New initiative to focus on urban development
Gauteng in partnership with the National Planning Commission is set to establish a Centre for Urban Innovation to be located within the provincial government.
Premier Nomvula Mokonyane made the announcement at the Metropolis Annual Meeting in Sandton.
“The centre will track innovative urban practices on an international scale and will provide South Africa and other partners across the world with a best practices platform for urban development,” said Mokonyane.
She said it would also provide direct support and incentives to municipalities, communities and other key agents involved in innovative urban practices.
National Planning Commission Minister Trevor Manuel said the establishment of the centre aimed to give meaning to the proposals embodied in Chapter Eight of the National Development Plan, “which provides a framework for addressing challenges related to the transformation of human settlement and the national space economy.”
He said detailed modalities of how the centre would function would be worked out by both parties over the next few months.
“Some of the areas that will be the focus of the centre include; public service delivery and management; use of technology to solve complex urban problems; development of infrastructure for new economies and transport and mobility among others,” concluded Manuel.
