Orlando West stakeholders and residents have been invited to a feedback meeting around the Vilakazi Precinct at Uncle Tom’s Hall on Saturday 14 July 2018.
This follows a series of public engagement sessions and workshops with stakeholders to introduce the project to them, and acquire their input on its features and implementation.
Vilakazi Street, which forms part of the precinct, is one of the most vibrant streets in Soweto that attracts tourists through its history and popular local restaurants. The popularity of the street has catered for both formal and informal business local enterprises.
The current Vilakazi Street Urban Design & Precinct Plan was approved in 2008, and primarily focused on public environment upgrades, which were implemented by the Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA).
The City’s review exercise seeks to:
• Supplement the existing plan and interventions with a land use and urban design layer to guide future development in the precinct;
• Educate the community about town planning and other City by-laws affecting the precinct;
• Promote economic activity through strategic activations and development of Council owned land; and
• Set in place the building blocks for the establishment of the first self-sustained Precinct Management Entity in Soweto.
Over the years, the private sector has responded to investment made by the City positively, resulting in the growth and expansion of existing business; and the introduction of new enterprises of various sizes and services, which emerged in the space without a plan to guide specific land use and desired urban form directives, building guidelines and public space intentions.
It is, thus, that the City seeks to review and develop an updated Precinct Plan that will guide the future development of the broader Precinct area.
The time has come to take a fresh look at where Vilakazi Precinct is heading for the next generation and adapt the City’s approach to address issues such as unemployment, economic opportunities and precinct management.
