Land Use Status Quo

Existing SDF

According to the latest Land Use Management System (LUMS) for the area, that provides a consolidated and consistent system of managing development rights from a number of previous authorities and schemes a breakdown of the different land use zones as they relate to the KwaDukuza include the following.

  • Existing retail/commercial/office development rights account for some 1 737 515 m2

  • There is currently approximately 2 606 272 m2 of land that is zoned for industrial and logistics purposes.

  • Based on the dwelling count undertaken for the current exercise, it could be suggested that there exists a significant amount of potential capacity for intensification in most residential zonings.

  • The Rapid Urbanisation Zone is likely to absorb much of the future growth (population and housing) in the short to medium term, as the 2 177 ha that are contained within this zone currently only reflect a gross density of 2.66 dwellings per hectare.

The map below shows the existing SDF for KwaDukuza. (KwaDukuza SDF 2017 Review)

Residential

KwaDukuza Town, formerly known as Stanger, is the dominant urban node not only in the KwaDukuza Municipality, but also in the broader sub-region, and is likely to remain as such given the proposed development projects around this focus area.

Social and community infrastructure is generally lacking in most areas, and the level of access to these facilities tends to decrease towards the west of the study area. The central portions, around KwaDukuza Town/ Groutville/ Shakaskraal tend to be better service, and more accessible.

Proposed development rights suggest some scope for consolidation of existing settlement areas. Existing retail/commercial/office development rights account for some 1 737 515 m2, and there is currently approximately 2 606 272 m2 of land that is zoned for industrial and logistics purposes. Based on the dwelling count undertaken for the current exercise, it is apparent that there exists a significant amount of potential capacity for intensification and densification in most residential zonings.

The areas zoned for low density residential reflect a gross density of approximately 8.66 dwellings per hectare, medium density of approximately 10.92 dwellings per hectare, and high density areas of approximately 19.07 dwellings per hectare. The map overleaf shows the residential density throughout the municipal area (KwaDukuza SDF 2017 Review).

Manufacturing, Agriculture and Industrial

The agricultural sector remains the dominant contributor to the local economy, although at the same time it is coming under increasing pressure from urban development. The fundamentals driving the economic sector, however, remain strong in the KwaDukuza area, and represent a significant resource for the broader region. Whilst the manufacturing sector plays a secondary role to agriculture in terms of economic contribution, it is likely to become a key area of growth in the area in the future, a trend that is already evident in terms of development proposals emerging in the southern portions of KwaDukuza. Locational characteristics and site conditions suggest significant opportunities for growth along parts of the north-south corridor.

The N2 corridor area represents a key structural element in the broader economy, and the location of KwaDukuza on this axis, between two major economic focus areas (Durban and Richards Bay), provides a powerful structural foundation for economic development in KwaDukuza. The map below shows agricultural activity throughout the municipal area (KwaDukuza SDF 2017 Review).

Tourism

According to the 2017 SDF review, Tourism is a growing activity within the iLembe District with most tourism in KwaDukuza (called the Dolphin Coast) stretching from Zimbali in the south to Zinkwazi in the north. It boasts a magnificent coastline with a diversity of cultures rich in history, much of which relates to the era of King Shaka Zulu. The cultural heritage of the area is large linking it to the heritage trails that the provincial KwaZulu-Natal Tourism Authority is developing. It offers various opportunities for both the domestic and international focused tourism development.

The tourism industry is structured predominately around coastal tourism, building on opportunities provided by the coastal and related natural resources, such as hot springs, forests, mountains, landscapes, and rock features, as well as a favourable climate. A number of seaside towns and settlements have grown along the coast of KwaDukuza, providing a range of accommodation and related tourism facilities. Accessibility to these tourism resources is facilitated by the N2 highway, a route that is estimated to transport more than 1m tourists per year through the iLembe area. The map overleaf shows the main tourist areas in KwaDukuza (KwaDukuza SDF 2017 Review).