Urban & Place Management
More and more, what were strictly commercial nodes within cities are now becoming mixed-use, multi-tenanted 'places' competing for business from property owners, investors, tenants, shoppers, residents, tourists and visitors alike. It is within this context that Urban Genesis has established a Place Management division dedicated to developing place management solutions for a wide range of urban areas.
Who we are
Establishing and managing these initiatives requires a careful understanding of the demarcated area as well as the services needed to develop it into an exceptional place in which to live, work, play and invest. The Johannesburg leader in this regard is Urban Genesis Management.
Essential services for place management initiatives
The services needed to effectively run a coordinated management initiative are based on an international place making hierarchy that looks at how cities move from an unpleasant to an exceptional experience of the public space. The type and level of services required for each area is based on its needs and where it fits on the hierarchy.
The services that Place Management provides, include, but are not limited to:
- Establishing city improvement districts, urban management initiatives and other place management solutions
- Supporting communities in a way that allows them to work with municipalities to better manage their areas
- Managing these place management solutions including inter alia managing security, public space, cleaning, informal trade, environmental improvements, business attraction, business retention, events, and social programmes
- Undertaking Development research, market research, perception and other research surveys
- Place-marketing, including communications and events, to develop and promote an exceptional sense of place
- Developing and implementing programmes and interventions designed to reverse urban decline
- Training for place management personnel, including a specialised ambassador programme focusing on the private security environment, as well as a comprehensive place management programme
- Developing information systems and solutions including urban monitoring tools, property databases and mapping products
What are the benefits of establishing management initiatives?
Holistic approach: All issues that may be negatively impacting on the area are investigated and dealt with on an integrated basis.
Enhances the environment and strengthens investor confidence: Enhancing the safety, cleanliness and economic vitality of different business, retail and commercial nodes strengthens the competitiveness in the region.
Supports investment by business: The perception of crime, grime and general environmental disorder in most urban areas has a negative impact on staff and willingness of customers to visit the area, and in turn on business growth and development.
Creates a positive identity for the area: The establishment of a management initiative provides a new and positive identity from which to launch a concerted effort to maintain and enhance the asset base in the area thus attracting continued investment and development.
Ensures private sector management and accountability: Once the management initiative is set up, a management body is then established in the form of a section 21 company. This company appoints a management team and service providers through which the improvement district is managed. Annual activities and budgets are developed by the section 21 company and its members. The management team provides a full set of monthly management accounts all of which are overseen by the board. This ensures that the management initiative is directly accountable to those in the community who pay levies.
Effectiveness is constantly measurable: By mounting regular opinion surveys, which are compared to the results of an initial perception survey of the area, the board and all stakeholders are able to measure the success of the initiative.
Monitors any new major developments or interventions that impact the area: Through coordinated management all developments in the area are monitored. For example, the effect of projects such as the Gautrain and the area's Urban Development Frameworks on the area are scrutinised. It results in working relationships with appropriate bodies or associations: Depending on the area, each stakeholder group that has a vested interest in that area is engaged and encouraged to work with and through the management initiative structure.
Relationship with local government: Due to its close relationship with council, the improvement district is able to petition for new initiatives which will further improve the area. This can include projects such as traffic surveys, landscaping and social upliftment.
Enhancing the potential of communities
Basic place management services such as the management of crime and grime are key to the success of an area. However, if a management initiative wishes to enhance its potential and develop into a unique destination, it needs to employ place making strategies. Urban Genesis' place management approach involves the production of a shared vision which informs all place-making work in the community.
By focusing on effective management and the appropriate and timely implementation of key services, Urban Genesis is able to elevate selected nodes within cities, differentiating them from other areas and continually improving the offering, thereby giving stakeholders a reason to be there.