An Opportunity for Sustainable, Inclusive Development
The City of Cape Town’s recent announcement regarding the potential redevelopment of the Mowbray Golf Course has been cautiously welcomed by local housing activists. This move signifies a crucial step towards addressing the city’s pressing housing and segregation challenges, while also presenting an opportunity for innovative, eco-friendly urban planning.
Expiring Lease and Redevelopment Potential
The current long-term lease held by the King David Mowbray Golf Club is set to expire in 2022, with a new ten-year lease signed in May 2024. Crucially, the new lease includes a two-year cancellation clause, providing the City with the necessary flexibility to undertake the planning and infrastructure upgrades required for the potential redevelopment of the site.
According to the City, the initial phase of redevelopment will focus on two main tracts of land – the area north of the railway line bordered by Pinelands and the Elsieskraal canal, as well as a separate tract bounded by the N2 and Jan Smuts Drive. The land south of the railway line, which houses the Golf Club clubhouse, faces significant accessibility challenges and will be considered in future phases.
Activists’ Calls for Affordable Housing
Housing activists, such as Ndifuna Ukwazi, have been advocating for the development of the Mowbray Golf Course land since 2019. Their calls for action align with the broader concern over the City’s leases of well-located public land, such as the Rondebosch Golf Club, which they argue should be prioritized for affordable housing.
As Nick Budlender of Ndifuna Ukwazi stated, “It makes little sense to have ten golf courses situated on well-located public land in the midst of our extreme housing and segregation crisis.” The activists have emphasized the need for a mixed-use, mixed-income development that includes genuinely public green spaces, as a means to address the city’s social, environmental, and fiscal sustainability challenges.
City’s Commitment to Inclusive Development
The City’s announcement has been met with cautious optimism from housing activists. Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis acknowledged the significant work ahead in servicing the land and planning for its long-term development, but emphasized that the initiation of a public participation process is a crucial step towards “releasing this land for inclusive, sustainable development.”
Bevil Lucas of Reclaim the City welcomed the news but stressed the importance of ensuring that the public participation process is truly inclusive, catering to the needs and concerns of all stakeholders. This emphasis on inclusivity is crucial, as the redevelopment of the Mowbray Golf Course presents an opportunity to create a more equitable and sustainable urban environment.
Unlocking the Potential for Affordable Housing
The Mowbray Golf Course redevelopment represents a chance for the City of Cape Town to address its housing crisis and promote social integration. By transitioning underutilized public land into a mixed-use, mixed-income development, the City can create much-needed affordable housing units, while also preserving valuable green spaces and improving the overall urban infrastructure.
Addressing the Housing Shortage
Cape Town, like many cities around the world, faces a severe housing shortage, particularly for low-to-middle income households. The development of the Mowbray Golf Course land could provide a significant boost to the city’s affordable housing supply, helping to alleviate the burden on those struggling to find suitable and accessible living options.
However, as housing activist Thomas Johnson has cautioned, the term “affordable housing” is often used loosely, with developers and authorities failing to ensure that the resulting units are truly within reach of the target demographic. It will be crucial for the City to establish clear and transparent guidelines to ensure that the affordable housing component of the Mowbray Golf Course redevelopment is accessible to those who need it most.
Sustainable and Inclusive Design
The City’s stated intention to pursue a “mixed-use, mixed-income development” at the Mowbray Golf Course site aligns with best practices in sustainable and inclusive urban planning. By integrating a diverse range of housing options, amenities, and green spaces, the redevelopment can create a more vibrant, livable, and socially integrated community.
Incorporating renewable energy solutions, water-efficient technologies, and climate-resilient design features can also help to future-proof the development, contributing to the City’s broader sustainability goals. Additionally, the preservation of public green spaces within the redevelopment plan can provide valuable recreational and ecological benefits to the surrounding neighborhoods.
Balancing Priorities and Engaging the Community
The redevelopment of the Mowbray Golf Course will require a delicate balance between various priorities, including affordable housing, environmental conservation, and community needs. The City’s commitment to a robust public participation process is a promising step, as it allows for the diverse perspectives and concerns of local residents, activists, and other stakeholders to be heard and addressed.
Throughout the planning and implementation phases, it will be crucial for the City to maintain transparent communication, incorporate feedback from the community, and ensure that the final development aligns with the principles of social, environmental, and economic sustainability. By doing so, the Mowbray Golf Course redevelopment can serve as a model for inclusive, forward-thinking urban development in Cape Town and beyond.
Conclusion: A Pivotal Moment for Cape Town’s Future
The City of Cape Town’s plans to redevelop the Mowbray Golf Course represent a pivotal moment in the city’s history. By transitioning underutilized public land into a mixed-use, mixed-income development that prioritizes affordable housing and sustainable design, the City has the opportunity to address pressing social and environmental challenges while creating a more equitable and livable urban environment.
As housing activists and community stakeholders engage in the public participation process, their input will be crucial in shaping the future of the Mowbray Golf Course site. By working collaboratively with the City, these groups can ensure that the redevelopment aligns with the needs and aspirations of the local community, setting a precedent for inclusive, sustainable urban development in Cape Town.
Ultimately, the Mowbray Golf Course redevelopment represents a chance for the City to demonstrate its commitment to addressing the housing crisis, promoting social integration, and building a more resilient, environmentally-conscious city. With careful planning, community engagement, and a steadfast focus on sustainable, inclusive design, this project has the potential to become a shining example of what can be achieved when the needs of the people are placed at the heart of urban development.
