Development
EVERY few weeks, The Mercury reports on a major development being planned around Durban. To the north is a new town, Cornubia, growing out of the cane fields.
There are plans to upgrade or reclaim abandoned buildings in the inner city. To the south, it appears the much-debated Point Waterfront project is set to take off. These are but a few of the projects dotting the city’s landscape.
We are keenly aware that these projects are not universally popular and that there is great scepticism and cynicism as to whether they will take off or, if they do, they are in the best interests of the people of Durban.
They have already created inconveniences such as traffic and noise pollution in some places and will forever tamper with the views of others once the construction work begins.
All cities and all countries must be prepared to give up something in exchange development and economic growth. South Africa and Durban do not have the luxury of thumbing their noses at all potential developments, especially those that have the potential of creating much-needed employment and an economic boost to the city, the province and the country.
It is a well known fact by now that unemployment, especially among our youth, is a ticking time bomb and South Africa’s most pressing political risk. No right-thinking person still needs to be convinced about the desirability of investment into our economy, whether by local or foreign investors.
That does not mean that development must happen at any cost. A fair balance between preservation of nature, fair living standards and commercial development is required.
To this end, we urge the state to regularly revisit our environmental impact assessment regime and wherever necessary strengthen this to ensure that development does not come at a price too high to pay.
Single issue lobbyists, for or against development or the environment, trapped in binary thinking cannot be good for the future prospects of the city offering a standard and quality of life.
The future of a sustainable and prosperous city lies in the prudence of knowing what we must give today so that our grandchildren can live in a city they would be proud to call home.