MAPETLA REGIONAL WETLAND PARK

In 2003, after the success of Moroka Dam, Johannesburg City Parks approached NLA to design and implement another Regional Park facility in the rapidly developing South Western part of Soweto. The upgrade of the Klipriver floodplain into a Regional Wetland Park included a Masterplan and six subsequent phases.

The overall planning of Mapetla Wetland Park started off addressing regional issues, including the rapidly deteriorating quality of the ‘Mapetla Spruit’ – a result of leaking sewer lines and many informal settlements along the upper banks. An initial Masterplan, consisting of three phases, was approved in 2004. After the first and subsequent second phase, the 2010 Tree Planting Programme – an initiative to plant 200,000 trees by 2010 as part of the Urban Greening of Soweto – was launched in the area.

Additional funding became available in July 2007 and NLA, alongside Working for Wetlands, adjusted the original Masterplan to accommodate a pedestrian bridge, concrete weirs and erosion protection measures. On the successful completion of phase three in January 2008, more funds were made available by JCP to further expand the project to include the Southern section of Mapetla through the implementation of phase four, five and six.

Through well-spent funding, realized opportunity and ensured continuity over five years, NLA with JCP provided a multi use facility that is enjoyed by a large residential community, schools and institutions. At Mapetla, through the designed public facilities, a restored river and green spaces come together to shape a Regional Park that the community can be proud of.