BRAAMFONTEIN has been a perfect example to showcase the City's regeneration efforts. An ambitions R200-million development plan to create a corporate precinct was first unveiled in 2002 and the successes thereof are in the open for all to see.

In creating an improvement district, property owners contribute a levy which is used to fund additional cleaning, security and branding services. Just more than half of the property owners in a designated district have to agree to the plans for the improvement district to exist.

After bringing in by-law legislation to control the numbers of hawkers in the area, the City has managed to persuade private property owners in the area - mainly Sappi, Liberty Life, JD Group and others - to make improvements on their buildings.

An impressive feature is that the City has managed to get companies to also beautify the surrounding areas, and the Civic Theatre gardens are a fine example thereof.

This has created a ripple effect among smaller property owners as well, as they have also taken to fixing up their storefronts and enhancing the ambient environment.

In November 2005, the City launched the Braamfontein brand, to enable further promotion of the node as a lively area to be and invest in.

The developments have not gone unnoticed by city residents - increasing demand has led to the first up-market residential units in Braamfontein coming onto the housing market.

The suburb's ambitions have been boosted by the City's decision to create a 'Cultural Arc', linking Newtown with Constitutional Hill - via the Nelson Mandela Bridge and through Braamfontein - which will feature public art displays.