.

Implications for GSCID area:

Improved threshold between public and private spaces as increased permeability of walls improves the welcoming nature of public space and street life. This will also increase the passive surveillance from private to public space making public space safer.

Summary of the policy:

Link to document:

https://www.capetown.gov.za/en/Planningportal/Documents/DensificationPolicy%20web.pdf

Description of Document:

To provide guidance on appropriate densities and building form in different areas in the City of Cape Town to improve the city’s sustainability and to enhance the quality of the built environment through the optimal use of resources.

Citywide minimum average gross base density = 25du/ha over next 20 – 30 years.

Gross Density (dwelling units per hectare – du/ha) includes land used for residential and other urban purposes.

Net density is where only residential land use is taken into account.

Implications for GSCID area:

The GSCID areas falls into the Main Road Activity route with a net density guideline of 100 – 375du/ha with buildings that are 4 – 15 storeys. The wide range of density and height suggested allows for a variation of density along Main Road.

An Activity Route is defined as Significant and/or metro-wide to district route, characterised by strip and/or nodal urban development along sections of the route and are generally supported by a mix of land uses and higher-density urban development. Activity routes are characterised by direct access and interrupted movement flows, especially at bus and taxi stops and traffic lights.

Link to document:

https://www.capetown.gov.za/en/Planningportal/Documents/Urban%20Design%20Policy.pdf

Description of Document:

To help development proposals to take into account context and basic urban design considerations.

To aid in the improved conceptualisation of development proposals, particularly when measured against the impact these developments have on the public domain.

Implications for GSCID area:

This documents provides generalised urban design principles to be applied appropriately within the GSCID area along with other areas around Cape Town.

What is Urban Design: It is the collaborative and multi-disciplinary process of shaping the physical setting for life in cities, towns and villages; the art of making places; design in an urban context. Urban design involves the design of buildings, groups of buildings, spaces and landscapes, and the establishment of frameworks and processes that facilitate successful development. (Urban Design Group UK, 2011).

Nine objectives and how to achieve them are described in the document:

1. Promote the creation and enhancement of a strong urban structure and legible places and neighbourhoods
2. Robust and durable open space must be created intentionally
3. Where possible associate open space with public institutions that provide the opportunity for safety through passive surveillance
4. Ensure that spatial connections are created and enhanced by acknowledging the generators of movement within a district or public space with the inclusion of NMT as a primary element.
5. Development proposals are to make efficient use of the site with primary pedestrian access given prominence on the active street front along with designing in such a way as to allow for alternative future uses without significant modifications needed
6. Design the building’s facade in such a way as to allow for a positive relationship with the street that facilitates interaction with some provision of definition and enclosure
7. Informality must be responded to proactively with public health and safety measures along with storage facilities given priority – allow micro-enterprises around higher order facilities
8. Protect and enhance environmental resources through designing buildings in such a way so that they interact positively with the natural environment, by enabling the continuity of the open space system and designing with natural drainage patterns
9. Heritage character and cultural landscapes are to be respected and enhanced (both natural and built).

Link to document:

https://www.capetown.gov.za/en/Planningportal/Documents/Southern%20District%20Plan_Technical%20Report.pdf

Description of Document:

A medium term (+10 year planning frame) that will guide spatial development processes and priorities within the district, with the following principles:

1) Accessibility with connected public transport

2) Pedestrian dominated development corridor

3) A wide range of living options

Implications for GSCID area:

The GSCID area is located in sub-district 3 of the Southern District – Mowbray to Muizenberg. Mowbray is understood to be a District Node with Rondebosch as a Local Node.

The following priorities are identified for this area:

• The area will continue to develop on the basis of a strong urban structure and reinforcement of the development corridor.
• Area will continue to sub-areas with very differing characteristics (low to high density) that enable the development of areas of distinct characteristics.
• More intense development to be guided towards nodes along Main Road with emphasis on densification within 500m and within 1km of nodes.
• Existing nodes are to be supported and reinforced with new nodes outside of these areas to be discouraged.
• A reduction in impervious surface area on sites within the Liesbeek River Catchment Area.

Link to documents:

http://www.capetown.gov.za/EN/ENVIRONMENTALRESOURCEMANAGEMENT/PUBLICATIONS/Pages/HeritagePamphlets.aspx

Description of Document:

To outline a process for assessing and identifying design requirements for new buildings and to provide specific design-related guidelines for new developments in proposed and declared heritage areas.

Implications for GSCID area:

The GSCID area abuts and includes Heritage Overlay Zones as indicated in the City of Cape Town Zoning Scheme. These are identified for their significant heritage value with consideration of this heritage to be taken account when undertaking new developments or alterations to existing buildings.

Acknowledging heritage context through the considered use of:

• Materials (roof sheeting, timber, face brick, stone).
• Architectural features, details, patterns and styles: roofs, eave lines, facades, windows, dormer windows, stoeps, balustrades, low boundary walls, repeating colonnades.
• Spatial delineators especially on the street facade (terraced slopes, social front stoeps, set back garages).
• Orientation: older buildings tend to be more open towards the street and sensitive to climatic requirements.
• Vegetation: tree lines, avenues and vegetation types.
• Scale: to fit in with the general size and bulk of surrounding buildings (additions should be less dominant than the main building).
• Entrances and access: street frontages that were designed to be the front entrance should remain the front entrance of new developments and refurbishments. Providing off street parking in front of a building can be detrimental to the relationship between pedestrians and the building along with ruining the overall character of the street.
• Security features: fences, gates and burglar bars (preferably placed internally and designed to suit the character of the house).

Link to document:

https://www.capetown.gov.za/en/Planningportal/Documents/Design%20and%20Management%20Guidelines%20for%20a%20Safer%20City.pdf

Description of Document: To make a positive impact on the city, the focus needs to shift away from the negative aspects of crime prevention, towards improving levels of safety more generally. This guideline document focuses on situational crime prevention, and recognises the positive role that spatial planning and design can play in creating safe environments, where crime and the perceptions of crime are reduced.

Implications for GSCID area:

These guidelines, when implemented throughout the GSCID area, offer the opportunity to improve safety in both public and private spaces. While GSCID continues to contribute to the safety of public spaces within the area, building owners and architects also have a role to play with the following good-practice guidelines:

1. Clear boundaries and collective ownership of public spaces – instilling a sense of ‘ownership’ among the users of urban places
2. Improved surveillance and visibility – increasing levels of awareness by promoting passive surveillance and the active use of the public realm to increase the number of “eyes on the street”
3. Improved surveillance and visibility – increasing levels of awareness by promoting passive surveillance and the active use of the public realm to increase the number of “eyes on the street”.
4. Safe access and movement – providing a safe and integrated network of movement routes, linking key destinations.
5. Positive relationships and layered spaces – creating positive interfaces between buildings and the public realm, a comfortable transition between public and private space, and designing buildings and spaces to make them more robust and resilient against crime and buildings, so that they identify with and take responsibility for their environment.
6. A positive image – addressing perceptions and guarding against environmental decay.
7. Positive relationships and layered spaces – creating positive interfaces between buildings and the public realm, a comfortable transition between public and private space, and designing buildings and spaces to make them more robust and resilient against crime.
8. Good urban management and monitoring – ensuring the progressive
9. Improvement of neighbourhoods and increased perceptions of safety over time.

The City of Cape Town Integrated Zoning Scheme – Planning viewer

This interactive map offers the opportunity to view the erf number and current zoning of any property in Cape Town. http://emap.capetown.gov.za/egispbdm/ (Click on this link to access information)