ADVERTORIAL
We don ’ t build houses , we build homes ; we build communities
Savanna City is one of the biggest developments of its kind ever undertaken in South Africa . But its sheer size and return on investment were not the core motivations behind the vision for Savanna City and our other developments .
In the freedom era we wanted to be part of the process of changing the housing landscape in South Africa . Literally .
We wanted to create affordable housing that would be attractive to people from diverse cultural backgrounds . Our vision is one of creating an environment where people could experience real quality of life in a safe , suburban space . Where people would actively participate in the growth and lifestyle of the development . This is integrated housing .
But really what we want to achieve is to build new communities . Real communities where there is a sense of togetherness and common aspirations . Savanna City is one of those success stories . On final completion it will provide more than 18 000 new homes .
WE LISTEN AND INNOVATE
For us planning a community isn ’ t simply about bricks and mortar . The plan has to understand the needs and wants of the people who are going to be living there . We didn ’ t just scientifically divide up space . We consulted and took into account the ideas and thoughts of people living in other communities .
For instance , when we realised the need for a park space for kids and for the community as a whole , we didn ’ t build houses first and then add a park somewhere on the outskirts . We realised - through consultation - that the park would best serve the needs of the community by being right in the centre of the development . So , unconventionally , we built the park first and then designed and built the houses around the park .
16
SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2016
AFFORDABLE
SA HOUSING