The City of Cape Town's plan to develop 15 hectares of prime Foreshore land has raised questions about its affordable housing commitment. Unveiled by Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis on October 2, the proposal includes a new inner-city neighbourhood and changes to the freeway network. While affordable accommodation is part of the plan, the City has not provided a figure for the number of units or indicated what type of affordable housing is being considered.
The development, which could take decades to complete, proposes widening the inbound freeway and building a link bridge over Buitengracht Street to connect the freeway directly to Helen Suzman Boulevard. This would free up three parcels of land for residential development. A second phase proposes an outbound tunnel and the demolition of the existing elevated outbound freeway, freeing up more land for development and public space.
Good mayoral candidate Brett Herron has challenged Hill-Lewis over the housing commitment and the cost of the wider project. Herron asked for details on the project's cost, funding, and how many affordable houses will be delivered. He also questioned whether Transnet has agreed to release port land needed for the tunnel.
The City's proposal would be developed in phases, with construction of the second phase potentially continuing until about 2040. Hill-Lewis stated that the project is still in its early stages, with public participation, detailed engineering, funding decisions, and procurement still ahead. He acknowledged that there is a lot of work to do and a long way to go.
Herron argued that the lack of detail around the affordable housing component is significant given the history of the Foreshore development. An earlier City process, which included affordable housing and private development, was cancelled in 2018 following appeals and legal advice over the procurement process.
Herron described the new proposal as "hollow election-linked puffery" unless the City provides more detail on its cost, funding, housing, and the Transnet land. He suggested that the earlier model would have used private development to help pay for the infrastructure, but the DA has dropped this part of the plan.
The City is still in discussions with Transnet over Port Authority land needed for the tunnel. The project's timeline and funding remain uncertain, with many details yet to be determined. Key stakeholders, including residents and developers, will likely be watching closely as the plan unfolds.
Key points
- The City of Cape Town's Foreshore Precinct plan includes a proposal for affordable housing, but no target number of units has been specified.
- The project's timeline could stretch to 2040, with construction of the second phase potentially continuing until then.
- Good mayoral candidate Brett Herron has challenged Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis over the housing commitment and the cost of the wider project.
