A R30-billion development project is transforming the west of Durban into a mixed use “mini city”. Just 30 kilometres from the city centre, the city referred to as Westown will contain more than 20,000 housing units, a shopping mall, a private hospital, a retirement estate and a commercial and industrial hub.
The development is part of the Shongweni Urban Development Project, in partnership with Fundamentum Property Group, the eThekwini Municipality and Tongaat Hulett Property. The Westown project is being supported by the private and public sector, including SOEs Sanral Transnet and Eskom.
Phase One of the development is projected to create 8,000 jobs, with around R200-million earmarked for local service providers.
Building an “inclusive and secure” community
According to Fundamentum CEO Carlos Correia, Westown will create a new economic base for this subregion and much of this economic base will be grounded in urban sustainability.
“In line with our urban sustainability ethos, we believe Westown, with an urban core at its heart, will be a prime example of an inclusive, high-energy, safe and secure retail and mixed-use urban development. It will add to and enhance the existing natural character and environment of Shongweni, with a specific focus on building on and expanding the current active recreational activities of equestrian shows and horse riding, mountain biking and trail running.
Attracting foreign investment
At the project launch in August 2022, eThekwini Mayor Mxolisi Kaunda stated that the municipality was spending more than R500-million on the project – most notably for expanding basic infrastructure – in alignment with the city’s “radical socio-economic transformation” programme. “The launch of this development is a clear indication that attracting foreign direct investment in the City remains a key priority,” said Kaunda.
Fast-forward eight months and construction is well underway. infrastructure development such as water pipe installation and electricity line extensions has begun, while work has commenced on the R2-billon mall Westown Square. Sanral is also currently upgrading roads and constructing bridges and on- and off-ramps to facilitate traffic in and out of the industrial sector of the city.
The Weston development project has an estimated completion timeline of 15 years. Upon completion of all four phases, Kaunda attests that 30,000 job opportunities will have been created.