The Two Rivers Urban Park saga explained

By Hudson McComb

A proposed high density development within the Two Rivers Urban Park (TRUP) area on the border of Pinelands, Sybrand Park and Observatory, by Province and the City, continues to provoke heated objections from neighbouring civic associations, stakeholders and effected parties.

The TRUP area first came into the spotlight in 1998 when the City initiated an extensive and comprehensive public participation process over a period of five years, to prioritise the conservation of the wetlands, heritage and culture and committed to development that would not compromise the natural ecological system.

This resulted in the adoption of the Two Rivers Urban Park Contextual Framework and Phase One Environmental Management Plan (TRUPCF&EMP) in 2003, co-designed by all parties involved and incorporated into the Spatial Development Framework for the area.

To ensure the Conceptual Development framework was adhered to, the City established the TRUP Association, a non-profit organisation involving local representatives who were mandated to manage and oversee future development in the TRUP area in accordance with the TRUPCF&EMP.

With no financial support from the City, the TRUP Association has relied on volunteer involvement and their personal funds over the years, has co-ordinated services in partnership with various stakeholders.

They oversee regular river clean-up operations, coordinate bird watching and wetland tours, engage with local stakeholders, effected parties and local civic associations to promote the collective vision incorporated in the TRUPCF&EMP.

In 2010 the Regeneration Program involving a partnership between Province and the City proposed a mega development surrounding the TRUP area and a conceptual design was exhibited in the City Hall during the World Design Capital (WDC 2014) program in 2014.

The proposed mega development has provoked controversy for a number of reasons.

Citizens are opposed to the top down development approach which was not only contrary to the bottom-up people-centred approach promoted by the WDC 2014 program but also in conflict with the "together we can do more" slogan the province and the city has championed during and beyond elections.

The proposed mega development had not involved any public participation, undermining democratic principles.

The principle promoted by Premier Helen Zille who said: "Our Constitution regards people as active participants in development. Our job, in partnership with each and every citizen, with civil society and other spheres of government, is to make that vision a living reality."

Also of great concern was the promotion of the Cape Health Technology Park (CHTP) and Biovac Pharmaceutical Company on the extremely popular Oude Molen Eco Village site.

The site is home to a dynamic collection of sixty small commercial and social enterprises together employing up to four hundred people.

The proposed medical park would not only destroy livelihoods and nineteen years of proactive citizen involvement but also prevent the Oude Molen Ecovillage Tenants Association (OMEVTA) from pursuing the progressive future development vision for the site that was adopted as an official WDC project in 2014.

In comparison, the proposed medical park, according to a representative, only required half of the Oude Molen Eco Village (OMEV) site so that their building could be seen from the highway.

While high densification and affordable housing is being championed as a solution and incorporated in the proposed mega development, it is very doubtful that a high tech pharmaceutical health park will provide affordable housing.

A comprehensive OMEVTA Future Development proposal articulates in detail, significant income to Provincial Government. It included the distribution of profits for social development initiatives in the region.

It also covers job creation small enterprise development, youth skills development, affordable housing, food security, urban agriculture, renewable energy technology, local and international tourism, healthy social and recreational activities and access to the public as an extension of the urban park.

The emphasis on large corporate business to generate employment, address poverty and ensure equitable distribution of resources contradicts current research which confirms that small enterprises have produced the majority of all new employment opportunities in South Africa over the past twenty years and will continue to do so for the next twenty years.

Research also indicates that small enterprises distribute wealth far more equitably than large corporates.

The proposed excessive building footprint by the province will destroy the unique ambiance and public urban park character and open space appeal that sets Oude Molen apart.

It will prevent public access to the Oude Molen property.

In stark contrast, the CHTP will not allow open public access, nor provide affordable housing, or distribute profits for social development in the region and cannot produce the amount of employment opportunities to those that need it most.

Another concern was that the OMEVTA submitted a Future Development Proposal to Provincial Government, which according to the Regeneration Program team could not be accepted due to its unsolicited bid status.

But the CHTP expression of interest was accepted without any detail (i.e. income to Provincial Government, employment opportunities and other social and economic benefits to the region).

These concerns led to the TRUP Association meeting with Minister Donald Grant (Department of Public Works) at the River Club in Observatory where he introduced the consortium appointed to investigate a development framework for the TRUP area.

At this meeting Minister Grant assured the TRUP Association that no decision regarding the proposed CHTP medical park or Biovac being located on Oude Molen Eco Village had been made.

He said the only decision that had been taken at that point was for the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) Headquarters to be located in the TRUP area.

The TRUP Association, OCA, neighbouring civics and the Development Action Group in Observatory believe that it is crucial for citizens to be proactive and involved in co-designing a development.

This ensures that future generations can benefit from and enjoy the space rather than allow profits and greed, political expediency and vested interests determine the future of the TRUP area compromising a precious wetland eco system resource.

Public participation meetings subsequent to meeting with Minister Grant have revealed that stakeholders, effected parties and citizens in general agree that a balanced development is necessary

They are very much opposed to over the top development, prioritising profit at the cost of the environment, heritage, and culture.

With the example set by the OMEVTA future development proposal.

There has to be an emphasis on the an international best practice approach for a Planet People Profit development .

This approach is advocated by the B Team initiated by Richard Branson and other top business leaders and provides a unique opportunity to co-design something.

Something truly imaginative, progressive, visionary and inspirational, showcasing positive collaboration and constructive partnerships between government citizens and civil society for the benefit of the entire region and producing a lasting legacy for future generation to benefit from.