WORDS: Stefan Botha :: PHOTOS: supplied
Stefan Botha, Director of Rainmaker Marketing, explains how community, culture and conservation are at the heart of the mixed-use precinct model
Stefan Botha, Director of Rainmaker Marketing
In its simplest terms, mixed-use developments bring together residential, commercial, retail and recreational facilities. With all aspects of one’s life in proximity, mixed-use developments become walkable 15-minute neighbourhoods, with everything one might need from schools to medical facilities and grocers – all within a 15-minute radius.
URBAN
According to the World Health Organisation, cities will hold 70% of the world’s population by 2050. About 96% of this growth will occur in developing countries, such as ours. In SA we have a political history and legacy of poor planning that among other things has left us with a huge public transport dilemma. Many people travel a fair distance to get to their place of work each day. With rising fuel and household costs and increased traffic congestion, the demand for convenience, clean air and, ultimately, quality urban spaces is imminent.
Within KwaZulu-Natal’s town of Ballito, several mixed-use developments launched over the past two years have seen phenomenal demand due to their combined residential, retail and commercial offerings. Some upmarket mixed-use precincts drawing particular attention in this region include Collins Residential’s Zululami Luxury Coastal Estate as well as Zimbali Lakes Resort’s newest and most opulent offering called Tatali.
INTEGRATED
Walkable spaces are healthier, reducing pollution while encouraging community and increasing the economic vitality of the local economy. As we live more eco-conscious lives, the pedestrian and people-centric nature of mixed-use developments has begun to enjoy elevated status.
The Durban-Umhlanga-Ballito corridor, which is the fastest-growing wealth market in SA, comprises high-network individuals keen to live with everything at their fingertips. For this reason, the Salta Sibaya estate within the Sibaya Coastal Precinct, situated minutes from Umdloti, along with North Point Ballito, are both popular mixed-use developments coming to fruition within KwaZulu-Natal.
Employing smart growth principles these precincts include quality housing, varied by type and price, integrated with shopping, schools, community facilities and jobs. Both are located just minutes from the airport and strategically between two ports.
Zimbali Lakes Resort’s Tatali clubhouse pool
MULTIGENERATIONAL
Salta Sibaya, which garnered a 2022 International Property Award, is a catalyst for multigenerational living, allowing those who are over 50 years of age to live at Capri Village and enjoy being close to their children and grandchildren while still having their independence. It’s an opportunity to live close to a like-minded community, with a myriad of facilities, safe outdoor recreational zones, healthcare and the new Marine Walk Shopping Centre and business hub – all within the vibrant coastal lifestyle estate.
SUSTAINABILITY
With load-shedding and interruptions to water supply due to failing maintenance on municipal infrastructure, we see more developments incorporating “off-the-grid” solutions. The idea of being fully sustainable in terms of power and water is becoming critical as a differentiator for buyers, especially considering how many people still opt to work remotely. Not only are mixed-use precincts looking to incorporate sustainable solutions within their residential offering, there’s also a growing need in the commercial and retail space to have these needs catered for.
LOCATION
Mixed-use developments present many advantages and are often strategically situated near major travel routes, airports and business districts. Riverfields, just 10 minutes from O R Tambo International Airport in Joburg, is a new urban node that has unparalleled locational advantages. This masterplan is about guiding responsible and sustainable development so that the area will continue to grow and prosper in the coming decade and for generations to come.
Designed for tomorrow, Riverfields is a R7bn investment to date. Its prime location is within the Albertina Sisulu Development Corridor (R21) and strategically within the Ekurhuleni Aerotropolis. It has full alignment with the provincial spatial framework and an integrated transport master plan.
Salta Sibaya’s Capri Village
LOCAL ECONOMY
Riverfields will create about 160,000 employment opportunities, both in the construction and operational phases. Over and above the employment opportunities and injection into the local economy, it is estimated that the additional impact over the first phase will include an economic benefit of some R68bn during the construction phase.
Construction of external engineering services such as new roads, sewer lines, water reticulation and electrical infrastructure will be a spend of about R2bn, most of which will be handed over to the municipality for the benefit of the wider community. Riverfields will bring in about R354m additional rates and taxes per annum for the City of Ekurhuleni.
There’s no doubt that mixed-use development is creating a new way of living for South Africans and has become increasingly popular in creating secure neighbourhoods and easy access routes. Those that have the right formula and are currently in the market or are under way in being developed are going to be hugely sought after.
