The City of Cape Town has launched a booklet about resource efficiency to inform residents and developers about the sustainable use of water and energy in our homes and new developments. The booklet also advises on how to consider our natural environment as we are building a resilient Cape Town that can withstand the impact of climate change.
Apart from the booklet called ‘Resource efficiency for development’, the City’s Development Management Department has also launched a booklet to explain how residents and developers can register and transact on e-Services for the submission of building plans and land use applications.
‘It is befitting that we are launching both booklets today as we are celebrating World Town Planning Day with 30 countries around the world. Town planning is about creating liveable communities, and preserving our limited natural resources in so doing be it water, electricity, or land. Planning shapes the way we live. It shapes our communities, and when it is done smartly, it improves our quality of life while preparing us for an uncertain future where we can withstand unforeseen shocks like droughts and storms. On this day, we also pay tribute to our planners at the City and all of the other stakeholders in the private sector who are working with us to make Cape Town the most sought after city to live in South Africa,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Spatial Planning and Environment, Alderman Marian Nieuwoudt.
The booklet about resource efficiency was developed by officials from the City’s departments for Development Management and Sustainable Energy Markets, of which the latter falls within the Directorate: Energy and Climate Change.
‘The City’s Energy2040 goals include a 37% reduction in carbon emissions, with 21% coming from energy efficiency. The built environment (commercial and residential) is a large energy user and accounts for approximately 33% of energy consumption and 58% of carbon emissions in Cape Town. Reducing demand and improving efficiency measures through building design principles and practices is of utmost importance.
‘The transport sector consumes 64% of energy and accounts for 34% of carbon emissions in Cape Town and provides an immediate opportunity to significantly reduce the City’s emissions. To become a lower carbon, more resource efficient, resilient and equitable city, Cape Town must be remodelled with increased densification and mixed-use in areas of economic activity, with modal shifts to public transport and smarter mobility such as electric vehicles and more efficient private transport through, for example, higher passenger occupancy and flexible working arrangements and increased efficiency in water, energy and waste management, in the use of construction materials and the increased use of renewable energy sources.
‘Apart from becoming a more resilient city, our efforts must go toward limiting global warming in the immediate future by 1,5 degrees Celsius. The built environment, including energy usage in the residential and commercial sectors, and the fossil fuel-reliant transport sector, are some of the biggest contributors to global warming which is caused by carbon dioxide emissions and other pollutants into the earth’s atmosphere. According to the C40 Climate Leadership Group, 70% of cities report that they are already experiencing the effects of climate change. That is why we need to fight to limit global warming to 1,5 degrees Celsius and to build greater resilience to climate shocks and stresses. The City has committed to the C40 Group of Cities’ Deadline 2020: Climate Action Planning in Africa and to the C40 South Africa Buildings programmes to help expedite the Paris Climate Change Agreement, which is aimed at avoiding a climate catastrophe,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Energy and Climate Change,’ Councillor Phindile Maxiti.
The Resource Efficiency for Development booklet is an easy-to-read reference guide to all policy, legal directives and best practice guidelines related to resource efficient development. It explains in simple language how residents and developers can be more resource efficient and covers various aspects including water sensitive urban design, stormwater management, garden waste, energy efficiency and small-scale embedded generation.
It provides insight into water efficiency initiatives and concepts like greywater, alternative water systems such as rainwater harvesting, greywater systems and wastewater, storage tanks, water heating, smart meters, solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, and so forth.
‘For example, the booklet also advises what to consider when choosing a site for development like proximity to public transport. Also, when it comes to water, the booklet advises on the type of fittings and alternative water systems that can be used, and systems to recycle and reuse waste. The booklet has a wealth of information and I urge residents and developers to go online and read it. I am very proud of this product and want to thank our officials for months of hard work in putting this together,’ said Alderman Nieuwoudt.
Since 1 July 2019, the City has been accepting only online submissions of building plan and land use applications. Residents, government departments and professionals submitting development applications are reminded to register for the City’s online services, called e-Services. The booklet How to register for e-Services explains in detail how to go about it.
Source: City Of Cape Town