City dwellers want to live in a place that offers a decent quality of life: job opportunities; a safe and secure environment; access to infrastructure services such as clean water; and access to social benefits such as health care, education and entertainment.

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The 2008 Report

HE South African Cities Network takes all this into account in its Inclusive Cities programme. Its main theme is to investigate whether residents have the opportunities and capacities to share equitably in the social benefits of city life.

In addition, the Inclusive Cities programme aims to redress past developmental imbalances, enabling cities to address the socio-economic challenges of South Africa’s segregated urban areas.

The Inclusive Cities programme covers:

• Extending access to services;
• Efficient service delivery;
• By-law enforcement; and
• Including youth and migrants.

Projects we are involved in include:

• Expanded Public Works Progamme, with the National Department of Public Works
• Training for Township Renewal Initiative, with the National Treasury
• Water Managers Project, with the National Department of Water Affairs
• Public Transport, with the National Department of Transport

We conduct research in various topics of importance to our members, including the latest innovations in service provision.

Public transport is a key issue

Through our investigation of global best practice, we are able to offer our members guidelines on tackling:

• HIV and Aids;
• Public transport;
• Social safety net and indigent support

Our assistance covers dealing with HIV and Aids; neighbourhood development; implementing guidance for national priorities: Local Economic Development, Expanded Public Works Programme, Breaking New Ground initiative, and so on; by-law enforcement; and  secondary property markets in townships.

Links you may find helpful

Housing
National Department of Human Settlements
al+hdc, Affordable Land and Housing Data Centre

Job creation
National Department of Public Works
Expanded Public Works Programme

Public Transport
National Department of Transport

Training
National Treasury

Water issues
Department of Water Affairs