SA Affordable Housing November / December 2016 // Issue: 61

PROJECTS Already, 60% of the bulk available - or 70% of Bridge City by site area - has been sold. multinodal transport and movement nodes,” Shunnon Tulsiram, head of the municipality's Economic Development and Investment Promotion Unit, explains. Ive says the development of a mixed use property anchored by a petrol filling station was expected to begin early in the New Year, this will be undertaken by local black-owned business. Construction of the NJR Steel distribution centre on a large site on the Business Estate is already well underway and is expected to be operational by early 2017. Ive noted that Bridge City’s business incubator and the wider Bridge City business community stood to benefit from the city’s integrated rapid public transport network (IRPTN) that aims to link nine transport corridors through various modes of transport (bus, rail and taxi) by 2027. This will provide access to work, schools, hospitals and boost economic development, especially in previously inaccessible areas. He emphasises that all service infrastructure is in place at Bridge City making it an ideal location to fast track development in a city where shortages of serviced land often cause delays and lost development opportunities. “At Bridge City, land is ready to sell, transfer and start building. There are not that many developments in KwaZulu-Natal that have that state of readiness,” he explains. Ive adds that a site on the business estate has been earmarked for one of the eThekwini Municipality’s small business incubators. The eThekwini municipality has identified industry sector development as a key economic driver as well as national priorities and strategies put forward by the Economic Development and Investment Promotion Unit, through the establishment and support of industry bodies (clusters). These are intended to enhance the competitiveness of prioritised sectors within the local and provincial economy. “The site will consist of a business park with mini factories and shops. Business incubators will be located in areas that are designed to provide opportunities for small businesses and are situated close to intermodal and He says a feasibility study was still needed to ascertain which market segment would be served by this particular incubator. The first leg of the Go! Durban bus transport link to Bridge City is due to be completed during the first half of 2017. Rail traffic through Bridge City is already gaining momentum and use of Bridge City facilities is increasing as expected, Ive adds. This inter-modal capacity (facilitating the interaction between pedestrian, taxi, rail and a rapid bus system) is expected to serve an estimated 100 000 commuters a day once it is fully developed. He confirms that the half diamond interchange on the M25 would be open and fully functional by year end. This provides dedicated and easy access to Bridge City and the Phoenix Industrial Park. Bridge City has been developed through a public, private sector partnership (PPP) between the eThekwini Municipality and Tongaat Hulett. “This not only resulted in the efficient development of both this precinct and the highly successful Riverhorse Valley Business Estate, but has set an important precedent for future development to the north of the city, especially at Cornubia,” Ive concludes. Bridge city hospital under construction. AFFORDABLE SA HOUSING NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2016 27

SA Affordable Housing November / December 2016 // Issue: 61 | Page 29