Dictionary
Acronyms
Glossary
Acronyms
- Built Environment Performance Plan
- Built Environment Value Chain
- Bus Rapid Transport
- Central Business District
- Community Based Organisation
- Closed-Circuit Television Camera
- City Development Strategies
- City Improvement District
- Capital Investment Framework
- Cities Infrastructure Delivery and Management System
- Company and Intellectual Property Commission
- Central Johannesburg Partnership
- Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design
- (UN) Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
- Cities Support Programme
- The Global Network on Disability Inclusive and Accessible Urban Development
- Department of Performance Monitoring and Evaluation
- Department of Trade, Industry and Competition
- Dwelling units per hectare
- Eco-Industrial Park
- Floor-Area Ratio
- Facilities Management
- Gross Domestic Product
- Global Eco-Industrial Parks Programme
- Gauteng Precinct Management Association
- Housing Development Agency
- Information and Communications Technology
- Infrastructure Delivery Management System
- Integrated Development Plan
- Integrated Public Transit Network
- Integrated Transport Plan
- Integrated Urban Development Framework
- Integration Zone
- Levels of Service
- Long-Term Financial Strategy
- Land Use Management
- Municipal Finance Management Act
- Municipal Property Rates Act
- Municipal Systems Act
- Municipal Spatial Development Framework
- Medium Term Revenue and Expenditure Framework
- Megawatt
- National Cleaner Production Centre South Africa
- National Development Plan
- Neighbourhood Development Partnership Grant
- Neighbourhood Development Partnership Programme
- National Government
- Non-Governmental Organisation
- Non-motorised transport
- Occupational Health and Safety
- Provincial Government
- Public-Private Partnership
- Public Transport
- Request for Proposal
- South African Police Service
- Service Delivery and Budget Implementation Plan
- Service Level Agreement
- State-Owned Enterprise
- Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act
- Special Purpose Vehicle
- Special Rating Area
- Transport-Oriented Development
- Upgrading of Informal Settlements Programme
- United Nations
- United Nations Industrial Development Organisation
- United Nations Office for Project Services
- Urban Network Strategy
- Walkable Urban Places
Glossary
Activity corridor
The Activity Corridor is located between the CBD and an Urban Hub and consists of a belt of land approximately 2 km wide adjacent to a Primary Public Transport link with a number of corridor nodes [established and emerging] along the corridor.
Built form
Buildings and man-made structures.
Bulk
The combined effect of the arrangement, volume and shape of a building. Also referred to as massing.
Catalytic urban development programme
Catalytic urban development programmes are urban development programmes and associated projects that:-
The catalytic programme development process delivers a series of built environment projects to be implemented by either national, provincial, municipal or private sector which will progressively put cities on the path to achieving compact cities and transformed urban spaces and are therefore outcomes led. The public sector projects must demonstrate how they leverage private and household investment.
- Enable integration, that is, mixed and intensified land uses where the residential land use caters for people across various income bands and at increased densities that better support the viability of public transport systems;
- Are strategically located within integration zones in metropolitan municipalities; and are game changers in that the nature and scope of the projects are likely to have significant impact on spatial form and unlock economic activity.
- Involve major infrastructure investment;
- Require a blend of finance where a mix of public funds is able to leverage private sector investment as well as unlock household investment;
- Require specific skills across a number of professions and have multiple stakeholders.
The catalytic programme development process delivers a series of built environment projects to be implemented by either national, provincial, municipal or private sector which will progressively put cities on the path to achieving compact cities and transformed urban spaces and are therefore outcomes led. The public sector projects must demonstrate how they leverage private and household investment.
Central business district (CBD)
The CBD is the central business district of the city region and the centre of the urban network. For the purpose of the Urban Networks Strategy, the main focus of the CBD is on public transport modal facilities.
City Improvement District (CID)
A City Improvement District (CID) is a non-profit organisation operating within a defined geographic area within which property owners agree to pay a levy for supplementary and complimentary services set to enhance the physical environment and possibly also the social and economic conditions of the defined geographic area.
CIDs are also known as Special Ratings Areas (SRA) and are enabled in terms of provisions established in the Municipal Property Rates Act and the Municipal Systems Act.
CIDs are also known as Special Ratings Areas (SRA) and are enabled in terms of provisions established in the Municipal Property Rates Act and the Municipal Systems Act.
Densification
Increased use of space, both horizontally and vertically, within existing areas/properties and new developments, accompanied by an increased number of units and/or population threshold.
Economic/employment node
Employment or economic nodes are localised urban agglomeration economies with the highest number of jobs per unit of area (job densities). They are the primary urban destinations and therefore are mostly located on major transit routes and accessible via a variety of transport modes. In terms of land use, employment nodes can either be mixed – a cluster of office, retail, industrial, community and residential land uses; or uniform – homogenous land uses such as industrial or office complexes. Building heights and land coverage in economic nodes are much higher compared to average urban places. In terms of life cycle stage, they can be segmented into emerging (township nodes or urban hubs), established (decentralised commercial nodes) and declining nodes (CBDs). Size and catchment area of economic nodes are characterised into a descending hierarchy, e.g. Regional, CBD, Metropolitan, Suburban and Neighbourhood.
Emerging corridor nodes
Secondary nodes can also be located on the Activity Corridor between the CBD and the Urban Hub. These secondary nodes are known as Emerging Corridor Nodes.
Existing nodes
Existing nodes are well located regional mixed use activity centres.
Façade and interface
The relationship of buildings to the site, street and neighbouring buildings in terms of:
- Alignment
- Setbacks and boundary treatment
- Architectural expression of their facades including projections, patterns, openings and materials
Form
The layout (structure and urban grain), density, scale (height and massing), appearance (materials and details) and landscape of the environment.
Functional area
A functional area is a dense built up area that presents a concentration of people, activity, capital and buildings and is structured on major roads, railroads and terminals. It forms a system that functions by flows of people, goods, energy, information and money and includes a contiguous core of urban areas and commuter belts from which a fixed percentage of commuting to work is directed mainly within the functional area.
Fused grid lay-out
The fused grid lay-out is a neighbourhood and district lay-out model that fuses or combines the geometry of the grid system (typical inner-city configuration of rectangular blocks) with the suburban geometry of loops and cul-de-sacs.
Height
The height of a building in number of storeys from ground level.
Human settlements development
The Department of Human Settlements defines a human settlement as a developed and/or developing human community in a city, town or village – with all the social, material, economic, organisational, spiritual and cultural elements that sustains human life. Human settlement development refers to the establishment and maintenance of habitable, stable and sustainable public and private residential environments to ensure viable households and communities within a space and/or areas providing for economic opportunities, health, educational and social amenities in which all citizens and permanent residents of the Republic, within a municipal space will, on a progressive basis, have access to permanent residential structures with secure tenure, internal and external privacy and providing adequate protection against the elements; and potable water, adequate sanitation facilities and domestic energy supply.
Informal settlement
The National Upgrading of Informal Settlements Programme refers to two UN-Habitat definitions of Informal Settlements.
An ‘Informal Settlement’ exists where housing has been created in an urban or peri-urban location without official approval. Informal settlements may contain a few dwellings or thousands of them, and are generally characterised by inadequate infrastructure, poor access to basic services, unsuitable environments, uncontrolled and unhealthy population densities, inadequate dwellings, poor access to health and education facilities and lack of effective administration by the municipality. (NUSP 2013, taken from UISP Consolidation Document-2014).
Another definition in use which is similar to the above is: “Residential areas where 1) inhabitants have no security of tenure vis-à-vis the land or dwellings they inhabit, with modalities ranging from squatting to informal rental housing, 2) the neighbourhoods usually lack, or are cut off from, basic services and city infrastructure and 3) the housing may not comply with current planning and building regulations, and is often situated in geographically and environmentally hazardous areas”. The UN-Habitat (2015).
An ‘Informal Settlement’ exists where housing has been created in an urban or peri-urban location without official approval. Informal settlements may contain a few dwellings or thousands of them, and are generally characterised by inadequate infrastructure, poor access to basic services, unsuitable environments, uncontrolled and unhealthy population densities, inadequate dwellings, poor access to health and education facilities and lack of effective administration by the municipality. (NUSP 2013, taken from UISP Consolidation Document-2014).
Another definition in use which is similar to the above is: “Residential areas where 1) inhabitants have no security of tenure vis-à-vis the land or dwellings they inhabit, with modalities ranging from squatting to informal rental housing, 2) the neighbourhoods usually lack, or are cut off from, basic services and city infrastructure and 3) the housing may not comply with current planning and building regulations, and is often situated in geographically and environmentally hazardous areas”. The UN-Habitat (2015).
Integrated planning
Integrated planning refers to planning that enjoys the co-operation and contribution of different sector department, different spheres of government, state-owned entities and the private sector in order to programme and implement development that is geared towards achieving a shared set of development outcomes. In space, integrated planning is planning of the built environment that supports the performance of the built environment as a whole in an equitable manner balancing land uses and infrastructure requirements, optimising public access and creating liveable urban precincts.
Integration zone (IZ)
The Urban Network consists of a number of Integration Zones. Each zone is a part of a city or city region-wide TOD network. An integration zone is a spatial planning element facilitating spatial targeting of investment aimed at spatial transformation. Each zone consists of a transit spine connecting two anchors via mass public transport (rail/bus), e.g. the CBD and an “urban hub” (township node with the best investment potential). It can also comprise of the CBD and another primary metropolitan business node. Between the two Integration Zone anchors are a limited number of Integration Zone intermediate nodes that are strategically located at key intersections connecting to marginalised residential areas (townships and informal settlements) and economic nodes (commercial and industrial nodes) via feeder routes. The Urban Hub connects to secondary townships nodes within the marginalised peripheral township. The Integration Zone includes a hierarchy of TOD precincts located and prioritised within the structure of nodes described above.
Intensification/mixed land use
Achieving a greater spectrum of compatible land uses (commercial, industrial, residential or social) through the increased use of space, both horizontally and vertically, within existing areas or properties and new developments within a TOD precinct, resulting in increased population thresholds that support public transport ridership, walkability, economic development and inclusivity.
Intergovernmental project pipeline
The intergovernmental project pipeline consists of a pipeline of projects of a strategic/priority nature within the metropolitan space whether it is a project of the national, provincial or metropolitan government, or that of a state-owned entity. The main purpose of the pipeline is for it to incorporate funding and projects from all spheres and entities to prioritise collective public investment in particular spaces.
Land based financing
A policy and regulatory mechanism that allows a public entity to share in a portion of the increased value (direct or indirect) of land resulting from either investment in infrastructure or the allocation of use rights by the public sector.
Levels of service
Levels of service statements describe the outputs or objectives an entity intends to deliver to customers.
Marginalised residential areas
Marginalised areas are areas, primarily residential in purpose with related land uses, which are in decline and/or where people are deprived. They are typically informal settlements and dormitory residential townships in need of redress. These are areas that do not tend to be the focus of the private sector developers and will thus require some kind of intervention or support from government to start with if it they are to flourish as liveable neighbourhoods with high accessibility to the broader urban network.
Material and details (in urban design)
The appearance of structures, objects and surfaces and the selection of materials in terms of detail, craftsmanship, texture, colour, durability, sustainability and treatment. It also includes paving street furniture, lighting and signage. It contributes (or impairs) human comfort, safety and enjoyment of the public domain.
Plot ratio
A ratio representing the density of building in a specified area of land. Expressed as GLA in relation to the size of the plot.
Precinct
A geographically defined area within the broader metropolitan area with specific characteristics, needs and opportunities that benefits from a single unifying or integrated development vision, and for which detailed planning is required to achieve the vision and development objectives.
A precinct may further be defined on the basis of an area for which detailed planning is required and for the urban management arrangements to apply, or otherwise is determined based on the geographic scope of responsibility of a management entity.
There are various types of precincts, and precincts vary in size. Depending on the size, clustering of functions and built character, the precinct may comprise of sub-precincts.
A precinct may further be defined on the basis of an area for which detailed planning is required and for the urban management arrangements to apply, or otherwise is determined based on the geographic scope of responsibility of a management entity.
There are various types of precincts, and precincts vary in size. Depending on the size, clustering of functions and built character, the precinct may comprise of sub-precincts.
Precinct plan
A precinct plan presents a development vision for the defined geographic area and provides clear strategies and detailed actions with respect to the urban structure, public realm, zoning and land use, the movement network and built form, taking into account economic development needs, improvements in social conditions and networks, environmental protection and climate resilience.
Primary network
The Primary Network is at city-wide scale and consists of anchor nodes, i.e. the CBD, a number of Urban Hubs, Public Transport Links and Activity Corridors between these anchor nodes.
Public realm
The public realm includes the natural and built environment used by the general public such as streets, squares/plazas, promenades, parks, and public infrastructure. Much of urban design is concerned with the design and management of publicly used space and the way this is experienced and used.
Scale (height and massing)
The scale of a building in relation to height and floor area, and how it relates to surrounding landforms, buildings and streets. It also incorporates building envelope and site coverage. Height and massing create the sense of openness or enclosure, and affect the amenity of streets, spaces and other buildings.
Secondary network
The network at the scale of the township or a cluster of townships. It includes the Urban Hub and a number of Secondary Nodes as well as Secondary Transport Linkages between these nodes.
Setbacks
A setback refers to the distance that the building or structure must be from the front, sides, and back of the property line.
Spatial planning and land use management related definitions
The following definitions are the same definitions used in SPLUMA Act 16 of 2013:
“Land” means any erf, agricultural holding or farm portion, and includes any improvement or building on the land and any real right in land;
“Land development” means the erection of buildings or structures on land, or the change of use of land, including township establishment, the subdivision or consolidation of land or any deviation from the land use or uses permitted in terms of an applicable land use scheme.
“Land use” means the purpose for which land is or may be used lawfully in terms of a land use scheme, existing scheme or in terms of any other authorisation, permit or consent issued by a competent authority, and includes any conditions related to such land use purposes.
“Land use management system” means the system of regulating and managing land use and conferring land use rights through the use of schemes and land development procedures;
“Spatial development framework” means a spatial development framework referred to in Chapter 4 of SPLUMA; and “Zone” means a defined category of land use which is shown on the zoning map of a land use scheme. (not the same as Integration Zone as in UNS).
The spatial planning system consists of the following components:
“Land” means any erf, agricultural holding or farm portion, and includes any improvement or building on the land and any real right in land;
“Land development” means the erection of buildings or structures on land, or the change of use of land, including township establishment, the subdivision or consolidation of land or any deviation from the land use or uses permitted in terms of an applicable land use scheme.
“Land use” means the purpose for which land is or may be used lawfully in terms of a land use scheme, existing scheme or in terms of any other authorisation, permit or consent issued by a competent authority, and includes any conditions related to such land use purposes.
“Land use management system” means the system of regulating and managing land use and conferring land use rights through the use of schemes and land development procedures;
“Spatial development framework” means a spatial development framework referred to in Chapter 4 of SPLUMA; and “Zone” means a defined category of land use which is shown on the zoning map of a land use scheme. (not the same as Integration Zone as in UNS).
The spatial planning system consists of the following components:
- Spatial development frameworks to be prepared and adopted by national, provincial and municipal spheres of government;
- Development principles, norms and standards that must guide spatial planning, land use management and land development;
- The management and facilitation of land use contemplated in Chapter 5 of SPLUMA through the mechanism of land use schemes; and
- Procedures and processes for the preparation, submission and consideration of land development applications and related processes as provided for in Chapter 6 of SPLUMA and provincial legislation.
Spatial targeting
A built environment investment prioritisation approach where specific areas are prioritised for investment at a range of geographic scales, within an urban system, to achieve particular development outcomes.
Spatial transformation
The legacy of apartheid – communities segregated from one another based on race (and class) – as well as the impacts of the legacy of the modernist trend of city building based on the automobile and functional separation of land use – have left South Africa with cities that are inefficient, inequitably developed and expensive – environmentally, socially and fiscally – to live in and to manage. The NDP states that a national focus on the spatial transformation of our cities should, by 2030 ensure that a larger proportion of the population should live closer to places of work and travel distances and costs should be reduced, especially for poor households. Urban systems – hard (physical structures and networks) and soft (such governance systems including urban management and land use management) that facilitate and enable compact cities and transformed urban spaces of social and economic inclusion on an equitable basis are key levers to overcome the debilitating impact of distance and separation on the fortunes of the individual, household, business and the state, as well as the environment and the resilience of the system as a whole. The equitable redistribution of resources within cities, as well as building systems that facilitate affordable and safe access to the full ambit of resources that makes urban living productive are critical to spatial transformation.
Special rating area (SRA)
See City Improvement District.
Transit-oriented development (TOD)
TOD is a planning concept that directs public and private investment to areas of maximum public transport access in a city, doing it in a way that creates liveable environments. TOD is designed to maximize access to rapid/frequent public transport, encourage public transport ridership and walkable precincts. The symbiotic relationship between land use, built form and public transport lies at its core. From a transport perspective TOD is focussed on promoting sustainable public transport while minimising the travel mode share of private motor vehicles and the negative externalities of this mode including reduced rates of private car parking and carbon emissions. From a spatial development perspective the focus is on creating an inclusive network of well-designed precincts of mixed land use and increased residential densities in an improved public environment (high quality public spaces and streets, which are pedestrian and cyclist friendly) with high pedestrian accessibility within 500 – 800m metres of transit stations.
Urban hub
Urban Hubs refer to a small number of new regional nodes located in strategic areas within townships. They will function as “town centres” for the surrounding township or cluster of townships and will provide access to the rest of the wider urban area. It will be planned and developed as a high density, mixed use precinct that contains a diverse variety of land uses, services and activities.
At the core of the Urban Hub is an efficient intermodal public transport facility and a system of public spaces and walkways where people can experience a diverse range of activities. Land uses such as retail, recreation, offices, banking, community facilities and government services, hospitality/tourism, leisure and high density housing are located around the core within an urban design framework that promotes a vibrant sense of place in which to live, work and play.
At the core of the Urban Hub is an efficient intermodal public transport facility and a system of public spaces and walkways where people can experience a diverse range of activities. Land uses such as retail, recreation, offices, banking, community facilities and government services, hospitality/tourism, leisure and high density housing are located around the core within an urban design framework that promotes a vibrant sense of place in which to live, work and play.
Urban network
The Urban Network consists of a primary and secondary network which interconnect at strategic nodes known as Urban Hubs, which are located within townships.
Urban networks strategy (UNS)
The Urban Networks Strategy is a transit-oriented investment planning, development and management approach. Its focus is on strategic spatial transformation that optimises access to social and economic opportunities for all and especially the poor. It aims to work towards a more efficient urban environment that creates an enabling environment for economic growth and development.
Walkshed
A walkshed is the area around a central destination such as a public transport station that is reachable on foot for the average person.
Xeriscaping
The design of landscapes to limit or eliminate the need for irrigation, and the resulting landscape requires little or no water beyond what the climate naturally provides.
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