Spatial Development Framework - Executive Summary
[View or download a pdf version of the MSDF]
[View or download a pdf version of the MSDF]
STATUS OF THE SWARTLAND SPATIAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK (SDF), 2023-2027
The Swartland SDF, 2023-2027 will be adopted as a core component of the 2023 Swartland Integrated Development Plan (IDP) (Municipal Systems Act Section 26(e)). The rewrite of the SDF includes the review of the next five year cycle SDF projects and 20 year development plan and alignment of it with the Capital Expenditure Framework of Swartland Municipality. The rewrite forms part of Swartland IDP development cycle.
PURPOSE AND VISION
The purpose of the SDF, 2023-2027 is to guide growth and development in the municipal area or space in a sustainable manner. Hence, future growth, development and land use planning departs from a vision and principles that underscore the protection, creation (development) and support (change) of integrated, sustainable settlements and liveable environments to enable economic and social prosperity.
Therefore the spatial vision for the Swartland is:
"An economically prosperous region and sustainable living environment for all residents in the Swartland."
The vision is derived from a SWOT analysis of the Swartland concluding that the dual N7 is a powerful North South connector and R45 and R315 from the Riebeek Valley to Yzerfontein is vibrant and growing tourism corridor running East West. Both connectors present a variety of economic opportunities within the conservation worthy agricultural and natural landscape, intersecting at and pivoting around Malmesbury, the heart of the Swartland.
VALUES AND PERFORMANCE QUALITIES
Planning shifted from separate development and modernism with its basis of functionalism to human and nature centred approaches to settlement making. Such settlements are scaled for pedestrians (neither pedestrians nor vehicles dominate); are compact (with high building densities); are integrated; composite parts reinforce each other; have a strong spatial feel with well-defined public spaces and have complex spatial structures offering choices i.e. intensity of interaction, privacy of living conditions, lifestyles, housing options and movement systems (physical, social and economic integration). Well-performing settlements and regions have qualities of Liveable Environments and Sustainable Settlements. These performance qualities are defined and described below:
Definition, Features and qualities
Liveable Environments
A liveable settlement satisfies more than the basic needs of a community as the individual as well as the community’s needs for social facilities and health facilities are met. Quality of life is key. (Van Kamp et al, 2003)
Liveable environments are recognized by the present relationship between people and their settlements and features economic growth, accessibility and Place identity
Sustainable Settlements
Well-managed entities in which economic growth and social development are in balance with the carrying capacity of the natural systems on which they depend for their existence and result in sustainable development, wealth creation, poverty alleviation and equity (Department of Local Government and Housing, 2005).
A sustainable settlement improves the liveability of a settlement by reducing the impact on the environment through reduced use of resources and the generation of less waste.
Sustainable settlements present the future relationship between settlement and environment and features Ecological integrity (Planet), Social justice (People) and Economical effectiveness (Prosperity
STRUCTURAL TOOLS
Four spatial measures, definition, scale, flexibility and intensity, create positive settlements. Each spatial measure consists of two opposite measures or structural tools as described below:
Spatial Tool
Define
Structural Tool
Continuity and Discontinuity (of movement and built form)
Result (Form)
Nodes, Connectors, High ways, Form
Spatial Tool
Scale
Structural Tool
Externalization and Localization
Result (Form)
Axis, Routes, Corridors
Spatial Tool
Flexibility
Structural Tool
Same and Different (Homogeneity and Heterogeneity
Result (Form)
Same and mixed use
Spatial Tool
Intensity of use
Structural Tool
Reinforcement and Sparsity (intensity of use)
Result (Form)
Centres, Hubs, Corridors, Conservancies
These structural tools are enhanced by policies such as coastal management including setback lines and bioregional categories.
STRATEGY
The SWOT analysis outlines the challenges and opportunities of the biophysical, social and economic and built environments (as per the Status Quo report) within the Swartland region.
Strengths
Settlements
Malmesbury – regional development anchor, Moorreesburg & Darling – rural development centres – agricultural and agri-tourism)
Tourism nodes (Riebeek Valley and Yzerfontein)
Water sources / courses
Berg-, Diep- and Groenrivier
Land cover
Mountains and hills (Paardeberg, Porseleinberg and Kasteelberg)
Diversity in agriculture
Natural coastal belt (West Coast)
Infrastructure
Roads (N7, R27, R45, R46, R315)
Economy
Highest contributors
To Employment - commercial services and agriculture
To Gross Domestic Product - Commercial services and manufacturing
Weaknesses
Maintenance of infrastructure
Maintenance and upgrading of infrastructure to provide for future development
Land demand and shelter
Housing backlog
Low levels of income
Unemployment
Dependency on municipal support
School drop-outs
Dependency on subsidies
Opportunities
Access value chains
Industrial Development Zone (IDZ) in Saldanha
Proximity to Cape Town
Access to information
Governance and regulation (Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act (SPLUMA))
Access to tertiary education
World economy
World nature conservation initiatives
Catalytic projects enabling the provision of infrastructure
Threats
Economic globalization and exporting scarce resources
Climate change
Urbanization
Population growth
Availability of and expensive potable water
Poverty
Loadshedding
Limited water resources (and drought)
Within settlements, the following transitions are important:
From
Development in the sixties fragmented communities and destroyed the unique character and quality of life in rural settlements as it caused:
Unsympathetic architecture and structure
Wide roads and excessive black tar surfaces
Conflict between pedestrians and motorcars
Security gates, telephone poles, masts and satellite dishes
Loss of continuous open spaces
Minimal landscaping (and being repeated day zero)
No Non-Motorised Transport (NMT) and inadequate pavement provision
To
Rejuvenate and grow settlements to be liveable, diverse and enable the population to be economically mobile.
Promote complementing architecture and plant trees
Soften main roads in settlements and calm traffic
Promote pedestrian and cycling pathways (non-motorized transport)
Reticulate services underground (communication) instead of above ground
Promote open spaces as part of an open space network
Encourage landscaping and require each land unit being created to plant two trees
Prepare for climate change
Protect the agricultural landscape
From
Landscapes determines the status of assets and includes Agricultural landscape, Wilderness landscape, Waterways and connectors, Cultural-historical landscape, Connector routes and Corridors, social Foci and Community facilities and activities.
To
Enhance landscapes and utilize assets as tourist destinations
NMT and adequate and well-maintained pavement provision
From
Settlement urban edges were delineated for 5, 10 and 20 year horizons whilst low densities prevailed.
To
Intensify land uses within settlement edges in accordance with the Swartland Municipality: Land Use Planning By-law.
From
Swartland Municipality owns 1337.2ha common land and 3 208.7ha in total. A vacant land audit identified developable land within the urban areas.
To
Enhance economic mobility and sustainable settlements.
From
Density norms were determined for each town. A densification rate was determined and infill development is encouraged in order for settlements to achieve its 50-year’s density parameters.
To
Promote rejuvenation of settlement whilst keeping precinct character including infill development, increased floor factor and where subdivisions or renewal development can occur.
To attain this vision, the overall goal or mission is:
To promote conservation and tourism and linking the West Coast National Park to the City of Cape Town boundary and establish a Climate Change Corridors, one west of the R27 and along the West Coast and another unrelated corridor from the Riebeek Mountains to the Paardeberg.
To enhance the economic opportunities presented at intersections and along the dual N7 (North South) and the R45 and R315 (East West).
Through strengthening the sense of place of Swartland settlements and rural areas whilst enhancing opportunities to establish sufficient business and industrially zoned land.
SPATIAL OBJECTIVES
The spatial objectives of the SDF will be informed by the IDP’s strategic goals and the Swartland SDF Vision:
Objective 1
Grow economic prosperity
[Economic Environment]
IDP Strategic Goal 2 - Economic transformation
Strategies
Strategy 1: Protect Swartland’s competitive trade advantage
Strategy 6: Grow (change) economic potential and trade advantage, strengthen mobility and economic links, stimulate diversification and product development
Strategy 11: Develop Swartland’s competitive advantage, new markets and economic sectors (e.g. tourism)
Objective 2
Proximate convenient and equal access
[Economic Environment]
IDP Strategic Goal 3 – Quality and reliable services
Strategies
Strategy 2: Protect economic vibrancy
Strategy 7: Provide (change) sustainable infrastructure and services (smart growth)
Strategy 12: Provide land for residential and industrial development
Objective 3
Sustain material, physical and social well-being
[Social Environment]
IDP Strategic Goal 1 - Community safety and wellbeing
Strategies
Strategy 3: Protect safety and security
Strategy 8: Provide (change) of social infrastructure and services (as per norm) to facilitate smart growth
Strategy 13: Manage risk & disaster (man-made and natural)
Objective 4
Protect and grow place identity and cultural integrity
[Built Environment]
IDP Strategic Goal 5 - A connected and innovative local government
Strategies
Strategy 4: Protect heritage resources
Strategy 9: Grow cultural potential
Strategy 11: Develop competitive advantage, new markets and economic sectors
Objective 5
Protect ecological and agricultural integrity
[Biophysical or Natural Environment]
IDP Strategic Goal 4 - A healthy and sustainable environment
Strategies
Strategy 5: Protect food and water security and formalize conservation of Critical Biodiversity Areas
Strategy 10: Grow conservation potential and apply bioregional classification and coastal management
Strategy 11: Develop competitive advantage, new markets and economic sectors (e.g. tourism and utilities)
As per Swartland IDP, May 2023, the strategic goals are:
1 - Community safety and wellbeing
2 - Economic transformation
3 - Quality and reliable services
4 - A healthy and sustainable environment
5 - A connected and innovative local government
SECTORAL PLAN DIRECTIVES
There are two sector plans and one strategy providing spatial and development directives as shown below:
Directive 1
Economic sector and rural development
Local Economic Development
Improve local competitive advantages
Human Settlement Plan
S2. Enhancing settlement integration and economic mobility. (Well-located land)
Disaster Management Strategy
Assurance activities This element considers all assurance providers available to the institution and integration of their scope of responsibility.
Directive 2
Stable environment
Local Economic Development
Attract business to locate and grow here
Human Settlement Plan
S3. Delivery according to corporate capabilities. (Secured funds. Sustainable Infrastructure)
Disaster Management Strategy
Monitoring of the achievement of the risk management strategy and assess whether or not key milestones are achieved. More importantly it is also monitoring whether the risk management strategy is producing the sustainable outcomes as originally envisaged.
Directive 3
Policy and enabling environment
Local Economic Development
Make local markets work better to increase opportunity for small business
Human Settlement Plan
S2. Enhancing settlement integration and economic mobility. (Well-located land)
S3. Deliver according to corporate capabilities. (Secure funds. Sustainable infrastructure)
Disaster Management Strategy
Structural configuration and institution structure in terms of committees and reporting lines to give effect to the risk management policy.
Directive 4
Human capital and labour
Local Economic Development
Attract more rate paying citizens to live here.
Human Settlement Plan
S3. Delivery according to corporate capabilities (Secured funds, Sustainable Infrastructure)
Disaster Management Strategy
Accountability, roles and responsibilities and delegation of the authority and responsibilities to give effect to the risk management policy. (Refer to individual guidelines, included in this framework, for the specific roles and responsibilities of each role player).
Directive 5
Investment, capital expenditure
Local Economic Development
Make it easier for local citizens to access economic opportunity.
Human Settlement Plan
S1. Responding to demand over the whole spectrum of income groups (Implementation Agents)
S3. Delivery according to corporate capabilities(Secured funds, Sustainable Infrastructure)
Disaster Management Strategy
Risk management activities and risk assessment processes and methodologies, monitoring activities and risk reporting standards to give effect to the risk management policy.
LAND REQUIREMENTS
Land requirements for future settlement development are shown below:
Wards 1 & 2 (Moorreesburg*)
Subsidized housing: 140.1 ha
Affordable housing: 156.5 ha
Private housing: 138.7 ha
Total land required (5 years): 35.2 ha
Total land required (20 years): 423.3 ha
Land as per SDF: 127.9 ha
Shortfall: 307.4 ha
*Koringberg not included in Vacant Land Audit
Ward 3 (Riebeek West)
Subsidized housing: 46.5 ha
Affordable housing: 39.8 ha
Private housing: 35.3 ha
Total land required (5 years): 19.8 ha
Total land required (20 years): 121.6 ha
Land as per SDF: 75.8 ha
Shortfall: 45.8 ha
Ward 4 (Chatsworth & Riverlands)
Subsidized housing: 37 ha
Affordable housing: 29 ha
Private housing: 20.4 ha
Total land required (5 years): 17.7 ha
Total land required (20 years): 79.3 ha
Land as per SDF: 31.7 ha
Shortfall: 54.74 ha
Wards 5 & 6 (Darling & Yzerfontein)
Subsidized housing: 131 ha
Affordable housing: 117.3 ha
Private housing: 103.6 ha
Total land required (5 years): 57.7 ha
Total land required (20 years): 351.9 ha
Land as per SDF: 389.4 ha
Surplus: 37.5 ha
Ward 7 (Kalbaskraal & Abbotsdale)
Subsidized housing: 76.4 ha
Affordable housing: 55.5 ha
Private housing: 20.8 ha
Total land required (5 years): 37.5 ha
Total land required (20 years): 152.7 ha
Land as per SDF: 59.7 ha
Shortfall: 93 ha
Wards 8-11 (Malmesbury)
Subsidized housing: 360.2 ha
Affordable housing: 256.6 ha
Private housing: 270.5 ha
Total land required (5 years): 130.3 ha
Total land required (20 years): 757 ha
Land as per SDF: 1 110.1 ha
Surplus: 222.8 ha
Ward 12 (Riebeek Kasteel)
Subsidized housing: 41 ha
Affordable housing: 30.6 ha
Private housing: 100 ha
Total land required (5 years): 23.1 ha
Total land required (20 years): 171.6 ha
Land as per SDF: 59.5 ha
Shortfall: 112.1 ha
TOTAL
Subsidized housing: 832.2 ha
Affordable housing: 685.3 ha
Private housing: 689.3 ha
Total land required (5 years): 321.3 ha
Total land required (20 years): 2 206.8 ha
Land as per SDF: 1 854.1 ha
Shortfall: 352.7 ha
Land for future growth is under-provided for at 352.7ha. While sufficient provision was made for land in the next 5 years, there is not sufficient land identified for the long term (next 20 years).
LAND SUPPLY AND SETTLEMENT FORM
To limit the extent of land required, settlement Form and Function should be enhance through integration:
Wards 1 & 2
Town: Moorreesburg & Koringberg
Functional integration:
A safe pedestrian and cycling route along Main road.
Commercial uses in Rosenhof reinforced.
Social integration:
A centrally located community node between Moorreesburg and Rosenhof.
Offer a wider variety of housing types:
Different typologies and densities in brown field developments.
Spatial integration:
Integrated development along link road between Rosenhof and central Moorreesburg.
Wards 1 & 2
Town: Ruststasie
Functional integration:
Minimal provision of social infrastructure
Social integration:
Social infrastructure provided for surrounded local community
Offer a wider variety of housing types:
Different typologies and densities in brown field developments
Spatial integration:
Mixed use
Ward 3
Town: Riebeek West
Functional integration:
Provision of additional social and community services in new housing project area.
Social integration:
A community sports complex to serve bigger community.
Offer a wider variety of housing types:
Different housing typologies and densities.
Spatial integration:
Infill development in areas to achieve a more effective urban form. Mixed use development along main pedestrian and activity routes.
Ward 3
Town: Ongegund
Functional integration:
Limited social services
Social integration:
More efficient use of sports facilities.
Offer a wider variety of housing types:
Different housing typologies and densities.
Spatial integration:
Infill development on vacant land to support a more effective urban form.
Ward 4
Town: Riverlands & Chatsworth
Functional integration:
Central community node, social infrastructure and transport route between Riverlands and Chatsworth.
Social integration:
Central community node between towns where different social activities incl. sport, recreation and education are provided.
Offer a wider variety of housing types:
Different housing typologies and densities
Spatial integration:
Central community node along the transport route between Riverlands and Chatsworth.
Ward 5
Town: Yzerfontein
Functional integration:
Social infrastructure specifically for large retired community.
Social integration:
Integrated community open space system. Link coastline with continued pedestrian walkway.
Offer a wider variety of housing types:
Different housing typologies and densities.
Spatial integration:
Mixed and alternative uses along activity roads enhancing tourism and scenic potential.
Ward 6
Town:
Darling
Functional integration:
Smaller and better placed social and commercial services in northern section of Darling.
Social integration:
A central community plain along connecting route between northern and southern parts of Darling.
Offer a wider variety of housing types:
Different housing typologies and densities in brown field developments.
Spatial integration:
Mixed uses along activity streets. Infill development on vacant land in town.
Ward 7
Town: Kalbaskraal & Abbotsdale
Functional integration:
Improved social infrastructure in central location accessible to community.
Social integration:
Public areas along Diep River to be integrated into an open space system.
Offer a wider variety of housing types:
Support subdivisions of larger erven to increase densities.
Spatial integration:
-
Ward 8-11
Town: Malmesbury, Wesbank & Ilinge Lethu
Functional integration:
More social and commercial services in Wesbank and Ilinge Lethu along activity streets within walking distance.
Social integration:
An integrated and active open space network along Diep and Platteklip Rivers.
Integrated community sport facilities.
Offer a wider variety of housing types:
Different housing typologies and densities in brown field developments.
Spatial integration:
Mixed uses along Bokomo/ Darling Road to integrate Malmesbury and Wesbank. Develop between Malmesbury and Abbotsdale.
Ward 12
Town:
Riebeek Kasteel
Functional integration:
A commercial and social node in Riebeek Kasteel East. Promote formal pedestrian walkways between Riebeek Kasteel and Riebeek Kasteel East.
Social integration:
Development reinforced along connecting route between Riebeek Kasteel and Riebeek Kasteel East.
Offer a wider variety of housing types:
Different housing typologies densities in brown field developments. Infill higher density development along connecting route.
Spatial integration:
Mixed use along link road between Riebeek Kasteel East and central part of Riebeek Kasteel.
BULK INFRASTRUCTURE CAPACITY
The development of land is dependent on availability of bulk infrastructure and services and contributes to the economy and future development in Swartland settlements. The need for water and sewerage infrastructure is very high in Chatsworth and Riverlands. Overall there is a need for upgraded water infrastructure in all settlements except Malmesbury. Improved sewerage capacity is required in Koringberg, Moorreesburg, Kalbaskraal, Darling and Yzerfontein. The need for increased electrical capacity, although indicated as medium, is high in Ilinge Lethu (9) and Saamstaan (11) as it is also required to unlock the catalytic project planned at De Hoop. Electricity upgrades are also required in Riebeek West and Kasteel.
Green / renewable projects for Swartland are provided for in Malmesbury and Darling.
DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS PER SWARTLAND SETTLEMENT
The themes and strategies translate into the following development proposals for Swartland settlement.
Koringberg
As small rural town, develop town and its surrounding as a tourism and agri-tourism node
Moorreesburg
As agricultural service centre development proposals include:
Enhance tourism, protect heritage and culture of the Swartland as grain basket of the Western Cape
Capitalise on N7 connectivity
Provide residential land for Human Settlement housing schemes
Provide cemetery expansion
Riebeek West, Ongegund and Riebeek Kasteel
As small agricultural service centre, development proposals of the Valley include:
Enhance tourism and agri-tourism, and protect heritage resources
Provide residential land for Human Settlement housing schemes and private development that promote mix use and integration settlements.
Maintain and strengthen agricultural service centre
Riebeek West
Ongegund
Riebeek Kasteel
Chatsworth and Riverlands
As residential towns development proposals include:
Enhance and strengthen natural conservation
Provide residential land for Human Settlement housing schemes (including formalizing Silvertown) and agricultural land for small holdings (Vetkoekheuwel)
Enhance and strengthen the agricultural corridor along the N7 south of Malmesbury
Chatsworth
Riverlands
Darling
As agriculture service centre:
Strengthen service centre and institutional opportunities
Provide residential area for Human Settlement housing schemes
Strengthen tourism and agri-tourism in the surroundings
Enhance the integration of agriculture and conservation
Yzerfontein
As holiday town development proposals include the strengthening of tourism within the town and eco-tourism in its surroundings as well as a demarcated overlay zone and By-Law amendment to accommodate the film industry.
Kalbaskraal
As residential town, development proposals include:
Enhance and strengthen agricultural corridor along the N7 south of Malmesbury
Provide sufficient zoned land for industrial development
Provide residential land for Human Settlement housing schemes
Malmesbury and Abbotsdale
As regional and service centre development proposals include -
Provide sufficient zoned land for industrial and commercial development
Provide sufficient zoned land for residential development
Balance protection of heritage resources (built, conservation and social) and industrial development
Enhance tourism
Enhance road infrastructure (alignment and circles): Connector between Swartland Junction and Darling Road, Schoonspruit Road connector, circles along Voortrekker and Piketberg Road
Malmesbury
Abbotsdale
DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS FOR THE SWARTLAND REGION
Promotion of the N7 intensive rural corridor south and north of Malmesbury
Promotion of transport and tourism node development on N7 (R45 and Klein Dassenberg) and R27 (R415)
Enhance the formalization of the Paardeberg as a world wine and conservation destination (cross border activity).
Promote Darling and Yzerfontein as a world biodiversity and film destinations
Promote the coastal conservation park as an extension of the West Coast Park.
Promote the Diep River as a historic link between Swartland and Cape Town (cross border activity).
Finalization of declaration of Critical Biodiversity Areas (including Renosterbos remnants around Malmesbury and in Swartland).
Enter into further negotiations with the national Department of Agriculture to exempt land earmarked for urban development.
Implement economic mobility proposals according to ward needs.
Enhance partnership through the establishment of a development forum.
These proposals conclude the spatial plan for the Swartland and are illustrated by the Composite Spatial Plan below: