Principal Urban Planner
MISA
Total years of experience :22 years, 3 Months
Provide leadership and technical support interventions related to town/urban planning, strategic spatial planning, and integrated development planning activities within municipalities. Acts as a key member of three municipal planning tribunals, including Sarah Baartman District Municipality (comprising 4 local municipalities within the district), Great Kei Municipality, and Amahlathi Municipality. Maintain a deep knowledge of South African policies, acts, regulations, and Industry guidelines following Municipal norms and practices. Facilitate the development/review of land use management systems (LUMS) inclusive of schemes. Render oversight of strategic planning, human resources, organogram development, job profiles, advertisements, procurement, programme/ project management, financial management, and contract negotiations for the municipalities. Lead extensive research, surrounding sector backlogs in service delivery, socio-economic development, and infrastructure sectors. Review complex planning reports and prepare conditions of approval.
Selected Accomplishments:
1. Spearheaded the successful establishment of the Great Kei Municipal Planning Tribunal, while also playing a pivotal role in cre-ating highly functional municipal planning tribunals for Enoch Mgijima and Amahlathi Municipalities.
2. Oversaw the development of three municipal planning tribunals in the Eastern Cape Province by leading team members.
3. Directed a team to manage the development of the Sundays River Valley and Enoch Mgijima Municipality’s land use manage-ment (Zoning) schemes.
4. Carried out the Great Kei Municipality Spatial Development Framework Review 2022 by managing a team.
5. Devised the Enoch Mgijima Municipality Spatial Development Framework Plan (2021 - 2022).
6. Spearheaded review of the Amathole District Municipality Integrated Development Plan (2021-2022) and the Joe Gqabi District Municipality Integrated Development Plan (2021-2022).
7. Contributed to the implementation of the SPLUM Act of 2013 for the municipalities.
8. Empowered decision-making of executive leadership and high-level stakeholders by preparing/delivering feasibility studies, as-sessments, and strategic/high-level reports.
9. Ensured funds acquisition for the projects by creating and executing business plans.
10. Drove professional development and growth of junior planners by providing coaching and mentorship.
11. Delivered motivational leadership to foster a team culture for achieving set goals and objectives.
Directed a cross-functional team managing all aspects related to real estate development, site identification, appraisal/feasibility, urban planning, master planning & design, discharging of conditions, development levy negotiations, project execution, operational planning, financial management, bids/tenders’ preparation, contractual management, business development, and risk management. Advanced real estate objectives by fostering seamless communication with engineering, planning, marketing, finance, sales, and external partners. Led due diligence and guided a team to facilitate successful closing of the transactions. Spearheaded efforts to acquire planning and building plan approvals for clients. Provided an overview of programme/project progress to stakeholders/clients by preparing/delivering reports and presentations.
Directed a 12-member team, formulated strategic and operational plans, and oversaw financial management aspects for the organisation. Provided direction to facilitate planning and execution of the development programme. Rendered direction to manage urban planning, master planning & design preparation, strategic spatial planning, due diligence, transactions execution, land acquisition, contracting, bidding/tendering, discharging of conditions, development levy negotiations, risk mitigation, and regulatory compliance functions. Enhanced visibility of programme/project performance to key stakeholders and higher authorities by preparing reports and presentations.
Senior Planner and project manager for new human settlement developments, as well as spatial planning and development management. Provided direction to facilitate planning and execution of the development programme. Business plan preparation and funding sourced for new projects. Rendered direction to manage urban planning, community planning, design, strategic spatial planning, due diligence, feasibility studies, land acquisition, contracting, bidding/tendering, risk mitigation, and regulatory compliance functions. Enhanced visibility of programme/project performance to key stakeholders and higher authorities by managing development applications, preparing reports and presentations.