HOME IMPROVEMENTS
There was a popular bumper sticker back in the day. “London, New York, Paris, Underberg.” People love a good juxtaposition.
Big urban cities are great, but, for many of us, there’s no place like the country or small town living.
UIP stands for urban improvement precinct, but it’s important to note that this doesn’t mean “paving paradise to put up a parking lot,” as Joni Mitchell said. The vision for Love Hilton is to improve public space and to build on the numerous community initiatives that have been so successful.
Love Hilton is also about being representative of the community and creating places that cater to all age groups and demographics.
There are many faces to Hilton, and Love Hilton represents an exciting opportunity for the people of Hilton to contribute positively to the space in which we live and work.
Love Hilton will ensure that all ratepayers contribute to the proposed improvements.
These improvements to Hilton will have significant economic spin-offs for the area, attracting investment and growing property values.
UIPs have had a lot of success in other parts of South Africa, increasing safety and security, improving the environment, and fostering civic pride, to name a few benefits.
Despite the benefits, nothing is to be forced on the community. Love Hilton is about meeting community needs, and will not proceed without proven majority support for the plan.
It will take Love Hilton the next year to reach a point where we are able to submit the application to uMngeni. The thorough process will include: extensive communication with the community; a survey eliciting concerns and ideas from residents; and further consultation before developing a business plan and budget to be presented for approval in a referendum
To deliver this vision to the community of Hilton it’s going to require some hard work and commitment. We are looking for people to help us meet the challenge. Please email hello@lovehilton.org if you can assist in some way.