Klapmuts Hills residential development sits adjacent to the existing Klapmuts Village, located just off the N1 between Paarl and Stellenbosch. The brief for Klapmuts Hills was the creation of a substantial new medium to high-density residential development with very strong connections with the surrounding agricultural as well as natural landscape. It was further envisaged that the development would include a local small-scale commercial node, in association with public spaces in the form of a village square and related shopping and offices.

The Urban Design Framework for Klapmuts Hills is driven by a set of normative design principles which inform the design of the spatial structure. These include environmental sustainability, a positive social impact, economic sustainability, integration and access, safety and a sense of community and place. In addition, the spatial structure is in direct response to topography, soils, vegetation, views and potential visual impact.

A proposed set of development controls was established to achieve the envisaged bulk, building height, coverage and building lines within the development, specifically including Urban Design and Architectural guidelines related to the interface between the public and private.

The development is ultimately seen as an extension of the existing structure of Klapmuts and centres around the creation of a truly public spatial structure, and the non-privatisation of services, opportunities and facilities. The proposed structure plan therefore allows for a high degree of connectivity to both the Village and surrounding natural and agricultural environments. The result is a socially and spatially integrated mixed use development.

aerial photography

diagrams

site development plan

phase A

main square

typical elevation