South Durban Basin ABM Introduction

The South Durban Basin (SDB) area stretches from the port of Durban in the north to Umbongintwini in the south and inland as far as the South Coast Road corridor. The eastern boundary of the SDB is bordered by an environmentally sensitive coastal strip. The SDB is a key manufacturing and industrial zone of the city, contributing some 30% of the Durban’s Gross Domestic Product. In fact, it is the second biggest industrial heartland of South Africa and provides 10% of the country’s manufacturing jobs.

At the same time, the area is home to approximately 100 000 people and is an important residential node. The historical legacy which juxtaposed polluting industries and residential areas has given rise to a tense relationship between residents and big business. As such, one of the biggest challenges is to improve lines of communication between the City, organized stakeholder groups, big business, community organisations and environmental groups. In addition, the SDB programme aims to improve resident’s access to social, recreational, economic and environmental facilities in the area.

Another challenge is the redevelopment of worn-out platform infrastructure which is seen as a key to ensuring that the SDB is able to attract and maintain investment and jobs.

ABM's Key Development Priorities

The strategic objective of the South Durban Basin ABM is to restore business confidence, consolidate existing and stimulate new development, facilitate renewed socio-economic investment and improve quality of life by tackling environmental problems, addressing operational deficiencies and improving the built environment in a sustainable manner. These objectives will be achieved through the following programmes:

Decline Arrested Through Active and Responsive Management

• Stakeholder Interaction: Area Specific (Portnet / ACSA /Communities/ Business Labour)
• Interaction with External Stakeholders: (DOW / Housing / DTI / AID Organisations / EU/ NGO's)
• Establish and manage the inter-departmental operations and maintenance (JOG, operations, maintenance etc)
• Support establishment of  UIP's

Sustainable Development Planning (Focus on Spatial Organisation)

• Establishment of a spatial plan for the SDB
• Precinct Rationalisation Plans and brown field redevelopment
• Land Use Management System
• Develop a strategic economic framework
• Economic node planning and development
• Land redevelopment  and environmental strategy

Enhance Strategic Physical Infrastructure Programme(New and Existing)

• Water and Sanitation Infrastructure
• Energy Infrastructure (Gas and Electricity)
• Solid Waste
• Road including storm water, Rail, Sea and Air Transport Infrastructure
• Public Transport Strategy
• Telecommunication Infrastructure

Equitable Access to Community Services, Facilities and Local Level Economic Opportunities

• Public spaces and places planning and redevelopment
• Social Infrastructure provision
• Residential node redevelopment
• Residential suburb (housing) consolidation and redevelopment
• Hostel programme
• Corporate social responsibility programme (Youth Development Focus)
• Technical Training and Information Programme

Improve SDB Image (Promotional /Marketing Thrust)

• Media Communications Programme
• Focused Communication Programme
• Suburban Brnding
• Direct and Indirect Marketing