SASR Norms & Standards Vol 2 new.indd - Sport and Recreation ...

Evidence from the City of Cape Town (Green & Argue, 2007) suggests that 0,38 ha/1000 people to 0,7
ha/1000 people can meet public open space needs. These standards would be able to accommodate
higher densities and more compact cities. Any provision under 0,5 ha/1000 people limits the number of
functional parks and the variety of types that can be provided, especially where densities are low. It is
thus recommended that an indicative lower threshold of 0,5 ha/1000 people and an indicative higher
threshold of 0,7 ha/1000 people would meet a variety of needs since more functional types can be
provided, from very small single use community parks (including play parks) to larger multi-purpose
community and smaller scale district parks (Green & Argue, 2007).
Local needs assessments will inform what is provided within the space and how it is utilised. Further
guidelines for individual facilities may be found in the CSIR Red Book (2000: Chapter 5, Planning
Guidelines section 5.3 and 5.4). the local context will largely determine the detailed plan of open space
at any neighbourhood or district level. In terms of global land requirements for open space, several
smaller parks (preferably with play equipment) should be provided at a fi ne grain (maximum distance of
500-700m) within communities with lower mobility levels, while in more mobile communities the same
total open space allocation can be consolidated to provide parks of an appropriate size. A local park
with play equipment is an almost universal need for mothers with small children (2-5 years old) and it is
necessary in lower as well as upper socio economic communities (Green & Argue, 2007).
As the use of norms or standards and distance/size criteria is not an exact science, the decision to
provide fewer but larger parks as opposed to smaller parks will be dependent on the socio-economic
profi le, mobility and density of dwelling units in the community.
4.7 PROTECTION OF SPORT AND RECREATION FACILITIES AND OPEN SPACE
To protect sports facilities, playing fi elds and open space from damage, loss of availability for use and to
comply with SRSA policies, the following standard conditions shall apply when developing or providing
new facilities:
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Multi-purpose
Sport Halls
• Identifi ed sports facilities, playing fi elds or open spaces shall not be used for access, storage
of vehicles, equipment or materials or in any other manner in connection with the carrying
out of the permitted development
• Prior to commencement of the development, a plan to protect and ensure the continuity of
the existing use of the facility shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local
Authority after consultation with SRSA. The plan shall ensure that facilities remain at least
as accessible and equivalent in terms of size, usefulness, attractiveness and quality and
include a timetable for implementation. The approved plan shall be complied with in full
throughout the carrying out of the development.
• To secure the provision and use of the play area prior to the occupation of the buildings, the
development permitted shall not be allowed to be used until the area shown on drawings
has been laid out in accordance with the drawings and that area shall not thereafter be used
for any other purpose than as a play area.