CURRENT paradigms of planning, engineering and architecture can exacerbate environmental and social degradation, leading towards increasingly unsustainable cities.
That’s the view of local asset management, property development and retail leasing company, Fundamentum, which says it hopes to help change this by leading an urban sustainability agenda in their new project at Shongweni, within the marginalised Outer West region of the eThekwini metro.
“The start of construction on Westown, the first retail and mixed-use component within Shongweni, is imminent and tender calls have gone out for the first key infrastructural components,” said Fundamentum CEO, Carlos Correia.
“This catalytic project has been a long time in the making and the development team is excited to finally get it underway.”
Working together with key stakeholders eThekwini Municipality and Tongaat Hulett Property, Fundamentum, will oversee the development of a new high street retail and mixed-use development.
The mixed-use urban node precinct offers a wide range of residential options, as well as commercial and business park activities. The project has the full support of the City as well as at provincial and national levels, having been identified as a Presidential Project.
“In line with our urban sustainability ethos, we believe Westown with an urban core at its heart, will be a prime example of an inclusive, high energy, safe and secure retail and mixed-use urban development,” said Correia.
“It will add to and enhance the existing natural character and environment of Shongweni, with a specific focus on building on and expanding the current active recreational activities of equestrian shows and horse-riding, mountain biking and trail running.
“This ‘new-town-in-town’ will create a new economic base for this sub-region and much of this economic base will be grounded in urban sustainability.”
