As part of the ongoing public participation process for the Big Bay Local Spatial Development Framework (LSDF) — which includes the highly discussed Erf 1117 — the City of Cape Town’s Urban Planning team has begun responding to the community’s most frequently asked questions.
The newly approved LSDF sets out a long-term plan for the roughly 5km stretch of Blaauwberg Road, from Marine Circle to the intersection with Koeberg and Potsdam Roads. The corridor, originally designed in the 1980s for low-density, car-centric suburban living, has evolved dramatically as surrounding suburbs like Parklands, Dunoon, Big Bay, Sandown, West Beach and Sunningdale have expanded.
Ward 107 councillor Jonathan Mills emphasised that the process remains active and that “we are still far from anything being approved”. He urged residents to visit the online portal to review all available documents and submit comments.
This comes as the City recently approved another significant planning document in the area: the Local Spatial Development Framework for the Blaauwberg Road Corridor in Table View. The LSDF, adopted at the Council meeting on 24 April, marks a major step in reimagining one of the region’s busiest and most important routes.
The City hosted an Open Day on 1 November and an online session on 13 November where attendees had the opportunity to ask questions. The closing date for comments is 12 December.
A vision to transform Blaauwberg Road
According to the City’s Deputy Mayor and Mayco member for spatial planning and environment, Eddie Andrews, the new LSDF is designed to respond to this changing landscape.
“The LSDF addresses challenges created by historic car-centric planning, escalating congestion, infrastructure limitations, and the changing urban environment. Our goal is to develop Blaauwberg Road into a thriving urban corridor featuring world-class destinations, walkable precincts, and high-quality public spaces,” Andrews said.
The plan aims to guide development decisions, land-use applications, and public investment within the corridor and was shaped through substantial community engagement throughout 2023, including a formal two-month consultation period.
Key strategies and development priorities
The LSDF sets out several spatial and development goals that will influence future growth along the corridor:
- Broadening economic activity beyond traditional retail and service uses.
- Improving public access to Marine Circle and the coastline to enhance tourism, sport, and recreation.
- Developing the western section between Marine Circle and the R27 into a mixed-use zone that leverages its coastal setting.
- Protecting natural assets such as Rietvlei and ensuring development aligns with available infrastructure capacity.
- Increasing residential density along the trunk MyCiTi route to expand access to jobs and public transport.
- Diversifying housing options to support a more inclusive, integrated urban environment.
Andrews noted that climate resilience is another critical focus: “We aim to create a corridor that can withstand stronger winds, rising sea levels, and storm surges, while still delivering a vibrant, walkable urban area. Managing growth responsibly and investing in sustainable streetscapes remain central to our plan.”
Community input still central
Public involvement has been a defining feature of both the Blaauwberg Road and Big Bay planning processes. In September 2023, the City hosted a well-attended workshop at Table View Primary School, giving residents the chance to directly engage with officials and raise concerns.
Simultaneously, the City continues to invest in sanitation and infrastructure upgrades to support sustainable growth along the corridor and surrounding neighbourhoods.
Andrews has expressed appreciation for the community’s ongoing engagement: “I want to sincerely thank the community for collaborating with us in refining the LSDF. Their input has been invaluable in shaping a better, more sustainable future for Blaauwberg Road.”
Meanwhile, Mills has reiterated that the Big Bay LSDF — including discussions around Erf 1117 — remains open for comment, and residents are encouraged to participate before any final decisions are made.
