AMDEC GROUP Page 11
An excellent example of New Urbanism is one of Amdec Group’ s flagship developments, Melrose Arch. Strategically positioned in relation to OR Tambo
International Airport and the Sandton and Johannesburg CBDs, Melrose Arch comprises 200 000m ² of mixed-use development with 350 000 m ² of planned future phases, generating an ultimate value in excess of R 16.5 billion.
By definition, New Urbanism is focused on pedestrian-friendly spaces that contribute to the convenience that most modern consumers are looking for. Melrose Arch, which has been under development by Amdec Group since 2005, serves as a prime example of the vision that the company has for future projects.
“ As a resident of the area you can walk from any location of the precinct to another,” says Stopforth.“ Starting at
5 a. m., you can go to the gym, have a shower, walk across to a coffee shop and order breakfast. Then you can walk to your office, conduct business, meet a client for lunch at one of the restaurants. If you’ re a resident, you don’ t need to drive anywhere. The point is that all your daily needs are within walking distance.”
While convenience remains the biggest driver of mixed-use developments, in South Africa one cannot ignore the critical aspect of security. Centralisation and proximity to facilities, combined with pleasing aesthetics and a strong sense of community living, all have to be underpinned by excellent security.
“ Security continues to be one of our biggest operating expenses. Access control, surveillance and physical security are all centrally operated,” Stopforth explains.“ What sets new urban precincts apart is that they include a great deal of virtual security in addition to hard security access points and technology. The mere fact that there’ s human presence and constant monitoring makes these nodes harder for criminals to target.”
Another major consideration for property investors is proximity to schools. Stopforth notes that this is where strategic location of the mixed-use development plays a major role. The challenge is that schools need access to vast expanses of open space to accommodate sports fields, swimming pools and classrooms for learner bodies in excess of a thousand. But primary space requirements stand in the way of including schools in mixed-use developments. New Urbanism precincts could potentially include schools, but given the spatial requirements, they aren’ t a significant factor in the planning and construction process. Larger estates that try to integrate retail, corporate and residential property with schools inadvertently become less pedestrian-friendly, which compromises the New Urbanism approach. The alternative is to examine the strategic location of mixed use in relation to established schools in surrounding areas. mixed-use developments