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THE Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA) was established in 2001 as an agency of the City of Johannesburg to stimulate and support area-based economic development initiatives throughout the Johannesburg metropolitan area in support of Joburg 2030 - Johannesburg's economic development strategy for the next three decades.
As development manager of these initiatives, the JDA co-ordinates and manages capital investment and other programmes involving both public - and private-sector stakeholders. The JDA is also an implementing agent of three Blue IQ projects. Blue IQ is the Gauteng Provincial Government's Plan for a Smart Province.
Developments
Newtown
As with most major cities around the world, Johannesburg's city centre has been through a period of stagnation and degeneration. However, in the past few years a number of initiatives have been adopted to reverse these trends. One of the most important of these is the Greater Newtown Development. Newton is one of five tourism developments aimed at inner-city regeneration. In partnership with Gauteng Agency Blue IQ, the City - through the Johannesburg Development Agency - is transforming Newtown into a safe and attractive place to work, live and visit.
Newtown is being developed into a vibrant, mixed-use area with a unique character based on existing cultural facilities including the indelible Kippies, the world renowned Market Theatre, Moyo Restaurant at the Market, the buzz of Nikki's Oasis, the numerous international artists who have graced the Newtown Music Centre and not forgetting the unique shopping experience of the Oriental Plaza just around the corner from Newtown.
The project entails several improvements of the area, all aimed at making Newtown safe, accessible, and attractive. These include five housing developments catering for different income levels. Over 2 000 housing units will be built over the next three years.
This destination has been made accessible through the construction of the Nelson Mandela Bridge and associated M1/Carr Street interchange. The Nelson Mandela Bridge opened on 20 July 2003 and has become the new gateway from the north into Newtown.
Constitution Hill
Enshrining the rights of all citizens and central to the transition to democracy in South African is its Constitution. Guarded by the Constitutional Court, our Constitution is recognised as one of the most progressive - advancing human rights and promoting reconciliation. Now, as a symbol of our country's regeneration and commemorating South Africa's decade of democracy, the highest court in the land has been given a new home in the heart of Johannesburg known as Constitution Hill.
The development aims to turn the court into an anchor in the inner city, surrounded by a unique precinct with heritage and cultural assets that promise to make it the prime tourist destination in Gauteng.
Situated between the high-density residential neighbourhood of Hillbrow to its east and the mixed-use predominantly commercial node of Braamfontein to its west, this development perfectly represents the ideals behind inner-city regeneration developments and will contribute to the city's economic, social and cultural upliftment.
Constitution Hill will be a major national and international Heritage Site comprising an integrated and sustainable multipurpose and multidimensional space. The 95 000m² publicly-owned site hosts important heritage buildings, such as the Old Fort.
Constitution Hill comprises:
The Constitutional Court
Accommodation for the Constitutional Commissions
Commercial space (36 000m²) for related commercial, retail and hospitality activities
In addition, the development will create and sustain 1 860 super-basement parking bays, bus and taxi holding and drop-off facilities, upgraded peripheral roads and internal streets, a visitors' information and exhibition centre, new museums and related heritage and tourism activities, approximately 200 rental residential units, community facilities and public open spaces.
Braamfontein
Braamfontein has been a part of Johannesburg since 1886, the year the city was established. Back then, Braamfontein was a farm where people lived, worked and had a strong sense of community. Over time, the area developed into an important commercial and economic node of Johannesburg, housing a vibrant business district, the seat of local government and various educational institutions and business corporations. But, over the past decade, the area has seen an exodus of institutions and businesses and it has become home to a less formal and sustainable economy. This has led to high vacancy levels in office and retail space and a degradation of the public environment.
Situated north of the city centre, with more than 428 000m² of A- and B-grade office space, Braamfontein is the fourth-largest node for office space in the city of Johannesburg. It is home to four South African-based multinationals as well as South Africa's premier educational institution, the University of the Witwatersrand.
The Johannesburg Development Agency and the have recognised the location of Braamfontein as vital to the local economy and have embarked on redeveloping the area with the aim of renewing its role as a centre of business, entertainment and education in Johannesburg.
Strategically linking the Newtown and Constitution Hill projects to form the Cultural Arc, the Braamfontein Precinct Regeneration Programme entails creating a Braamfontein Corporate Precinct which will become more attractive to business and welcoming to regular patrons and visitors.
Public-sector investment in Newtown, the Braamfontein/Newtown Bridge and Constitution Hill has been R600-million over three years.
This project is a key factor in the drive for inner city growth and renewal in Johannesburg. The JDA has been an integral part of the process, patnering business which is investing in projects ranging from the refurbishment of company headquarters to the building of parking garages, a public piazza and park, and a corporate precinct and public environment upgrade.
Jeppestown
Located just east of the Johannesburg city centre is the Johannesburg Development Agency's R8-million Jeppe Station Precinct project, which was completed in 2003. The aim was to use the existing Jeppe Rail Station to put in motion a chain of economic activities that would encourage and support the surrounding formal and informal traders and the existing taxi rank. Thus, people who commute by train pass through the market building, supporting informal traders. Taxi passengers walk in front of the train station building through the square and into the taxi rank, stimulating further trading in the area. The changes are already encouraging pedestrian flows in areas that previously lacked any form of activities.
With the completion of the project, about 80 percent of the formal street markets have been occupied. The markets stimulate economic development and contribute to the environmental upgrading of the precinct.
The atmosphere of regeneration has spread to surrounding businesses, with formal traders around the precinct also taking advantage of the changes. For instance, two butchers have refurbished and extended their businesses to cater for the increased market.
The Jeppe Station Precinct development has achieved an aesthetically better urban environment. The Metropolitan Trading Company has done an exceptional job in keeping the precinct clean and tidy and, with the deployment of security guards at strategic areas within the precinct, a visibly safe and secure environment has been achieved.
Faraday Station Precinct
Faraday station, in the southeastern part of Johannesburg, was formerly an area of significant decay but, with the completion of the Faraday Station Precinct, the area marks yet another milestone in the city's regeneration campaign.
The area is home to Faraday Market, a major centre dedicated to the art of traditional healing and a viable transport hub. With trading space for more than 280 muti traders, the Faraday Market Precinct is a major attraction whose tourist potential has been largely untapped.
The Faraday precinct is bordered by Anderson Street in the north, Von Wielligh Street/Rosettenville Road in the east, Eloff Street in the west and Newton Street in the south. Anchored by Faraday Station - a railway terminal on the lines that link Soweto and other southwestern townships to the city - the precinct has become a multinodal transport interchange, with bus and taxi services extending connections into the central and near city zones.
Faraday functions as a threshold space offering access to various destinations both locally and in the broader city environment. The overall development concept proposes an interweaving of energies as a way of generating a richer and more diverse urban fabric. The intention of this project was to recycle and regenerate, to create a more inclusive and sustainable future for the precinct and the city.
Fashion District
The Fashion District is in a colourful part of Johannesburg that has been specially earmarked for the development of the fashion industry. Situated in the inner city's eastern sector, in an area traditionally associated with the garment industry, the district is made up of 34 blocks, taking in eight streets including End, Market, Von Wielligh and Kerk streets.
By formalising the area's designation as the Fashion District, hopes are that it will become the hub of South Africa's fashion industry where clothing will be designed, manufactured and displayed. The development should also stimulate trading and facilitate cross-border trade and investment.
It is hoped, too, that the development will generate public interest in locally manufactured garments and stimulate national and international tourism.
The Fashion District is a hub of activity for the garment industry, with approximately 1 000 enterprises occupying this area. The district provides services, directly and indirectly, to associated fashion industry operators such as suppliers and service providers, manufacturers, designers, distributors and merchandisers.
To physically demarcate the area, three zigzag "sewing patterns" were cut out of all the footways throughout the district and filled with mosaics, providing a colourful and appropriate space branding. Banners in the shape of garment patterns will be erected to further emphasise the specialist nature of the area.
Fashion shows have helped raise to the profile of the district, allowing young designers to showcase their works. The area also offers training to fashion practitioners through institutions linked with the Department of Labour.
The goal of this development is to create a viable, distinctive and sustainable district that stimulates the growth of small- and medium-sized enterprises and the growth of value-added manufacturing in this sub-sector.
Kliptown
Kliptown is the historic site where the Congress of the People was held on 26 June 1955 during which the Freedom Charter was adopted, a document which remained a cornerstone of the African National Congress (ANC) policy for the next half-century.
Established
in 1903, Kliptown is the oldest urban settlement in the Johannesburg area to
accommodate people of all races. It is a sprawling, colourful collection of
settlements with a thriving informal business sector.
However,
systematic underdevelopment as a result of apartheid resulted in increased unemployment
and lower levels of disposable income in the area.
Coinciding with the 50th
anniversary of the signing of the Freedom Charter, and acting as a catalyst for
change in the impoverished area, President Thabo Mbeki formally lit the flame
of freedom at Kliptown Square in 2005.
The square was part of the
redevelopment of the area, which will see tarred streets, restored houses with electricity and
sewerage, new houses, open park space, an informal trader market and sports
facilities. The
renewal programme also involves the preservation of historical buildings in
Kliptown, such as the houses of activists Charlotte Maxeke and Stanley Lollan,
and exiled artist Gerard Sekoto.
How to contact the JDA
Phone: 011 688 7850
Fax: 011 688 7800
E-mail:
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Web: www.jda.co.za
Address:
PO Box 61877
Marshalltown
2019
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