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The Development Management Directorate is responsible for the oversight of all changes in land use and of building construction. It is concerned with obtaining legal approvals for developments, as well as ensuring that land use changes and construction are in line with the principles that have been set out in the City's Regional Spatial Development Frameworks. The directorate also manages the built environment after construction, specifically "policing" contraventions of by-laws and the illegal use of buildings. To carry out its mandate, the department has been structured into five sub-directorates, which are essentially specialised management units responsible for the following:

• Land use management;
• Building control;
  • Building plans;
  • Outdoor advertising;
• Planning control and enforcement;
• Legal administration; and
• Records.