Community Issues and Options

Proposed potential development of the forestry and buffer sites
at Imizamo Yethu

 

The City of Cape Town’s proposal entails an upgrade of the properties concerned to a formalised mixed-use and residential development. This would include the construction of access roads, provision and installation of civil engineering services such as water, stormwater, electricity and sewerage, and the provision of social facilities including open space and play pockets for residential purposes. Four alternative development options put forward by CNdV Africa are currently being considered involving different levels and types of land use on the properties concerned .

These four proposed alternatives for the properties in question are to be assessed in the specialist studies and tested in the public forum during this Environmental Impact Assessment, 

Based on these inputs, other alternatives could be generated for consideration.

           CLICK TO ENLARGE MAPS

ALTERNATIVE 1: NO GO / DO NOTHING This alternative proposes no intervention and, as such, the current status of the properties concerned at Imizamo Yethu would continue. However, there would be an increase in the approximately 740 formal erven in the settlement as the City of Cape Town would continue to formalise the remainder of the informal dwelling sites (i.e. excluding Sites 1, 2 and 3) located within the residential designated areas. The ongoing scarcity of land available to formally settle inhabitants of Imizamo Yethu would most likely mean that parts of the informal settlement would remain for some time to come. The resultant stormwater and river contamination would likely continue and even reach crisis proportions, creating algal blooms and sterilising the river. This is as a result of the unacceptably high levels of sewage in the Disa River and the ecoli contamination from the unsewered areas of the site. In summary, this scenario is likely to see the steady worsening of the status quo with a slow increase in conditions of poverty and ill health.

ALTERNATIVE 2: MIXED USE AND SUBSIDY Housing: This alternative anticipates the development of Sites 1 and 3 (refer to Figure 1) being used for a housing subsidy project based on the current government subsidy amount of approximately R45 000.00 per unit (including Cape Condensation Area top up). Site 2 would also contain some subsidy housing together with community facilities and a reduced forestry station site. Utilising site sizes ranging from 75 to 100m2, the following numbers of housing units could be accommodated: Site 1: ± 144   Site 2: ± 235   Site 3: ± 204   TOTAL: ± 583 housing units Community and Employment Facilities: The provision of community facilities and housing is proposed for Site 2. Facilities provided would include: A primary school (approximately 2 ha.); Small business, retail and light manufacturing / craft - mixed use opportunities (approximately 2 ha.) A reduced forestry station site of which parts could be used for market gardening (approximately 2 ha.); and A sportsfield (approximately 1 ha). In addition, two full size  sportsfields are proposed outside of Imizamo Yethu on the land opposite the police station. Furthermore, it is proposed that the existing employment creation centre at Site 3 be retained. Key Road Infrastructure: Two key road facilities required to make the site more accessible and minimise the number of intersections onto Hout Bay Main Road are proposed: The closing of the clinic access road; the construction of a single-sided 2-way service road near the lower boundary of the site turning off the access roads from the existing circle; and a new traffic circle at the existing northern junction of the site; and The completion of Mandela Drive is proposed, this major link road across Imizamo Yethu was always intended but never completed. This has had the effect of displacing major transverse traffic flows onto small residential streets never constructed for this purpose, thereby leading to their poor condition and excessive maintenance requirements.

ALTERNATIVE 3: URBAN VILLAGE The intention of this proposed Urban Village alternative is to create a project that would appeal to a wide range of participants and residents, thereby breaking Imizamo Yethu out of the current squatter settlement / housing subsidy perception that it holds. This would be in line with the vision of Imizamo Yethu becoming a suburb of the larger Hout Bay. Housing: This alternative envisions the site being developed to its maximum potential in terms of an holistic vision that includes a range of economic and social activities and a housing delivery program that accommodates 2 to 4 storey apartments. Assuming 50m2 units in 2 to 4 storey walkups, the following numbers of housing units could be accommodated: Site 1: ± 156, Site 2: ± 632 , Site 3: ± 316 TOTAL: ± 1104 housing units Community and Employment Facilities In keeping with the Urban Village concept, more than 50% of the envisaged employment opportunities and community facilities would be within walking distance, given the current size of Imizamo Yethu. The following is proposed: A primary school site (5000m2) and a high school site (approximately I ha.) are proposed for Site 2; The use of the existing managers’ housing on Site 2 for the purposes of a crèche, NGO, and/or small business facilities; Shops and a market place along the proposed single sided service road on Site 2; Clustered kick-abouts within 150 metres walking distance of every dwelling on the site; An Aids hospice is proposed to be situated at the northern part of Site 1, abutting Hughenden Estate; The preservation of the forestry site (Site 2) with an altered configuration so as to provide space for the Envisioned single-sided service road. There may be opportunities for craft markets and market gardening in this area; and The single sided service road is envisioned to be lined with craft, restaurant and hospitality activities so as to Provide another aspect to the tourism offering in Hout Bay. The geometric design of the road would accommodate tourist buses. Furthermore, it is proposed that the existing employment creation centre at Site 3 be retained. Key Road Infrastructure: The construction of a single-sided 2-way service road near the lower boundary of the site turning off the access roads from the existing circle; and a traffic circle at the existing northern junction of the site is proposed.

ALTERNATIVE 4: COMMUNITY FACILITIES In this alternative, the only development that is proposed to occur on the property in question would entail community facilities on Site 2. Two schools are proposed, a high school on 3 hectares and a primary school on 2 hectares, both with their own full size sports fields. The single sided service road, as put forward in Alternatives 2 and 3, is similarly proposed so as to create access to the lower parts of this development site. Approximately 2 hectares of small businesses would be located along the service road. The forestry site (Site 2), although reduced from its current extent, would retain approximately 2 hectares of the existing site. An additional 2 hectares of market gardening is proposed. It is further proposed that remainder of Site 2 be occupied by roadways and the remaining stands of eucalyptus and pine trees. No community facilities are proposed for Site 1, abutting Hughenden Estate Site 3 would remain in its current form with the employment creation centre in the southern corner and the remainder of this site vacant under the canopy of pine trees.

DOWNLOADS

• Envirochild feedback regarding the 16 Ha development of the Forestry site in Hout Bay
   

• Envirochild Proposal for Imizamu Yethu Area
   

• Imizamu Yethu Final Bid

 

Aim: 

To establish a living education centre that addresses all aspects of sustainability in the community, and, with the community, to build environmentally rational housing, to promote local organic, sustainable food production, localisation of services and local job creation.  

To extend this concept to other communities (beginning in the Cape, and then onwards to Cairo!)  

To encourage recognition that true communities are more than merely groups of people in houses - for there to be a future for any of us, sustainable, localised community living has to be the fundamental principle by which we progress.

….The Village within the City….

 

  Proposal:

Envirochild intends to establish an environmentally sustainable training centre on the site of the current City Council Forestry land.  On this site, we plan to incorporate the following:

• An organic/permaculture farm, managed in an environmentally neutral or positive way, labour intensive, for the benefit of all in the Hout Bay community.   It is envisaged that local residents, especially those less privileged, will be able to grow organic produce for their own consumption or for sale to the public (direct from the envirochild site, from the local community centre or even via local supermarkets/grocery stores).  As it will be organic and environmentally neutral, no fossil fuel based pesticides or fertilizers will be used and hand tilling will be implemented.   Beekeeping, indigenous flower and garden plant cultivation, more exotic food production (eg. Shitake mushrooms or exotic herbs for sale to local restaurants), will all be encouraged.
   
• Housing for up to 2000 people, possibly more, would be provided, built as far as possible from local materials, using sustainable design and building practices, and involving the homeowners-to-be throughout the construction process, thereby enhancing self esteem and pride through the building of their own home.   The concept will revolve around a carbon neutral village and will integrate the organic/permaculture site as far a possible.  There may be the opportunity of establishing a 'People's Bank' to assist with finance and ongoing banking services.  (we note that commercial banks do not adequately address the needs of the low waged).  The homeowners will be offered employment in various operations on the site, and the number of positions available may run to several hundred.
   
• It is envisaged that all the storm/grey/black water from Imizamo Yethu will be diverted to the site, treated using natural biological processes, and used after final reed-bed purifying as irrigation supply for the permaculture sites.   Not one litre of sewerage need enter the stormwater drains or the Disa River.
   
• A visitor centre will be constructed where the public will be able to observe and learn about alternative technologies in action:  organic farming and permaculture, ecological landscaping, herbal medicine, household and commercial energy saving advice, grey water recycling, rainwater systems, solar water heating, solar voltaics, underfloor heating, wind turbines, battery and invertor systems, composting and methane digestion sewerage systems, efficient irrigation and pumping techniques, simple water filtration and purifying systems, solar cooking, sustainable architecture and building techniques, cobb and straw bale houses, passive heating and cooling techniques in buildings, and all other relevant technologies.
   
• The opportunity for students from different schools to join in and share eco-projects will be offered, thereby bridging the gaps that currently exist between schools in different areas of Hout Bay
   
• There will be information and opportunities offered to students and the public in terms of involvement with community and rural projects, whether it is support for an elderly lonely person, or the supply of electricity and clean water to a rural village. 
   
• Educational and conference facilities for schools and the general public, with the emphasis on information about the environment and sustainable community solutions, health and diet, including healthy cooking classes.

 

• A commercial venture will operate, which will employ teams of locally based artisans, who will have been trained on the envirochild site, to install solar water heating, grey and rainwater systems, irrigation systems etc. for private and commercial clients throughout the Cape.  Profits will fund further envirochild projects.
   
• A complete recycling centre and drop off point will be established.
   
• Environmental consultancy, domestic and commercial, will be available, including energy audits, site assessments, and advice in the areas of taxation and carbon certification.
   
• Living examples of apartment, back garden and suburban garden food production.
   
• A woodfired bakery which will supply Hout Bay residents and restaurants with exotic breads.
   
• A dairy, using organic milk, where local cheeses will be made.
   
• A shop, and possibly a mail order service for environmentally logical products will be established.  Fairtrade principles will apply.
   
• An organic restaurant/coffee shop will serve the public..
   
• A playground will be built, incorporating power generators and water pumps on some structures such as roundabouts and swings.
   
• A part of the land will be designed as an open park for the relaxation and benefit of all in Hout Bay. 
   
• An outdoor amphitheatre will be built using natural land contours,  'drama and music beneath the stars'.
   
• An arm of BEN the cycling initiative, which is already operating in Imizamo Yethu, could be incorporated into the site, to further the importance and benefits of cycling to all.  Other aspects of sustainable transport will be investigated and demonstrated.
   
• Guest house accommodation is envisaged on the site, in ecocabins which will demonstrate sustainable technology to local and foreign guests.
   
• Music school facilities (a sustainable form of entertainment), may be provided.
   
•  Screening and promoting environmentally appropriate films plays and artwork.
   
• As much energy as possible will be generated on site.
   
• Local materials including some timber currently on site to be used in building construction, harvested sustainably and with minimal use of fossil fuels.
   
• Promotion of the reduce reuse recycle philosophy will be paramount.
   

 

 

Some Advantages of this Proposal:
 

• Employment, in the areas of agriculture, hospitality, sales, cleaning, education, technical, security, administration, construction, amongst others.   It is envisaged that the project when fully operational could employ several hundred people.
   

• Sustainable housing for a large number of currently homeless local families.
   

• Ownership of a community asset by the whole community.
   

• Self esteem through work opportunities and own food production/sales.
   

• The total management of the current atrocious sewerage situation in Imizamo Yethu and the Disa River.
   

• Across the board community involvement and 'bridging the gaps' that currently exist.
   

• Reduction in crime through increased employment, improved understanding, and better coordination of security resources between communities.
   

• Child and adult life skills and education.
   

• Public awareness of environmental issues.
   

• Food production.
   

• Improved health, diet and fitness.
   

• Reduction in resource demands.
   

• An increase in tourist visits to Hout Bay, through people visiting the centre, with consequent spread of the tourist rand to the less advantaged. 

  Extension of the envirochild model to the Hangberg Community:

Envirochild has had preliminary talks with community leaders from the Hangberg area of Hout Bay, which is perhaps as disadvantaged as Imizamo Yethu, and geographically slightly out on a limb  There seems to be great potential synergy in the fusion of ideas of expressed by both the community and envirochild.

Certainly, the idea of sustainable development is very close to the hearts of Hangberg residents, given the hardship they have suffered through the necessary but painful reduction in quotas that have been imposed due to past overfishing.

Various ideas have been put forward, such as improved sustainable power supplies, better and environmentally friendly housing, fish farming and seaweed harvesting and processing.   All of these ideas and many more could be investigated by the envirochild Sustainability Centre and developed together with the community. 

Further discussions with both the community and local government are anticipated.

       

  Other ideas initially or for the future:

• A naturally filtered and cleaned swimming lake, offering relaxation, exercise and the opportunity to learn water skills.
• Fully sponsored outings for disadvantaged children in Cape Town to other environmentally appropriate sites, or to films such as 'An Inconvenient Truth'. 
• Research into, support and funding of, safe cycle paths and lanes within Hout Bay
• Horse and traps, to ferry local tourists from the harbour and around Hout Bay.
• The assumption of responsibility by the centre, through agreement with the City Council, for all litter collection throughout Hout Bay.
• Funding, installation and maintenance of public toilets at various sites in the Valley (fully solar powered and water recycled).
• Electric/solar local public transport within Hout Bay.  (may be popular for the elderly, or for those who choose not to use their cars).
• Teaching of sailing skills on an envirochild vessel from Hout bay harbour demonstrating an alternative to power craft.
• Sustainable fishing initiatives.