June 28, 2005
By Lucky Sindane
THE City of Johannesburg has given the thumbs up to the Nasrec Development Urban Design Framework, which aims to turn Nasrec into a world-class sports, tourism and exhibition hub.
During his budget speech, Executive Mayor Councillor Amos Masondo said the City had set aside R15-million for the next financial year for upgrading the Nasrec precinct.
The 420ha precinct includes the Johannesburg Expo Centre, one of the largest expo centres in Africa; the FNB Stadium, also known as Soccer City and soon to be upgraded to seat 110 000 spectators; and the PGA-rated Crown Mines Golf Course, designed by Gary Player.
Nasrec, situated south of Johannesburg, is linked to other tourism destinations in the area, namely Gold Reef City, the Apartheid Museum, the SOJO Trail and Kliptown.
"The 2010 Soccer World Cup presents an opportunity to bring to bear the concerted effort and attention that this area requires in order to change the current conditions, which hamper development," said Robert Bathke, a development manager at the Johannesburg Development Agency.
"The urban design framework embraces that opportunity, but [we] chose to engage with a longer term and more sustainable and integrated vision for the area, in line with current policies and the City's priorities."
The Urban Design Framework is structured in eight zones, based on current and planned uses, required spatial interventions, and underlying economic potential.
Zone one: Soccer City
The framework proposes realigning the main entrance to the south to reinforce a direct and visible link with the Public Transport Hub and Expo Centre. Secondary entrances are proposed to the north and west through broad pedestrians walkways to the parking areas.
The eastern entrance is proposed as a bridge over Nasrec Road to promote development in the east and discourage public transport from using Nasrec Road as a drop-off point.
The entrances will lead to a large, hard-surfaced area surrounding the stadium that will act as a plaza. This will help manage and accommodate spectators. Planned buildings and development opportunities are proposed to be located at the perimeter overlooking the entrances to reinforce the walkway axis and capitalise on pedestrian proximity when there are no events at the stadium.
Zone two: Public Transport Hub (PTH)
The PTH is designed to bring together the Expo Centre and Soccer City while promoting a link to Crown Mines Golf Course. Two thoroughfares are proposed to run on either side of the railway station. The thoroughfares are designed as boulevards that will extend between Nasrec Road and the planned Golden Highway.
These boulevards will serve as entrances to the PTH, with wide pavements and pedestrian crossings. The southern boulevard adjoining the Expo Centre could be extended to the golf course, providing a direct link between the three venues.
Zone three: Expo Centre
The Expo Centre should be more closely integrated with its surroundings. The main entrance will be realigned to the northeast corner, establishing a direct link via the linear square to the PTH and Soccer City entrance. It will also link the Expo Centre with the proposed High Street Square on Nasrec Road.
Zone four: Mixed-use High Street
The mixed-use High Street zone stretches along Nasrec Road and connects existing event venues with vacant development land to the east. The proposal is to downscale Nasrec Road to an activity spine, replaced in importance by the planned Golden Highway.
Nasrec Road will be edged with a variety of commercial and office uses and accommodation, with the High Street Square a focal point. The square will effectively link the new entrance of the Expo Centre with Nasrec Road and vacant land for development to the east. Fine-grained buildings will edge the square with a variety of uses, softened and made distinct by trees and vegetation.
Zone five: Residential and accommodation
It is proposed that residential and accommodation uses are positioned between the golf course and the High Street. The fall of the land allows the area to overlook the golf course; the Johannesburg central business district provides a dramatic backdrop.
The accommodation zone is ideally positioned for community facilities to serve the public at large. Proposed educational facilities are located south of the zone and will form a bridge to the suburbs. The facility could also be used as a community hall, training facility, adult education centre and recreation area.
Zone six: Crown Mines Golf Course
The framework proposes integrating the golf course into the greater precinct by extending the boulevard across Nasrec Road to the existing clubhouse. The golf course will be directly accessible from the Expo Centre, Soccer City, PTH and High Street.
The clubhouse facilities will be expanded for a range of recreational, corporate and family-orientated activities, exclusive to the area.
Zone seven: Parking areas
The vast open areas west of Soccer City and the Expo Centre are essential for providing parking. Parking areas will be retained as open grassland, with managed tree planting to provide structure and shade for vehicles.
The open parking areas will be developed as part of the City's open space system - following the Golden Highway road reserve linking with Russell Dam in the north. Additional parking areas could be established between the new on and off ramps on either side of the Soweto Highway to accommodate spillover during big events.
Zone eight: Surrounding areas
The industrial area of Aeroton, south of Rand Show Road, could establish itself as an event supplier park, providing manufacturing and distribution services directly to the venues.
If clustering could be encouraged around events, sports, tourism and other sectors promoted at Nasrec, job opportunities and growth in allied service sectors could be boosted.
As facilities are developed in the southwest, residents will no longer have to go to the city centre or the northern suburbs to have their recreational, sporting or tourism needs met.
"There is without doubt a sense of urgency to encourage constructively and productively in further detailed planning for the Nasrec precinct to ensure that the current policies are fully integrated into the next phase," Bathke said.
Erika Naude, the deputy director special projects in the City's department of development planning, transportation and environment, said, "The Nasrec precinct has a detailed framework and we have to accelerate the implementation of the project.
"An estimated R1-billion is needed for upgrading the Nasrec precinct and as a City we don't have all that money. We need partnerships. We have until 2009 and it is going to be difficult because we need funding."
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