uct heritage park management framework - University of Cape Town

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2.3.6 Draft Cape Town Development Edge Policy, August 2009
The draft Cape Town Development Edge Policy (August 2009) was developed in response to the
existence of a plethora of documents and guidelines that had been adopted and used since 2001.
The Urban Edge Policy for the City (adopted in 2001) comprised four geographically specific
policies, the relevant one for this site being that for the “Peninsula”. This was supplemented by
the Urban edge Guidelines Manual (approved in 2004). This incorporated Veldfire-Related
Planning Guidelines that deal with the spread of fire on properties adjacent to the periphery of
the City, which is of particular relevance to the UCT Heritage Park.
The Development Edge lines now reflected in the SDF and District SDPs & EMFs discussed below,
will be approved as section 4(6) and 4(10) structure plans respectively (in terms of the Land Use
and Planning Ordinance, 1985) by the Provincial Government Western Cape. This implies that any
amendment to the Urban Edge lines will have to follow the procedure for amending a 4(6)
structure plan.
The Development Edge Policy states the following in relation to land use management of sites on
the Urban Edge:
“All development applications on the Urban Edge will need to be reviewed by the City in terms of
principles set out in the Urban Edge Guidelines Manual as well as the Veldfire Related Planning
Guidelines Manual to be found as Annexure 6 in the Manual. The following are some of the
relevant issues to bear in mind when first putting together proposals for sites on the urban edge:
• Vacant and under-utilised land within existing urban areas should be serviced before that
on the periphery;
• Settlement forms on the periphery need to respect the landscape;
• Low intensity land uses, that can facilitate the function of the area as a buffer in
protecting agricultural and conservation land from the impacts of urban development
needs, are more optimal than those that do not;
• Continuation of open space systems related to riverine corridors, which can in turn
facilitate connection between catchments and the coastlines, must be facilitated; and,
• Establishment of public private partnerships for land use monitoring and services
provision should be explored where possible.”
The Guidelines Manual further sets out a number of specific considerations for planners to consider
when assessing applications on sites adjacent to the Urban Edge Line. These serve as a useful guide
for owners of land in the transition zone who wish to develop responsibly. They are as follows:
• Are the proposals desirable from a public benefit and desirability perspective?
• Do the proposals have cost implications for the City Council or society?
• Is the site visually exposed?
• Does the site contribute to the continuity and sustainability of aquatic or terrestrial
ecological corridors?
• Is the site adjacent to a protected or productive landscape?
• Is the site in close proximity to a scenic route or in the vicinity of a landmark?
• Is it close to a special place or significant urban/topographical element?
• Is it in, or in close proximity to, the green structure and are there potential fire hazards?
UCT Heritage Park Management Framework: Final Draft Report, July 2012