Building begins in Modderfontein
THE ESTABLISHMENT of a new “city”, expected to compete with Sandton, has started in Modderfontein.
The Centenary is to be developed as part of the Modderfontein New Town.
Over the next 15 to 20 years, Zendai plans to transform the 1 600 hectares of land it acquired in 2013 into a sustainable metropolis.
Construction of the flats, next to the Modderfontein golf course and the Flamingo Dam will be done in phases with the first phase being completed in early 2017.
The Centenary will include a pool, outdoor gym, club house, children’s play areas and courtyards with water features to encourage outdoor living.
Speaking at the launch, Zendai SA chief executive, Anthony Diepenbroek said: “The uniqueness of these apartments is that they complement Modderfontein’s rich heritage while displaying the energy and excitement of the new town.”
The developers have released 45-year plans for the area. Some developments have started including the upgrade of Centenary Road. Another development is the expansion of the Modderfontein Montessori School and the acquisition, by private owners, of land to accommodate a hospital and offices.
The timing and release of any development would be market-driven, Diepenbroek said.
A Gautrain station platform has been constructed and he said Zendai was reviewing a transport master plan for the new town.
“This includes negotiations and engagements with role-players on the construction of the station, continued engagement with Johannesburg Roads Agency and the relevant provincial authorities on the development of new roads within Modderfontein, and links into surrounding road and transport networks such as Metro buses and Rea Vaya routes,” he said.
Diepenbroek said it is difficult to provide exact timelines on construction at this point; these will become clearer as planning progresses.
The main idea for the new town is to build around public transport hubs such as the planned Gautrain station, and in corridors where there is convenient access to public transport, with the aim of reducing the need to travel long distances to and from work and school.
“The overall strategy is to promote economic development without adding to congestion,” he said.
The development, which will consist of many different types of housing units of various sizes, will ultimately house 100 000 residents.
There was scepticism about the new city initially, primarily because of the artist’s impression, which showed skyscrapers, but Zendai says the illustrations are an idea of how the area could look in 20 years.
Included in the plans are a town centre, houses, schools, churches, a library, hospital and medical facilities, a sports and international conference and exhibition centre, a light industrial park, educational facilities, community offices and a business, trade and logistics park, which could link to the new aerotropolis around OR Tambo International Airport.
There will also be regional retail centres, low-cost housing and an African art museum.
An educational precinct will offer private schools, student accommodation and a site for a government school.
The rich heritage of the area, which dates back to 1894, will be preserved. Modderfontein village was established when a dynamite factory was started there to meet the demands of the mining industry.
The 275ha Modderfontein Reserve, which is open to the public, will be preserved.
The idea is to develop around transport hubs