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