The Spatial Planning Collective is a programme developed by the City’s Urban Planning and Design Department (UPD) to educate, empower and engage community stakeholders at the 20 subcouncils across Cape Town about spatial planning policies, such as the Municipal Spatial Development Framework, District Spatial Development Frameworks, Local Spatial Development Frameworks, and related planning processes.

The official launch took place on Saturday, 24 January 2026, at the Banqueting Hall at the Civic Centre, where the 220 nominated representatives from communities and stakeholder organisations gathered to meet the City’s Deputy Mayor, Aderman Eddie Andrews, and engage with the City’s senior spatial planning officials, among which the Director for Urban Planning and Design, Erika Naude, and members of the City’s Spatial Planning and Environment Portfolio Committee.

‘Spatial planning affects every Capetonian – from our residents, to property and business owners, and investors. The City’s spatial planning is guided by a number of policy documents that determine land use, the type and location of development, the City’s built footprint and urban edge in the medium- to long-term. The spatial policies also impact landowners and developers as these plans inform and guide the City’s decisions when we assess development and land use applications. Thus, these policies determine how our neighbourhoods and business and industrial areas should develop over time to meet the demands of a growing population.

‘I am aware of the huge interest residents have in spatial planning. I often get emails and phone calls about their concerns and aspirations. But, I have also noticed that the majority of our residents and stakeholders have limited knowledge on how to collaborate with us, or they do not know enough about spatial planning to meaningfully contribute to shaping spatial policies.

‘The Spatial Planning Collective (SPC) has been created to fill this void, namely to provide local SPC forums across Cape Town in each subcouncil area where residents can be empowered to meaningfully participate; to facilitate regular engagements with residents and stakeholders on spatial matters; and to also provide the necessary training and knowledge to those who serve on the SPCs. I am excited about this programme and believe it has the potential to make a huge difference in how we relate with our communities on spatial matters. This is a great opportunity to join hands with our communities and plan together for a City of Hope,’ said Alderman Andrews.

Apart from introducing themselves and the areas they represent, attendees participated in activity sessions with the City’s planning officials were they received training in how to interpret maps and the different spatial elements; were introduced to spatial planning and relevant documents, elements and concepts, the importance of spatial planning; the challenges and pressures of population growth and how the city has developed over the past century, as well as how to effectively participate and be an active resident.

Next steps:

• A skills development conference will be hosted on 7 February to upskill the selected SPC members on various thematic topics. Members will also receive training on the City’s spatial planning processes, how to participate and comment on these processes, how to get involved with City projects, budgeting processes, environmental planning, housing development, resilience and climate change, transport, and use processes and local economic development
• Each one of the 20 SPCs will have their first meeting in March or April 2026
• The SPCs will regularly engage with the Urban Planning and Design (UPD) officials about spatial planning and development related matters in their areas
• The UPD officials will inform and educate representatives so that they can have a better understanding of spatial planning and how these policies impact their neighbourhoods

‘The City will have regular and constructive engagements with the SPCs on a subcouncil level about everything that relates to spatial planning in their area. Each area is different with its own unique challenges and opportunities, characteristics and assets. The newly constituted SPCs will provide the platform for these critical conversations. I want to extend a warm welcome to our SPC representatives, and thank you for your time and contributions in coming months,’ said Alderman Andrews. 

• The City called on communities and organisations with a direct interest in spatial planning in August last year to nominate members to serve on the SPCs at their respective subcouncils. An estimated 300 representatives were nominated during this four month process.
• For queries, or how to get involved, email: spatialplanning.collective@capetown.gov.za  or phone 0860 103 089 and request a call back about the Spatial Planning Collectives.

Captions: About 220 people who were nominated by their respective communities and organisations attended the launch of the Spatial Planning Collectives (SPCs) at the Civic Centre on Saturday, 24 January 2026. Attendees participated in training activities and had the opportunity to interact with senior planning officials, amongst whom Erika Naude, the City’s Director for Urban Planning and Design (middle photo). Each subcouncil will have a SPC that will serve as a platform for the City to collaborate with community representatives about spatial planning matters in their area. Alderman Eddie Andrews, the City’s Deputy Mayor and Mayoral Committee Member for Spatial Planning and Environment, thanked attendees for making themselves available to serve on their respective SPCs.