Point Waterfront, Durban

Right at the entrance to one of South Africa's busiest ports is the Durban Point Waterfront, set to change the face of the city of Durban, particularly as it has recently got environmental approval for the crucial next phase of development, which will include a rather contentious small craft harbour at Vetch's Pier (it took four years for the EIA - Environmental Impact Assessment process, which received much opposition from boating clubs in the area).

The development at the New Point Waterfront is modern, angular and elegant. Launched in 2003, it looks in many ways as if it could feature on the same page as London's Docklands, although smaller, and the little canal that weaves amidst the already ten completed developments add a distinct touch of Venice particularly since gondolas also glide up and down the ribbon of water. Hard to believe that this area had become a largely abandoned and vacant part of Durban's harbour, prey to derelection and unsavoury elements of society.

It helps that included in the Durban Point Waterfront is uShaka Marine World, one of the biggest tourist attractions in the city. Next on the list is a mixed-use development that will include hotels, apartments, retails and offices, canals and the craft harbour. There is to be another huge shopping centre as well - all part of the vision to rejuvenate this part of Durban so that it becomes a prime tourist destination and one of the city's most prestigious addresses.

Durban Point Waterfront covers the area from Bell Street to the harbour entrance and from the beachfront to Mahatma Gandhi Road (the former infamous Point Road).