A centre has been established to help with by-law enforcement in Alex

BUILDING equipment and scores of workers should shortly become a familiar sight to residents, as the Alexandra Renewal Project begins implementing audacious and far-reaching plans to upgrade the poverty-stricken township. 

After two years of comprehensive planning, the second phase of the R1,3-billion renewal project - that of implementation - has been given the go-ahead, said project CEO Mike Maile.

Addressing journalists at a press conference in the sprawling township near Sandton, Maile said the challenge was now to address community expectations, "especially those that relate to employment and empowerment".

The ARP was one of eight urban nodes of development that formed part of the national government's comprehensive Integrated Sustainable Urban Renewal Programme. The programme aimed to upgrade living conditions and improve economic development in the township.

Although ARP had already made considerable progress, the next phase would be far more visible, Maile said.

"Let us be judged by what we do from now onwards," Maile said, "even though we have made some measurable progress like establishing the Local Business Support Centre, purchasing land for the Pan Africa transport node, establishing two voluntary HIV/Aids testing sites and procuring three ambulances dedicated specifically and exclusively to Alexandra."

"The notorious London Road", whose sidewalks were completely over-run with informal dwellings, resulting in many road accidents and hi-jackings, was currently being widened and upgraded, while the London Road Bridge had been completed, the CEO said.

To address waste management problems, more than 46 000 bins had been distributed in the 10km² township.

"A pilot project to upgrade warehouses in the Marlboro industrial area, that are currently occupied illegally, will start in the next few months," Maile said. The upgrading would make the warehouses habitable for residential use.

As part of the process of improving the living conditions in the township, people currently living in unsafe locations or on public land would be moved, Maile said.

Maile added that 7 000 families had already been relocated from the banks of the Jukskei River to places of safety and the river banks had been reinforced and grassed. "As a result, pollution in the river has dropped significantly." 

The ARP is involved in improving living conditions in the township

ARP project manager Themba Maluleke warned that the project would not relocate the entire township. "But," he said, "we have targeted specific areas and we will improve structures and upgrade those we don't relocate." 

Asked how they planned to stop people moving on to land that had been cleared for development, the director of Region 7 Blake Mosley, said "the project was enjoying cooperation from the community".

A centre had been established in Marlboro to help with by-law enforcement in the township. "Cases of illegal dumping and littering, illegal building, unlawful land use and trading, traffic safety and the removal of vehicle wrecks can all be reported to the centre," Mosley said. Residents could contact the centre on (011) 321 6346 during the day and on (011) 375 5911 after hours and during weekends.

A total of R168-million had been spent "from 2001 to date" on planning, environmental assessments, engineering services, the costs of building houses and developing business areas, and acquiring land, Maile said.