Real Estate Investor Magazine South Africa September 2016 | Page 39

the public and tourists back to Durban’s inner city.
The Project is a joint effort between the eThekwini
Municipality and facilities management provider,
Drake and Scull.
Neighbourhood projects such as the Thornhill Park
PPP in Cape Town, which involved a collaboration
between urban property developers, Blok, Future
Cape Town and the City of Cape Town, have had a
positive impact on the Atlantic Seaboard community
through the provision of a safe, lush space for all to
enjoy, complete with improvements in greenery and
play equipment, along with locking facilities ensuring
the park is safe for all ages to visit. This particular
PPP came about when this particular property
developer was building across the street from the park
and noticed the opportunity to use their resources
to positively impact the neighbourhood beyond
its own development site. The park had previously
been derelict and unsafe for the local community,
particularly its children, to play in. Blok, working
closely with the City, donated funds towards the
upgrade and beautification of the Thornhill Park, and
also helped residents to form a Friends of Thornhill
Park (FoTP) organisation to manage the ongoing
upkeep and maintenance.
Partnerships like these are not without their
challenges for both the private and public entities.
www.reimag.co.za

Challenges private entities often face when
proposing these projects include the requirements
for applications changing, the speed of the approvals
process and a lack of communication from officials.
This can significantly impact on allocated project
budgets, the ability to deliver projects into the public
realm and turnaround times.
Alderman Belinda Walker, Mayoral Committee
Member: Community Services and Special Projects,
shares that the main challenges faced by the City
when approached to participate in urban rejuvenation
projects lies in budgetary constraints. “Smaller
projects are easier to fund whilst larger projects often
have to be delayed due to a lack of budget at the time
the proposals are made.”
Although these challenges do exist, it is important
to bear in mind the end goals of PPPs such as
improved service delivery, the promotion of black
economic empowerment, the creation of employment
opportunities and the building of infrastructure to
better the lives of communities. As Minister Gordhan
stated, “Partnership between government, business,
organised labour and civil society is the key to policy
coherence and more rapid development.”

RESOURCES
Blok
SEPTEMBER 2016 SA Real Estate Investor

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