African Design Magazine ADM #37 February 2018 | Page 6

GBCSA NEWS
NAVIGATING
URBAN SPRAWL
African urban sprawl originates from an investment pattern of keeping the haves away from the
have-nots. Tackling this urban development scourge, the Green Building Council of South Africa
(GBCSA), hosts ongoing platforms, for in-depth debates on urban sprawl, with the expected
outcomes driving future sustainability across Africa.
iting Cape Town as an example, Councillor (City of Cape Town) Bre Herron, Transport
and Urban Development mayoral commi ee member said that cheap and abundant
land on the urban outskirts of the city has encouraged sprawl. He added that it becomes
clear that Cape Town, as any other major metropole in Africa, is an inefficient city when one
travels, especially during peak hours.
“This inefciency creates pockets of poverty on the outskirts of the city. In South Africa's push to
provide 4.5 million new homes since democracy, we have compromised on location. So, families
are forced to commute too far,” said Herron. “They typically live in a 40m² home, 40km away from
jobs, and spend about 40% of household income on transport. It's clear that where people live
matters,” - Bre Herron, Councillor, City of Cape Town
HOUSING CRISES - A SOURCE OF ECONOMIC GROWTH
Housing crises could drive economies and city planner's needs to stimulate the low cost
housing market. To realise the opportunity, housing must move from a social to a
commercial concern. Rental markets should be considered as an opportunity to develop on
future rental returns. It is vital to ensure that the rental markets are accessible to lower
income earners.
Use existing urban structures to redevelop into affordable housing can drive local markets,
upgrade city suburbs and reduce the need to develop beyond the city limits.
URBERISING THE HOUSING MARKET
In general terms, to leverage the gap in the market, developers should stop focusing on new
builds as, with land production costs of land acquisition, infrastructure and regulatory
approval, they are the most expensive type of development and only represent 1% of total
stock.
Uber for example reworked the existing stock of available cars, this same method can be
utilised in the housing market...
Green Building Council South Africa (GBCSA) CEO, Dorah Modise, noted that the
organisation is pleased to have provided a platform for these in-depth debates, and
views these development dynamics as key building blocks towards innovative solutions
for a sustainable future.
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