The Lower Buitengracht road scheme in the Cape Town CBD has been amended and promulgated to release over 11 000m² of City-owned land for development. This land has been underutilised for over 40 years, and is now available for the City’s CBD Recovery and Land Release Programmes. Read more below:

The Western Cape Government approved and promulgated the amendment of the Lower Buitengracht road scheme between Helen Suzman Drive and Shortmarket Street on request of the City of Cape Town, on 20 January 2023.

The City, on Council’s approval in May 2020, submitted an application to the Provincial Government for the amendment of the road reserve as it was outdated (stemming from the 1970s); and sterilised significant portions of developable land in this part of the central business district.

The amendment of the road reserve boundary releases approximately 11 254m² of City-owned land, situated on Lower Buitengracht, that has been underutilised for more than four decades.

Most of this land is vacant or is used for paid parking that is being managed by private companies who are leasing the land from the City.

The City’s Urban Catalytic Investment branch is now in the process of applying to the Development Management Department for the rezoning of the land to maximise the full development potential of these land parcels, among which for retail, commercial, and residential opportunities. This process included substantial heritage and archaeology due diligence and engagement with relevant heritage authorities.

‘The release of this land offers a great opportunity to re-imagine the area, and to develop the assets in the interest of the surrounding communities and Capetonians in general. Still, nothing has been decided as yet. Residents and interested and affected parties will have the opportunity to comment on the proposed rezoning of the land parcels along Lower Buitengracht in the coming months. This will be a pivotal moment to submit ideas and proposals to the City. I will inform the public when we are commencing with the public participation process,’ said the City’s Deputy Mayor and Mayoral Committee Member for Spatial Planning and Environment, Alderman Eddie Andrews.

Once the rezonings have been finalised, the City may follow a process to make the land available for development.

The intended rezoning of the resulting land parcels along Lower Buitengracht will create opportunities to improve existing and new public open spaces, encourage safer pedestrian and cycle routes, and contribute to connectivity along Buitengracht, and between Lower Buitengracht, De Waterkant, Prestwich, Gallows Hill, and the Strand Street Quarry.

This initiative is guided by the City’s Integrated Development Plan and Land Release Programme and is intended to, over time, make available strategically located public-owned land for development to the benefit of all Capetonians.

Source: City Of Cape Town