Media statement from the Acting Premier Minister Fritz: Two Rivers Urban Park | Western Cape Government

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Media statement from the Acting Premier Minister Fritz: Two Rivers Urban Park

19 November 2015

TWO RIVERS URBAN PARK: AN INNOVATIVE RESPONSE TO APARTHEID SPATIAL PLANNING

Note to editors: The following statement comes after the signing ceremony of two agreements with the Dutch Government to help combat the apartheid spatial legacy in the City of Cape Town. The programme is a partnership between the Western Cape Government and the City of Cape Town.

Today’s momentous signing of the TRUP (Two Rivers Urban Park) Memorandum of Co-operation (MOC) is a significant step towards transforming this area into an innovative, sustainable neighbourhood, characterised by high density mixed use development and the Live, Work, Play philosophy.

This urban regeneration project has been championed by the Western Cape Government and the City of Cape Town in close partnership.

We have a clear, shared vision of unlocking economic potential through the development of underutilised properties in the TRUP area.

Through this partnership, we are showing how innovation can address the legacy of apartheid special planning.

We are very pleased that the Kingdom of the Netherlands, represented by the Ambassador of the Netherlands to South Africa, Marisa Gerards and her official delegation, has partnered with us to provide essential support and expertise to our professional team in Phase 2 of the project (feasibility and further planning phase).

As world leaders in water and flood management, the Kingdom of the Netherlands will provide invaluable specialist support as we explore further urban planning, landscape architecture, engineering, environmental and heritage opportunities present in the TRUP area.

Work has already been done to determine the feasibility of interconnected transportation systems for those that will live, work, and play in the new urban park.

This partnership between the Province, City, and the Kingdom of the Netherlands, will be a leading example of best practice and innovation in brownfield urban development, design and planning, water management, policy and research.

Collaboration in developing water management strategies will benefit not only the TRUP development, but other developments like it in future.

We look forward to a fruitful partnership with the Kingdom of the Netherlands during phase two of this exciting urban regeneration venture, and to the further roll-out of the TRUP development in the final implementation phase of the project.

The TRUP project forms part of the Western Cape Government’s Provincial Strategic Goal 1 (PSG 1) – the creation of opportunities for growth and jobs, and PSG 4, which aims to enable a resilient, sustainable, quality and inclusive living environment.

As Premier Helen Zille stated in her State of the Province address earlier this year, “the Regeneration Programme aims to leverage our existing assets as a platform for new growth. Our government sits on under-performing assets that should be available for development, attracting new investment, encouraging new businesses, creating new jobs, providing opportunities for well-located housing and generating an income stream to cross-subsidise projects for the poor.”

Media Enquiries: 

Michael Mpofu
Spokesperson for Premier Helen Zille

Cell: 071 564 5427
Tel: 021 483 4584
Email: Michael.Mpofu@westerncape.gov.za