The new KZN city taking shape west of Durban

A new urban hub is taking shape west of Durban, bringing retail, housing, healthcare and billions of rands in investment to the Upper Highway.

Westown, which has been dubbed the “City of the West”, has already attracted R1.3 billion through the development of Westown Square.

But that could be just the beginning. Nearly R15 billion in investment is projected for the development over the next 10 to 15 years, while the wider Shongweni development has plans for around 20 000 homes.

Building a new urban centre in Durban

The development is significant because it is not simply another shopping centre or residential estate.

Westown Square is already operating as a retail destination, while construction has begun on a new hospital.

The wider development is intended to bring together residential, commercial, retail and other services, creating a more self-contained urban node. And that mix could be important for the area’s property market.

According to Pam Golding Properties area principal for the Upper Highway, Alwina Muggeridge, the Upper Highway is fast becoming a genuine retail hub.

Westown Square is joined by Cotswold Square and Watercrest Mall, giving residents access to a growing concentration of retail options.

The growth in shopping and commercial activity can also bring more employment and footfall into the area, potentially supporting residential demand.

Thousands of new homes planned

One of the biggest factors to watch is the scale of planned housing. The first phase of development has broken ground on a wider plan for approximately 20 000 homes in the Shongweni area.

That means Westown is not being developed solely around existing residents. A significant increase in the local population is expected as new housing is built.

More residents, in turn, can support demand for shops, schools, healthcare, restaurants and other services. This creates a cycle that can help an emerging node develop into a more established property market.

Westown’s position in the Upper Highway also gives it access to Durban while offering an alternative to the city’s established northern property nodes.

That could become increasingly important as buyers look for areas with access to amenities without necessarily paying North Coast prices.

The North Coast has attracted substantial investment of its own, particularly around uMhlanga, Sibaya and Ballito.

But Westown offers something different: an inland growth node where residential development is being built alongside retail, healthcare and commercial infrastructure.