2013_14 IDP Review.pdf - KZN Development Planning

From an urban efficiency and functionality perspective, the clustering of community, social and business facilities in nodes around points ofhighest accessibility is of vital importance, i.e. –By clustering facilities, a selected few high quality nodes can be created that can serve as the heart of communities and promotesocial interaction.Multiple settlements can be served by social services in central points.The sharing of facilities between various services (e.g. buildings, logistics, parking etc.) can take place.Central clusters ensure enhanced accessibility and convenience for residents.The following general principles apply to the development andmanagement of nodes: In order to support the effective development of nodes in the municipality,the development of urban non-residential land uses, such as business,retail, community facilities, and social services should be restricted tonodal areas.Nodes should typically be located at the main access points as urbanareas, typically at the intersection of a major mobility route and the majorcollector route.These nodes should show a high degree of public investment ininfrastructure, and social services.Nodes must be characterised by mixed-use, high intensity activity andhigher density residential development.Nodes should be developed with a clear function and focus.The essence of this approach is to actively discourage the further expansion of services in the low-density rural settlements and restrictservice delivery to the absolute basic necessities. One cannot afford the situation where a homeland legacy is literally cast in concrete andperpetuated into the future.DensificationDensification is not an end in itself, but a means to achieve more efficient utilisation of transport, the creation of the necessary populationthresholds to support community and business facilities and to prevent low-density outward expansion and development on land, which isDraft 2013/2014 IDP Review Page 217Prepared by Umzinyathi District Municipality22 March 2013