The Sustainable Cities programme highlights the need for cities to develop strategies that take into account the sustainable use of finite resources.

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Water, a valuable resource

Y drawing up plans that take into account the use of finite resources, cities of the future will work quite differently to how they do now.

South African Cities Network member cities will be able to achieve more sustainable development outcomes through collective climate action, more assertive regulation of what we build and the way we build, and massive investments in public transport infrastructure.

Not only does the Sustainable Cities programme look at green issues, it also examines a number of areas that impact on the quality of life and cost of living in urban centres.

Priorities include renewable energy and waste-to-energy strategies, biodiversity, green building standards, sustainable public transport and climate change.

Key issues under investigation are the urban environmental management, particularly air quality, water and waste management and environmental health, as well as methods with which local governments are able to monitor resource efficiency.

Our focus is on the efficiency in service delivery, environmental and resource management, and sustainable development.

 We conduct research in various topics of importance to our members, including urban environmental management and the costs of providing sustainable services.

Our assistance covers:

• Guidance on making Integrated Development Plans more sustainable; and
• Improving State of the Environment reporting.

Links you may find useful

SANBI Grasslands Programme
Department of Environmental Affairs
International Institute for Environment and Development (iied)
United Nations Conference on Climate Change COP 17, Durban, 2011 
One planet Communities BedZED
Green Building Council of South Africa