AE01407V
A report on a cultural heritage impact assessment in support of the strategic environmental assessment for the Centurion and Zambezi routes of the proposed integrated rapid transport network (IRPTN) for the City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality, Gauteng Province
Summary
Archaetnos cc was requested by Gudani Consulting to conduct a cultural heritage impact assessment in support of the strategic environmental assessment for the Centurion and Zambezi routes of the proposed integrated rapid public transport network for the City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality. This is in the Gauteng Province.
A survey of the available literature was undertaken in order to obtain background information regarding the area. This was followed by the field survey which was conducted according to generally accepted HIA practices, aimed at locating all possible objects, sites and features of cultural significance in the area of the proposed development.
As the lines will run in the centre of current roads, no impact here is foreseen. Therefore, although cultural heritage sites and features were identified, these will all most likely only be impacted on indirectly. The development may therefore continue.
However, in certain cases the road will be widened. As the detail of these road-widening sections are not available yet, no specific impact could be indicated. Therefore the possible impact on heritage resources identified is indicated. The heritage resources indicated are only ones that may be impacted on and the developer is therefore warned to ensure that impact on these are minimised. Should it be realised that a specific heritage resource will definitely be impacted on directly, a heritage specialist will have to be contracted in order to recommend specific mitigation measures. Those that will in the end not be impacted on, should just be left as they are.
It should be noted however that the subterranean presence of archaeological and/or historical sites, features or artefacts is always a distinct possibility. Care should therefore be taken when the development commences that if any of these are discovered, a qualified archaeologist be called in to investigate. A watching brief is therefore proposed as the most viable way of ensuring that heritage sites and features are protected.
Report by
Dr. A.C. van Vollenhoven (L.AKAD.SA.)