By Nangamso Mabindla

Improving Mdantsane's central business district is crucial to the success of the township's urban renewal programme.

This was the word from urban planners Maluleke Luthuli, and associate director Riaan Thomson, when the City met those involved in the programme to discuss ways to improve the area's CBD.

Among those attending the workshop were representatives from the provincial department of housing, local government and traditional affairs, the South African Police Service, the South African National Civic Organisation, the Disabled People of South Africa, as well as youth representatives.

For the township to become an important economic hub of Buffalo City, the CBD needs to be improved to retain existing businesses while attracting new investors.

"When the urban renewal was initiated, some of the main focus areas included the upgrading of the CBD as a priority," Thomson said.

The CBD includes the Mdantsane Highway, the mall and taxi rank, and amenities like the Highway Park. It is also the heart of the area's transport facilities, according to Thomson.

"There is potential for growth, but first we must look at how the CBD is set up and identify challenges that need to be overcome," Thomson said.

Unlike most CBDs, Mdantsane's lacks a sense of heritage and identity. "You don't have historical buildings here and most of the existing ones are low-rise buildings."

Other challenges are congestion and parking, as well keeping the area clean.

Planners had not catered for economic expansion and the growth in road usage, Thomson said.

"When you look at the taxi rank and the mall you discover that that is where most action takes place," Thomson said.

"The mall is one of the few areas with parking space, but that is also a challenge because some people have to walk to the other side of Mdantsane to do business leaving their cars parked at the mall."

He added: "I noticed that for long periods traffic comes to a standstill and pedestrians are not safe because there are no structured side walls. We need to find ways to deal with this congestion."

It is also necessary to ensure the CBD boosted public confidence by being a place that provided opportunities for small micro and medium enterprises.

Buffalo City councillor Luntu Bobo said the CBD upgrade would give the City direction in its quest to transform Mdantsane into an economic hub.

"As the CBD already has a vibrant economy, we just need to improve and build on the existing businesses and create opportunities for new investment."

The councillor said the municipality wants "to create an environment conducive to all sorts of business, including informal traders".

The Mdantsane Urban Renewal Programme unit will host a business breakfast in September to inform township businesses of the upgrade, Bobo added.

Source: Buffalo City