A look into the future
2005-12-01
CONSULTANTS reported back on the findings of the densification and urbanisation studies currently being executed for the Drakenstein Municipality, at public meetings in Paarl and Wellington last week.
Participants at the meeting held at the Huguenot Community Hall included officials of the Drakenstein Municipality, CNdV Africa (Densification), MCA Planners (Urban Edge) and the Drakenstein Heritage Survey Group (Heritage implications).
The objective of the densification study is to promote efficient and integrated land development over the next twenty years.
The urban edge study will demarcate the outer limits of urban expansion and functions as both a growth management tool used to limit sprawl and the outward growth of urban areas, as well as a conservation tool used to exclude certain elements of the environment from the urban area.
The Heritage Survey Group aims to protect diversity of cultural and historical sites and environments.
Questions were raised concerning how the proposal would affect those who had already purchased land outside the proposed edge and submitted applications to Municipality.
Karen Joubert, senior spatial planner at Drakenstein, said that depending on the progress of these applications, the studies could be used in evaluating them.
A further point of contention is the fact that the golfing estates south of the N1 are demarcated outside the proposed Urban Edge.
A local land surveyor who was present at the meeting, agreed in principal with the proposal, but had reservations as to whether it would be viable on a practical level in Paarl.
Interested parties wishing to obtain further information can either view the reports online at www.drakenstein.gov.za or in local libraries and municipal offices in Paarl, Wellington and Gouda.
Send comments to Ashley Roelf at fax 807-4840 or ashleyr@drakenstein.gov.za or PO Box 1 Paarl 7622 by 5 December.
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