Construction World July 2017

COMMENT

By 2018 Johannesburg’s population will reach 10 million and by 2030 it will reach 11,6 million. This is according to international law firm, Pinsent Masons that has launched a thought leadership programme that will bring together experts from their 23 global offices. The inaugural event of this programme revealed some interesting facts. Cities produce some 80% of global economic output; no country has grown to middle-class status without urbanising and no country has attained high income status without urbanising. It is very clear that cities play a vital role in national and global growth. In a city the size of Johannesburg, the infrastructure backlog is high – and getting higher. If South Africa wants to improve its economy, this widening gap has to be closed. Instead of relying only on government spend to achieve this, significantly more private investment has to be attracted. Even though public- private partnerships are notorious for their high bureaucratic cost and endless red tape, Pinsent Masons does offer some indication of how such private investment can be achieved. Planning is key It firstly states that there has to be transformation in infrastructure governance which will in turn unlock private investment. It furthermore proposes the drawing up of a long- term plan (two decades or more) of what is to be achieved. Planning ahead is a characteristic of advanced emerging economies: without planning long enough ahead no development gap will be closed. It also proposes the development of a clear infrastructure delivery strategy that will support an innovative infrastructure sector. This in turn, has to be supported by skills development. Two articles in this month’s issue, ‘Gauteng to roll out the green carpet for urban development – page 32’ and ‘Affordable housing solutions using prefabrication’ – page 35 are of direct relevance for the speed and quality of urbanisation in Johannesburg.

An aerial view of a rapidly developing township close to the Johannesburg CBD. Only through good urban planning will South Africa develop into a solid middle-class country.

When you do not plan Many growing African economies, sadly, have a severe lack of urban planning. This is evidenced by the massive traffic congestion often found in African cities, lack of water, sanitation, electricity, etc. When these basics are not in place, there is no way that cities can become the centres from which the country’s main economic output has to be generated, resulting in stagnant economies.

Wilhelm du Plessis Editor

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EDITOR & DEPUTY PUBLISHER Wilhelm du Plessis constr@crown.co.za ADVERTISING MANAGER Erna Oosthuizen ernao@crown.co.za LAYOUT & DESIGN Lesley Testa CIRCULATION Karen Smith

PUBLISHER Karen Grant

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The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the editor or the publisher.

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CONSTRUCTION WORLD JULY 2017