City Development Strategy in Johannesburg, South Africa

Johannesburg, South Africa Background to CDS Process of CDS Outcome • Population 3.5 million, 12% of nation GDP in the city, 30% below poverty line, stagnant economy, unemployment rising to almost 30% • Transformation of civic structure, from a single municipality, now the greater Johannesburg municipality with executive powers for the Mayor • CDS process begun as a part of strategic planning process of iGoli 2010. • World Bank and other donor agencies agree to use the iGoli process as a strategic framework • iGoli 2010 based on integration of service delivery, human development, and economic growth • iGoli 2002 a short term framework for laying the foundation – financial restructuring and reorganization of service delivery • Process largely driven by donor agencies and city manager, consultations with community groups and others minimal • UN-HABITAT involvement was to support studies of housing sector and water sector • Ownership of the CDS process was largely with the civic bureaucracy • Successful implementation of the iGoli 2002, especially on municipal finances and reorganization of service delivery enterprises • Change in municipal leadership has affected the implementation • New council, elected in 2001, has not endorsed all the proposals, especially the ones involving privatization,/corporatization of utilities • The process seen by council employees and the poor as donor driven and not in the interest of the poor • The entire iGoli 2010 goals and outcomes are being revisited