Our Firm
“Development applications and projects represent the dreams and aspirations of our clients – treat it as such” – URBANSMART 2008
Established in 2008, URBANSMART Planning Studio (Pty) Ltd. has developed into a boutique town and regional planning and urban development practice, focusing on land development applications; development planning and associated project management requirements; forensic planning-audits, urban and healthcare demand modelling; and CAD drawing and design. The practice comprises three full-time (3) qualified professional town and regional planners, and a limited number of ad-hoc town-planners in training and support staff.
Our philosophy and business approach is to treat each client’s development needs and project sites as unique, and to present them with the most appropriate and cost-effective town-planning response and service offering. This requires personal attention from experienced individuals. Hence the executive maintains a daily, “hands-on” approach, to all development planning applications and strategic projects.
Whilst time to approval of development applications is always of utmost importance to our clients, just as important is that the correct legislative process is followed, and the necessary actions be taken in good time and the correct manner. Legislation covering the town-planning sphere can be complex, with unknown
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consequence to the untrained eye. For example in some instances the land use rights of a property may not be amended more than once (1) within a two (2) year period. Thus, the need for active involvement from experienced hands to ensure attention to detail; a thorough understanding of the legislative environment; and creative experience.
By making use of a diverse group of specialist associates, clients can be provided with a total development solution when required, encompassing statutory planning, strategic planning, urban modelling, healthcare planning, infrastructure planning, urban design, project management, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), AutoCad, project management, and legal and environmental skills. An associate approach to offering clients a complete development solution when required allows the firm to reduce core operational costs and associate costs to the client. This allows us to effectively serve both property corporates and private individuals. In short, our approach affords clients with access to in-depth town-planning advice and a diverse development planning service offering at market competitive professional fees and better.
Apart from our specialised town-planning service offering, we seek to foster intimate client relationships, starting with a friendly but professional office environment. Our client base includes private property owners, commercial developers and government entities. No matter how large your property or extensive your needs, we would gladly be of assistance – town planning is our passion.
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The firm is fifty percent female owned, and boasts a team of professional planners and associates who are well-experienced within the urban planning, property development, and policy environments. More recently, the firm acquired the well-established town planning practice of Ella du Plessis Town and Regional Planners to bolster the firm’s operational capacity and reach in the property development market. Together, the two entities feature over 25 years of experience within the development field.
Apart from striving to provide clients with professional advice and excellent service, the firm is passionately committed to practising social and environmental responsibility.
Proudly, URBANSMART has been selected and accredited by the South African Property Owners Association (SAPOA) as a preferred BEE SMME contractor and service provider to the South African Property Industry. The firm has also become a strategic partner and choice service provider for several corporate and commercial property developers and funds, including the likes of SA Corporate Real Estate, Old Mutual Property (OMIGPI), ERIS, BROLL, Investec Property, The Government Employee Pension Fund (GEPF), the Public Investment Corporation (PIC), Jika Properties, Africa Corporate Real Estate Solutions (ACRES), Waterfall Investment Company, Atterbury, ABSA/Barclays, Mitrajaya Developments SA, Improvon Group, RPP, SAFRICH, Midrand Real Estate, Curro Schools, Nokia-Siemens, Daimler AG, Volkswagen, Chamberlains, BIGEN Africa, Intercare Hospital Holdings, Spesnet Hospitals, MedCeptional, the Louis Pasteur Hospital Group and 1G Services.