By media Posted February the 4th 2021
“Has the time not arrived for us to be bold and reach beyond ourselves and do what may seem impossible? Has the time not arrived to build a new smart city founded on the technologies of the 4th industrial revolution?”
These words were, perhaps infamously, spoken by President Cyril Ramaphosa during 2019’s State of the Nation Address in June. What makes a city “smart” is often in the eye of the beholder. However, a good explanation of the general concept was provided by Gemalto, a software security company. Their website states that “A smart city is a framework, predominantly composed of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), to develop, deploy and promote sustainable development practices to address growing urbanization challenges. A big part of this ICT framework is essentially an intelligent network of connected objects and machines that transmit data using wireless technology and the cloud.”
Mobile is the key to unlocking smart capabilities
Mobile devices provide the link between people, their homes, their cars and a range of public infrastructure and services, to create inter-connectivity, increase efficiency and reduce wastage – all done through intelligent data collection and analysis. A smart city requires a large initial investment, however, thereafter it is made back through cost savings for municipalities and taxpayers. The ideal smart city is meant to cover everything from IT connectivity, to power supply, waste management, public transportation, and even e-governance. In Dubai, for example, the government has been implementing different elements to make their city smarter, all run through an app called Dubai Now. One example of the city-centric app making life easier for citizens is a public camera catching a car speeding. An automated email is sent directly to the offending driver, after which, the fine can be paid through the Dubai Now app. Through apps such as these, residents can pay their utilities bills, contact emergency services, gain access to public transport, and even handle the time-consuming process of renewing drivers’ licenses and vehicle registration.
Other cities across the globe have started implementing smart solutions to keep up with the trend of increasing urbanisation. By many accounts, Singapore is currently the smartest city in the world. Other notable smart cities include Barcelona, London, San Francisco, and Oslo.
Blythedale Coastal Estate is the catalyst for new smart city hub
South Africa has much to do before government can begin implementing smart technology in our cities, let alone building one entirely from scratch. However, there are some zones with the potential for the private sector to provide the base for a new smart city. One such area is KwaDukuza on the KwaZulu-Natal North Coast, home of Blythedale Coastal Estate. Blythedale will be the catalyst for a new development hub on the North Coast and perhaps, in time, the cornerstone for KZN’s very own smart city. It’s conveniently located between Durban and Richards Bay, in one of South Africa’s best and fastest-growing property investment markets.
Blythedale is going to be self-sustainable and environmentally friendly, with a seamless integration of technology between home and estate. Blythedale Coastal Estate was conceptualised with the future in mind. Reliance will be reduced on the national grid for bulk services, and sustainable practices are being prepared for independent energy solutions, such as mandatory solar panels for all residents, and for sustainable water solutions, such as desalination. Blythedale smart solutions address the categories of application-based community management and security, for a seamless integration between mobile device, home, and estate, with high speed fibre providing the connectivity to make it all possible.
Wealth migration to the North Coast
The praises for the investment potential of the North Coast of KZN are being sung by estate agencies countrywide, evidenced also by the steady migration of wealth to this area. Blythedale Coastal Estate’s investment potential is matched only by the lifestyle one can experience once living there. All six development communities within the Estate take advantage of panoramic views, glorious river and 320 ha of indigenous coastal forest, which will be integrated with the finished development. The facilities are numerous and natural offerings are abundantly breathtaking, not least of which is the 3km of golden sand beachfront directly accessible to the Estate’s 5000 homeowners.
The Estate aligns with several core priorities of government (as communicated at SONA), and has previously been presented to parliament by Lindiwe Sisulu, as the guideline to government for how catalytic community-based projects can work as an integrated living model. There’s a focus on economic transformation and job creation, as some 150 000 temporary and permanent jobs will have been created by the end of the project. This safe, secure, environmentally and technologically driven estate will be an investment haven and a lifestyle paradise for years to come.
Contact eLan Real Estate for more information:
Tel: 086 100 2001
Email: sales@blythedale.co.za
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eLan Property Group has been at the forefront of the KZN property market since its inception in 1997. The company is now a leading developer of lifestyle and tourism investment opportunities in Southern Africa, specialising in North Coast property. Our company takes an active role in community engagement and empowerment, often through the success of our property development initiatives. These innovative initiatives are one of the many reasons for the retention of the prosperous eLan Investor Club database. eLan has created a host of developments of various sizes and qualities, including Simbithi Eco Estate and Blythedale Coastal Estate. Specifications may vary, but all of our developments share a common theme: Green Living is in Your Nature.
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