City of Johannesburg

Johannesburg Development Agency

No 3 Helen Joseph Street PO Box 61877 Tel +27(0) 11 688 7851 (O)
The Bus Factory Marshalltown Fax +27(0) 11 688 7899/63
Newtown 2107 E-mail: info@jda.org.za
Johannesburg, 2000

www.jda.org.za
To: All news editors www.joburg.org.za
For immediate release
18 February 2021

BALFOUR PARK PRECINCT TO RECEIVE TRANSIT UPLIFT

It’s all systems go for the Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA) as it commences with
the Balfour Park Transit Precinct Development.

Centred on the City of Johannesburg’s spatial vision for the city, the Balfour Park Transit
Precinct Development is in line with the Growth and Development Strategy 2040, and is
based on the corridor Transit-oriented Development (TOD).

Not only will the development facilitate a visibly improved public environment and develop
non-motorised transport facilities to create an integral precinct, it will go a long way in
stimulating investor and public confidence in the precinct.

The overall objectives for the Balfour Park Precinct project are to:

 Integrate transportation and land use by concentrating development along transport

corridors and destinations;
 Turn Corlett Drive, Athol Street and 22nd Avenue into commercial strips.
 Improve connections between different destinations within the corridor;

Directors
P Kganare (Chairperson) A Ngcezula (CEO) S Moonsamy (CFO) M Ntanga EV Magerman V Magale S Moichela Dr.M Makwarela M Hleko N Moiloa S Masango T Motloung T Mvundle
R Shirinda (Company Secretary)
Registration Number: 2001/005101/07
  Support growth of economic and industrial nodes to increase employment
opportunities in the areas;
 Promote the efficient movement of people through the development of environments
that encourage people to walk, cycle and use public transport;
 Development of non-motorised transport facilities and networks;
 Develop safe, comfortable and inviting public areas that integrate the unique history,
culture and character of the corridor;
 Promote densification and mixture of land uses along the arteries

The Balfour Park Precinct is located along the Louis Botha Development Corridor, and
includes the area between Corlett Drive and Athol Street, with a width including two and
five city blocks, each side of Louis Botha Avenue.

The precinct falls mainly within Ward 74 and comprises portions of the suburbs of Highlands
North (and extensions), Waverley (and extensions), Gresswold, Savoy Estate, Kew and
Glenhazel.

The Broad Scope of Works is defined, but not limited to the following:

 Development of public environment upgrade and non-motorised transport facilities;

 Development of mechanisms for improved traffic flow;
 Conceptual development and feasibility study of a cohesive, legible and connected
Social Cluster
 Upgrading of existing services.
The City has identified a kick start zone to give effect to the implementation of this plan.
This is located in the south-eastern corner of the project area and, on Athol Streets, starting
from St Marys High School and ending at the North View High School.

The kick start zone will comprise of the following project work packages:

 Student promenade (upgrading of sidewalks and landscaping and lighting along

Athol street)
 Construction of a safe park/library
 Construction of Peoples Corner and BRT interlink - (currently on hold)

Of these packages, the first to be rolled out will be the student promenade, which is
estimated to go out for procurement of a contractor in March.

“The Balfour Park Precinct transformation, in line with the JDA’s objective to regenerate
decaying areas of Johannesburg, in intended to enhance its ability to contribute to the
economic development of the City and the quality of life of its residents.

“This project integrates spatial planning and design, economic planning and transport
planning in the precinct and will go a long way in benefiting the residents of Ward 74,” MMC
for Development Planning, Cllr Thapelo Amad, said

The precinct transformation is guided by the completed Strategic Area Framework for the
Louis Botha Development Corridor and the Balfour Park Precinct Plan and Urban Design
Framework.

The Balfour Park Precinct Development will supplement the various developments that
have been taking place in the Louis Botha Corridor, including Orchards Clinic, the Rea
Vaya Phase 1C rollout and the recently completed Paterson Park Multipurpose Centre.

Ends

Issued by:

Johannesburg Development Agency

Susan Monyai

Email: smonyai@jda.org.za