Perception plays a significant role when it comes to the management of precincts. Perception can be defined as the process by which information is used to guide an individual’s behaviour in various circumstances. This involves information gathered via various methods including one’s own senses, word of mouth, and even media consumption. Therefore, perceptions also play a role in places people visit and things they invest in. Ideally, decision-making would be an impartial process, but their perceptions principally influence the way individuals make decisions, and the quality of their choices.
The quality of an area significantly affects people’s perceptions of public space in terms of its safety, comfort, hospitality, and liveliness. Good-quality attributes can contribute to creating successful public spaces, which can help deliver far-reaching benefits for towns and cities. One main result of a positive public space is tourism which has a positive knock–on effect within the neighbouring communities.
Closer to home, an uptake on positive perceptions of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, and our precincts is evident with the upcoming Travel Indaba taking place in May 2023 and the current business travel recovery in Durban. View these full articles below.
Strong business travel recovery in Durban
The uMhlanga Urban Improvement Precinct carries out the Annual Perception Survey towards the latter part of the year when the precinct is at its busiest for the holiday season. Questions cover cleanliness, security, and general feeling and confidence in the precinct amongst other variables. This initiative helps our team ensure that our work done to manage public space in the precinct reflects the needs of our stakeholders and all users. “The Annual Perception Survey and the results is a key tool used to gauge our general feeling about various categories in the precinct and to identify gaps that can be bridged or escalated to the relevant parties so that everyone can enjoy a world-class, thriving and safe precinct”, explained Head of Northern Operations Jarrod Evans.
For the December 2022 and January 2023 period we received a great response to the survey and a big thank you to everyone that took the time to provide their feedback. The Average Experience Rating was 6.8 out of 10 and 6.58 Business Confidence Rating out of 10, while 74% of respondents would recommend uMhlanga Rocks to others. Although many positives, there are key areas to improve within uMhlanga with a drive from eThekwini Municipality, mainly beach quality, sewerage infrastructure and traffic congestion.
CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL DEC 2022 / JAN 2023 ANNUAL PERCEPTION RESULTS.
