The outcome of the ANCs long-awaited KwaZulu-Natal conference was a win for the Thuma Mina crowd. (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)
MMC for Finance Geoffrey Makhubo said that in developing the 2012/16 Integrated Development Plan, the city actively agreed to lead the transformation of spaces in which Johannesburg’s citizens live, work and play. The City’s Growth and Development Strategy — Joburg 2040 — set out four outputs, which were translated to priority programmes aimed at tackling the challenges faced by Joburgers, which define their lived reality.
In 2015/16 the city is placing particular focus on these four key priorities: Corridors of Freedom; Jozi@work; Smart City; and Blue/Green Economy.
Corridors of Freedom
The Corridors of Freedom programme is a response to the challenges of the apartheid past and transforms the city into one that is accessible and inclusive for all. “Strategic area frameworks” have been developed for the identified corridors namely, Empire-Perth, Louis Botha and Turffontein. These strategic area frameworks outline the land, infrastructure and urban design elements that support mixed-use developments, high-density accommodation, office buildings, retail and recreational facilities.
Bulk infrastructure capacity will be increased in the identified corridors. On average, the population in the three corridors will increase from 7 000 people per square kilometre to over 41 000 people per square kilometre in the long term. Residential developments within the corridors need to support a range of typologies, densities and incomes. The Johannesburg Social and Housing Company (Joshco) plans to develop social housing projects within the three priority corridors over the next three years. There are significant opportunities opening up for the private sector, especially in real estate development. Investors are urged to work with the city to grasp these opportunities.
The Rea Vaya network is the backbone to the Corridor developments, and the blue, red and white buses have become a familiar part of the Johannesburg landscape, making more than 23 000 passengers trips per day. By 2016 this will increase to over 45 000 passenger trips daily, making public transport a viable option along the Corridors of Freedom. “In future, more people will opt for Rea Vaya as a reliable public transport option,” Makhubo said.
The EcoMobility World Festival that Johannesburg will be hosting in October this year will showcase the efforts the city is making to promote public transport, walking and cycling. In the Sandton CBD about R150-million is being invested to widen sidewalks, add cycle lanes and introduce not only the Rea Vaya BRT, but also dedicated public transport lanes for all forms of public transport. “If Sandton is to continue to grow as a business, financial and retail hub it needs to be easily accessible, or it will soon become a parking lot,” said MMC for transport Councillor Christine Walters in the pre-budget speech media briefing.
Jozi@work
South Africa has one of the highest youth unemployment rates in the world. The Jozi@work programme introduced last year has established a partnership between the city, communities and jobseekers to deliver services. Jozi@work will transform the lived reality of many young people by providing job opportunities to lift them out of poverty and contribute positively to the economy of the City.
A dedicated youth directorate will focus on youth empowerment programmes and implement initiatives such as Vulindlel’ eJozi and Digital Ambassadors, using the Jozi@work model.
Smart City
The Smart City initiatives will bridge the digital divide by providing basic levels of access to the internet across the City, as universal access to communications is becoming as vital as access to water and electricity services. Access to technology and connectivity will assist entrepreneurs and businesses to thrive and increase economic activity in Johannesburg.
Blue/Green Economy
The Green and Blue flagship programmes aim to support the growth of a greener city with a cleaner, more inclusive economy. Some of the projects identified for implementation are to:
– Introduce cheaper healthy bread using fruit trimmings as a flour replacement into the bread-making process;
– Establish new micro mushroom farms as viable businesses for community-based operators;
– Incentivise and regulate the installation of low-flush toilets and water-saving urinals as a standard feature in Joburg homes, offices and commercial sites;
– Harness energy from the water flowing through our pipe system citywide using in-pipe turbines;
– Divert organic waste to bio-digesters in order to harvest gas for fuel and energy; and
– Convert rubble collected from illegal dumpsites into a new form of stone paper.
Overarching all these interventions is the effective management of communication mechanisms and social media to reach out to the residents of Johannesburg. Through Twitter and Facebook the city has been in daily contact with thousands of Joburgers and kept conversations going on a number of service delivery issues.