Durban sees major growth in 2020

This year, KwaZulu-Natal's largest city added more accolades to its long list of achievements. Durban was ranked the top South African city with the highest quality of life and the greenest city in the world. The city also saw incredible transformation, growth, and development. The investment in the area makes it a top choice for your industrial or commercial pursuits.

Traffic decongestion at the Port of Durban

Durban's resident harbour is Sub-Saharan Africa's largest container port. Naturally, one of its greatest challenges is port-induced traffic congestion. A multi-disciplinary task team has been working on nine targeted work streams aimed at easing port traffic along the Bayhead access route.

Additionally, the task force has motivated for a second access road to the port, as well as widening the current Bayhead and Langeberg roads. For businesses that rely on transhipment, this will reduce delays and ensure more efficient operations.

Road infrastructure upgrades

KwaZulu-Natal's network of roads has been crucial to its economic success. There's good news for Durban businesses: the country's national highways - the N2 and N3 - will be upgraded, primarily in KwaZulu-Natal. This project will see the expansion of existing routes to better cope with the flow of traffic.

According to Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula, the revamp of the N2 will focus on a 55 km stretch from Lovu River on the South Coast to Umdloti on the North Coast. The N3 will look into an 80 km section from Durban to Pietermaritzburg.

Plan to boost south Durban economy

This year, local government has its eye on developing areas south of Durban. On the cards are an automotive supplier park special economic zone and a R4-billion logistics park. Toyota will take up tenancy within the new automotive supplier park once it is completed. Through the park, the government aims to create 1 339 jobs with an investment of R2.2bn.

Durban Point Waterfront revitalised

eThekwini Municipality aims to make Durban the most liveable African city by 2030. They're redeveloping and regenerating parts of the inner city. Durban Point Waterfront is part of the plan, with three phases of upgrades in place. This involves mixed-use development projects, including upmarket residential and commercial developments, a retail mall, a hotel and leisure facilities.

At present, the water main upgrades have commenced. The beachfront promenade extension, completed in November 2019, stretches from the Durban harbour mouth to Blue Lagoon. As part of the changes, it was made wheelchair friendly and boasts a first aid room, undercover parking bays, and a lifeguard tower. The Durban Undersea Club also moved to the promenade, with a new clubhouse built at the southern end. The site now provides a convenient base for members to start or end their morning cycle, run, or swim.

New developments in Durban

2020 has also seen the addition of a number of prominent industrial and commercial developments in the city. These will play a crucial role in creating opportunities for Durban's economy.

Clairwood Logistics Park: This development sets a new standard in prime A-grade logistics warehouses in KwaZulu-Natal. It will ultimately comprise 358000 sqm of A-grade warehousing space, with large yards allowing for ease of movement of large trucks. It lies just 11 km from the Durban Container Terminal and about 3.5 km from the proposed Durban Dig-Out Port.

The Brickworks: The Brickworks is a 350-hectare warehousing and logistics development in Avoca. It's in a prime location, bordering Riverhorse Valley and the N2 highway at the KwaMashu Interchange and is close to Umhlanga.

Northfields Business Park: This development is strategically located north of Durban in the Riverhorse Valley precinct. It provides an excellent opportunity for exposure onto the N2, along with easy access off major routes leading to King Shaka International Airport, the N3 to Johannesburg, and the Port of Durban.

Discover the upside of Durban's upturn

Upside Properties is a proudly Durban-based boutique agency. We take pride in the city's growth and would like to help you access every opportunity it has to offer. View our commercial and industrial property listings and make contact today.

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Photo: Arne Müseler / arne-mueseler.com / CC-BY-SA-3.0 / bit.ly/2Kcgztj