Westown is expected to unlock, reshape, and revitalise Durban’s Outer West by creating a new economic hub. But WHY the Outer West and WHY Shongweni?
Despite the impression that the OUTER WEST is “off the beaten track” a major advantage of the region is its location and positioning on the N3 highway. Known as the SIP 2 or Durban-Free State-Gauteng Logistics and Industrial Corridor, the N3 is a route identified as a logistics corridor with investment and development opportunities as part of an accessible node.
Historically the Outer West has had the (significantly) lowest share of contribution to GDP in the City, yet over the last 9 years, there has been a 59% increase in the adult population, a growth rate of 6.5% per year.
Providing for this growing population offers a range of opportunities. The need for employment ‘closer to home’ for example, supported by data from a recent survey indicating that 41% of respondents who live in the Outer West commute out of the area for work.
Why Shongweni?
With the Outer West nodes of Keystone and Cato Ridge gaining traction as industrial precincts,
SHONGWENI is the next logical, mixed-use development node in the region. It’s ease of access to the N3 and arterial networks adds massive weight to its potential.
Not only is Shongweni a Municipal Catalytic Project location but it is also identified as an Investment Opportunity Area in that it facilitates local spatial, economic, and social integration. This classification dates to the regional town planning scheme that has been developing since the 90’s.
Practically speaking, Shongweni is already easily accessible for day-to-day business, transport, social, and community services that provide a base for existing and future local communities. Equally, Shongweni’s connection to existing residential areas creates a foundation for new opportunities in business, retail, recreational, commercial, and new residential markets.
Why Westown?
As the most accessible greenfield (undeveloped) site in the Shongweni area,
WESTOWN can accommodate a range of tailormade opportunities across sectors. It allows for an integrated and managed destination that enables long-term sustainable investments for both the public and private sectors. This investment includes infrastructure and bulk service development which leads to the support of local needs like more education facilities and libraries.
Westown will be a new destination, a managed precinct of lifestyle, home, retail, business, and recreational activities, positioned within an active green belt. But Westown is also part of an existing ecosystem of communities, people and businesses that are integral to the character and success of Shongweni and the Outer West.
Read more about the
Westown sub-precincts
