2013_14 IDP Review.pdf - KZN Development Planning

There is no indication for any potential to embark on aggressive growthand development strategies under the current circumstances. A moreappropriate approach might be to focus on:1. Sustaining current services infrastructure and social facilities throughappropriate maintenance programmes.2. Prioritizing and focusing investment on the first and second ordernodes.3. Limiting social and service infrastructure provision to the very basiclevels only and rather aim at improving the standard (quality) ofexisting services in the identified nodes.4. Strategic investment in the first and second order nodes that willencourage households to migrate closer to or settle in these nodes.5. Maintain and sustain the status quo in the extensive communalsettlement areas at the current basic level of services.6. Agrarian reform in communal settlement areas to complement andencourage resettlement and improve food security. This should besupported by an appropriate environmental and conservation strategyunderpinned by improve land management practices.7. The introduction of private capital in the communal settlement areas tocapitalise on the tourist potential locked up in the history and sceneryof the area.The outline of the proposed spatial structure is below.11.5.1 NodesA three level nodal structure is regarded as appropriate in the UDM. A lackof growth and mobility do not allow one the liberty of many nodal points butas prioritisation of development is key element development by necessitybe in a small number of nodes that can actively supported and sustained.First order nodeThe PGDS only identifies Dundee as one of its tertiary nodes. However,the close proximity of Glencoe and the functional links between the twoareas needs to be considered. If only Dundee is selected, it undoubtedlyimplies that Glencoe should continue to decline. However, the two urbanareas linked by more intensive farming and the possible reintroduction ofmining and an up scaling of rail transport warrants the inclusion of Glencoeas part of an extended urban node.Second order nodesThe second order nodes align with the PGDS proposals. It covers theadministrative seats of Nqutu, Msinga and Umvoti Local Municipalities.The primary role is to service as regional service centres.Third order nodesNone of the rural service centres was specifically identified by PGDS.However, the PGDS is clear on their envisaged role and function. Thenodes identified as third order nodes all fulfill these function already.However, it is important to note that the fact that these points wereidentified as nodes it is not implied that grow and investment in thesenodes should be supported. The approach would rather be to sustaincurrent services and to direct development, investment, and growth to thefirst and second order nodes. The resource base of the municipality issimply too small to include these nodes in an investment strategy. Theassessment has also shown that densities in their service areas are toolow to support cost effective service delivery. These nodes shouldhowever, actively be managed to prevent further decay and to maintainhealth standards and ensure building safety.11.5.2 NetworksIt was indicated earlier that a development system of nodes, networks, andsurfaces could only be sustained through movement. This includes themovement of all goods and services as well as people.Road and transport networksThe municipal area is well endowed with main transport networks.Notwithstanding the relative isolation of the municipality, its interregionallinkages are well developed. This applies to both the road and railsystems. The main road and rail networks developed very similar patterns.However, these networks focus on north south linkages and laterallinkages running east west is less developed due to significantly lessinterregional demand for east west movement. Only the Glencoe/Dundeeand Greytown nodes have later links into the larger region. The intramunicipalmovement utilises the same networks as primary movementlines that are supported by a well developed secondary network thatserves local movement needs. No need or scope for further networkDraft 2013/14 IDP Review Page 207Prepared by Umzinyathi District Municipality22 March 2013