In November 2011, the university hosted media and community information days at its newest - and largest - residence, Obz Square. As the immediate neighbours, the suburb's residents were shown around the building and given an opportunity to raise their concerns.
Vice-chancellor Dr Max Price and his team of senior managers said demand from students for on- or near-campus accommodation had swelled, necessitating another residence development. The result is the modern Obz Square Building with its state-of-the-art features (see photos).
Among the community's concerns were the availability of parking space for visitors (no parking is allowed outside the residence), policies to address doubling-up or squatting (ie students allowing others to live in their rooms), and measures for dealing with misbehaving students, like those returning to the residence late at night. The residence's business space for retailers, the need for a gym where students can "vent their frustrations", the stops for the Jammie Shuttle, and how students would maintain the culture of the suburb also came up. These issues are being looked into, promised Grant Willis, director of Student Housing & Residence Life, and John Critien, executive director of UCT Properties and Services.
Deputy vice-chancellor Professor Crain Soudien explained that UCT intends to create a "living learning environment" in Obz Square, and called on Observatory residents both to hold the university accountable for this, and to be partners in the project.