Page 193 - UGU Dstrct Mun IDP Report '21-22

Chapter 5:
Strategic Mapping and Implementation Plan
5.1 Strategic Mapping
This section indicates the desired growth and development (addressing issues and trends highlighted in the situational analysis Chapter) of the document, and must reflects the desired spatial outcomes; land use guidelines; spatial reconstruction of the Municipality; strategic guidance in respect of the location and nature of development within the municipality; Spatial alignment with neighbouring municipalities; Comprehensive Infrastructure Investment (CIF); areas where strategic intervention is required; and areas where priority spending is required.
5.1.1 Desired Spatial Outcomes
The proposed Ugu SDF Vision:
“By 2035 Ugu District will be a spatially, socially and economically transformed living environment; its economy and natural resources accessible to all its people through targeted actions to provide better living, social and economic opportunities.”
The vision commits the District to champion economic and social transformation within its key sectors, this includes the delivery of new opportunities closer to major economic centres (e.g. GAP Housing) The attainment of this vision requires the municipality to facilitate the development of a spatial system that promotes social, economic, financial, institutional and environmental sustainability. The District spatial vision aims to achieve the following: -
• Transformation of the economy and inclusion of the previously disenfranchised into the mainstream economy
• Restructuring of the spatial geography through spatial planning and strategically catalytic projects (e.g. IFAFA Industrial
Park)
• Investments are directed towards nodes in order to strengthen their sustainability and impact
• Medium to high density Settlements are contained within urban edges to reduce the cost of services and optimise capital
investments
• Enhance existing sustainable economic development opportunities;
• Protect and enhance the quality of the environmental assets and harmonise with human development through planning;
and
• Facilitates non-discriminatory access to a range of services and development opportunities; develops sustainable human
settlements where residents can lead enriched, healthy and convenient lives.
5.1.2 Desired Spatial Form and Land Use
Based on the challenges identified in the situational analysis chapter careful consideration was given to finding a new regeneration strategic direction for the Ugu District. This should enable the authorities to meaningfully deal with the above challenges in such a way that it would meet the requirements of national, provincial and local planning policies and at the same time benefit the people of Ugu. Provision has been made for the establishment of one primary node and four secondary nodes which are intended to house the majority of the future population growth over the next 20 years. These growth centres would need to be structured such that they include opportunities for public-private investment in the agriculture; tourism; commerce; retail, Social and Utility Services; and a range of Housing Options and Densities sectors.
This would allow them to benefit from higher levels of social and utility services and locally based employment opportunities. It is argued in national policies that investment in high density urban areas is more cost effective and sustainable for municipalities than attempting to extend low level services throughout rural areas. Following these policies, the aim in rural settlements is to discourage further growth in housing. This is necessary in order to maintain areas of good agricultural land for cultivation and livestock production as the economic basis of these areas. The emphasis in rural services provision should be to continue with basic service levels in identified rural areas.
A further opportunity in rural areas is the rehabilitation of degraded open space using certain of the state funding mechanisms to create ‘green jobs’. Owing to the unique landscape qualities of this area and to certain of its natural and cultural heritage
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