100 DAYS OF STEEM - 3 Ways To Improve Your Local Area

This week Friday challenge is a pretty interesting one, a question I haven't given much direct thought to but have thought about in passing as I run into the issues in daily life. I live in a city outside Cape Town, around 25kms outside the main city called Bellville, it was once farmland that was turned into a city over time, as we relied less on people to farm their own food and well apartheid had to dump people somewhere.

Eventually, it turned into its own little town with its kinks and quirks. It's by no means the worst place to live but it could sure do with a little love and better town planning if you ask me.

The city has its middle class, poor and affluent area like any other and they're all a stone's throw away from one another but there seems to be a lack of mobility between the 3 as is seen in the rest of the country.

Image source: - futurecapetown.com

Public transport

We don't have reliable public transport, the taxi services are horrible, you're stuck in an overcrowded minibus with drivers who care little for your safety and even then the passengers may even try to rob you.

The trains are horrible, dangerous and only available in certain parts of the city and don't have much of a feeder system to each station.

The busses are shambolic and also have certain routes so even if you use these services you still need to walk your arse off to get anywhere.

This is why cars are a necessity and why traffic is up its arse.

It would definitely be one thing I would overhaul having used these services before, it would greatly improve the standard of living for people, they would be willing to travel freely and more often, it would stimulate the economy and allow us to operate more as travel times wouldn't be so restrictive.

Public facilities

There is a gross lack of public facilities in the area, we don't have many parks, open-air gyms, public gathering areas, marketplaces, schools, and places for people to safely enjoy themselves and their city. I think if we had more of this it encourage more of a neighbourhood feel and you would get to know more people and engage more making it a friendlier environment.

I'm not saying we're not friendly people, because we are but providing the setting for people to engage with one another safety can encourage building new relationships which improve happiness and economic growth.

Attracting corporates and small businesses

There is a gross lack of investment in many parts of this town, you can see it by the derelict buildings and lack of activity in some areas. Most businesses choose to be in the city centre and that's why there are so much development and its a hive of activity but its overcrowded at times.

If Bellville could make it more attractive for businesses to opt to set up offices here it brings more jobs to the city, reduces the need for locals to commute to the city centre and drives economic growth locally.

Have your say

What do you good people of STEEM think? How would you improve your neighbourhood? Create your own submission by following the instructions here

So have at it my Jessies! If you don't have something to comment, comment "I am a Jessie."

Let's connect

If you liked this post sprinkle it with an upvote or esteem and if you don't already, consider following me @chekohler

Browse & Earn Crypto	Donate LikeCoin For Free	Earn Interest On Crypto

---