THE construction of Westown in Shongweni has commenced with the upgrading of Kassier Rd, a main entry road into Hillcrest and Botha’s Hill.
A mixed-use precinct of urban and green spaces built around the retail high street of Westown Square, Westown is the first development activity within the Shongweni Urban Development, an Ethekwini catalytic project of over 2 000 hectares.
Strategically located at Shongweni, just 35 kilometres from the port of Durban, in the outer-west region of KwaZulu-Natal, Westown is perfectly positioned for an integrated urban environment between Durban and Pietermaritzburg on the country’s main economic arterial, the N3.
The development of Westown will begin in September with the construction of the R1,3bn Westown Square, the 45 000m² retail heart of the development. This will be in tandem with the road upgrade and the remaining infrastructural components including water, wastewater and access roads, all due for completion by September 2024.
The development of Westown is led by Durban-based Fundamenetum Property Group, which has significant experience in property development, property leasing and property management.
Fundamentum “is committed to changing the tide on developments of this nature, by leading a mixed-use urban sustainability agenda at Westown – inclusive, environmentally sustainable, high-energy, safe and secure,” says Fundamentum CEO, Carlos Correia.
“Westown is a place – the new City of the West. A ground-breaking, locally-driven initiative that connects people with spaces and experiences, bringing new opportunities to live, work and thrive. Now that the first tender for the upgrade of Kassier Road has been awarded to a stellar local development team, including contractors Stefanutti Stocks and engineering consultants SMEC South Africa, we are eager to get moving.”
Westown will be the new economic hub for Durban’s Outer West, generating some R15 billion in new investment over the next 10-15 years. Grounded in urban sustainability, and the utilisation of open space and ecological assets, Westown focuses on innovation creating a legacy of multi-disciplinary planning, engineering, architecture and place-making that will unlock the region’s investment potential.
Westown offers a brand new destination for living, working, shopping, business and recreational activities within a managed, urban environment with all the associated amenities and facilities. Westown is planned to comprise:
Westown Square – a “high street” retailing environment which includes a state-of-the-art integrated public transport facility, targeted to open in September 2024.
A medical sub-precinct – the 100-bed Westown Hospital
Developer and end-user opportunities including residential – medium and high density apartments, hotels, offices, destination retail/showrooms, warehousing/logistics
Aspiring to be a ‘green city’, Westown initiatives will include: waste reuse, recycling and energy raw material; water-to-energy focus in addition to solar and gas solutions; water use reduction and recycling; use of greywater as well as energy solutions and energy reduction measures. Rehabilitation of natural wetlands and open spaces will also be undertaken.
As part of their commitment to local sustainability, participation and empowerment, Fundamentum is proud to announce the establishment of the Westown Foundation, set up to facilitate and amplify local socio-economic opportunities that the development of Westown will create.
The initial focus, in partnership with contractors Stefanutti Stocks, is the establishment of a new on-site training centre, providing skills development and training in construction and building-related trades. These skills will be used on-site as the development of Westown unfolds and will facilitate opportunities beyond the training centre, ensuring a legacy of skills transfer and local social upliftment and empowerment.
The Westown catalytic project has the support of all three spheres of government, as well as the leadership from surrounding communities and local businesses and stakeholders such as the Durban Shongweni Club and Polo Club, The Mushroom Farm, Shongweni Farmer’s Market and Denny Mushroom Farm. Other key partners in the actualisation of Westown include eThekwini Municipality and landowners Tongaat Hulett. It is a significant socio-economic investment for the outer-west region, balancing uses and activities, visual appeal and comfort, accessibility and linkage, in order to activate the full potential of the Outer West and sustain it for generations to come.
