Turning Spaces Into Opportunity

City of Cape Town backs place-making for a more beautiful Bellville and economic growth.

The revitalisation of Bellville is gathering pace, taking the form this week of the opening of the Sanlam Urban Garden on the corner of Bill Bezuidenhout and Strand Streets.

Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth, James Vos, said the project was part of a broader effort to unlock the economic potential of key precincts through targeted urban interventions.

The garden was developed through a partnership with Sanlam and aligns with a larger movement – better. bellville. together. – a collaborative place-making initiative that has been taking shape in Bellville, supported by the City’s funding of urban specialists, the Greater Tygerberg Partnership (GTP).

‘Place-making is one of the pillars of our City strategy to stimulate jobs, investment, and enterprise development. We are intentionally backing place-making projects through GTP to convert underutilised spaces into vibrant, functional places that attract foot traffic, foster business activity, and build community pride. These projects are designed not just to beautify public areas but to turn them into engines of economic opportunity,’ said Alderman Vos.

Research shows that green spaces benefit surrounding communities through reducing stress, promoting more active lifestyles, and improving overall mental health. Further findings show that the presence of natural beauty promotes community connections and neighbourhood satisfaction.

‘When people feel connected to a place, they stay longer, spend more, and support local enterprises. That’s the outcome we’re working towards,’ said Alderman Vos.

‘We are motivated to witness another physical transformation – this new garden forming part of a growing network of public gardens in Bellville. These changes are all made possible through public-private partnerships and the strategic placement of public spaces, breathing new life into Bellville and reflecting the true spirit of the community.

‘Sanlam, as a private company, is demonstrating its pride by supporting the revitalisation and beatification of the area. The more companies that look after and invest in their ‘front stoep’ by supporting infrastructure and public space upgrades – the more we will see visible improvements, broader community upliftment, a stronger local economy, and ultimately, more job creation,’ said Warren Hewitt, CEO of the Greater Tygerberg Partnership.

‘Bellville has been identified as a key urban node in the City’s development vision, and the work being carried out on the ground is helping to reposition the area as a thriving, mixed-use district. The goal is to build momentum block by block, space by space, with interventions that breathe life back into neglected corners of the city.

‘These kinds of projects are central to our economic growth mission. They support job creation, stimulate enterprise, and foster a sense of place, laying the foundation for a more inclusive and opportunity-rich Cape Town,’ said Alderman Vos.