#Durban Beachfront Redevelopment - Mixed Use - Durban | Under Construction

[Mo Rush]

fantastic!!!!!!!

mini-town has gone from nice to bad to worse over the years. its time for a change.

[dysan1]

completely agree!! I would personally chuck it, but maybe thats just me

[romanSA]

Cross-post from Durbs thread...

Here's the official announcement related to the beachfront.

Looks like work will commence soon and be completed by March 2010. Am also happy that promenade will also eventually be extended to Blue Lagoon.

And it looks like minitown is due for a major revamp.


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R100m shine for Golden Mile
Barbara Cole
December 10 2008 at 02:34PM

The beaches give Durban its competitive advantage "and if we don't get them right, we cannot talk about growing tourism", the head of the city's strategic projects unit has said.

Now Durban is planning to provide "the right level of attractions" to draw people to the city, Julie-May Ellingson said on Tuesday at a media briefing on the progress at the R2,6-billion Moses Mabhida Stadium and related 2010 Fifa Soccer World Cup projects.

Rejuvenating the beachfront in a facelift programme that will cost more than R100-million (about R75-million will go on widening and extending the promenade, which will include a link to the stadium), she said that at one stage, it was felt it was the culture of Durban that lured holidaymakers to the city.

But that thought "did not work" and it had to be accepted that the beaches were the major drawcard and provided the city with its competitive edge.

The focus initially will be to upgrade the beachfront from uShaka Beach across to Sunkist Beach

"If we don't get the beaches right, don't talk about building tourism, because it is not going to work. Anything else forms part of that experience," Ellingson said.

Now, subject to a positive environmental impact assessment phase, the city wants to de-clutter, demolish and develop, creating a seamless flow along the beachfront, where people can see 150m-200m ahead of them.

There will be no old buildings or trees to block their views (or that of the CCTV cameras) and "every single element of security will be built in", she said.

City "assets" such as the Rachel Finlayson Swimming Pool, which countless holidaymakers walk past without even knowing it is there, will be opened and integrated into the upgraded Dairy Beach Node, where the Ocean Sports Centre will be demolished on 1 February.

Mini-Town, described by Ellingson as being "in a rather sad state of affairs", will be completely upgraded.

Beaches were the major drawcard and provided the city with its competitive edge

There are only about 40 such mini-towns in the world and "it could be fantastic", said Ellingson, explaining that the plan would be to reflect more of the city today as opposed to the apartheid city of the past.

The focus initially will be to upgrade the beachfront from uShaka Beach across to Sunkist Beach and it is hoped that all the work will be finished by March 2010.

After the Fifa Soccer World Cup, further upgrades are planned for the stretch down to Blue Lagoon. The idea is to create activity nodes along the 8 kilometres of the central beachfront with restaurants, change rooms and shops.

Creating a seamless link between the North and the South beaches could only happen by widening and extending the promenade.

Ellington said that although there was 8km of beachfront, some 300 000 people squashed into 2km of it because of the activities and range of products that were provided.

The nodes to be developed are:


The Addington node: Erskine Terrace will be reconfigured into a single lane carriageway.

The New Beach (the old Seaworld site) Node: there will be a restaurant, while the Metro Police offices will be upgraded and extended.

The Mini-Town Node: it will be upgraded

Facilities near the XL Restaurant: the children's playground will be upgraded.

There will be a public meeting about the proposals at the Blue Waters Hotel on January 22 at 5pm.


This article was originally published on page 2 of Daily News on December 10, 2008

http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_i...3347912C160279

[haggiesm]

that's it, i'm moving tomorrow

[dysan1]

great to see it being official, and R100m is a sizable chunk of dough! well done for the city FINALLY realising that the cities key drawcard is our beaches. These plans will go a long way to helping us reach that full potential. And me Julie is speaking alot of sense there....for a change

[p2bsa]

... the mercury story on the beachfront upgrade
Golden Mile to get a multimillion-rand makeover for 2010

Colleen Dardagan
DURBAN'S famous Golden Mile is set for a multimillion- rand revamp ahead of the 2010 World Cup that will see beachgoers enjoying easier and safer access to what has been termed the city's "competitive edge" tourism attraction.

Julie-May Ellingson, head of strategic projects at eThekwini municipality, told the media at the R2.6 billion Moses Mabhida Stadium yesterday that the plans would improve Durban's beach experience, its competitive edge against other South African cities.

"People come to Durban to experience our beaches - they are strategically very important to our economy. Once these plans have been put in place, the 'beach, berg and bush' product that we are selling to international and domestic tourists will be at a very high level," she said.

The plans include a R75 million promenade stretching from the Blue Lagoon to the uShaka Marine World, with at least four recreational nodes, totalling more than R10 million each, to be created at intervals along the main beachfront.

Ellingson said the first phase, set for completion in March 2010, would stretch between the new Moses Mabhida Stadium and uShaka Marine World.

"Currently, what we call the Joe Cool's recreational node works very well. People feel safe there. So we want to create similar but smaller areas every 300m from there all the way to uShaka.

"Our aim is to remove the clutter and consolidate ablution and lifesaving facilities. We have also realised that the nodes cannot be too big, like the 4 200m² Ocean Convention Centre that will be demolished in February next year. Our plans are to keep these areas to about 300m² to 400m² with retail facilities to match the beach experience."

The designs show low-level buildings and wide, paved pathways which, at first glance, offer a harsh and bleak landscape.

"Safety was a critical element of the design. CCTV cameras need clear views of the area which would be hindered by leafy trees. If someone stands on the promenade they should be able to see at least 150m ahead of themselves. We have got rid of and continue to demolish buildings which clutter the beachfront so that we can get back to basics of uninterrupted views of the sea and creating spaces, which can be easily monitored."

Greening of the space was also taken into account with low-level plantings of dune vegetation and lawned areas for recreational purposes. The existing sensitive dune vegetation, near the old Snake Park, which is now behind a barbed-wire fence, will now be more creatively fenced off and according to Ellingson, plans - which may include a boardwalk over the area - to educate the public about the environmental sensitivities of the beachfront were in the pipeline.

"Historically, focus has always been placed on the north-south linkages to the beachfront. These plans emphasise the east-west linkages, in other words, access to the beach from hotels and residential areas have been enhanced. Our aim was to make sure people could walk down to the beach in a pleasant environment while making sure that we didn't design anything that prevented CCTV surveillance."

Ellingson said private beach clubs, such as the Marine Lifesaving Club, had also undergone a rethink.

"We can no longer have private sporting clubs that prevent the public from having access to the beach or related facilities. In Australia, private clubs have access to facilities, but the public must benefit from those facilities as well and that is the model we have gone for."

Recreational spaces along the beachfront will also be very differently managed once the plan is completed.

"Braaing on the beachfront is, in fact, illegal. To date we have been very lucky there hasn't been a serious incident. However, we have looked at how we can create space where people can braai in a legal and safe environment."

Ellingson said the theme was now open spaces, glass facades, decks and chairs so people could enjoy the sea view.

SOURCE: www.themercury.co.za

[dysan1]

they way they are talking, and the words they are using instills alot of confidence that the end product will be top draw

[Diggerdog]

Why are they looking at Australia for inspiration for this? Most of their facilities are 70's in their thinking, 30 metres from the beach behind a road etc. Very western and boring.

Look to France and the Med countries, where you still have facilities ON the beach - laid back yet stylish eateries right on the sand. Fantastic.

The idea with Moyo and others at Ushaka is the way to go - but how about even closer to the sand and ocean - no separation - the sense of freedom and fun is multiplied exponentially!

[Pule]

I don't see anything wromng with looking at Australia even though their facilities are old. We can copy them but then add some flavour to what they have and based on the plans I have seen, I love every bit of it.

[dysan1]

Originally Posted by Diggerdog

Why are they looking at Australia for inspiration for this? Most of their facilities are 70's in their thinking, 30 metres from the beach behind a road etc. Very western and boring.

Look to France and the Med countries, where you still have facilities ON the beach - laid back yet stylish eateries right on the sand. Fantastic.

The idea with Moyo and others at Ushaka is the way to go - but how about even closer to the sand and ocean - no separation - the sense of freedom and fun is multiplied exponentially!

They will also be replicating the Beach cafe concept that has worked so well on dairy beach to two other sites, therefore offering three cafes on the sand.

Dont forget it is very difficult to get rights to develop on the actual beach

[p2bsa]

I am not a fan of the Aussies for various sport-related reasons... but...

it seems the city has looked to Australia for quite a few things ... besides this beachfront upgrade (interestingly Australia does not have any blue flag beaches - as far as I know)
... - eg. The ICC has a lot of Aussies influenced elements in design... both the old and new parts... ie the colour of seating in probably the most hitech auditorium in South Africa/ Africa *; and, the signage structures outside the new Durban Arena

* did you guys know that the ICC Durban's auditorium seating can be raised into the ceiling - creating a totally different half dome type venue... it's quite spectacular esp considering that it's now more than a decade old...

will try to get pics that illustrate...

[Durbsboi]

yeh, Ive seen it lift as well, scary but pretty cool, it lifts in segments.

[Diggerdog]

I know it is difficult to develop on the beach, that is my point -inspiration! From places that do it well...
I have nothing against this upgrade, it looks fantastic - it would just be nice if they throw in one or two, I dont know, - 'un-pc' elements...and they may do...

[Mo Rush]

[dysan1]

Originally Posted by p2bsa

I am not a fan of the Aussies for various sport-related reasons... but...

it seems the city has looked to Australia for quite a few things ... besides this beachfront upgrade (interestingly Australia does not have any blue flag beaches - as far as I know)
... - eg. The ICC has a lot of Aussies influenced elements in design... both the old and new parts... ie the colour of seating in probably the most hitech auditorium in South Africa/ Africa *; and, the signage structures outside the new Durban Arena

* did you guys know that the ICC Durban's auditorium seating can be raised into the ceiling - creating a totally different half dome type venue... it's quite spectacular esp considering that it's now more than a decade old...

will try to get pics that illustrate...

Yeah i have been to many functions in that room with the seats lifted, it gives a nice twinkling starry ceiling.

[dysan1]

Originally Posted by Diggerdog

I know it is difficult to develop on the beach, that is my point -inspiration! From places that do it well...
I have nothing against this upgrade, it looks fantastic - it would just be nice if they throw in one or two, I dont know, - 'un-pc' elements...and they may do...

yip i agree. As i said they will def be putting in two more beach cafes. One in front of Joe cools and the other more Addington way.

Suncoast have also applied for a permanent beach bar/cafe at the bottom of their grassed beach area

[dysan1]

Originally Posted by Mo Rush

That will be an AMAZING fan park setting...on the beach, hard to beat hey.

Only concern would be keep people away from the water...dont want 1000s of drunk poms drowning

[fully-bru]

awesome to see!! i love the durban beaches, the breaks are better and easy to get to, so anything to take it to another level is good by me. as long as it dont become a posh florida road by the beach everywhere!

[romanSA]

It seems as if Funworld on the beachfront has 8 more years on their lease so probably won't be going anywhere soon.

http://www.mg.co.za/article/2008-12-...-world-by-fair

I do, hope though, that the shallow paddling pools go. They look great in postcards but are usually filled with adults instead of kids during busy periods, and are expensive to maintain.

[dysan1]

ya no mention was ever made of them being removed in the current plans...

but i dont think those pools are going anywhere, they are in all the plans for the future design