The main economic characteristics of the iSLP project area are:

1. Poverty - Over 95% of beneficiary households earn less than US$200 per month.

2. Well located - bounded by two major roadways, onto which there is good access; close to the airport; with available land that is well positioned to create the economic hub of the south-east sector of the metro.

3. Crime - the area has been characterised by violence and crime since the early 1980s. Extensive development has significantly reduced territory-linked violence, but crime is still a major impediment to economic growth and investment.

4. Limited external investment - there has been very little commercial and industrial property development in the area in the last 20 years.

At a workshop of stakeholders held shortly after the approval of the iSLP Business Plan it was decided to invest the iSLP's funds in major economic generators rather than in the promotion and development of small enterprises. As a result the economic development programme has focussed upon the creation of partnerships to undertake regional initiatives. They are:

• The development of the eastern sector of the Lansdowne-Wetton Corridor, in partnership with the City of Cape Town and the national Department of Transport. This is an activity corridor, based upon a long-standing suburban spine road.

• The creation of the Philippi East Development Initiative ("PEDI"), being a not-for-profit company created as a partnership between the Province and the City of Cape Town to facilitate the development of Philippi East as the economic node of the south-east metro.

• Research and development of markets. This includes the establishment of a major fresh produce wholesale market as a partnership between the Province and the City of Cape Town.

• The creation of appropriate premises for small, medium and micro enterprises. This includes the rationalising of existing properties.

For more details see Economic Development.