Future Cities Africa podcast

Welcome to another insightful episode on Future Cities Africa. In this episode we'll explore Our Future Cities's Framework for Great Places, shaping vibrant, equitable African cities through place-led development. We cover its core components, real-world applications, community co-creation, policy influence, global insights, and a bold vision for Africa's urban future. Rashiq Fataar, CEO of Our Future Cities, discusses the organisation's framework for creating vibrant, equitable African cities through place-led development. The framework consists of four core components: Place of Mind (functional spaces like transport hubs), Place of Heart (emotionally significant places), Design and Function (practical elements like seating and Wi-Fi), and People and Stewardship (active community involvement and management). These elements must work together, underpinned by an understanding of societal context, to create meaningful urban spaces. Rashiq shares real-world applications, such as the Regent Road project in Sea Point, where the framework revealed a need to enhance the "place of heart" despite strong design and function. He also highlights the role of informality as a strength in African cities, citing examples like vibrant informal markets and a drug harm reduction center in Durban that naturally became a placemaking hub. The framework informs policy advocacy by demonstrating practical solutions, such as pedestrian crossing art in Cape Town to improve safety, though Rashiq notes South Africa still lacks place-led thinking at a national level. Global insights from cities like Torino and New York have shaped the framework, emphasising the importance of density and quality public spaces, but it remains tailored to African contexts by starting with local societal conditions. Looking ahead, Rashiq envisions African cities evolving through inclusive placemaking, urging stakeholders to make placemaking "everyone's work" and foster unusual collaborations to empower communities. The episode underscores the need for a holistic, community-driven approach to urban development in Africa.

Introduction

In this episode of the 'Local Government Innovation Series', the deputy Municipal Manager and ICT Manager of Kouga Municipality discuss their digital transformation journey, emphasising leadership strategies and improved service delivery.

Episode Overview

Welcome to the Local Government Innovation Series on Future Cities Africa, presented by Business Engineering. Over the past 18 months, Kouga has revolutionised its IT environment by adopting innovative technologies like drones for community safety, electronic bulk meter reading for electricity, and the Collaborator platform for document and policy management. These tools have improved transparency, service delivery, and operational efficiency.

Key initiatives include a new customer care system with WhatsApp integration, live service delivery dashboards, and digitised processes for building plans and GIS functions. The municipality has also prioritised cybersecurity and embraced AI to enhance data accessibility.

Leadership strategies focus on openness, with the mayor engaging the public through regular feedback sessions and live-streamed council meetings.

Despite challenges like change management and data integrity, Kouga is committed to a citizen-centric approach, ensuring inclusivity and trust through proactive, technology-driven governance.

In this episode of the 'Local Government Innovation Series', Mayor Trevino Forbes of Walvis Bay Municipality shares how they're turning urban challenges into opportunities through sustainable development, digital transformation, and innovative governance strategies.

Episode Overview:

Welcome to the Local Government Innovation Series on Future Cities Africa, presented by Business Engineering.

In this episode, Mayor Trevino Forbes of Walvis Bay Municipality discusses how the municipality is addressing urban challenges through innovative and sustainable initiatives. Key highlights include the launch of a pilot green hydrogen plant aimed at powering clean cooking and transport fuel in the new Green Valley suburb. This suburb is part of a broader effort to decongest densely populated areas and create a climate-resilient community. Additionally, the municipality is partnering with entities to explore waste-to-energy solutions at its landfill site.

Mayor Forbes emphasises efforts to enhance service delivery despite challenges like the absence of a CEO (now resolved) and strained infrastructure, such as roads impacted by unusual rainfall in the desert town. A stormwater study has informed plans to integrate drainage systems into new developments. Community engagement is a priority, with open-door policies, WhatsApp channels, and public meetings ensuring residents' voices shape governance and budgeting.

While digital transformation is currently limited, the municipality aims to automate processes and reduce paper reliance in its upcoming budget. Looking forward, Mayor Forbes sees opportunities in fostering an investment-friendly environment, twinning with regions like the Western Cape, and exploring water security and renewable energy solutions like desalination and solar power to position Walvis Bay as a leader in sustainable urban progress.

'Pioneering a Greener Future: Inside Atlantis Special Economic Zone's Vision for Sustainable Industry and Inclusive Growth' is a special two-part series where we explore the future of green manufacturing and sustainable investment in Africa. Series Overview:

In this series, we dive into Atlantis SEZ's bold vision for the green economy and uncover how it's building a resilient ecosystem for investors and industries alike.

We examine how this unique zone empowers green industries, supports ESG goals, and drives skills development for an inclusive, sustainable future. Whether you're an investor, a manufacturer, or a change-maker, discover how Atlantis SEZ is redefining industrial growth in Africa.

Episode Guest: Selwyn Willoughby, Executive: Integrated Ecosystem at Atlantis Special Economic Zone

'Pioneering a Greener Future: Inside Atlantis Special Economic Zone's Vision for Sustainable Industry and Inclusive Growth' is a special two-part series where we explore the future of green manufacturing and sustainable investment in Africa. Series Overview:

In this series, we dive into Atlantis SEZ's bold vision for the green economy and uncover how it's building a resilient ecosystem for investors and industries alike.

We examine how this unique zone empowers green industries, supports ESG goals, and drives skills development for an inclusive, sustainable future. Whether you're an investor, a manufacturer, or a change-maker, discover how Atlantis SEZ is redefining industrial growth in Africa.

Episode Guest: Matthew Cullinan, Chief Executive Officer at Atlantis Special Economic Zone

Cape Town is a thriving green economy innovation hub. The city includes and is surrounded by a range of role players actively participating in green innovation and climate resilience. Cape Town is a hub for green businesses, from renewable energy to sustainable tourism. The city has built a supportive ecosystem and offers access to a growing local market. Cape Town's universities, research institutions, and private sector are driving cutting-edge solutions in cleantech. This episode is part of the "Invest in climate secure Cape Town series", a two-part series supported by the City of Cape Town Department of Enterprise & Investment, produced in partnership with City of Cape Town Risk and Resilience Department in the Future Planning and Resilience Directorate and GreenCape, featuring Alderman James Vos, Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth, City of Cape Town.

The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) is a key policy tool that forms part of the European Green Deal (EGD) to reduce net GHG emissions across Europe and abroad. Within this context, CBAM can be defined as a carbon border tax on embedded GHG emissions of carbon-intensive products imported into the EU, also from SA. It can be viewed as an opportunity to drive local businesses towards greater economic resilience and green innovation. In this series, we will unpack its implications on business, building business resilience, key opportunities, where to find support, and much more. This episode is part of the "Preparing Western Cape businesses for CBAM challenges and opportunities", a three-part series supported by the Western Cape Government Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, produced in partnership with GreenCape, featuring Karen Bosman, Head: Advocacy & Advisory, Wesgro.

The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) is a key policy tool that forms part of the European Green Deal (EGD) to reduce net GHG emissions across Europe and abroad. Within this context, CBAM can be defined as a carbon border tax on embedded GHG emissions of carbon-intensive products imported into the EU, also from SA. It can be viewed as an opportunity to drive local businesses towards greater economic resilience and green innovation. In this series, we will unpack its implications on business, building business resilience, key opportunities, where to find support, and much more. This episode is part of the "Preparing Western Cape businesses for CBAM challenges and opportunities", a three-part series supported by the Western Cape Government Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, produced in partnership with GreenCape, featuring Ilse van Schalkwyk - Chief Director, Economic Sector Support, within the branch Economic Operations in the Western Cape Department of Economic Development and Tourism.

The "Invest in Climate Secure Cape Town" series showcases how Cape Town is a) committed and accountable to investing into building climate resilience, b) globally recognised for climate leadership, resilience building in responding to climate crisis and building pro-active plans based on the learnings and c) known for its supportive and inclusive green economy business ecosystem. This episode is part of the "Invest in climate secure Cape Town series", a two-part series supported by the City of Cape Town Department of Enterprise & Investment, produced in partnership with City of Cape Town Risk and Resilience Department in the Future Planning and Resilience Directorate and GreenCape, featuring Gareth Morgan, Executive Director for Future Planning & Resilience, City of Cape Town

The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) is a key policy tool that forms part of the European Green Deal (EGD) to reduce net GHG emissions across Europe and abroad. Within this context, CBAM can be defined as a carbon border tax on embedded GHG emissions of carbon-intensive products imported into the EU, also from SA. It can be viewed as an opportunity to drive local businesses towards greater economic resilience and green innovation. In this series, we will unpack its implications on business, building business resilience, key opportunities, where to find support, and much more. This episode is part of the "Preparing Western Cape businesses for CBAM challenges and opportunities", a three-part series Supported by the Western Cape Government Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, produced in partnership with GreenCape, featuring Gaylor Montmasson-Clair, Senior Economist at Trade & Industrial Policy Strategies.