“Enhancing connectivity, mobility, and urban resilience” was earmarked as the development agenda for the City of Johannesburg when the Executive Mayor, Cllr Kabelo Gwamanda, delivered his eagerly anticipated second State of the City Address (SOCA) on Thursday, 2 May 2024.
Transportation projects like roads, bridges, and mass transit systems create jobs during construction and new business opportunities for businesses. The infrastructure improves the quality of life for residents and is directly enhanced.
The Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA) is the infrastructure development arm of the City of Johannesburg. The agency manages capital expenditure projects on behalf of the City of Johannesburg and will play a critical role in managing capital expenditure projects for the City.
Under the theme, “Building a stable and resilient City government in service of the people,” Cllr Gwamanda shared with residents and other stakeholders the City’s comprehensive strategies to enhance safety and security measures for residents and visitors alike.
During his address, Cllr Gwamanda emphasised advancing infrastructure as a key effort for the City as he unveiled his plans for ensuring the efficient and effective delivery of essential services to all residents.
“Our efforts centre around sustainability, and we have achieved noteworthy progress in improving access to basic services in informal settlements, efficiently managing waste, and advancing infrastructure development,” Cllr Gwamanda said.
“Enhancing connectivity, mobility, and urban resilience is at the core of our development agenda. We have made progress in achieving this goal through astute capital planning and careful financial management by prioritising important capital projects,” he said.
“Though certain objectives may have faced setbacks along the way, our unwavering dedication to infrastructure development persists”, he noted.
The JDA has implemented over 1300 projects across all administrative regions in 23 years and its primary purpose is to promote resilient city strategies by restructuring the urban spatial logic of the city.
The agency will continue with its focus on strengthening inner city precincts, developing resilient, sustainable, and liveable urban areas in identified transit nodes and corridors
TRANSPORT MASTER PLANS TO CHANGE CITY’S LANDSCAPE
During his address, Gwamanda also highlighted Roodepoort CBD Transport Master Plan (TMP) as one the many completed transport master plans that will provide the majority of residents with safe and reliable transport options and decent infrastructure.
The JDA, on behalf of the City of Johannesburg’s Transport Department, undertook the Roodepoort CBD TMP to improve accessibility and mobility while enhancing the Roodepoort CBD.
The main objective of the master plan is to strategically guide investment by the public and private sectors in transport system improvements over the next ten years to unlock other opportunities in the Roodepoort CBD.
“Several transport master plans were completed in the last year and these will serve as a guide for mid to long-term transport planning, project development, and investment for the economic and social needs of Johannesburg”, Gwamanda said.
Gwamanda noted that the completed Master Plans cover Region G, which includes Protea South, Eldorado Park, Lenasia, Ennerdale, Orange Farm, Zacharia Park, and surrounds.
“The Roodepoort CBD TMP has also been completed and that plan covers the western edge of our City and provides a western link to the Johannesburg CBD for areas such as Kagiso, Krugersdorp, Soweto, Braamfischerville etc, Cllr Gwamanda said.
“These areas have experienced significant economic and infrastructure decline over the years due to inadequate transport infrastructure, the results of which have led to heavy traffic congestion and urban decay,” he noted.
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