Ilisolethu Area Management Strategy, Thembalethu
A tailor-made improvement district model for Thembalethu, George, that replaces the traditional levy-funded CID with a self-funding entity drawing on multiple income streams.
2023 · George Local Municipality · Area management and urban management strategy · 12 months duration
Key contributors: Annemarie Loots, Melissa Taleni
The George Local Municipality, with the Department of National Treasury as project sponsor, appointed Cadre to prepare an Area Management Strategy for the Ilisolethu node in Thembalethu. Conventional City Improvement Districts depend on levies from strong property investors. Thembalethu has too few investors to carry that model, so an alternative was required.
Cadre designed the Ilisolethu Improvement District (IID) as a non-profit organisation under a board of directors, structured as a Section 21 company able to generate its own revenue. Income streams include corporate, public and NGO sponsorships, events and recreation, and outdoor advertising. The Thembalethu Precinct was divided into six Area Management Pockets, each with a director and a support committee responsible for identifying local projects.
The strategy commits the IID to five core functions: coordinating community interventions, reporting operational infrastructure issues, managing selected facilities, facilitating new investment, and events management. It offers a replicable improvement-district model for township settings.
Key figures: 6 area management pockets | 5 core functions | 12-month programme