The City of Cape Town has plans to create a ‘second CBD’ with new installations and projects. Here’s what you need to know…
In March 2021, former Cape Town mayor Dan Plato launched the “Bellville Future City” project aimed at developing a second central business district (CBD).
Now, about a year on, the Mother City’s mayoral committee member for economic growth, Alderman James Vos, has met with the Greater Tygerberg Partnership (GTP) to solidify plans for the new CBD in the greater Tygerberg area.
Some of the city’s plans include a cycling lane and zero waste school projects. Take a look…
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CAPE TOWN’S SECOND CBD PLANS ‘PUSH AHEAD’
In a statement as per the City of Cape Town, Vos said the local government has cooperated with the development facilitation agency for socio-economic development in the greater Tygerberg area for its plans for a “second CBD”.
The GTP will play a role in facilitating talks between the government, educational institutions and the private and public sectors of Bellville.
“Supporting the development of economic nodes across the metro is absolutely vital to realise more opportunities for Capetonians. This means that we can also showcase the wealth and variety of potential investments to a global audience of business corporations,” said Vos.
PLANNED PROJECTS INCLUDE CYCLING LANES
There are several projects on the cards for Cape Town’s new CBD, including public art installations, a zero waste schools project, urban greening projects and the expansion of trolley recycling. The city is also considering the provision of non-motorised transport alternatives, such as cycling lanes.
“Ultimately, systemic challenge – like so many we face in Bellville – demands a systemic solution. This is the principle that guides all our interventions,” according to GTP CEO Warren Hewitt.
The city also plans to attract entrepreneurs, start-ups and business incubators with a zone that is specifically designed to draw public and private investments.
BELLVILLE CBD HAS ‘DIFFERENT MAKEUP’
According to Plato, the Bellville CBD will have a “different makeup” from the current Cape Town Business District.
“The vision of developing Bellville as Cape Town’s second CBD has been discussed for a long time and today, we are taking concrete action,” Plato explained in 2021.
By: Naledi de Wee
