URBAN RENEWAL Page 67 dining restaurants and upmarket shopping destinations, uMhlanga Rocks is home to Durban’ s jetsetting super-rich. Looking at it now, one would never believe that just ten years ago this epitome of suburban bliss had fallen into complete disarray. Pollution, urban decay and violent crime were threatening its tourist community. Business and residents were packing up and moving out in search of greener pastures.
That was until a group of committed property owners came together with a vision. Brian Wright, who coordinated the establishment of the UIP in uMhlanga Rocks, emphasises the fact that this project would not have been possible without the endorsement and financial support of committed businesses and residential property owners, as well as a partnership with eThekwini Municipality.
Yes, it meant that they would have to pay a little more, but by slowly demonstrating the value of the project, the UIP soon gained momentum and support. The project focused on the small things first: cleaning up the public spaces, fixing road signs, keeping the streets clean, fixing broken windows. In fact, Wright has a theory that cleaning up public spaces reduces the incidence of crime. He notes that areas which are visibly cared for demonstrate the community’ s pride and awareness of its surroundings − key factors that increase the risk to criminals.“ Today business owners and residential occupants are more than happy to engage with local municipalities in a framework for a healthy, rewarding publicprivate partnership that mutually benefits the private sector and local authorities,” he says.
“ T h e uMhlanga Rocks property values on the beachfront are five times those of Durban, despite Durban having a better location. Why? It’ s how we manage the location and that experience of public open spaces. Creating clean, attractive and desirable spaces, that’ s what we do. When that happens, that’ s when it starts unlocking value, that’ s when you have the big redevelopment starting.”
The company has adopted the approach of creating a brand