briefs – SA architects echo call on bureaucracy clog in property development
It is no surprise that loud echoes are now beginning to reverberate around the South African Property Owners' Association (SAPOA) call last week on Government to unravel the" unnecessary bureaucracy' and other delaying factors that have resulted in a R20-billion hiatus in the property development sector that could leave a R3-billion-plus dent in GDP and wipe out up to 16 000 jobs in the sector. Here's the collective voice that South Africa's architects have now added to the call for action. GK
The South African Institute of Architects (SAIA) has added its weight to last week's call by the South African Property Owners Association's (SAPOA) for the Minister of Rural Development and Land Affairs, Gugile Nkwinti, to invoke his discretionary powers to expedite spatial planning.
"SAIA supports SAPOA's appeal, and any other initiatives, which would help unblock barriers to development and, in turn, lead to faster, more efficient processing of development applications", says Sindile Ngonyama, the SAIA President.
The huge infrastructure development target set by the government could only be achieved in the event that unnecessary bureaucracy is avoided in particular where it pertains to property development, adds Ngonyama.
"We urge the Minister to take heed of the call in order to facilitate the approval process for applications in the property development arena", says Obert Chakarisa, the SAIA Chief Executive Officer.
SAIA is a national representative body serving the interests of architects and architectural firms in South Africa. Furthermore, with a total of 11 regional affiliates, The Institute is also the voice of architects in the SADC region.