December 11, 2006
By Neil Fraser
YES, I know I signed off for the year last week, but this past week has been a really important one in the life of the city. The first three workshops leading to the Inner City Summit and charter were held and I want to share some of the information that emerged so that you can feel part of the process and continue to give your input.
On Monday, 4 December the safety, security and urban management sector met, which I will cover this week; on Tuesday it was the turn of the public and leisure spaces, arts, culture and heritage sector, followed by transportation on Wednesday.
These workshops, and a whole lot more that will follow in the new year, stem from the executive mayor's message that:
There must be ongoing mobilisation of stakeholders around inner city regeneration;
There needs to be clarity on what the critical issues of concern to stakeholders are and there should be meaningful and robust debate around these, leading to solutions; and
The programme of solutions must bind all stakeholders to common actions.
I really do see this as a unique opportunity. The cynics may be saying, "It's just another series of talkshops", however, in all the processes we have had over the past decade we have not had one that not only defines the problems and agrees the solutions, but also allocates funding and sets a date for implementation - and then wraps it all up with a signed commitment. Commitment and accountability will be the keys to this process.
The initial workshops held last week were an opportunity to place issues on the table and to talk about possible outcomes. However, everything will be revisited in future workshops where more issues may be raised and agreement on both issues and possible solutions will be sought. So, here are the issues raised at the first of the safety, security and urban management workshops, as well as some of the appropriate comments I have received through Citichat:
1. Poorly managed and supported informal trading
Clogged pavements: the city's street stalls disenable police and CCTV surveillance and pose a traffic safety hazard. They need a developmental and not simply a regulatory solution - the Taxi Rank and Traders' Market at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital seem to be a good model for formalising traders. Our pavements should be patrolled by officers authorised to fine individuals illegally selling goods on the pavements or just generally blocking them. Again, these officers should be handing out fines to those who litter.
2. Illegal taxi ranking and holding on streets
Existing facilities are either inadequate or are not being used. Street ranking blocks line of sight for police and CCTV, and they are sometimes a safety hazard and an urban management challenge. Taxi facilities should be expanded and be well maintained as they are our de facto public transport system and therefore the City cannot deny responsibility for providing appropriate infrastructure. In return for providing better facilities, taxis should be more rigorously policed. Washing of taxis on streets should not be allowed.
3. Bad "vacant" buildings
These are a challenge for crime prevention, a health hazard because of the lack of services, and a fire hazard because of illegal and dangerous electrical connections.
4. Waste management
There is insufficient infrastructure and lack of enforcement. A link between crime and grime was noted and that it is cheaper to dump illegally and pay the fines than to take waste to a dump. So these fines need to be re-assessed. A "Green Peace" force and education programmes regarding littering and waste are needed.
5. Street lighting and way-finding
Many areas are poorly lit, including parks, posing a major security risk. This affects night time activities. Signage in the inner city is poor and we need a coherent way-finding system.
6. Police visibility
There is insufficient police visibility and it is not targeted appropriately. Safety and security cannot work in isolation and areas around the inner city must not be ignored.
7. Closed circuit television
The CCTV system does not cover a large enough area. Response times do not appear optimal and the relationship between the CCTV system and other initiatives such as city improvement districts is not clear. CCTV should be used for urban management in addition to safety and security.
8. Liquor outlets
There is a proliferation of outlets and, in some cases, 24-hour access to alcohol contributes significantly to social fabric crime.
9. Parking, traffic and car guards
Traffic congestion is worsening and there are insufficient parking bays. Car guards are largely unregulated and there is a perception that they contribute to safety risks. Parking fees not going where they should. Where does the income from traffic-related fines go?
10. Illegal advertising
Illegal advertising on bridges, shop frontages, street poles, and so on
Unsightly illegal advertising defaces what they are displayed on and adds to an environment of disorder, and it is a waste management challenge.
11. Intersection trading, begging and homelessness
Both an increasing nuisance and a safety hazard, begging is a growing problem. So-called beggars are often spotters for smash and grab artists. Police have a problem in that there are no facilities in which to place people who are removed from intersection begging or trading. The number of people sleeping on the streets is increasing but the number of shelters remains the same.
12. Management of public open space
Poorly managed open space leads to dumping and some public spaces become crime hotspots. Maintenance of public walkways in the city was also raised.
13. Safety and security
Communication of issues and successes is as poor and inconsistent as is that from the central and provincial governments.
14. Lack of incentives
There is a general lack of incentives for development and a particular lack of incentives for heritage preservation or restoration. Incentives in the inner city must also be viewed in relation to their impact on surrounding areas. More cognisance must be taken of the urban development zone and the recent "reconstruction zones" developed by the Department of Housing.
15. Heritage
There is a total lack of recognition of heritage issues in council plans, programmes and procedures, including the Better Buildings Programme. Listed buildings must be genuinely preserved and such preservation must be enforced.
16. Foreign nationals
Their status needs clarification; some are here legally as students or to work, but they are involved in building invasions and so on. Others are being granted licences as though they are locals.
17. Tourism
Safe, secure dedicated tourist routes are needed. There is no special safety and security attention for tourists or for the vast numbers of cross border shoppers.
18. Council agencies, utilities and departments
The performance of the council's units needs to be measured and greater public accountability should be introduced. There does not appear to be any co-ordination between City departments and there is a gap between citizens' needs and the response from City officials and politicians. Investment is constrained by inefficiencies in the planning process, billings and so forth. The call centre is unresponsive and rates clearances remain a major problem. The council should be rid of corrupt officials. Improve planning skills - imported if necessary - to avoid problems like the electricity capacity planning and on-going maintenance issues. There is a lack of an integrated plan.
19. Criminal justice system
Proper channels of communication are needed between prosecuting authorities, communities and the council. The courts are not made aware of various council programmes and so on.
20. Communication
More publicity about what's actually being done is needed. There are some good things happening alongside the bad - all too often we focus only on the negative.
21. Regional and precinct recognition
The new Region F marginalises Fordsburg, Mayfair and the FNB Stadium. The area south of the inner city is neglected and Region F's boundaries are unclear.
An excellent overall comment was that the summit process must move beyond being "reactive" towards becoming "visionary". It should seek to bring out creative new initiatives linked to social needs and the opportunities that the city offers. Creative solutions are needed rather than reactive solutions.
Next week I'll detail the issues raised at the first of the public and leisure spaces, arts, culture and heritage workshops. Have a look at the things to do and see below.
Cheers, Neil
Things to do and see
The excellent Origins Centre will be open seven days a week throughout the holiday period, except for Christmas Day and New Year's Day. The Origins Centre is at 1 Yale Road, Braamfontein; phone 011 717 4700 for more information.
Have a look at the Anglo Christmas Tree display in the pedestrianised area at the western end of Main Street.
Saturday, 16 December: The Parktown and Westcliff Heritage Trust's walking tour of the Main Street Mall will meet at 2pm at Beyers Naude Square, next to the Cenotaph. Park in the Library Gardens parking garage; the entrance is off President and Simmonds streets. The cost is R70 per person and tickets are available at Computicket.
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