LANDSCAPING
Residential estates
In the South African context, there is particular opportunity in estate developments and mixed-use precincts, where large, contiguous landscapes can be planned holistically. Road verges, stormwater channels, and buffer zones are being transformed into functional ecological infrastructure.
The long-term value is both ecological and economic. Healthier pollinator populations support urban agriculture, enhance biodiversity, and contribute to the overall resilience of the built environment. For developers, this translates into more attractive, future-oriented spaces that resonate with increasingly environmentally conscious buyers and tenants.
Ultimately, pollinator corridors reframe landscaping from a beautiful garden into a working ecological system; one that benefits and connects people, plants, and pollinators across the urban fabric, while enhancing quality of life, productivity, and environmental resilience.
The long-term value is both ecological and economic.
The landscape architect’ s view
To Build asked Gauteng-based architect Daniel van der Merwe, whose Khyber Rock House project was featured in our March 2026 edition and feted as an“ ethno-botanic approach to integrating landscape and its primordial sense of place”, for his thoughts on the importance of pollinator corridors in the city.
“ In South Africa, bee pollinators are vital for sustaining urban biodiversity and urban agriculture, supporting over 50 crops nationally.
“ Cities like Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Durban provide unique“ honeypot” environments, where a rich mix of indigenous fynbos and ornamental plants offers year-round forage.
“ Furthermore, there is a noticeable surge in urban beekeeping as a popular hobby and conservation effort – a type of urban farming. However, this growth has sparked concerns regarding competition between managed honeybees( primarily the Cape honeybee and African honey bee varieties) and native solitary bees like carpenter bees.
“ Key conservation trends focus on habitat connectivity, with initiatives such as:
Small-scale floral patches: Converting turf-grass to pollinator-rich habitats.
No-mow periods: Implementing strategic municipal mowing to protect spring blooms.
Kyber Rock House in Sandton, by Daniel van der Merwe- showing careful attention to urban gardening to augment green connectivity.
Forage protection: Managing urban trees, including controversial but critical eucalyptus gum trees, to maintain consistent food supplies.”
62 winter 2026 | www. tobuild. co. za