Coega Ridge set to address housing backlog in the Eastern Cape

Nelson Mandela Bay’s housing backlog of 87 000 units is set to be relieved by the massive R20 billion Coega Ridge mixed-use residential development. Situated adjacent to the Coega IDZ outside Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape Province, the development is on track to break ground in 2018.

Aurecon, the civil engineers for the project, recently announced that the infrastructure services for the first phase of the project were largely in place and that construction of the first 5 000 housing units could commence as soon as the town planning and rezoning of this section was finalised.

Michael Vorster, Civil Engineer, says that one of the main challenges of the project was coordinating all the stakeholders involved in order to source and gather the information needed for the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report.

“As with any project of this size, everything from socio-economic and water resources to archaeology, biodiversity and the economic environment need to be analysed, assessed and planned for. This part of the project required input from numerous consultants, engineers, municipal departments and provincial departments in order to create not only the EIA but also to assist with cost estimates for the client,” says Vorster.

Aurecon was able to overcome this challenge through proactive investigations and careful planning, as well as by forging strong relationships with all the stakeholders involved.

“Aurecon has had considerable experience in similar infrastructure projects over the years, which enabled us to act as an effective facilitator between various stakeholders and drive the project forward so that other key aspects, such as town planning and funding models, can get underway,” he says.

Besides the planned development being able to make a considerable dent in the Metropolitan’s housing shortage, up to 5,000 jobs per month will be created when the construction phase starts on Coega Ridge.

“We are very pleased with the work that has been done and the progress that has been made. We look forward to a successful development that will change the lives of many people in the community,” says Jordan Mann, Executive Director of Nu-Way Housing Development, the property developers for this project.

Approximately 3 200 ha of land has been earmarked for the development, which will consist of a number of facilities including a large shopping centre, office parks, a railway station, schools, a technical college, a university, a hospital and other community facilities. Coega Ridge aims to become South Africa’s largest mixed-use residential development. Aurecon is proud to be part of this project.