Since its inception in 2000, the Cape Town Central City Improvement District has worked hard to ensure the Mother City’s inner city is safe, clean and business friendly. This month it marked a quarter century in a CBD that can hold its own anywhere in the world.
Cape Town’s Central Business District (CBD) today stands as one of the most successful and desirable square miles in Africa – a thriving urban centre shaped by 25 years of consistent partnership between the Cape Town Central City Improvement District (CCID), the City of Cape Town, property owners and other key stakeholders.
This was one of the main takeaways from the recent CCID Annual General Meeting (AGM), where the organisation celebrated a quarter century of helping to secure the CBD’s reputation as a world-class city centre in which to work, invest, live and visit.
Evidence of this is the overall value of all property in the inner city, set at R42.5 billion, according to the City of Cape Town’s 2022 property evaluation. What’s more, in 2024/2025, the value of new property investment in the CBD was R9.031 billion.
INVESTOR CONFIDENCE IN THE CBD
Delivering the keynote address, Executive Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis praised the CCID’s long-standing collaboration with the City, calling it a true example of the power of public-private partnership.
“By 2005 the city had fallen into a state of crime and grime. Through partnership and action, the CCID has made visible, effective improvements to the city centre since then,” he said, adding that investment confidence manifested in bricks and mortar.
“A recent report showed that 17 % of all construction in the country is taking place in Cape Town. This is indicative of a construction boom and shows that investors believe the future of this city is a safe bet.”
He said that the office-vacancy rate in the Cape Town metro was another indicator or measure of success: according to the latest edition of the State of Cape Town Central City Report 2024 – A Year in Review (SCCR), published by the CCID, the office vacancy rate in the Cape Town CBD dropped from 16.1 % in 2021 to 9.4 % in Q4 2024.
Hill-Lewis said: “These are the numbers of a CBD that is alive and well thanks to reliable and committed partners.”
FROM DECLINE TO RENEWAL
CCID CEO Tasso Evangelinos, who has been with the organisation since its inception, reflected on pivotal points in the CCID’s 25-year journey: “The 2010 World Cup provided a real moment for the city. It was a game-changer in shifting negative perceptions about safety and security. Locals saw how fantastic town was, footfall increased, and we expanded our services around the clock.”
He noted that the Covid-19 pandemic required the CCID to rethink and reinvent: “We became an essential service, introducing sanitising ambassadors, and repurposing our safety and security initiatives. The CBD has fully recovered from the pandemic – something many global city centres have not yet achieved.”
Board Chairperson Rob Kane, who celebrates 15 years at the helm of the CCID Board, said: “We are very proud to have played an integral part in the transformation of the CBD. Through vision, determination and sheer hard work, sound urban-management practices were put in place to create a safer and cleaner CBD. Only then did the focus shift to other needs, including social upliftment and sustainable development. This was followed by promoting the CBD as a business-friendly environment and a hub for business and other tourism.”
He also praised CBD property and business owners, saying they had pioneered new ways of doing things, including building resilience during the pandemic and into the future. “They grabbed new opportunities and spurred transformation.”
WINNING TEAM
Kane commended the CCID team, including staff and board members, as well as its partners for another strong year, with the organisation achieving its 25th successful audit.
“The progress we’ve seen is a testament to the hard work the CCID has put in for over two decades. With focus, determination and innovation, the organisation continues to keep the city safer, cleaner and more inviting. Once again, the CCID has delivered a stellar set of results, strategically adapting to ground conditions and creating an environment that promotes economic growth.”
Presenting the Safety & Security department’s 2024/25 results, manager Jurie Bruwer said the CCID strategically deployed 327 Public Safety Officers in shifts 24/7 to support the influx of visitors. The department conducted 53 044 safety interventions and helped to secure 920 arrests. The department also took part in 6 538 joint operations with SAPS and City Law Enforcement agencies, including CCID-funded Law Enforcement Officers, maintaining a strong and visible policing presence.
Urban Management manager Kally Benito highlighted the removal of 1 245 tonnes of litter and illegal waste, and 2 851 kg of cigarette butts from town during the past year. Urban Management teams repaired broken paving, potholes, bollards, channels, storm-water drains and kerbstones. Benito said one of the department’s key projects was the ongoing Public Toilet Project, launched in 2022 with NGO Khulisa Streetscapes, with the City coming on board a year later. The project continued to supply clean, safe and accessible ablution facilities in town across six sites. Since 2022 nearly 1 million people have used the facilities.
Tara Gerardy-Bissolati, manager of CCID Social Development, outlined the department’s extensive outreach work with people experiencing homelessness. CCID auxiliary social and field workers conducted 1 244 interventions, while the ground-breaking Peer Field Worker Project – now including an after-hours night shift – completed 1 682 engagements, including 1 071 initial interactions. The Winter Readiness Campaign created additional shelter beds at Youth Solutions Africa and The Haven Moira Henderson House. Needle-collection initiatives with Streetscapes also continued to reduce harm and improve safety.
Sharon Sorour-Morris, Communications manager, reported that the department delivered high-calibre publications and campaigns that elevated the profile of the CBD and the CCID’s operational successes. The team secured R7 705 549 in media exposure across 238 broadcast, print and online clips. Key publications included the 84-page State of Cape Town Central City Report 2024 and City Views urban newspaper, both of which had been recognised once again at the SA Publication Forum’s 2024 Corporate Publication Competition.
IMAGES: Carmen Lorraine, CCID