The City of Johannesburg’s Metropolitan Council has adopted the Spatial Development Frameworks (SDF) 2040 (2024) which includes a spatial vision, policy parameters, and development priorities to support long-term development.
The SDF review process began in 2021, driven by the Development Planning Departments’ City Transformation and Spatial Planning Directorate with the review informed by the provisions of the Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act 16 of 2013 (SPLUMA) which prescribes a five-year review interval of spatial development frameworks, says MMC for Development Planning, Cllr Eunice Mgcina.
Input received during the 120-day comment period highlighted significant gaps and concerns that require attention, says the City, including strengthening the Metropolitan Core – growing Joburg’s CBD and repositioning it as the core of the city; promoting development in nodes, the General Urban Zone, and LED Zones – nodes will be supported for compact, walkable, livable and mixed-use development with industrial nodes the focus of future job creation and diversification; considering a public transport backbone by supporting the city’s Transit Orientated Development Corridors; unlocking Soweto as a city district by diversifying land uses in Soweto to create self-sufficient mixed land use nodes with job opportunities and improved social amenities; unlocking the Mining Belt and developing transport links to integrate the northern to the southern parts of the city with new industrial commercial activities to be a focus; incorporating an integrated natural structure that emphasizes the recognition of the natural environment which requires protection and developing an Aerotropolis Corridor around OR Tambo International Airport whilst improving the east-west movement and developing strategic land parcels in the northeastern parts of the city.
The SDF also proposes development guidelines for the areas outside of the above-listed priority areas including within the Urban Development Boundary, informal settlements, marginalised areas and Greater Lanseria, Southern Farms, and Zandspruit.
