Urban Planning
latest news & developments
The man who dreamt up Century City
Martin Wragge, a South African property developer, is the enigmatic force behind some of Cape Town's most iconic developments, including Century City, Canal Walk Shopping Centre,…
Benjamin Kollenberg
Most architects are remembered for the buildings they leave behind. Benjamin Kollenberg hopes to be remembered for the communities they helped rebuild. At 33, the architectural…
Dr Ockert Pretorius
For Dr Ockert Pretorius, cities are more than places where people live—they are living systems that shape opportunity, sustainability and quality of life. As a senior lecturer at…
CT aces it but Joburg won't even try
Cape Town's property development sector is experiencing unprecedented growth, with the Western Cape Property Development Forum breaking attendance records. Premier Alan Winde and…
We built many free houses, out of bounds
Ahead of the local government elections on 4 November, campaigns will focus on housing delivery numbers. However, this article argues that these numbers are incomplete and…
What it takes to keep building a city
Cape Town's property development scene is experiencing a significant boom, with new construction sites even needing to import tower cranes. This article delves into how developer…
Mapping Africa’s changing coastline
A new interactive platform, developed by Harvard University and partners, is mapping sea-level change across Africa's coastline from 1900 to 2100. It provides crucial local data…
Oxford study finds world’s highest heat-risk cities concentrated in Asia and Africa
Heat risk is about more than temperature. A new Oxford study of 205 cities found that poverty, limited infrastructure and lack of access to cooling are key factors driving urban…
Dry taps and broken promises: The erosion of gender equality
The division of water into different categories, such as public water and private water, normal flow and surplus water, which existed under the 1956 Water Act, was done away…
Investing in urban nature pays off
The Jukskei River catchment project highlights how green infrastructure can cut flood damage, manage invasive species and improve urban health
Aerotropolis: A redefined urban development model for economic growth
Airports can be integrated into urban planning, taking them beyond transport hubs to centres of prosperity, innovation and industrial expansion
Sweeping the city clean: ‘Anti-poor’ plans for urban renewal
Almost 30 years into democracy, the ‘world-class city’ claims and the realities of the urban poor are still in conflict
City planners, street vendors and spaza shops could help keep South Africans fed. Here’s how
Local governments back many projects where people can grow vegetables in urban areas, but researchers say that it’s not enough to curb hunger
OPINION| Africa’s urbanisation is an opportunity to create great cities
The combination of a population set to double by 2050 and the world’s fastest rate of urbanisation means African cities will face challenges of sustainable growth
Covid-19 is teaching us how to design healthier cities
The pandemic has transformed the way we live, attend school and do our work, and our cities must change accordingly