...Durban Discussion

[dysan1]

Originally Posted by ToxicBunny

Luf : Problem is, the current Airport space was unable to be expanded significantly... and they would never have got approval to buy up all the private land in that area to do so....

to expand you would have to move toyota... hmmm yes that is feasible...R20billion please

[Gulivar]

I for one am in full support of this tradeport. Thinking small was never going to get anyone anywhere, the current airport was going to have to be either expanded (and the problems with that have been highlighted) or a new one built, which is currently being done. The current port is unfeasible.

[ToxicBunny]

I've heard a few stories about the plans for the current port... Most are obviously on hold given the economic situation the world is in..

BUT some of the ideas were VERY interesting, obviously the Bayhead one that everyone knows about.

But also there is talk of moving the car terminal to a new dugout port where the old airport is currently, OR of course the ultimate favourite that will never happen and doing a digout through the bluff.

[p2bsa]

Originally Posted by dysan1

Look at the reports on staying at the current airport, it was completely unfeasible and very costly. There is no land to expand and the runway will always be a dwalf.

To say the new airport will "make the cbd suffer" is nonsensicle. Please substantiate this? The new site will be +/- 40km north of the city, hardly a massive trek.

How would keeping the airport where it is have added to the cbd or city as a whole? By putting a stranglehold on forward growth?

I feel the opposite is true. The area around the current airport has very little to actually do with the airport and will in the most part be totally removed from the move. What will happen is that extremely value land for their expansions will be available.

I am very surprised by your comments

100%! Agreed dysan... and we know about the natural progression northwards - but ultimately it will be all good cos the airport is also still part of the eThekwini Metro... imagine now (2010) arriving in Durban/KZN - stunning lush green beauty compared to the harsh industrial/polluted area of Durban's South Industrial Basin...

Imagine Durban...

[Durbsboi]

nice pic, where did u get it from?

[romanSA]

Isn't P2BSA a reporter? In some cases its best if some sources remain anonymous. Otherwise inside info dries up (remember Raven, anyone?)

[romanSA]

Cross-post from Warwick Mall thread...

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

Anger about R400m mall plan
Lyse Comins
May 21 2009 at 08:23AM

Tensions heightened yesterday over the effects of a proposed R400-million shopping mall in Durban's bustling Warwick Junction, as city officials and academics met representatives of 6 000 angry informal traders.

The traders, who fear the development will destroy their businesses, threatened to march to the city hall next Tuesday to protest against the development and what they say is a lack of consultation with traders and a "failure to follow the tender process".

An intense two-hour debate was hosted by the Democracy Development Programme in a packed Durban University of Technology's city campus hall.

Attended by about 600 informal traders, University of KwaZulu-Natal development studies unit researcher Caroline Skinner, Deputy Mayor Logie Naidoo, and Professor Rodney Harber of UKZN's department of architecture, the debate was vigorous and marked by angry outbursts and singing. Representatives from the private developer, Warwick Wall Consortium, were not present.

'leave the poor alone'

Naidoo explained the aim of the development was to upgrade and rejuvenate an area affected by urban decay. The city was investing R100-million towards the first phase of the development, which had to be completed by June 1 next year in time for 2010 World Cup. The development includes road and freeway realignments, a more logical positioning of taxi ranks and the creation of a mall with banking and retail facilities.

However, informal traders blew on vuvuzelas and stood to dance and shout slogans in isiZulu like "down with capitalism" and "leave the poor alone" to express their anger and discontent at Naidoo's official response to their concerns.

International street traders' organisation StreetNet was present with 25 international delegates from Malawi, Zimbabwe, Niger, Uganda, Nepal and the United states.

Warwick Market Traders Association chairman Harry Ramlall and Warwick Precinct Plan Stakeholders Forum chairman Roothren Moodley represented informal traders.

Ramlall said traders had not been consulted about the development, which would ruin their livelihood if they were forced out of the area.

Traders have been given notice to vacate the Early Morning Market and move to a building in Alice Street by May 31.

Naidoo said almost 500 000 commuters travelled daily through the junction, generating an estimated R1-billion in revenue for the mix of formal and informal traders. However, informal traders fear the mall has been designed to redirect commuters' foot traffic away from their stalls and into the shopping mall and that there will be no space for them despite the city's repeated promises to include them.

Ramlall said the city had presented the development plan to traders as a fait accompli at a meeting on February 18.

"We were told there would be workshops telling us exactly what is going on but all we had was a meeting with city manager Michael Sutcliffe where we were only asked, what are our requirements," he said.

"It was presented to us as a proposal but we could read between the lines it was not a proposal; it was presented as what we are going to do - close the market and shut it down and relocate us to the materials management building. But there was no viability study done," Ramlall said.

An unidentified trader asked, to loud applause by participants, why a "first world" mall was being imposed on "third world people" who do not care to visit malls like the Pavilion and Gateway.

"We have approximately eight malls within a 10km radius around the city; why put up another mall?" asked Ramlall.

He said traders were not against the development but they want to be incorporated into a new development.

Cosatu representative Mthokozisi Khuboni announced that informal traders, dissatisfied with the city's response, would stage a protest march to the city hall next Tuesday.


This article was originally published on page 1 of The Mercury on May 21, 2009

http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_i...0504135C238236

[romanSA]

Indaba Spotlight On 2010
22 May, 2009

By Peter Bendheim

Tourism and City officials have hailed this year’s Tourism Indaba as a huge success for injecting tens of millions of rands into the local economy and demonstrating South Africa’s readiness to host the 2010 World Cup. James Seymour, of Tourism KZN, said the fourday event, which ended last week, had generated nearly R250-million for the city’s economy, a much-needed boost in the midst of a global financial crisis. Some 12 000 delegates attended, down 7% on last year.

Acting SA Tourism Chief Executive Didi Moyle was unperturbed, describing the event as a quality rather than a quantity Indaba. “We have had numerous reports of brisk business and keen interest in our destination and products ahead of the Confederations Cup and 2010,” Moyle said. The world’s third largest travel and tourism event, Indaba has taken place in Durban for 20 years. The City has a reputation for staging the event in a professional, well-organised manner. Indaba fills the entire International Convention Centre, and sprawls across Walnut Road into the Durban Exhibition Centre. “This year was probably one of the most important in the history of the event,” said Durban Tourism Acting Chief Executive Perry Moodley. “It was the last major push to capitalise on efforts to ensure that our tourism capacity is all taken up during 2010.”

This year’s event was themed around the World Cup, and soccer was everywhere, from interactive games, to footballs and the everpresent mascot, Zakumi, who teased the delegates, reminding them of 2010, seemingly at every turn. Indaba also provided the launching spot for the nation’s campaign to ignite enthusiasm for 2010. “Indaba was the perfect place to launch the campaign as it is one of the largest travel trade shows in the world. Attended by national and international media, tourism bodies and industry stakeholders, the exhibition offers the ideal platform to show that we are ready and excited to welcome and host 2010 visitors, “ said Moyle.

The Durban stand was an eye-catching scale model of the City’s Moses Mabhida stadium, complete with the now famous arch that rose above a major thoroughfare in the Exhibition Centre. City Manager Michael Sutcliffe, opening the stand, said the stadium would be a landmark on the Durban landscape for decades to come. Staffers reported that the stand was very busy. “We met tour operators and travel entrepreneurs on a continuous basis”, said Moodley. “The city will be a busy place during 2010.” Delegates to Indaba were positive about the event and world-class standards of the ICC and Arena, despite the fact that Durban’s traditional sunshine gave way to heavy rain for the first two days of the event, causing the popular traditional beach party to be abandoned early on the Saturday night. Moodley thanked the SAPS and Metro Police for helping to ensure the success of Indaba. “Crime figures were kept in check by the diligent efforts of all roleplayers and through the co-ordinated approach of a team that included external participants such as Business against Crime.

They have done the city proud. “It’s important that we never become complacent about events of this nature in Durban and that we continue to improve and fine tune our already considerable skills. Let’s hope that Durban will always be the home of this, one of the world’s major travel events,” Moodley said.

http://www.durban.gov.za/durban/disc...t-on-2010/view

[p2bsa]

Originally Posted by romanSA

Isn't P2BSA a reporter? In some cases its best if some sources remain anonymous. Otherwise inside info dries up (remember Raven, anyone?)

Quicksilver...

[Durbsboi]

So lots happening over the weekend, see the Comrades went off well. Good to see a Zimbabwean (African) winning it & quite a few local guys in the top 10.

[romanSA]

Did anyone catch the Durban skyline scenes when the leading runner entered Bearea Rd and the Warwick Junction? Looked amazing. You could also see the progress on the flyovers. The skyline scenes as the runners went down Pine Street and then past the ICC / Hilton were also great.

There was also an interview with Julie May-Eg about the city's plans for 2010. Next year's run is scheduled to be an up-run but for the first time in history, it's going to be a down run again, to coincide with the Comrade's 85th anniversary and the 2010 WC. Would be fantastic to have the race finish at MM but I don't think that's on the cards.

[ToxicBunny]

Nah, its not on the cards.... FIFA prob wouldn't allow it....

Still going to finish at KingsMead from what I know.

Still going to be awesome, and I think they will get their 20000 entrants as well.

[Mo Rush]

FIFA's exclusive use period only starts a two or so weeks before the kick off.
If the event is moved to April, it could act as a test event. Cape Town's last test event at full capacity is in April 2010.

[ToxicBunny]

Unfortunately its not in April...

Its on the 30th of May, which I think is cutting it WAY too close to the exclusive use period...

[Durbsboi]

Originally Posted by romanSA

Did anyone catch the Durban skyline scenes when the leading runner entered Bearea Rd and the Warwick Junction? Looked amazing. You could also see the progress on the flyovers. The skyline scenes as the runners went down Pine Street and then past the ICC / Hilton were also great.
.

yes the support structure for the Leopold street flyover is up and piling has started between the the incoming and out going flyovers of the N3, this one is going to be amazing to see

[cairngorm]

Hello everyone.

My first post and not sure if it's in the correct thread.

I'm coming BACK to durban for the world cup next year, I have been lucky to get tickets for five matches.

I lived in Joburg for five years 1980-85 and visited Durban several times. I know things will have changed a lot since my last visit, but some of the stories you hear can be a bit scary.

I hear Durban like the rest of SA will undergo massive re-development etc to ensure the games go well but I have a few questions.

1. What areas should I avoid for accommodation
2. What areas would you recommend for 3 x Scottish lads
3. I think Umhlanga looks a decent place, any info?

Just like to add, looking at the old photos of hillbrow etc almost brought a tar to my eye, it's great to see the place getting back to it's best.

Are there any photos of Yeoville/Hunter street area (where I lived)

[Durbsboi]

Firstly welcome to the boards, then secondly soon welcome back to SA. Loads has changed since then, well I wasnt even born when you were here.

So if alot has changed in my life time you can bet lots has changed for you! For accommodation in Durban, I'd say stick to the beach front, mainly the north beach or main beach area. Loads of good hotels there & very close to the stadium. Umhlanga is an exellent area but there is a slight distance to go to the stadium on match days & we cannot predict what traffic will be like come 2010. So atleast with the beach front hotels you can always walk.

[romanSA]

Welcome to the boards, cairngorm.

I second everything Durbsboi has said. North Beach hotels definitely better than their South beach counterparts. South Beach, however, will be the site for Durban's main fan festival. However, it is also closer to Durban's red light district. Don't wander to the backroads of this area and you guys should be just fine.

Just remember, though, that Durban is more than just beach (beachfront and Umhlanga beachfronts). Explore Morningside (Florida Road and Windermere Road precincts), Hillcrest (has changed a LOT since you were last here), Gateway precinct, amongst others.

[romanSA]

Has anyone seen Addington Beach recently? Thanks to sand-pumping, it is now MASSSSSIIIIVVVE. At least 50 m wide. And still growing. Hope the whole of the beachfront could be similarly widened.

[cairngorm]

Thanks for the welcome folks, I managed to get accommodation sorted in Umhlanga Rocks, I know it's 20-30min drive but we would travel in early on match day and soak up the atmosphere (can you still drink and drive in SA )

I checked out prices for accommodation all over Durban and Im not suprised to see they are already waaaay over the top for next June/July. I suppose I'm just happy to be booked up.

Are there any Links to good websites for the Umhlanga area, things to see/do, places to eat etc?