By 2002 it became clear that the urban decay in Braamfontein desperately required attention. Problems at street level included broken sidewalks, dirty pavements, and inadequate rubbish and refuse removal. Homelessness, informal traders, traffic congestion, unauthorised taxi ranks and a myriad of associated problems all compounded to the rapidly developing perception that Braamfontein was an area not in control of itself. Because of the magnitude and complexity of the problems linked with urban decay, a variety of solutions and interventions are required, most specifically excellent urban management, to deal with these issues on a practical on-going basis. The establishment of a city improvement district (CID) was identified as being the most viable intervention to reverse the downward spiral. The Braamfontein Improvement District was formally legislated in 2004.
The project originally started as a Liberty Group, Sappi and Nedbank safety initiative along Ameshoff and Simmonds streets. Property trading company Apex-Hi and banking giant Nedbank also contributed to the project. Sappi, the JD Group, Liberty Group and Apex-Hi decided to upgrade the entire Hoofd Street area and the Civic Precinct in a joint venture with the Johannesburg Development Agency, the economic arm of the City of Johannesburg.
Future plans for Braamfontein include a gateway feature to the university campus, pedestrian linkages through to Constitution Hill, upgrading the alleyways between buildings, providing public art, re-opening of the historic Alexander Theatre and new pavement coffee shops.
The Braamfontein Management District (BMD), a non-profit company to which all ratepayers in the area contribute, is bounded by Hoofd, Bertha, Loveday and Juta streets.
The services undertaken by the BMD are supplementary to those provided by local council. They are based on an international place-making hierarchy that looks at how cities move from an unpleasant to an exceptional experience, therefore the type and level of services required of each area is based on its needs and where it fits on this laddered hierarchy.
The first rung of the ladder aims at securing the improvement district and creating a clean, well-managed environment. The BMD took this task head-on, employing service providers to put teams of men and women on the street focusing solely on crime prevention, cleaning and maintenance and landscaping. The BMD security officers and cleaners remain the front line of the improvement district, setting the example and sending the message that Braamfontein is a managed public space.
The BMD subcontracts to provide a fully equipped and uniformed security force. The squad comprises 39 patrol officers and one controller. Coordination is done from a control room situated in Leebram Building, 42 Biccard Street, Braamfontein, which is in radio and telephone contact with the security force officers and the police. They also play a vital role as district ambassadors and since the establishment of the district have assisted the public with hundreds of enquiries related to shops, hotels, public facilities, transport, banks and tourist attractions.
The BMD security committee was established to monitor and address all aspects of security in the district and it meets on a monthly basis.
The BMD subcontracts to provide cleaning services supplementary to those provided by the local authorities to ensure a clean environment. The team, easily recognisable in their distinctive green and yellow uniforms, comprises nine cleaners and one supervisor and are responsible for:
The BMD marketing programme aims to improve the overall image of the business district through branding, collaborative promotional strategies, market research and a communications campaign.
The BMD management team ensures that the quality of services provided and the vision of the area is implemented. If you have comments, questions or queries please contact them.