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Media Coverage Printed on 20 May 2012 | 00:53:22 |
Cornubia – KZN’s R26 bn jewel
Development Executive for Tongaat Hulett Developments, Karen Petersen shared some insights and a case study on KwaZulu-Natal’s largest integrated sustainable human settlement, Cornubia. The R26 billion public/private partnership between eThekwini Municipality and Tongaat Hulett Developments is strategically situated on Durban’s northern corridor. The development is part of eThekwini’s slum clearance project.
Petersen says that Cornubia is the largest greenfield development, unlike the expropriation of land for the N2 Gateway. Every Thursday stakeholders meet to thrash out problems.
“It’s not always easy as private enterprise and government are coming from very different places,” She jokes that “sometimes there’s blood on the floor”.
The 1 200 ha site is 15kms from the new King Shaka Airport. She credits much of the developments success to having ‘a willing private sector seller and willing local government buyer’.
The housing development Agency acquired 659ha in behalf of eThekwini. The giant development will accommodate 25 000 units and house 100 000 people. Cornubia hopes to live up to its slogan which is “building Tomorrow”.
Petersen says,” The beauty of Cornubia is that we have managed to learn from others. The economic opportunities are considered along with housing, and it’s not an afterthought. That environment is created by delivering on the non-residential facilities such as schools, clinics, crèches and social facilities and the churches have to be multifunctional. As integration is a top priority, it must start in the school, and is not solely about delivering a house.” The Cornubia Industrial and Business Park on 86 ha will accommodated small scale entrepreneurs and large scale warehousing and manufacturing companies. The total investment is R1, 8 billion and it’s estimated that the estate will provide 25 800 permanent job opportunities.
Bulk infrastructure requires 1million metre square for roads, sewerage, water, waste and internal services is estimated at a cost of R6,89 billion.
Petersen says, “The mass housing development is literally on Umhlanga’s doorstep and will roll out four phases with 2500 affordable units in each. Almost 15 000 units will cater for households earning under R3 500 per mouth. Between 7 000 to 10 000 units will provide housing for Gap market and households earning between R3 500 to R15 000 per month. The pilot area design will offer range of housing types and affordability within easy access of social facilities, amenities and employment opportunities. “The double-storey duplex design will offer 486 units of raw housing set around a square. The attached row housing is either 4m or 6m wide with an 8m access street, 3m pedestrian lanes and 6m wide paved streets. The central courtyard is arranged so that it creates a sense of community,” says Petersen.
Date Added: 14 Jul 2011 | Author: KZN Industrial & Business News
