Major changes will be coming to Bellville soon. The City of Cape Town’s Executive Mayor Dan Plato recently launched the Bellville Future City project with the aim for the area to become a second central business district.
According to the City, this project will also enable them to harness closer working relationships and collaboration with the rail agencies Prasa and Transnet, and other key stakeholders in the revitalisation of the CBD.
“The vision of developing Bellville as Cape Town’s second CBD has been discussed for a long time and today, we are taking concrete action. We are establishing strategic forums to engage academic institutions, the business sector and civil society, which will assist our short, medium and long-term goals of revitalising the Bellville CBD,” said Plato.
Bellville is a central and consistently busy area with roads leading to industrial and industrial areas around Cape Town. The Bellville CBD has a different DNA to Cape Town CBD, which relies heavily on office workers to generate foot traffic for businesses.
However, the area has suffered many declines which have impacted negatively on the area’s attractiveness as an investment destination.
“A key part of the revitalisation will include the establishment of an Innovation District to facilitate increased investment in the knowledge economy, and sharing strategic information related to policy development and planning,” explained Plato.
“The second forum will comprise of the business sector, which will assist with the regeneration by directing investment through the Innovation District. The Greater Tygerberg Partnership will be assisting with the implementation of the project, as a city-linked body.”
Plato believes the funding provided for Bellville’s land and public transport will give it a better future.
“By launching the Bellville Future City project, we are taking very important steps in realising the City’s long-term vision for residents, businesses and investors,” he stated.
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