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Overview of flagship programme<br />

The urban upgrading in Helenvale consists of various projects. The first HURP project focused on upgrading<br />

and improving the Helenvale Precinct (widening streets, constructing sidewalks, improving storm water<br />

drainage, and installing street furniture such as benches and trees). Two community parks were also constructed.<br />

National Treasury funded the project through the Neighbourhood Development Programme Grant (NDPG),<br />

for a total cost of R21.5-million. Local labour and small businesses were employed on the project (MBDA,<br />

2014b). However, the upgrades do not appear to have reduced conflict, with the vandalism of street lighting<br />

of concern because it renders passive surveillance impossible (SPUU Helenvale).<br />

The Helenvale Resource Centre was the single biggest investment (almost R43-million, funded by national<br />

government) in the area in 50 years and involved demolishing the original centre and replacing it with a stateof-the-art<br />

one-stop facility (MBDA, 2013). In 2013, the centre was awarded the Eastern Cape Institute of<br />

Architects Award for Architecture (ibid). The MBDA operates the centre.<br />

Helenvale resource centre<br />

Source: SPUU Helenvale: Inception Report and Master Plan<br />

The SPUU programme’s objective is to contribute to increased safety and a better quality of life in Helenvale.<br />

It focuses on five components: 1<br />

• Improved safety of public spaces and community facilities<br />

• Safer schools, in partnership with the community<br />

• Prevention of domestic violence<br />

• Improved housing (in consultation with the municipality)<br />

• Improved employment opportunities for youth.<br />

The programme commenced on 3 February 2014 and is expected to end on 31 January 2018. Prioritised<br />

projects include pedestrian walkways and public sports fields, refurbishment of school facilities and sports<br />

grounds, and “soft” measures for peace and safety promotion in schools, reduction of domestic violence and<br />

victim care, and the establishment of youth employment projects.<br />

A housing strategy for Helenvale has been completed in order to address the current housing challenges. This<br />

includes rectification of existing 1994 small units, de-densification of approximately 450 families from<br />

overcrowded units, preferably to sites within Helenvale and surrounds (some on state-owned land in Algoa<br />

Park and/or Parsonsvlei and Westering), as well as the in-situ upgrading of approximately 200 informal<br />

settlements integrated with the Helenvale SPUU Programme (NMBM, 2014). The proposed Helenvale project,<br />

which has been approved by Council, will yield approximately 4200 units at a total cost of R885-million. The<br />

SPUU programme also includes a pilot housing project, which aims to demonstrate practical, scalable solutions<br />

that can be scaled up and to provide skills training and employment in the process (SPUU Helenvale).<br />

Nelson<br />

Mandela Bay<br />

1. http://www.saferspaces.org.za/be-inspired/entry/safety-and-peace-through-urban-upgrading<br />

 Nelson Mandela Bay: Safety and Peace through Urban Upgrading 371

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