Smart move? Plans to build SA’

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Smart move? Plans to build SA’s first new city in motion since 1994

The development of South Africa’s first new ‘smart city’ since 1994 is still in its research phase which will be finalised in 2022.

Smart move? Plans to build SA’

Image: Canva

Plans are set in motion to build South Africa’s first new city since 1994 according to the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Patricia de Lille.

Smart City | South Africa

De Lille said that work is underway to develop both a new city and a “smart city” for South Africa, according to Business Tech.

During a session in parliament, De Lille answered questions about this project. It became clear that this project is still in the early planning stages, and several studies will need to be completed before construction starts.

“The framework is being developed through an intensive research and consultative process, which will then culminate in a strategic and action plan for a new democratic city in South Africa,” she said.

“So far, we have set up the core project team and a reference group, and we have developed the terms of reference for the project. We will further set up a stakeholder, communications and research unit that will look at international best practices.”

Research | Multiple resources

In an article published in 2020, it states that new city projects continue to be announced regularly and many countries have multiple new city projects underway, including Indonesia (over 10), Kuwait (12), Malaysia (four), Morocco (20), Saudi Arabia (five), Tanzania (over 10), and many more.

South Africa will therefore look at other countries and the models used for building new cities and towns, with both local and international scholars tapped to research the project.

SA’s new city | Location

De Lille said that an investigation into land ownership will also take place so that a decision can be made on the best place to build this new city, with no official decision made on the location as yet.

These processes are set to be completed by April 2022, after which a final report will be presented to the cabinet and the inter-ministerial committee.

Following this, a proposal will go out to build this new city in an open and competitive procurement process, de Lille said.

Lanseria | Urban sustainability

De Lille said that this project is separate from the new ‘smart city’ being developed close to the Lanseria airport in Gauteng which will be based on ‘best practice’ in urban sustainability and the smart city’s principles.