The City of Johannesburg’s investment in the Bruma Lake rehabilitation, undertaken by Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA), remains a beacon of how environmental rehabilitations and upgrades can be a catalyst for attracting private investment, unlocking development potential, stimulating local economies, while improving the environment and the quality of life of residents.
During the past World Environment Health Day, the City focused on the impact of the Bruma Lake environment rehabilitation has had on the community.
Bruma Lake (now a natural river) was a man-made lake. It was designed as a central feature for the Bruma commercial scene.
Over several years Bruma Lake began experiencing problems of pollution and siltation as it was exposed to a variety of pollutants such as organic waste, litter, fuels, wastewater and sewage originating from other streams. As a result, the lake degenerated and became a health hazard, having a negative impact on residents, the economic node and businesses around the area.
A number of interventions, including the installation of solar-power floaters, to rejuvenate the lake were undertaken only to succeed temporarily at best so the City decided to undertake an entire rehabilitation of the area.
In recognition of the severity of the problem, the Environmental Management Department has undertaken a range of interventions to address the problems as well as to develop a plan for sustainable restoration and rehabilitation of the lake. The JDA was appointed as the implementing agent for this project on behalf of the City of Johannesburg.
Several surveys were undertaken and it was resolved that the lake would go through a process of reclamation and reinstatement of the grassed channel, with parklands on either side of the lake, returning it to a normal watercourse. This process is a good example of using natural systems and materials in place of concrete channels and pipes. This allows for more natural habitats and migration patterns for local wildlife.
The lake was drained and the silt was dried. Then, the Jukskei River was diverted away from the lake’s centre while the existing river channel was constructed. The water was diverted back into the channel, and open green space was landscaped alongside the new river.
In order to undertake the rehabilitation, consultation with a number of stakeholders including both provincial and national authorities, the Bruma business community and the general public had to be met. The rehabilitation process also had to satisfy certain legislation requirements and be agreed upon by relevant stakeholders, in addition to adhering to the City of Johannesburg’s waste management by-laws.
As part of the Bruma Lake rehabilitation process, JDA also intervened in the rehabilitation of the Bruma Lake Bridge, constructed in the 1980s as a link to access the Bruma Lifestyle Centre area over the river.
The bridge, which still maintains its original architectural design, is seen as one of the iconic features of the Johannesburg East area and a sentimental artefact to the local Bruma community and surrounding neighbourhoods.
The bridge was removed, revealing the steel underneath which adds to its aesthetic appeal.
Following the upgrade of Bruma Lake, the area is now reflective of the new spatial vision for the City in line with its Growth and Development Strategy 2040, based on the concept of corridor Transit Oriented Development.
Through this approach, it is envisaged that the growth of the future city will be guided towards well-planned transport arterials, with a focus on mixed-use developments, higher density residential accommodation, supported by office buildings, retail development and opportunities for leisure and recreation clustered along these routes
Bruma Lake is today an economic node that is integrated into the Louis Botha Corridor and is a people centered space, with recreational, commercial and other uses. Various private sector businesses are invested in the area including, City Lodge Hotel, Bruma Lodge, Lakeview Apartments and Zone Fitness Gym.
Bruma Lake is now a renewed eco-friendly space boasting artworks. The artworks around park were implemented by the City of Johannesburg through the JDA.
In 2019, workshops were held with learners from Queens High School’s Grade 12 Art Class and Cyrildene Primary School’s Grade 6 Class.
In these workshops, the park was discussed and the students created images, motifs and colour schemes that they would like to see in the park. Graphic Designer and Illustrator, Zebulon Chuenyane, was commissioned to create the patterns and colour schemes seen around the park using the content from the learner workshops as inspiration for the imagery.
Educational panels along the park, which include information about the river, former lake, birds, trees and history of the park were also installed. These information panels were written by Sithembiso Mdlalose and the illustrations and design of the panels were by Chuenyane.
