Overarching Development Frameworks
The general purpose of a Spatial Development Framework (SDF) is to present a spatial representation of the goals and objectives in the Integrated Development Plan (IDP), and provide policies and plans for land development and land use in the municipal area.
Therefore the Spatial Development Framework:
- Illustrates the desired development and land use pattern of the municipal area;
- Explains the goals and objectives for land development in the municipal area;
- Identifies the strategies for achieving the goals and objectives of land development
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| Example: Evaton Broad Land Use Map |
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Gauteng Spatial Development Framework
The proposals within the Gauteng SDF relevant to Evaton are:
- Future urban development between Vereeniging/ Vanderbijlpark and Sebokeng/Evaton along the R59.
- The Urban Edge as defined in the Gauteng SDF and relevant documentation.
Sedibeng Spatial Development Framework
The Sedibeng District Municipality is located on the southern edge of Gauteng and consists of three local municipalities, namely Lesedi, Midvaal, and Emfuleni Local Municipalities. The greatest urban concentration within the district is found in Emfuleni and consists of the following major areas:
- The Vereeniging, Vanderbijlpark, Bophelong, Boipatong, Tshepiso and Sharpville residential areas in the south.
- The Sebokeng / Evaton residential complex in the north.
- Major industrial development dominated by ISCOR.
Following the situational analysis and the main development issues identified in the district, and bearing in mind the prescribed national and provincial spatial development principles that need to be promoted, the Sedibeng SDF formalized the following spatial development objectives for the Sedibeng District:
- Formalize and protect a district-wide linked open space system
- Promote a system of functionally defined activity nodes
- Optimize linkages and connectivity
- Strengthen existing urban areas and nodes
- Maximize existing major development opportunities
- Promote high density development along main public transport links
- Focus Upgrading on Previously Disadvantaged Township Areas
The proposed spatial development concept for Sedibeng is broad, and seeks to interpret the various development principles and objectives in a concise way. The concept provides a rational framework within which future development can be optimized by promoting a system of activity nodes, corridors and functional areas.
The main urban node in the district will remain the Vereeniging/ Vanderbijlpark conurbation, supported by the lesser urban nodes of Meyerton and Heidelberg. Vereeniging/Vanderbijlpark will remain the hub of economic activity in the district, with manufacturing (steel and petro chemical industries) predominating, while Meyerton and Heidelberg will remain secondary nodes.
Two major activity corridors are proposed, namely the R59 economic development corridor, stretching along the R59 freeway, and the Germiston/ Vereeniging commuter rail line from Alberton in the north to Sasolburg in the south. The R42 link between Nigel, Heidelberg and Vereeniging/ Vanderbijlpark should be seen as a secondary activity spine over the longer term.
Based on this broad development pattern, the following elements have been addressed in the Sedibeng SDF:
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1. The Urban Edge
In the case of Emfuleni the urban edge is mainly around existing urban areas, with little room for expansion, but provision has been made for areas where infill and densification can take place. Some amendments are proposed by the Sedibeng DM.
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2. Priority Urban Infill and Densification Areas
The area to the west of Sebokeng, between the Golden Highway and the N1 is a priority area, along with the area between Sebokeng and Iscor and the area north of Tshepiso.
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3. Economic Development Corridor
The area along the eastern side of the R59 display signs of a rudimentary development corridor and should be developed as an activity corridor in the future.
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4. Central Business Districts (CBD’s)
The Vereeniging and Vanderbijlpark CBDs are the main urban concentrations in the area, but they are showing signs of urban decay. Therefore a strategy for their revitalisation is needed and should be compiled.
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5. Service Upgrading Priority Area
In the Sedibeng SDF the following areas have been identified ad priority areas, namely:
- Sebokeng/ Evaton
- Bophelong abutting Vanderbijlpark
- Boipatong/ Sharpville/ Tshepiso between Vereeniging and Vanderbijlpark
- Roshnee/ Dadaville
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6. Long Term Urban Development Area
The area outside the urban edge, between Sebokeng and Evaton is seen as an area for long term urban development, once infill and densification has occurred in existing areas.
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7. Focus Areas for Land Reform and Rural LED Development
The area east of the Rietspruit and south of the R54 has been identified here, as it has high agricultural potential, making it suitable for agricultural land reform projects.
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8. Regional Open Space System
Due to the fact that there is at present not a State of the Environment Report for Emfuleni, this is one of the issues that should be addressed in such a report.
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9. Transportation
With reference to rail transport, the Sedibeng SDF proposes the upgrading of existing stations and the development of inter-modal transport facilities. It is not the intention to expand any of the provincial routes, but the following important provincial routes within the Emfuleni area are noted, namely:
- R42: a potential east-west activity spine through the area
- R553: Golden Highway
- R82: linking Emfuleni and Midvaal
Two new extensions to arterial routes, which will affect Emfuleni, are proposed in the Sedibeng SDF, namely;
- K55: in order to provide a better north-south connectivity in Emfuleni
- K11: in order to provide better connectivity between Evaton/ Sebokeng and Meyerton
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Emfuleni Spatial Development Framework
As depicted from the spatial trends, it is evident that the residential development is still guided by the planning principles of the previous political dispensation. Even after the new government came into power during 1994, residential expansion followed the route of peripheral localities adjacent to the existing residential areas and on “cheaper” land, which contributed to further urban sprawl.
Urban Development
The strategic development areas which have been identified within Emfuleni Local Municipality, promote the principles of integration, densification and infill development. These areas are primarily located west of Sebokeng and Evaton.
Industrial Development
As the economic focus of Emfuleni is on establishing service industries in support of the major industries (Iscor, Sasol), the spatial representation thereof is explained as follows:
- Existing areas within the industrial areas need to be identified and marketed for occupation
- Future industrial areas were proposed to be established and aligned in close
- Proximity to residential areas and accessibility routes
- The industrial areas were located away from sensitive environmental areas
- Industrial activities must focus primarily on manufacturing and service industries
Agriculture
The agriculture development within Emfuleni is addressed as follows:
- Intensive Agriculture: Within the study area, the intensive agricultural activities need to be primarily focused along the existing river systems (Rietkuil and others).
- Extensive Agriculture: The area to the west of the N1 Freeway is extensively used for dryland commercial agriculture and must be protected and used for such purposes.
- Urban Agriculture: Various portions of land have been identified in close proximity to existing and proposed urban development areas with the primary purpose to present an opportunity to unemployed disadvantaged beneficiaries to become involved with subsistence urban agriculture.
Enabling Network of Linkages
To support the development of the Emfuleni Local Municipality and integrate land use and transportation development, the following activity nodes and corridor were proposed:
Evaton Node
This node is situated adjacent to the Golden Highway. Apart from providing retail and commercial facilities this node could also accommodate community facilities like a post office, clinic and police station. The proximity of the node to the Golden Highway and Moshweshwe Roads suggest that a public transport facility would be particularly appropriate.
Moshweshwe Road through Sebokeng
Moshweshwe Road has already been earmarked for corridor development with all the development objectives that would be associated with such development, namely densification, transport facility and service concentration, etc. In the specific case of the Moshweshwe Road corridor densification efforts are particularly recommended to the east of Moshweshwe Road itself, up to and over the rail line.
R54 between Sebokeng and Vereeniging
The R54 forms a very important link between Sebokeng, the largest residential area in the Emfuleni Local Municipality area, and Vereeniging. Being situated adjacent to a relatively under-utilized rail line and numerous packets of undeveloped land, this road provides a natural spine for an activity corridor.
Playfair Boulevard, between Vanderbijlpark and Vereeniging
A natural corridor exists between Vanderbijlpark and Vereeniging. The potential to develop this corridor all the way through to the south-western industrial areas of Vereeniging is great.
The R59 between Meyerton and Vereeniging
The R59 and the rail line that runs adjacent to it, forms a natural opportunity for a corridor. In fact, previous studies have recognized it for this potential. However, because of the underlying geology and relative remoteness from the largest population concentrations in the area, it was recommended that it only enjoy partial development. The sitting of industrial activities which are incompatible with residential land uses would be ideal. |
