Draft Phikwe development plan targets economic vibrancy

ONALENNA KELEBEILE
Staff Writer | Friday May 31, 2013 00:00

In a series of meetings the consultants addressed in Selebi-Phikwe this week, Stranger Monareng, a representative of Mosienyane and Partners International, advised that urban design concepts and principles have to be applied.He also said the delineation of the town's growth boundary is important.The draft development plan further proposes that the mall area be revamped, adding that a plan for the Southern Future Expansion Zone should be implemented.

He also called for the implementation of projects in the tourism development zone as well as the establishment of an enterprise free zone. Monareng said a plot that was earmarked for the college of applied arts and science should be reserved for private institutions that would want to set up in Selebi-Phikwe.'Allocation of land for the development of a private hospital as well as upgrading and expansion of Selebi-Phikwe Airport has the potential to attract investors and enhance the transport systems in the town,' he added.The consultant also recommended the implementation of Phase 3, Block 3 and Block 2 detailed layout plans as well as improvements of all gateways into Selebi-Phikwe.

'The aim of the development plan is to transform Selebi-Phikwe into a compact well-structured and efficient township,' he said.He added that the development plan seeks to strengthen the town's urban core area as well as to integrate all parts of the planning area and further integrate the planning area with its region.The plan also sets out to develop activity nodes along movement corridors or circulation axes as zones of attraction.'Selebi-Phikwe Planning Area Development Plan seeks to transform the planning area into a well planned and economically vibrant area to meet present and future needs,' added Monareng.

The review and preparation of the revised plan for Selebi-Phikwe was necessitated by the fact that since the current development plan was prepared 12 years ago, the physical, economic and environmental conditions on which the plan's proposals were based, have changed.Monareng told a kgotla meeting that there is general concern over delays in implementation of government programmes and land allocation to businesses which result in many of them setting up elsewhere.

He further said he has observed through their research that the need to expand the town's boundaries is not necessary but the town can still be developed within its boundary. Some members of the community felt that for the town to develop there is need to extend its boundaries and said the current situation shows that the initial planning was not properly done.'There is no space for the mall to expand and it is not appealing at all. Why not set up a bigger mall that could attract investors and create employment,' said one disgruntled resident.