Building projects in the Western Cape are on the rise, despite increasing costs and borrowing rates causing many to put their plans on hold. According to the latest Selected Building Statistics of the Private Sector, the number of approved building plans in the Western Cape has risen by 27%. The province also leads in the value of building plans passed, accounting for nearly one-third of the total value of building plans passed in South Africa over the last year.
This is a positive indicator for job creation, with the province recording over R25 billion worth of completed buildings between January and November 2022, or 40% of the total value of buildings completed in that period. However, the possibility of rolling blackouts is a significant concern for potential productivity.
Western Cape Premier Alan Winde estimates that the province has lost between R48.6 billion and R61.2 billion in real GDP since load shedding began in 2007, and that this figure is expected to grow if record high levels of load shedding continue in 2023.
What can you do?
- Research other cities’ planning processes to compare and contrast with the CTCC’s process.
- Reach out to local government representatives to express concerns about the CTCC’s process.
- Join a local advocacy group to help push for changes to the CTCC’s process.