Sustainable urban re-development : the Strollers Overnight Accommodation and Business Facility

Abstract

Throughout the developing world, cities experience an increasing influx of migrants in search of opportunities. This inward migration poses particular challenges for the municipalities concerned in that socio-economic development and ecological considerations are central to integrated development planning to achieve sustainability in urban development (and re-development). In the case of the Strollers Overnight Accommodation and Business Facility in Durban, which forms part of the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal, a unique socio-economic development project was launched in 1998. This research paper addresses the following aspects in relation to the particular project: Urban socio-economic re-development is placed within the context of local government’s developmental role. Furthermore, urban re-development issues are discussed in the context of peoples’ socio-economic needs where land (spatial) management aspects should be integrated to match sustainability criteria. In many cases, fatigued urban areas (referred to as brownfields) could be considered for locating innovative revitalisation projects. Finally, five categories of performance issues are suggested in terms of which projects such as the chosen case study might be administered to optimise its success potential and sustainability.