THE City is cementing its commitment to addressing historical segregation and spatial planning challenges through the implementation of Transit-Oriented Development (TOD). This programme is a vehicle for spatial transformation and has the potential to better connect peoples’ homes and places of work, with reliable and affordable public transport.
Photo by: Thuli Dlamini
TOD aims to create compact, walkable, pedestrian-oriented, mixed use communities centered around high-quality public transit systems. The project is championed by the eThekwini Transport Authority working together with various departments within the City.
ETA has roped in the British High Commissioner as an investment partner. EThewini Mayor Councillor Mxolisi Kaunda hosted the British High Commissioner Anthony Phillipson on his first visit to the City on 24 August. During the engagement, Councillor Kaunda emphasised the importance of partnership and financial sustainability. “For development of this magnitude to succeed, partnerships are key as government alone will not be able to provide funding. As a City, we put measures in place to make it more favorable and convenient through our planning, infrastructure and legislation for potential private developers to invest.”
The British High Commissioner is on board and has provided technical support in relation to:
• Urban planning for spatial restructuring.
• Transportation to support cities to develop integrated transport systems.
• Resilience to develop strategies to address the impact of climate change and ensure development is sustainable.
In Durban, TOD will be applied around the Integrated Public Transport Network routes. The pilot phase will be kicked off around the C3 route which runs from Pinetown to KwaMashu.
Deputy Head of Strategic Transport Planning Nelisiwe Zama said: “Currently we are looking at Pinetown to pilot all the TOD studies that have been done. TOD is not a short-term project. However, there are areas that we can work on during the next six to 12 months, such as mass clean-ups and addressing security issues while we work on the longer term plans.”
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