the gauteng spatial development framework - Gauteng Online

STEP TWO: ESTABLISHMENT OF URBAN STRUCTURE ASSIGNMENTZONES FOR THE ASSIGNMENT OF ELEMENTSThe second step of the model divides Gauteng Province into 'Urban Structure AssignmentZones' (USAZ) (Figure 4-2). A USAZ is defined as segments of the urban environment thatcan comprise a combination of urban structure elements: activity spine, node(s) andecosystems, with lower-density residential support (predominantly mono-use-type interstitialzones); neighbourhood facilities (i.e. school, shops and work). In many instances they areneighbourhood orientated, with access to public transportation and focused aroundpedestrian movement and related activity. They are also orientated with regard to themovement system, its hierarchy and connectivity, as well as existing and proposed nodes,as these inform the type of urban structure elements that exist and are likely to developwithin the zone. The USAZ also recognises those elements within the province that arenon-urban in nature and are defined as districts, natural systems and urban voids.The USAZ forms the most suitable area in terms of which land use activities (use type andarea), socio-economic descriptors (household size, household income, employment) andkey density descriptors (residential dwelling units, residential floor area, and dwelling types)are allocated. Other zones are considered, such as transport zones, existing wards andnational planning zones, but these were considered inappropriate for this particular model.The USAZ forms the primary 'unit' in terms of which the urban structure allocation modelwas developed. All socio-economic, land use and density data is either combined ordisaggregated and re-allocated within each USAZ.Figure 4-2: The Urban Structure Assignment ZoneSECTION 4: OUTCOMES OF APPLICATION: FROM CONCEPT TO COMPOSITEGAUTENG SPATIAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK 2011GAUTENG GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY54