Typology
Mixed-use / urban design

Client
Seedstone Properties

Location
Johannesburg

Year 
2009 - 2011

Team
Urban design: Urban Concepts
Town and regional planning: Koplan Consultants
Urban economist: Demacon Market Studies
Transportation engineers: EDS
Electrical engineering: KKA
Civil engineering: Sutherland Consulting Engineers
Sustainability: Arxus
Heritage: West Rand Heritage Consultants

Image credits
Drawings and graphics by Urban Concepts

Illovo Urban Design Framework
Johannesburg, Gauteng

The Northern Illovo Regional Node is strategically located on Rivonia Road, Johannesburg and so holds much potential for development.  Urban Concepts worked in close association with the consultant team, the Client and the City of Johannesburg to develop a framework for this node.

The Urban Development Framework (UDF) encompasses a number of properties and includes the Illovo Precinct site.  The objective was to address densification needs at a regional level and tie into the existing public transport systems such as the Gautrain and the BRT transportation initiatives.

The vision for the precinct is to create a vibrant urban environment with a mix of land uses including retail, office, hotel and residential.  Shops and restaurants are positioned around landscaped urban squares, creating focal points within each node.  Similarly, land uses are located to activate the public environment. 

The interactive consultation process that was undertaken with stakeholders and the City of Johannesburg ensured that the UDF reflected  a shared vision for the development of this strategic group of properties.  The UDF and the rezoning of the 3 hectare precinct was approved for in 2011, and this interactive process is believed to have contributed greatly to the very short and efficient rights acquisition period.