Transforming a city in decay into a haven of investment

THERE is a new energy and effort in Bellville to revitalise the area and elevate it to an attractive destination for investors and market the area as a city within a city, worthy of worldwide attention.

- EDWIN LOMBARD

However, the journey to get Bellville from a place of decay, with drab buildings, crime and masses of people constantly on the move to a favourite destination for investors, was the result of a partnership involving a variety of roleplayers.

Bellville is known for its face brick buidings, variations of red, brown and mustard coloured buildings housing government departments, campuses and private companies dotted around the Bellville CBD. These buildings don’t need paint on the exterior and the bricks act as good waterproofing against Cape Town’s inclement weather. However these cubic, autumn coloured structures, make for a not-so aesthetically pleasing sight.

The Bellville CBD experienced decay over the last two decades, especially after 1994, when masses of people moved into and through Bellville as it became a transit area for commuters using trains and taxis, and sprouting a booming informal economy.