Property Development in South Africa is not what you might expect, since there has been a lack of inward investment to the country for various reasons.
The government of South Africa is investigating the possibilities to develop areas that are typically looked down upon for social purposes and to provide much needed low-cost affordable housing.
Those areas that are under consideration for development include townships and informal settlements where poverty, unemployment, and crime rates are high. There are obviously many social issues that need to be addressed in order to improve the social conditions as well as the built environment.
The Government want to bring in more people from rural parts of the country to help with this village development, thus providing employment and creating wealth for the local and immigrant population.
These development and job creation schemes will not only create jobs for those who move into these new village development but will also help the economy as a whole by creating demand for labour resources, both skilled and unskilled, and demand for materials and transportation as well.
There have been many challenges so far in this process due to the lack of resources and funding.
However, if all goes well and such village development are initiated, and importantly completed in a timely way, then it could be a major step forward for economic growth village development in South Africa.
There are many different types of village development that have been occurring in the country.
The government has set up a plan to help with urbanization and resolving housing shortages.
One such project, the Maboneng Precinct, is a mixed-use community on the outskirts of Johannesburg.
It’s one example of how people can create their own living spaces without waiting for the government or private developers to do it for them.
Find out more about this interesting type of village development and how it could affect other parts of South Africa.
Another very interesting property development in South Africa is this Farmstead development https://crossways.co.za
At Crossways Farm village development concept is that you can get back to the good life. You can get back to farmstead living, to rural spaces, where true neighbours share a common vision, grounded in sustainable living. This is a new approach to property development in our experience.
As South Africa’s first contemporary new rural town, Crossways Farm Village is an opportunity to get back to being neighbourly, to live with purpose, stress-free and off-grid, while still being as connected as you choose to be. We think that this idea should have a great appeal to urban residents wanting to get away from the stress of city life during the week. Maybe considering a weekend or holiday home there.
You can easily see the attraction of the developer´s concept to get back to safety, to kids being kids again, to big skies and beautiful vistas. Get back to living, what a great idea.
WELCOME TO THE NEW RURALISM
This property development is located bordering the Garden Route and the Baviaanskloof world heritage site. The Crossways Farm Village is situated 30km from Port Elizabeth next to the Van Staden’s Bridge, opening up the pristine countryside to new opportunities. What a refreshing approach by the developer to conceive a community living in balance with nature, where nothing is wasted, and resources are renewable. This is the new ruralism, yet it is getting back to the ways of the past. It is living the way your grandparents did. From farm to hand. With fresh produce grown almost on your doorstep. Organic. Raw. Pure. Where the soil is cared for and the labour honest. Why didnt anyone think of this before – or why did the old ways get forgotten?
The Crossways Farm Village development Consists of 520 hectares of agricultural and development land. Crossways Farm Village is divided into three sustainable nodes of equal size. One node is designed for conservation, and is intended never to be touched or developed. One node is for urban agriculture and the working dairy farm. And one node is for sustainable living, consisting of a residential component with 732 erven including open communal spaces, sport and recreational grounds. It is a fantastic site based on a fantastic concept – New Ruralism!
You can imagine yourself living there with your family.
You are getting back to old-school living. Where you wil know everyone’s name in the village. Where the local community cares for the wellbeing of everyone, in equal measure. Where your kids can still be kids. You will be Connected – but to friends, instead of just the Internet. You will be grounded in the great outdoors.
Crossways Village Farm -It’s concept is for all its residents to be living in luxury, with a farmstead in theirr name, with space to breathe deeply and earth beneath theirr feet. The residents will be part of the new elite. They will be living where getting back to basics doesn’t leave you wanting more. Because you’ve got it all, already. It sounds great and I cant wait to visit!
Imagine yourself getting back to the sun. Where every day is yours to command. Where your children can run free, discovering what bounty lays before them. From crystal pools to hiking trails to picking flowers to endless mountain biking and birdwatching. Get back to nature. Breathe in. Let go.
Leave your vitamins back in the city. Get your fill at Crossways.
Maybe They Have a Point: “A FARMSTEAD IS WHERE THE HEART IS”
The Developer´s idea is that prospective purchasers and residents can Imagine themselves not only living in harmony with nature but mirroring it through sustainable materials and architecture. This is a unique concept where space is placed at a premium and the bountiful outside space is part and parcel of every design decision. There has been a lot of thought put into the design of this village development.
The developer says that at Crossways Farm Village, the award-winning CMAI Architects from Knysna looked at traditional farmhouse architecture, and took inspiration from shed shapes and modernising it for a new generation into something more than just a home. And more than just a homestead. It is, by definition, a farmstead. This has a real appeal to many South Africans, and possibly to overseas investors too.
According to the developer, this is where the proof of concept includes long-forgotten words like shutters, overhangs, recesses, courtyards and verandahs. This concept is where going old-school meets energy-efficiency, and sustainability sits at the very heart of every home. It is the best of all worlds.
The developer´s plan to exclude no one, the erven range from 200 square meters to more than 8500 square meters, with a choice of customised homes designed for each erven. 660 of them to be exact. This is a remarkable development and we plan to show you more information and photographs from the village development as it progresses.
Watch this space!
SUSTAINABILITY IS A DESIGN FEATURE
The developer´s idea is that from the centre to the perimeter, sustainability was a conscious decision right from the start. They report that not just by providing municipal services such as sewerage, water and electricity that would remove Crossways Farm Village eventually off the grid, but also for the local community.
The whole development is designed around the principles of food security, rural development, job creation, poverty alleviation and training, the developers at Crossways Farm village development have embraced the nearby Thornhill community. A community of 3000 individuals that will be an integral part of the growth projection of both. The developer´s have considered all aspects for the built environment, social and economic village development.
By setting up a community trust, Crossways Farm Village is dedicated to this cause. A vision that goes beyond the expected. A partnership that has been set up for the long haul.
The Developers Idea For SAFETY IN NUMBERS
The Developer´s Idea is: LOOKING BACK GOING FORWARD
At Crossways Farm village development, the developer says that the track record is the way forward. They have considered the effort needed to establish a new town. The infrastructure, the planning, the zoning, the transfers and the endless administration. These are not the actions of a developer not invested. It speaks of vision, grit and knowledge, which is commendable – there has been massive commitment of wealth and resources made so as to ensure that this novel and unique vision will be a success.
The developer speaks of an immaculate track record. “From the developers who brought you Thesen Islands in Knysna, your investment is good going forward”. These words give confidence to potential investors in Crossways village development, that their investment is a sound one for their future.
We will do another article about Thesen Island in Knysna, as that development deserves to be considered on its own merit. Having been there and seen for myself first-hand what this developer is capable of, we cant wait to see future village development as well – this is a very exciting time for village development in South Africa.
South Africa is a large country with many natural resources and the energy needed to take advantage of those resources for the benefit of the population as a whole.
It sounds like a brilliant project. Its a place i could happily live farming my own land if it wasnt so dangerous as it seems to be at the moment.
Living in the uK I have never been to South Africa. However, I have quite a few friends here who were living that very lifestyle but had to come here because being foreign was becoming far too dangerous.
How do things stand with this now?
Hi Kwidzin, Thank you for taking the time to comment on my post. I am not personally in South Africa so I could not say about the risk of being there, I am also in the UK, but from what I read the developers have considered this aspect of security for residents and visitors, Cheers Alan.
I live in Port Elizabeth and have been watching the development out at Crossways over the last few years. It started off as hiking trails, mountain biking trails then a lovely restaurant where you can go for a delicious home-cooked Sunday lunch. Having been on various hikes and runs in the area, I can tell you that it is beautiful out there, and I think apart from the baboons, one could live at peace with nature and live the farm lifestyle with the security that one needs nowadays. I am looking forward to seeing the final product.
Hi Michel, Thank you for taking the time to comment on my post. I only did it this morning, so I did not expect to receive a comment so soon. I am also looking forward to seeing the finished project. I have a personal interest as my daughter is the landscape architect on the project! Cheers Alan.
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Hi Felix, Thank you for taking the time to read and comment. I will check out your website, cheers Alan