Cape Town is prioritising the fast-tracking of building approvals to support businesses and bolster economic recovery as it pushes to address the socioeconomic devastation caused by Covid-19.
Systems have been put in place to ensure that applications submitted by the public will be processed within 30 working days for building plans and 90 days for land use applications.
Between May 1 and July 15 2021, Cape Town approved close to R4bn in building application approvals. At least R21bn worth of building projects in the city have been approved since the start of the national Covid-19 lockdown in March 2020.
Some of the major infrastructure projects that have been recently approved include the R3.9bn V&A Waterfront expansion project. The V&A is a popular tourist destination in Cape Town with a mixture of retail‚ hotel and residential developments.
On Thursday, Cape Town mayor Dan Plato said the major infrastructure developments and the significant job creation opportunities that come along with the projects show that both local and international investors have confidence in doing business in the city.
Plato said overall, infrastructure projects in the city are expected to create more than 19,000 jobs during the construction phase, and a further 19,000 indirect and induced jobs after construction is complete. At least 5,000 permanent jobs could be created in the hospitality and retail sectors, he said.
“The city of Cape Town has continued to place economic recovery as one of the central goals and prioritised projects which boost the economy and offer job creation, in line with Covid-19 regulations and protocols,” Plato said.
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