How can rail infrastructure be better utilised to reshape and transform our urban spaces: Land development perspective Thamsanqa Hlongwane Pr.Pln 09 July 2018 Southern African Transport Conference

Establishing a correlation 1. Can efficient PT/rail system encourage spatial transformation? 2. Can Land development around station nodes promote sustainable development and encourage spatial transformation? 3. Can Land reform accelerate spatial transformation in urban areas? Rail Infrastructure: Stations Land Railways Land reform as a verb: involves the changing of laws, regulations or customs regarding : - Transformation of land ownership patterns through various instruments – e.g expropriation etc - Should promote access to various securities of tenure

Context Opportunities Challenges Majority of these locations are connected by rail infrastructure Rail still hold a significant public transport market share Reinvestment in rail infrastructure and initiatives to improve services underway New approach to precinct planning Land assembly opportunities Private sector has appetite for risk Challenges The majority of poor urban residents live in peripheral locations – persisting legacy of apartheid spatial planning Increasing housing backlog due to increasing urbanisation Low Densities vehicle (taxis) oriented settlements – 1 house per erf Urban sprawl: compounded by the adoption of dominant road and highways – sprawling middle class suburbia

1. Role of the Rail in spatial transformation Rail transport infrastructure cannot be viewed in isolation of the urban spatial environment in which it exists rail system as key spatial restructuring element A viable mode of mass public transport i.e. backbone of public transport Key to urban policy implementation i.e. sustainable cities, TODs, densification, compactness A rail response requires a transformed spatial structure to make an impact SoCR16 However, SAs Spatial pattern renders public transport systems inefficient and ineffective

City wide strategies – for public transport/Land Use VRC - CT TOD Opportunities

Implement Transit Oriented Developments opportunities  Securing land in areas of future urban growth for low- and mixed- income and for mixed-use development Implement Transit Oriented Developments opportunities Align institutional priorities (SoE, Cities, Funding Institutions) Avoid gentrification – balance market force with developmental goals 2. Can Land development around station nodes promote spatial transformation SoCR16 CoCT

Precinct planning: increasing densification VRC Prasa Land ? Private property City land City Land Private property

Sustainable Housing Solutions Access to public transport Key Features Sustainable Housing Solutions Access to public transport Reduced parking requirements Urban Joint Development - MoA Co-Funding arrangements Corridor Strategy alignment Encourage use of public transport Unlocks alternative revenue Streams Secure property rights Goodwood Station Park and Ride

3. Can ‘Land Reform’ accelerate spatial transformation

“Get the Institutions in order” Land Transformation Land Use/Spatial Planning: Cities Spatial Transformation EVERYONE Rail Transport: Primary Mandate - PRASA Secondary Intersite What is the role of SoEs in land reform and spatial transformation? - should e.g. SoE perform part of these duties linked to its functional area? - Spatial Transformation is everyone's duty – including the private sector and civil society Prof P. Harrison