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Ensuring sustainable  access to water is essential not only for health and livelihoods but also for advancing  South Africa’s constitutional promise of equality and its commitment to SDG 5. Photo: Delwyn Verasamy

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…

Ecologically stressed: The
Jukskei River has been choked by
pollution, encroaching informal
settlements in flood-prone zones
and ageing water infrastructure.
Photo: Supplied

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

The Durban Aerotropolis Master Plan includes the Durban Aerotropolis at the Dube TradePort Special Economic Zone near King Shaka International Airport.

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

Almost 30 years into democracy, the ‘world-class city’ claims and the realities of the urban poor are still in conflict (Madelene Cronje, M&G)

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

A general view of the city centre of Khartoum, Sudan. (Photo by Marco Di Lauro/Getty Images)

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

The pandemic has transformed the way we live, attend school and do our work, and our cities must change accordingly.

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

(Supplied)

Moses, we shall sing your Redemption Song

The poet and urban planner was killed earlier this month. His friend and mentor Vonani Bila reflects on and honours the life of Moses Metileni

Putting the needs of women and girls at the centre of urban planning in the Arab world would go a long way to making cities safe and welcoming places. (Olivier Laban-Mattei/AFP)

Take women’s rights into cities’ streets

‘In many areas, urban space is, by default, male space’

An increasing number of development finance institutions are adopting strategies to support rapidly expanding municipalities in areas such as sustainable urban planning.

How development banks can ‘shift the trillions’

Support is required for sustainable urban planning

Cracking cartels: The Competition Tribunal penalised construction firms for colluding on contracts to build 2010 Fifa World Cup stadiums such as the Cape Town Stadium.

New resistance to spatial transformation claims in City of Cape Town saga

​Divisions within the City of Cape Town are becoming even more apparent after spatial development policies received resistance.

“No political party offers an emancipatory and democratic urban vision, or serious support for people struggling for urban land.” (John McCann)

Pervasive elitism blinds us to the bitter land battles in our cities

The urban land question is urgent and needs to be placed at the centre of our national conversation

Researchers have found that air pollution from particulate matter is the single greatest threat to human life. (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)

Urban planners reach out to the people

Citizens are finally getting a chance to shape the cities they want to live in

Comuna 13 shantytown is one of the poorest areas of Medellín

Medellín’s ‘social urbanism’ a model for city transformation

The city of Medellín in Colombia has been transformed by strategies for people, places and jobs, writes Ivan Turok.

Rebuilding South Africa’s cities of the future

City planners are using smart design, creative technology and community feedback in their attempts to reformulate the apartheid city.