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

[romanSA]

Well, the detailed plan renders state "ex-amusement park" and "ex-paddling pools".

[dysan1]

existing....

[dysan1]

Attend if you can...

Originally Posted by romanSA

Hi all - this is a quick reminder to attend the upcoming public meeting on the proposed beachfront upgrade. Details are as follows:

• 22 January 2009 at 17:00 at The Blue Waters Hotel, 175 Snell Parade.

Also, as per the municipal website, register as an Interested and Affected Party

• Request a Copy of the Background Information Document
• Submit any Comments you have by 22 January 2009

More Information

Please contact Junaid Yusuf on 031 767 2080 (tel), 031 764 3643 (fax), or junaid.yusuf@erm.com for more information, to register as an interested and affected party, and to comment on the proposals. Information will also be made available on the City’s website (www.durban.gov.za) or at the Ocean Sports
Centre from 3 December 2008.

[romanSA]

Thanks for cross-posting here. Meant to do so but didn't get a chance to.

Anyone who can, please attend. I have already sent through my comments by e-mail because I can't be there in person. However, I think a chance to interact with the planners and city officials face-to-face on the issue would be far better.

[dysan1]

guys meeting is in an hour...get there if you can

[romanSA]

Yes, please attend if you can. We need good ideas to be shared if we are going to make this work. And the best ideas come from these boards.

[Sand-Shark]

Article in the Tribune today about the beachfront re-development. Sounds really exciting and I will attempt to post some highlights later.

[romanSA]

Thanks, Sand-Shark. I am 10,000 miles away, literally, and would appreciate the info.

[SharksBoy]

saw newspaper too this morning. interesting read. Beachfront can hold 200 000 soccer fan on fan park.

[Luf]

can you guys give us an idea/summary of what it said please

[dysan1]

sadly its locked as premium content on their website. anyone have access to that and can post here?

[romanSA]

Got the Sunday Tribune article!

It all sounds very, very promising. Can't wait for this to start...

---------------

Durban is on the ball

January 25, 2009 Edition 1

Myrtle Ryan

Move over Cape Town, shunt aside Johannesburg. Durban plans to take centre stage during the 2010 Fifa Soccer World Cup.

This week City Manager Michael Sutcliffe took time out to walk along the beachfront with the Sunday Tribune and explain how Durban could become the place where every soccer fan wants to be during the World Cup.

Still regarded by some as the poor sister to Cape Town and Johannesburg - and not always on the international visitor's itinerary - the city believes things will change. In future it should become a "must-visit" spot for those seeking a great holiday, said Sutcliffe.

About R150 million has been approved by council (the beachfront last had a major upgrade in 1986) to put in place plans that are sweeping and grandiose, but geared to families, with the emphasis not just on enjoyment, but safety and security.

With a sheaf of papers - reflecting the demographics of the anticipated changes - Sutcliffe paused at the relevant spots and indicated what was planned for each.

Let's start with the buzz word on everyone's lips - the fan parks where people will gather to watch the games on a giant screen, amid a carnival atmosphere, during the World Cup event.

"We don't think the difficulty will be getting them there. We think the problem is that they just won't want to go home, even at two in the morning," laughed Sutcliffe.

The major fan park will be located at the bottom of Dr Pixley KaSeme (West) Street, where a glass-fronted restaurant, located under an overhanging roof, which people will be able to walk on to, will allow views of sea and sand. Tables will spill out onto the forecourt - forming part of the promenade stretching from uShaka Marine World, through to Blue Lagoon.

Sutcliffe said about 100 000 fans would be able to gather there, both on the promenade and the beach.

"Imagine watching the game on the screen, then walking along the wide promenade, with that wonderful view of the stadium's roof in the distance, stopping off for a beer, coffee or meal, along with thousands of others all enjoying the vibe," he enthused.

Should it be necessary, other nodes along the beach front will also serve as fan parks, to accommodate up to 200 000 fans in total.

Sutcliffe is even entertaining dreams of the likes of Santana, Vusi Mahlasela and Phuzekhemisi entertaining the crowds. "Can you imagine that combination?" he asked.

"We will also have something neither Cape Town nor Johannesburg can offer at that time of the year, sunny weather."

Durban's Moses Mabhida stadium, he felt, was already the most iconic one in the country.

"In Germany, it was not the Berlin stadium, but the one in Munich, which won the accolades. In the same way, we believe, Durban's magnificent and beautiful stadium will be the one everyone will remember and want to see," he said.

So what are the overall plans for the upgrading of the beachfront?

The key lies in the 15m to 20m-wide promenade. The "cluttered" impression is to change, with the present low-level lights being removed and replaced by powerful lights on masts, configured so as not to disturb residents in the nearby flats.

Not only will this create an impression of spaciousness, but will be easier to monitor from a security point of view. Low walls are to be removed.

"We found by knocking down the walls near the XL restaurant on South Beach, vagrants no longer gravitated there, as they often like a wall to hide or sleep behind," Sutcliffe explained.

Much of the approach to the beachfront is to be cleared of buildings, such as the Ocean Sports Centre, and former warehouses. Instead, those arriving at the seafront will be met by inviting vistas of the ocean.

Much wider walkways will lead down; spreading lawns and spruced gardens will enhance the surrounds, give criminals have nowhere to lurk.

The intention is to build braai facilities on the grassed areas.

Beach cafes every 300m to 400m will be compact and environmentally friendly, with the kitchens set back from the sands, while the seating area makes use of both sand and promenade.

The promenade will continue through to Moses Mabhida stadium, via the current culvert, which will be widened by closing off one of the access roads to the M4.

Face-lift

Facilities such as hot showers, for a fee, and lockers will be available.

Mini Town is to be revamped to become more relevant. Sutcliffe felt that while there were some wonderful miniature buildings on the site, advertising marred some of it.

More of Durban's surrounding areas should also feature, becoming an educational visit for schoolchildren.

Billboards and advertising on rubbish bins would have to go, as these created a tacky impression; so would some of the scruffy "shack-like" small buildings on the beachfront.

Addington Beach was in for a major facelift, with parking spaces for hundreds of cars, set back from the road; an upgrade to the life-savers' facilities; and new restaurants setting the tone.

The approaches to uShaka Marine World will also become more user-friendly and inviting.

On the question of Addington Children's Hospital, the city was pushing hard for a response from the provincial authorities, to return it to the city.

Another key to the success of having a beachfront with a sparkling face would be the streamlining of cleaning operations. At present the department of Parks and Gardens controlled the beaches, while Durban Solid Waste cleared the roads. Sutcliffe posed the possibility that one body could be made responsible for the entire beachfront.

Restaurants, however, should also take pride in the area surrounding their premises, rather than leaving all clean-up operations to the city.

The Rachel Finlayson swimming pool is to be made smaller. One-half will be kept for those who want to swim and train.

The other part would remain, but be surrounded by more lawns, cafes and open areas, he said. Those walking along the promenade should also be able to see into the pool more easily, adding to the ambience.

Many residents of North Beach are fearful that these plans might include the removal of Durban's last bit of remaining dune bush. Sutcliffe said they could rest assured this would not happen. An attractive fence, rather than the current one with razor-wire, will keep it secure. A boardwalk running along the sea-side of the forest is being considered, so people can choose between the promenade or sea vistas.

The road in this area will be narrowed, with the parking places giving way to accommodate a wider promenade. Not only would this improve the atmosphere for those on foot, but would also deter drivers from travelling at speeding.

Finally, Sutcliffe said, when the facelift was complete, Durban's beachfront would prove an irresistible lure.

"After a day's work, this is where people will want to meet their friends for a beer or a really good cappuccino, before going home . . . simply because it is the best, most vibey and safe place to be," said Sutcliffe.

http://www.sundaytribune.co.za/index...icleId=4809092

[romanSA]

Accompanying article

---------

Security
January 25, 2009 Edition 1

As security is of prime importance, the police presence on Durban's beachfront is due for a shake-up.

The city believes officers need to be more alert as to what is going on around them.

Rather than walking about in groups, talking, the intention is that officers be more spread out, but within close contact of one another. One example is that a policeman or woman is followed by another, say 50m behind him or her.

In a new move, City Manager Michael Sutcliffe said officers would have to complete sheets daily and present these at weekly meetings. These should record what they had spotted, at what time, as they went about their patrols.

This would keep them on their toes.

"We want people to be able to come here at 11 at night and feel totally secure," said Sutcliffe.

http://www.sundaytribune.co.za/index...icleId=4809129

[romanSA]

I really like the idea for lockers and hot showers. This is what Rio currently has. I also like the idea of removing clutter from the promenade and installing super-high mast lighting. This will make a big difference to the area.

[dysan1]

a huge difference. Also the removal of tacky advertising bins and the like will all add to a more refined precinct. I am seriously hoping that the reality livs up to the renders and articles, because if it does then FINALLY the beachfront will be getting back the shine it fully deserves!

[dysan1]

Guys there are some new documents up on the cities website about this development

Download the pdf at the following link -

[dysan1]

[romanSA]

Link appears broken, buddy. I think the above pic appeared in the original proposal (found on the municipal website).

[dysan1]

fixed it....had two http jobbies

[dysan1]

guys the basic assessment report on the development is out on the cities website

http://www.durban.gov.za/durban/disc...hfront-upgrade

there is loads to download and read...go have a frenzy!!