An analysis of the corridors of freedom: the spatial planning policy implementation on the Empire-Perth Development Corridor

Abstract

In recent years, the City of Johannesburg (CoJ) has introduced the Corridors of Freedom (CoF) spatial policy, as one of its instruments to alleviate spatial inequalities inherited from the apartheid regime through mass public transportation. This policy is focused on providing the CoJ with corridor transit-oriented development (TOD), facilitating property development to increase densities around transport stations and bring people closer to education, leisure, and their places of work. The Corridors of Freedom identified several corridors that will transform that part of the city, with the Empire-Perth Development Corridor serving as the case study for this research report.

Essentially, this research report discusses the theories of corridor development, transit-oriented development, and property development. In addition, the report also discusses the spatial policies of the CoJ in relation to these policies’ theories. These discussions were necessary to analyse and observe how the policy implementation was carried out on the Empire-Perth Development Corridor; this is compared to the goals and objectives stated in the Strategic Area Framework for the Empire-Perth Development Corridor itself, as well as other related integrated spatial planning polices for the CoJ. The case study has chosen the Empire-Perth Development Corridor (EPDC) as an example of policy implementation, demonstrating various dynamics within the geographical area between officials, property developers, and professional consultants.