Bringing the Warwick triangle into the 21st century for all
INCREASING legal street and market traders by 80 percent, increasing inner city jobs by 250 percent and creating a streamlined transport hub. That is the forecast by city planners, as the Inner City Local Area Plan and Regeneration Implementation Plan for 2040 for the Warwick Precinct was unveiled this week.
Consultants from the IPPU Consortium (Iliso Planning Initiative, PMSA and Urban Econ), Cathy Dale and Joanne Rees gave a detailed presentation..
This is part of the larger city regeneration plan which is being rolled out to the public through a number of different workshops, which envisions a city centre with mixed use development, is walker and cycle friendly and has a 24hour buzz and lifestyle.
Rees said: “By 2040 the inner city will be a vibrant, liveable and walkable centre. We are looking at changing the structure where people live, work and play in the city.
“It will no longer be a 40km trip out of the city at the end of the day and will reduce time and travel costs.”
This will include a new pedestrian-priority network where walking will be the primary mode for internal city trips.
Buildings will be revamped and one of the goals is to increase the inner city residential population by over 500 percent.
This will include an “aggressive programme for dealing with problem buildings” which will all be dealt with together and not separately, as happens at present.
It was also highlighted that some streets which are presently one way, may be changed to two way traffic and a pedestrian “deck” is planned to run over Market Street which will also provide space for traders.
The plan aims to “improve the informal economy infrastructure and accommodate 80percent more legal street and market traders”. It is also envisaged that all residents will be within a five-minute walk of all transport and amenities.
The public transport system, whether road or rail, will see a “radically improved connectivity via new connections and improved public transport”.
Presently between 300 000 and 400 000 commuters a day pass through this area.
Current challenges which have been identified in the precinct include crime, inadequate trader infrastructure, traffic congestion and conflict as well as being “unfriendly” for pedestrians and a general disconnection from the rest of the city.
On the sidelines of the presentation, eThekwini Deputy City Manager for economic development and planning, Musa Mbhele said one of the key issues was proper management of the informal sector, pedestrian safety and rundown buildings.
“This includes a number of challenges, for example waste, as well as looking to ensure there are better facilities for informal traders.
“We are also looking at the relationship between pedestrians and motorised traffic, where we have high speeds and people crossing at places which are not intersections. One of our primary goals is to have a pedestrian friendly environment,” said Mbhele.
“The proximity of tertiary institutions indicates we could use some of these buildings for student accommodation and if students can walk, it will save them a lot on transport. We also feel that the cultural and historical value of the area is important and we would like to tell the story of the origins of Warwick,” said Mbhele.