The City of Cape Town recently presented its Social Charter to attendees at its second online workshop on the local spatial development framework for Cape Town’s District Six.
The Social Charter represents the guiding principles on working with all residents and stakeholders in finalizing a spatial vision for the area.
The City previously hosted its introductory meeting about the local spatial development framework (LSDF) or, local neighbourhood plan for District Six on the 22nd of September 2020 with the first workshop on the 22nd of October 2020.
“We presented the City’s Social Charter at the start of today’s meeting. The purpose of the charter is to make the City’s intentions clear with the process, our guiding principles, as well as our commitment to the beneficiaries and other residents in realising one of the most important redress projects we will see in Cape Town in coming years” commented the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Spatial Planning and Environment, Alderman Marian Nieuwoudt.
“The City is working closely with residents. We want to include everybody, and I am encouraging residents and all interested groups to please contribute to this process and to fully participate. There should be no doubt that the City is committed to following an engagement process that is extensive, inclusive, thorough, and transparent.”
The City’s Social Charter stipulates:
- The City is committed to re-establishing the once vibrant neighbourhood of District Six in collaboration with the District Six community and other residents.
- Central to this redress project, is the finalisation of a spatial vision that will see the return of beneficiaries to a community that is diverse, inclusive, safe, and caring; sustained by a strong local economy; and where there is a sense of belonging and opportunity.
- The City is currently refining the overall spatial development framework, or local neighbourhood plan, for District Six. The City is doing so in collaboration with the District Six community and other residents and they call on all interest groups and stakeholders to be part of this process.
- The City wants as many residents as possible to participate in refining the spatial vision for District Six and to share their views, and information. They are committed to a process that is thorough, transparent, inclusive, extensive and within the legal framework
- The City will not, and has no intention, to sell City-owned land in District Six. The land the City owns will be used and developed to the benefit of the District Six community.
- The City is committed to working together with the Western Cape Government, and the National Government who is taking the lead for the redevelopment of District Six and the restitution process.
- The spatial vision will enhance the investment programmes for District Six beyond those of the housing projects and focuses on the public realm because a community also exists outside of homes, in public spaces and shared facilities.
- Housing and restitution are fundamental, but the local neighbourhood plan addresses the bigger picture: how District Six will link and connect with the CBD and neighbouring suburbs.
- The return of the people to District Six is long overdue. The City is focused, and they are working with intent and urgency to avoid further delays to this redress project.
The 2012 District Six Spatial Development Framework forms the basis of the workshops and it is available on the City’s website.
“Similar to the District Six process, the City is also working on local spatial development frameworks for other areas and we will communicate about these in due course” said Alderman Nieuwoudt.
Download the summary and presentation of the recent District Six workshop:
