Making of a new city

opportunities. the warehouses and finally to the customers, Tambo Springs will be equipped to meet all manufacturing and distribution needs.

The gateway will nearly double current freight logistics capacity in and out of Gauteng by incorporating a range of elements that differentiate it as a world-class, competitive location. These elements, which will be developed on the 1 037 hectare site acquired by master developer TSDC will include the following:

transportation component, including a major new rail terminal and an intermodal yard with rail access;

park accommodating businesses involved in transportation, processing, manufacturing, warehousing and distribution functions;

component;

a commercial centres.

It will incorporate an eco-focused plan as part of a controlled environment that incorporates the optimisation of energy and other efficiencies via all aspects of the transportation system, the built environment and the social environment, as well as a focus on the conservation of green areas and wetlands. Development will take place as part of a phased master development programme, thus ensuring that the development is marketdriven and responds to specific market requirements, while strategically being aligned with the Gauteng provincial master plans relating to spatial development, economic growth and job creation.

Regarding road transport, it has direct access to the N3 freeway to Durban (South Africa’s major freight transport route), to the N1 freeway to Cape Town and, via the R390, Port Elizabeth and East London. There are also direct road links to the major industrial centres in Gauteng, most of which are within a 20km to 60km radius. The site is only 22km from the City Deep Terminal and 25km from OR Tambo Air Freight Terminal. Existing freight rail links already run through the site and link it to the seaports of Durban, Cape Town and Port Elizabeth. Accordingly, the Tambo Springs development can contribute significantly to optimising the country’s existing infrastructure — particularly that of Ngqura deep-water port near Port Elizabeth. This is important in the short to medium term, given existing congestion issues with Durban.

Tambo Springs is planned to accommodate a new, state-of-the-art rail terminal facility, as well as an intermodal rail yard capable of handling pointto-point movement of freight using block trains up to 2km in length. This is possible because the Tambo Springs property has an existing dual-directional freight rail line that runs along the northwestern boundary for about 3.5km.

Twenty One Industrial Estate

Twenty One Industrial Estate is near the Albertina Sisulu (R21) highway and in close proximity to OR Tambo International Airport. This high-tech light industrial park offers both large and small tenants a prime location along a major transport route, with quick access to the airport. The industrial park comprises a first phase of 148 hectares, with a total new development area of 1 400 hectares. It has excellent highway accessibility and easy access to the Johannesburg, Sandton and Midrand CBDs.

It is also near road, rail and domestic and international air freight hubs, and can be accessed from the north or south via the Olifantsfontein offramp. It is linked to Midrand by means of the K27 and is within easy reach of a large white- and blue-collar labour force.

Riverfields

This is a multibillion-rand development along the Albertina Sisulu highway; already R2-billion has been invested in the project. Riverfields is located within the City of Ekurhuleni and forms a development area of approximately 1 900 hectares north of Kempton Park, situated on the Albertina Sisulu (R21) Development Corridor between OR Tambo International Airport and the City of Tshwane. It is less than 30 minutes’ drive from all CBDs within the region and less than 15 minutes from OR Tambo International Airport. This development offers property owners, residents, retailers and tenants a uniquely integrated “work, live and recreation” offering that is holistically planned. Riverfields’ mixed-use node will be seamlessly integrated within the urban context and road, rail and air mobility. At neighbourhood level, Riverfields also sets trends with the innovative introduction of pedestrianand cycle-friendly mobility.

Glen Gory

The Glen Gory development is a mixeduse development comprising retail, high-density residential development and an office complex. Described as a world-class node incorporating a regional mall, a lifestyle mall, a Value Mart centre, big box retailers such as Builders Warehouse and Makro, the retail component will consist of a tenant mix including retailers such as Checkers, Woolworths, Edgars, Foschini and Pick n Pay. The mall will also incorporate a piazza for showcasing events, concerts and other community festivities, as well as an office node with medical suites and offices. All development rights for the site have been approved (Valkhoogte Ext 13 & 20), and all environmental approvals for the development and for bulk infrastructure have also been approved.

Carnival Junction

This is an extensive, 300 hectare, mixed-use development that forms part of the Greater Carnival Node straddling the N17 in Brakpan. The development comprises mixed land use, including the development of retail, automotive, offices and a private hospital. The first phase, Dalpark Extension 19, contains a number of planned commercial uses such as a Makro, Build-It and a Hyundai dealership. Carnival Junction will strengthen an emerging mixeduse node centred on the N17-Snake Road interchange, which comprises Carnival City Casino and a commercial area on the northwestern quadrant of this interchange. It has good access to labour pools and the “work-live” concept will become a reality, with various types of residential opportunities incorporated within the estate. On the cards are a retirement village, medical centre, office park, commercial hub and an industrial hub.

Prasa-Gibela

This development is located in the south-east of Ekurhuleni and forms part of the national east-west development corridor. Prasa-Gibela is busy with the establishment of a manufacturing plant in Dunnottar, just north of Nigel. New rolling stock — approximately 3 500 train carriages — will be manufactured there. Prasa entered into a lease agreement with the City of Ekurhuleni and initiated the required land development applications. The development will have a major impact on the economy of Ekurhuleni as well as that of Gauteng.

Prasa has finalised a R51-billion contract with the Gibela empowerment consortium, of which Alstom Southern African Holdings is the largest shareholder, to deliver 600 Alstom trains consisting of six wagons each. The proposed plant will house an engineering centre and training facilities. A portion of the budget will be spent on subcontracting to black-empowered entities, qualifying small enterprises, and to entities owned by black women. Training of artisans, technicians and drivers will take place during throughout the project. The proposed development may attract future space demand in and around the development, such as retail, housing and more industrial areas subservient to the main development. About 1 500 employment opportunities will be created from the proposed development.