We’ve got to get urbanisation right – for people, for the planet and for our future.

To build a future that’s sustainable, equitable and resilient, we need a blueprint that brings everyone to the table. Of course it won’t happen overnight, but with smart planning, savvy investment, and stakeholders working hand-in-hand, we can create urban hubs that thrive for our kids and their kids too.
 

Cities are booming – and fast. By 2045, 6 billion of us – that’s two-thirds of humanity – will call a city home. That’s a whole lot of people needing roads, schools, and roofs over their heads, and that’s just to start with.
Without a plan, and the policy and buy-in to back it up, we’ll end up with overcrowding, inadequate public budgets, insufficient resources and very likely threats to basic rights. Our capital markets also perpetuate urban sprawl. The production of inefficient and dysfunctional urban form is a systemic problem.
 

Urban sprawl is those vehicle-dependent outlying developments that suck the life from our planet and our communities. Sprawl guzzles energy, spews pollution, and leaves us stuck in traffic. It destroys nature and supercharges climate change. And as for the human cost? Urban sprawl negatively affects the social fabric of the communities. The lack of public spaces such as parks and playgrounds equal less community. It’s a recipe for pricey services and social fragmentation as neighbourhoods become less connected and vibrant.
 

Adding to urban sprawl, in South African cities today are still shaped by a history of apartheid when urban planning was a major tool that enforced racial segregation. This has left a lasting mark, with clear divides in where people live and the services they can access, contributing to ongoing inequality. Despite the end of apartheid, efforts to correct these long-standing issues have been minimal, and the urban landscape continues to reflect past divisions.
 

Further contributing to the problem, the prevailing strategy of providing subsidised or free housing on the city outskirts initially reduces costs as land is cheaper and in easy supply. However, this isolates low-income residents and produces ‘poverty traps’ for people who are unable to find jobs where they reside or to bear the costs of transportation to work. Over time, this can lead to higher unemployment and increase state expenses for social support.
 

On the other hand, the benefits of compact cities are significant. They promote efficiency, with shorter utility networks saving energy and reducing costs. The proximity of workplaces to homes often encourages people to choose public transit over cars, fostering community spirit and personal well-being, and can also boost local businesses, such as shops and eateries. Denser living areas also offer a wider range of housing options and can make homes more affordable. Overall, densification can cut infrastructure expenses and enhance service delivery.
 

Effective urban policies that include affordable housing close to job centres, improved public transport, and integrated social services are vital for promoting social equity. They not only help build stable, inclusive communities but also lessen government financial strain stemming from social issues by fostering a healthier, more economically active population.
 

Divercity Urban Property Group is actively changing South Africa’s urban form by developing affordable housing in well-located areas, demonstrating the potential of densification to increase the housing supply, improve living conditions, and support the development of thriving and connected communities. Projects like Barlow Park and Jewel City exemplify this potential, showcasing how densification can be a successful strategy for all involved.
 

Real estate investors and developers play a critical role in promoting sustainable urbanisation by adopting green building practices. EDGE, an innovation from the IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, is a certification programme that empowers emerging markets to scale up resource-efficient buildings in a fast, easy, and affordable way. EDGE’s promotion of green buildings fosters sustainable and robust urban environments that can better serve all people and adapt to urbanisation.
 

To improve our cities and adapt to rapid urbanisation, we need thorough, evidence-based planning that involves many levels of government and various other groups. It needs a committed, long-term effort that will span generations, aligning planning and policies, investing wisely, and getting communities actively involved in shaping a common vision for our urban future. By working together consistently, we can make our cities more sustainable, equitable, and resilient for generations to come.
 

The time to shape tomorrow is now. Divercity is rolling up our sleeves and getting to work on the cities we love.