Sustainability key to equitable economic development in Stellenbosch
Newinbosch, a 48-hectare mixed-use neighbourhood in Stellenbosch in the Western Cape, was launched earlier this month as the significant first project to come online as part of the Stellenbosch Municipality’s inclusive urbanisation initiative, the Adam Tas Corridor Local Spatial Development Framework. Situated on the urban edge of the town’s northern extension, Newinbosch is currently the largest mixed-use residential development under construction in Stellenbosch.
Stellenbosch Municipal Manager Geraldine Mettler affirmed the critical role of sustainably developed projects such as Newinbosch as a catalyst for equitable economic development and redressing spatial inequality within this historic town. “For Stellenbosch to continue to prosper, we need to challenge those barriers that prevent equitable access to resources so that we can create socially inclusive and economically viable communities,”
Mettler said. She believes development is a necessary requirement for any town to flourish and to remain economically viable. “But the key is to do so sensibly and sustainably – to the overall benefit of the entire town and to all of its communities,” she added. “Newinbosch, and the team behind this development, is a pioneering example of a sustainably designed, inclusive urban development that considers the longevity of the heritage of the historic Stellenbosch town,” Mettler said.
Newinbosch aims to establish itself as the greenest mixed-use development in South Africa. The development incorporates an impressive portfolio of innovative, sustainable design and green building practices that are internationally benchmarked and acknowledged. “Highly functioning, healthy, and prospering communities can only develop within a space that is respectful of its natural environment,” said Pieter du Toit, development manager at Similan.
“As landowners and developers, we remain accountable for the potential impact of the development on the environment and commit to the sustainable management of our natural resources,” he continued. “It is our responsibility to make sure that this piece of land is built for generations to come, not only for Newinbosch residents, but also as a vibrant and diverse community that actively contributes to the socio- and enviro-spatial wellbeing of Stellenbosch as a whole,” Du Toit concluded.
SECURITY FEATURES
- Pedestrian gate facial recognition
- Facial recognition for bicycle exit & entrance
- CCTV for general urban surveillance
- Backup power source for security infrastructure
- On-site CCTV monitoring
- Visitor management system for enhanced traffic flow
- License plate recognition
- Off-site CCTV monitoring
- Facial recognition access control
- Thermal cameras for perimeter surveillance
- Electrified perimeter fence
- Outdoor speakers along perimeter fence for direct communications from offsite and on-site control rooms
BRIEF OVERVIEW
- Newinbosch is a R2,4-billion, 48-hectare mixed-used neighbourhood that is currently being developed in Stellenbosch, Western Cape.
- The site is located on the elevated shoulder of the R304 at the northern entrance of Stellenbosch, some three kilometres from the CBD.
- The neighbourhood will be rolled in a phased approach over the next four to six years.
- Construction commenced in August 2022, with the first phase scheduled for occupation in Q4 of 2023.
- The complete Newinbosch property portfolio comprises a total of 1 320 units, offering new homes to between 5 000 and 6 000 residents.
- The housing mix includes a selection of apartments, simplex homes, townhouses, courtyard homes and freestanding homesteads.
- The selection of homes stretches the entire property ladder, with unit prices ranging between R850,000 and around R1,3m for sectional title simplex homes and apartments, and between R1,8m and R4,3m for full title homes.
- Newinbosch is owned and developed in partnership between award-winning South African property development company, Similan and JSE-listed construction company, Raubex.
KEY DIFFERENTIATORS
- Proximity
Considering its location and ease of access to the town centre and major employers in the area, the Newinbosch neighbourhood is well positioned to address the high demand for reasonably priced, secure living in closer proximity to Stellenbosch and other major towns in the Boland area.
- Property mix
Newinbosch is a multi-generational neighbourhood offering a large selection of property types to suit the varying needs of residents as their lifestyles evolve. This underscores the primary development goal of creating a sustainable and enduring neighbourhood that offers living solutions throughout all life stages.
- Affordability
Newinbosch responds to the huge need for affordable living in well-located residential areas in Stellenbosch by offering a complete “live work learn play” secure neighbourhood within a highly affordable price range.
As a welcome alternative to the predominantly exclusive, high-end residential estates in the area, Newinbosch provides the opportunity for a new generation emerging middle-income families and young professionals the chance to tap into the advantages of safe, secure, and connected community living.
- Secure living
Newinbosch aims to provide residents and visitors a safe and secure living environment. Leading-edge, proactive security management technology, controlled access and other safety measures will help ensure the wellbeing and peace of mind of the Newinbosch community.
- Sustainable design
Newinbosch distinguishes itself as a green development, with careful consideration for the potential impact on the environment and natural heritage of the site. As a member of the Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA), the development team commits to benchmark principles of innovative design and sustainable development to ensure longevity of the neighbourhood, to reduce its environmental footprint and drive increased energy efficiency and cost savings for residents.
To this end, Newinbosch is currently being enrolled for four prominent green building certifications:
- GBCSA Green Star Sustainable Precincts
- EDGE Advance (Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies)
- GBCSA Net Zero (ecology)
- 6-Star (‘World Leadership’) Green rating (Newinbosch Recreation Hub – The Grappa Shed)
- Landscaping & open spaces
Newinbosch adopted an integrated environmental strategy to ensure sustained environmental prosperity within the neighbourhood. Professional landscape interventions are aimed at restoring depleted farmland and encouraging ecologically diverse and productive ecosystems throughout the neighbourhood.
Strict landscaping protocols direct the use of indigenous and locally endemic species only, as these require lower irrigation, lower inputs, and minimal future maintenance over the long term.
Unique landscaping projects include the planting of a multitude of indigenous tree species at close spacing to create ‘pocket forests’ along the neighbourhood pathways and open spaces. This not only aids in carbon sequestration, but also creates special habitats and biodiversity corridors.
Pedestrian and non-motorised pathways lead through varied vegetation zone such as fynbos, wetlands and swales, vegetable gardens, and minimal lawned areas, creating natural pauses and meaningful in-between spaces in both residential areas and public spaces.
- Efficient use of resources
Energy
Developers aim to install a fully integrated microgrid energy system to ensure reliable access to sufficient and sustainably sourced energy throughout the Newinbosch precinct. Discussions are currently under way with the Stellenbosch council and other role players to explore the feasibility of an independently managed system. This will reduce pressure on the Stellenbosch municipal grid and allow the neighbourhood to ‘sell back’ excess power to the municipal grid during periods of high demand.
Water
Sustainable neighbourhood landscaping solutions incorporate the use of central swales that collect and clean stormwater off the road surfaces. From here water is directed through a wetland system into a tranquil feature pond from where it is pumped back into the irrigation system.
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