by Luncedo Njezula

In September 2018, I joined the South African Cities Network (SACN). Coming from a municipal background, having worked for two metropolitan cities, I was familiar with the SACN through its State of Cities Report series, which comprehensively analyses urban development and challenges. However, I was unprepared for the breadth and depth of the SACN’s research across the urban knowledge eco-system
 
Established over 20 years ago, the SACN continues to play a crucial role in advocating for cities, promoting sustainable urban development and influencing urban policy at a national level. Together with cities, the SACN makes sense of issues such as spatial transformation, urban governance, municipal finance, urban economies, and city resilience and sustainability, engaging with stakeholders from other spheres of government, civil society and business to agitate for collective action. The network provides a platform for cities to share their knowledge, experiences, best practices and innovative solutions to complex urban dilemmas, through city-based research and reference groups.
 
However, despite its immense contribution to urban development and city governance in South Africa, the SACN faces challenges, as other priorities “compete” for funding in a constrained fiscal environment. And yet, the value of the SACN is undeniable: 

• For cities, the SACN offers an opportunity to collaborate with and learn from other cities in South Africa and beyond. City practitioners can leverage evidence-based practices informed by research, test and adapt innovations before scaling up, and co-create solutions to shared urban challenges.
• For national government, a robust urban think tank is an investment in reimagining cities of the future. With long-term funding, the SACN is able to enhance its research capabilities, expand its reach and impact, and strengthen its role as a facilitator of urban innovation.
• For business, understanding urban futures is crucial in a country where cities are the engine of the economy. Through partnerships with business, the SACN can develop innovative solutions that create economic opportunities and catalyse sustainable urban development.

Urban networks are found around the world (e.g., the Centre for Liveable Cities in Singapore or Key Cities in the United Kingdom) and play a crucial role in promoting sustainable urban development. Like the SACN, these networks share research, knowledge and experience; advocate for the interests of cities; provide resources and information; and seek innovative solutions to common urban challenges.

In a rapidly urbanising and changing world, the importance of urban networks cannot be overstated. They provide valuable resources and support to cities seeking to create more liveable, resilient and sustainable urban spaces. In South Africa, the SACN assists cities in implementing the Integrated Urban Development Framework (IUDF), to achieve the vision of “liveable, safe, resource-efficient cities and towns that are socially integrated, economically inclusive and globally competitive, where residents actively participate in urban life”.

I believe that the SACN is indispensable to the quest of achieving sustainable urban development in South African cities. Cities are at the forefront of driving impactful social and economic change, but they face many challenges due to rapid urbanisation, high unemployment, multi-dimensional inequality and unstable governance. A strong and capacitated SACN can foster a brand of collaborative urbanism to tackle these challenges, prioritising informed decision-making and equitable and sustainable development, and resulting – ultimately – in high-performing and innovative cities driving a prosperous country.

City challenges are complex and can only be resolved through collaboration, partnership and cooperation. The SACN provides that platform for urban stakeholders to share experiences, best practices and ideas, and to take actions – both large and small – that change the lives of our citizens. Therefore, all stakeholders need to participate and support the SACN.

Cities, through actively engaging and leveraging the network, will enable city practitioners to collaborate and co-create solutions to urban challenges.

• National government, by supporting the SACN through funding, will enable the implementation of the IUDF across urban areas.
• Business, by partnering with the SACN and providing resources for research and urban development programmes, will enable economic development and growth.

 
The time to act is now – our cities and the citizens who reside in them deserve nothing less.