Document: Cape Town Red Tape Reduction Case Study and Local Economic Development

The purpose of this paper is to two-fold:

• To provide a summary project description of a Cape Town case study experience in addressing selected red tape (or regulatory framework) issues; and 
• To provide a knowledge learning resource to Local Economic Development (LED) practitioners wanting to initiate processes to improve the local business environment through reducing red tape constraints to economic development.

The paper does not investigate theoretical debates about what red tape is and whether red tape is, or is not, a real constraint to economic development, and if so, what kinds of economic impacts different types of red tape can have.

The paper is structured as follows:

• i) Background to, and origin of, the Cape Town Regulatory Framework Review
• ii) Process followed
• iii) Project issues and outcomes in terms of two priority red tape issues addressed; building plan approvals and the township property market
• iv) Project lessons.