FAQs

You wanted to know

Who is responsible for security in the New Town Centre?
A Management Association comprising representatives of the tenants and the investors in the new Town Centre has been established to manage critical aspects of the environment within the New Town Centre.

A key function of this body is security, in close liason with the SAPS and Metro PoliceA sophisticated security infrastructure has been developed, including a 24 hour control room and helpline, comprehensive CCTV surveillance system and rapid response units. The New Town Centre enjoys first-world standards of urban security.

How will traffic be accommodated in the New Town Centre?
The Umhlanga Ridge New Town Centre has immediate access, without any traffic lights or other delays to the N2 and M41freeways as well as the M12 (Umhlanga Rocks Drive). The roads and traffic system were extensively modeled over a 5 year period and designed for long term traffic demands. The traffic model is regularly updated in conjunction with the local authority and forward planning is carried out to ensure new installations are done ahead of time.

Most of the town's streets have on-street parking along their entire length, and new developments are required to provide parking in accordance with established norms. This, linked to the 7000 plus parkings in Gateway and the active management of all public areas ensures that URNTC offers ample vehicle access.

What Public Transport Infrastructure has been put in place?
Buses and Taxis are an integral part of the public transport network servicing the New Town Centre. Ongoing discussions have been held with the public transport forums representing the taxi and bus industry in the area. A rank is provided on the Gateway Centre property, with a terminal currently in Umhlanga Rocks.

Studies have been done in conjunction with the local authority to confirm ongoing requirements and these are planned and implemented on a rolling planning horizon. We anticipate a well managed and cooperative relationship with the taxi and bus industry leading to an efficient commuter network to, from and within the Town Centre.

Will sidewalk trade be regulated?
The management Association manages and maintains the sidewalks and has a servitude over all sidewalks giving the lot owners a legal right to control activities there.

Linked to an effective management system and security response, this permits us to manage the sidewalk uses. In fact, shops adjoining any sidewalk area are permitted to enter into an agreement with the Association to use sidewalks for appropriate and approved purposes ancillary to their activities. We see URNTC's sidewalks as being vibrant active places

Is property in the New Town Centre affordable?
Numerous businesses, both large and small, have found it affordable to move to the La Lucia Ridge Office Estate, which is adjacent to Umhlanga Ridge. Here, land prices are generally some 20% higher than in URNTC, while levies are approximately three times as high. Residential development is booming and finished unit prices range from levels affordable to middle income families right up to the top end of the market.

As more and more business moves into the area the costs of doing business in the area are decreasing. The question is rapidly becoming "Can you afford to be anywhere else?"

What impact will the New Town Centre have on the greater Durban area?
The Umhlanga Ridge area is one of the major development nodes in Durban that, together with the Durban Point redevelopment, the Riverhorse Valley Business Estate and the planned King Shaka international airport, is helping to improve Durban?s global competitiveness and attractiveness.

The area north of the Umgeni contains 40% of Durban?s people but only 27% of jobs. Clearly, the area surrounding the New Town Centre is under-traded. Durban also remains the least decentralized of South Africa?s major metropolitan areas.

Developments like the New Town Centre and the La Lucia Ridge Office Estate are changing this - the greater commercial activity creates a bigger economic base in the region which increases the market for existing businesses. Increased work opportunities imply more demand for housing and this supports the buoyant and stable residential property market that has become associated with the north of Durban.

The excellent management systems are expected to increase values and benefits of living in the area. The road upgrades improve the already excellent access into the area. Extensive planting, especially of indigenous species enhances the environmental value and general experience of living in the area.

Is there a prescriptive architectural theme?
All developments are regulated by a development manual and by architectural guidelines, and all building plans go through a design review process. This is essential to ensure that developments have "good public manners", engaging with their neighbours and the public domain in a way that enhances the whole area and adds value to all developments in the area.

There is however, no specific architectural theme, and architects are encouraged to exercise their creativity in responding to the guidelines

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