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Urban design manages the relationship between people, the urban space, and the local environment. The City of Cape Town has revised its Urban Design Policy to give guidance on creating useful, attractive, safe, environmentally sustainable, economically viable and socially equitable spaces. Good urban design also promotes local identity and a sense of place. All residents, interested and affected parties, and urban design professionals are encouraged to read the revised policy, and to submit their comments by 30 October 2023. Read more below:

‘The quality of our cities, towns, neighbourhoods, streets and public spaces has a significant impact on our lives. We have all experienced it before when you arrive in a place – it could be any city or neighbourhood – and it just feels good, works well, and makes you want to stay longer. Given that most of us are not professionals in this field, we would not even realise that it is often good urban design – how these spaces look and function and fit together – that made us feel that way. Thus, urban design promotes our quality of life and physical and mental wellbeing. 

‘Design should be centred around people and communities, and can be used to transform spaces, give it purpose and relevance, and meaning. The City has revised its Urban Design Policy to meet these objectives. Mostly, it would be professionals in the development industry such as architects, engineers and developers who would be interested in this draft document. However, I want to encourage residents, community groups, landowners and business owners to also read this policy and to submit comments. In the end, we – the urbanites who live and work in Cape Town – should benefit from good urban design and this is what the policy wants to achieve,’ said the City’s Deputy Mayor and Mayoral Committee Member for Spatial Planning and Environment, Alderman Eddie Andrews.

The revised policy is guided by the following principles:

The greater public good – through the arrangement of activities, built form and open space, urban development must ensure the benefits are accessible to all and generate opportunities for social and economic development

Holistic – urban design seeks to provide a holistic understanding of city-making and must take a balanced approach while prioritising the performance of the urban environment as a whole

Identity, context and place making – Cape Town has a unique context and identity, shaped by its social, cultural, economic and physical landscape. Place-making should contribute to the unique identity and context of the immediate and broader urban landscape

Integration and spatial transformation – the legacy of segregated development must be transformed through design to create a more equitable city   

Urban sustainability – development must align with sustainable development goals by protecting resources and creating dignified urban environments

Intensity, diversity and adaptability – developments must meet a variety of demands from the widest possible range of users, amenities and social groups and must weave together different building forms, uses, tenures and densities

Objectives of the draft policy

• A legible spatial structure that combines urban, natural and green infrastructure
• Quality open spaces through placemaking for social interaction, retreat, relaxation and recreation
• Development should contribute to increased safety, sense of stability and general wellbeing of communities
• Design streets and squares to become multi-functional spaces that are people-centred, improve access and connectivity
• Design places that can be used for a variety of activities, encourage social interaction
• Interfaces are fundamental to the way people experience the city and must be designed to prioritise pedestrians
• Urban development should acknowledge and support the role that informality plays in our city and for its residents
• Development should respect, protect, and enhance the surrounding natural environment as green open spaces are invaluable to cities and its residents
• Development should take into account the natural features, heritage structures, cultural practices and memory of the immediate neighbourhood through sensitive design 

‘The City’s Integrated Development Plan pursues a Cape Town that is resilient, more spatially integrated and inclusive, and efficient. The purpose of the Urban Design Policy is to establish criteria to ensure the City’s spatial vision, as articulated in the Municipal Spatial Development Framework, is realised on a local level; that is, our neighbourhoods and precincts, where we live and work, socialise, and play,’ said Alderman Andrews.

Once approved, the policy will be used by the City’s Development Management Department in assessing development applications, and to inform City-led projects. 

‘Of course, residents and home owners and community organisations can also use this policy to guide private improvement initiatives in their neighbourhoods,’ said Alderman Andrews.

How to comment:

Email: Public.Participation@capetown.gov.za

Online: www.capetown.gov.za/haveyoursay  

Hand: At Subcouncil Offices

Post: Urban Planning and Design, Cape Town Civic Centre Tower Block, 16th Floor, 4 Bay Side, 12 Hertzog Boulevard, Foreshore, City of Cape Town, 8000

Issued by The City of Cape Town