Meda proposes economic corridor across PMB
The Msunduzi Economic Development Agency (Meda), which has been pivotal in many positive changes in and around the city, has now partnered with other organisations to form the 'one coalition city' partnership. Its aim is to propose solutions to the City that will assist with addressing the crime and grime in the Pietermaritzburg CBD.
Some of their proposed solutions include the City Improvement District (CID), Business Improvement District Programme and the Urban Improvement Programme. Some of the projects these programmes will undertake include the Vulindlela Micro Park Project and the Duzi Meander Project.
The Duzi Meander Project focuses on the informal pathway that exists along the edge of the Msunduzi River. Studies show that the foot path is used by locals as a shortcut to get into the city to access taxis, jobs and trade.
The proposal recommends that these existing footpaths and routes be strengthened and reinforced. The pedestrian corridor pathway will connect various activity nodes that already exist along the route and create linkages that will join the Edendale Economic Hub with Camps Drift Industrial Park (near Makro), the Camps Drift waterfront, Alexandra Park and the YMCA sports field. It will continue to the Manor Sports Ground and will proceed to link the Jika Joe Housing Development with Brookside Mall and Liberty Mall.
This pedestrian/ economic corridor will include social sports, educational, recreational, entertainment, accommodation and commercial activities along the waterfront, thus creating a lively and exciting project that will enhance the city and create more economic and employment opportunities.
Vice chairperson of Meda, Shabeer Hoosen, said for every challenge in the city there is a solution.
“Meda has been working for the last 30 years on bringing about change in the city.
"Unfortunately, the powers that be are in a very toxic environment. [All] we can do is offer solutions. We know the solutions we have will be pivotal in uniting and creating a one coalition city,” said Hoosen.