​09/11/2016: Joburg celebrates World Town Planning Day 
 
Yesterday, 8 November, marked World Town Planning Day under the theme: Cities and Climate Change: Local Responses to a Global Challenge.
 
World Town Planning Day is a day marked by at least 30 countries and is set aside for Planners around the world to raise awareness on town planning and its importance in communities through various activities including workshops, open days, and career guidance sessions.
 
The City’s Development Planning and Urban Management Department in celebration of World Town Planning Day will host a series of Regional Open Days over a period of two weeks, starting 10-25 November 2016.
 
Member of the Mayoral Committee for Development Planning and Urban Management, Councillor Funzela Ngobeni says, “World Town Planning Day is an opportunity to put the spotlight on the discipline and increase the benefits attainable from enhancing positive aspects of town planning”.
 
Continuing he says, “The discipline of town planning is central to attaining economically vibrant, socially inclusive and environmentally sustainable cities. Worrying about and anticipating the future, while addressing immediate pressures is at the core of the planning function”.
 
In the City of Johannesburg, town planning has been central in defining the long-term development thrust of the city – in pursuit of economic growth, inclusionary and sustainable development. As part of this, cities need to ensure that they are efficiently laid out, take into account environmental and socio-economic considerations, such as equitable distribution of the urban dividend.
 
The City of Johannesburg has over the years steadily transformed itself into becoming a model African city. Councillor Ngobeni said that it was through “meaningful redress” that Joburg would be able to gradually change the “injustices of the past that separated communities, mobility and wealth”.
 
It is through optimal spatial development that social and economic barriers experienced by those living in the City are broken down. One of the most important contributing factors to achieve this is by making use of efficient town planning programmes.
 
Cities are significant contributors to national economic growth, the generation of innovation as well as importantly the well- being of citizens.
 
“I want to encourage residents, business, students, just about everyone to make time to attend these sessions we will be hosting because there is definitely something to be discovered and learned” says Councillor Ngobeni.
 
 
 
The main objective of the information sessions is to create awareness of the importance of town planning and the role communities can play in defining their space through active participation.
The Open Days will be held as follows:
 
REGIONDATETIMEVENUE
A23 Nov18:00 – 21:00Halfway House Primary School, 291 Van Heerden Road, Halfway Gardens, Midrand, 1685
B15 Nov
16 Nov10:00 – 14:00
10:00 – 14:00Danie Van Zyl Rec, cnr Rex and Plantation Street, Newlands
Marks Park, Judith Road, Emmarentia
C10 Nov
25 Nov09:00 – 13:00
09:00 – 13:00Bramfischerville Multi-Purpose Centre, Loerieblaar Ave, Bramfischerville
Roodepoort City Hall, Berlandina Street, Roodepoort CBD
D17 Nov10:00 – 12:00Kopanong Community Hall, cnr Luthuli and Main Street, Dobsonville
E10 Nov17:00 – 20:00Jabula Rec Centre, cnr Sandringham and Athlone Ave, Sandringham
F17 Nov12:00 – 14:00Metro Centro, 5th Floor A Block, Braamfontein
G16 Nov16:00 – 18:00Lenasia Civic Centre, 1 Rose Ave and Elands Street, Lenasia Ext. 1
 
 
Issued on behalf of Member of the Mayoral Committee for Development Planning and Urban Management, Councillor Funzela Ngobeni
 
By
Virgil James
Spokesperson
City of Joburg
082 467 9415
 
For enquiries contact
Ms Poppy Louw
Stakeholder Relations Officer
Office of the MMC: Development Planning
011 407 6695