The small-scale rental sector continues to gain momentum and prominence in discussions about city building and the required funding and infrastructure requirements to support this emerging property market, It’s also become a recurring theme on the Talking Transformation Podcast. uMaStandi has been working in this space since 2018 and continue to re…

In this episode of the Talking Transformation Podcast, our subject is South Africa's National Spatial Development Framework (NSDF) - a long-term spatial plan that sets South Africa's spatial agenda and trajectory towards 2050. As a legally mandated plan via SPLUMA, it completes the "set" of government spatial plans adding to the provincial and muni…

In August last year we were delighted to work with the fledgling Now Now Competition that used the Cape Town stadium as a focal point for its inaugural design contest. In it's second iteration the Now Now contest has shifted focus within Cape Town from Green Point to Khayelitsha's Spine Road. In this latest episode of the Talking Transformation Pod…

For our first recording of the year the Talking Transformation Podcast we are blending innovation, international and entrepreneurial flavours with our guest, Marlene Lerch co-founder of the "Dooiy" – Hack your Schack NGO. Dooiy is a fledgling non-profit organisation from Germany that operates between Berlin and South Africa. I first met Marlene whi…

2024 is an important year for South Africa that will - no doubt - see plenty of reflection on 30 years of democracy and consider the achievements of this democratic era and the perennial and future challenges facing communities across the country. One of those perennial challenges remains the progressive realisation of housing for all – a quest tha…

I was first made aware of the unique building typologies in the Blue Downs area in the early 2020s. Central Blue eState and eHousing units certainly didn’t look like a conventional affordable housing project or subscribe to many of the unit design concepts I’m familiar with. I’ve been intrigued by the thinking behind the units and the design ever s…

In this episode of the Talking Transformation Podcast we change our geography considerably, from a South African context, to the Arabinan Peninsula and Persian Gulf region. Our guest is Mahmood Al-Wahaibi an urban planner, ethnographer and academic who heads up OTU: the Oman Think Urban. The OTU is a Think Tank that blends urban ethnography and pla…

Welcome to the latest episode of the Talking Transformation Podcast released on World Town Planning Day, the 8th of November 2023. It's a great way to celebrate this initiative with this latest episode,as we pick up on a familiar TTPod theme: the issue of state-owned land - in this instance, properties owned by Transnet - and the opportunity to bui…

In this second of the Talking Transformation Podcasts recorded at the ESRI Southern Africa User Conference, we are joined bythree highly innovative and motivated individuals: Vhuyo Nevari, from ESRI South Africa Nsovo Pearl Maluleke, Planning Masters Student at the University of Johannesburg and, Tshidi Morabi , representing the STEAM4kids initiati…

After a welcome break from comms, welcome back to the Talking Transformation Podcast and the first of two episodes recorded at the Esri Southern Africa GIS user conference in the Drakensberg,KwaZulu Natal during the week of the 23rd of October. As somebody who's used Geographic Information System (GIS) extensively over my career as a town planner -…

In TTPod 1.4 “A Tour of Duty and of Service” - we highlighted the issue of healing in communities and peacemaking with the World Bank Group’s Dr Jana el Horr. Several years on from that podcast we revisit the theme, specifically the multicultural dimensions of building trust, understanding and collaboration within and between communities. Our guest…

In this episode of the Talking Transformation Podcast, we engage with four of the collaborators behind the inaugural NowNow architecture competition - https://www.nownowcompetition.com/. It's a unique and new take on the opportunities afforded by a new sporting event in the Cape Town calendar - Formula E racing - and a brief to design a sustainable…

We conclude the Talking Transformation Podcast mini-series recorded at the City of Cape Town’s Civic Centre discussing the scales of planning on show during the EXPO. We talk to the metro spatial planning team - setting the broad citywide spatial framework including the policy and strategy components. We discuss foundations of that scale of plannin…

We are straight into our second of three Talking Transformation Podcast conversations recorded at the City of Cape Town’s Spatial Planning and Urban Design exhibition that took place between July 27th and August the 2nd. In our first episode we heard from the management and organisation teams from the City’s Planning and Urban Design department. In…

This Talking Transformation Podcast mini-series differs slightly from our usual approach. The episodes that follow canvass the thoughts and perspectives of participants in the City of Cape Town’s Spatial Planning and Urban Design exhibition that has been taking place between July 27th and August the 2nd. On August the 1st I spoke with many of the p…

Two episodes ago the Talking Transformation Podcast considered the genesis story of NGO, Development Action Group's Contractors and Developers Academy (CDA). In this episode we reconnect with the theme of micro development with two members of the CDA and two academy participants and graduates: developer Luvo Mayaphi and contractor Brian Bango. Both…

The latest Talking Transformation Podcast takes me back in time to a period when children and youth were at the forefront of planning innovation in the City of Johannesburg. In 2009 I led an initiative with the City of Johannesburg's Development Planning and Facilitation team to several schools across Johannesburg. The objectives? Interrogate and p…

After a lengthy break, the TTPod returns with an in-depth discussion with members of DAGs Contactors and Developers Academy (CDA). We explore the genesis of the initiative and how the NGO identified a gap and need to support entrepreneurs and artisans providing affordable rental units in urban areas. This has increasingly been referred to as the sm…

I've always enjoyed conversations with guests and colleagues when they've published books and material that build the understanding of our cities in an accessible and visual way. This year, I was excited to learn of the collaboration between Tanya Zack and Mark Lewis. Tanya and I have known each other for many years from my extended working period …

In previous Talking Transformation Podcast episodes, we have looked in-depth at housing issues and challenges in South Africa. We’ve also considered the issue of title deed administration, and how important addresses are to the sense of place and security of tenure for communities.In this episode we go deeper into the question of title deed adminis…

We kick start 2023 and a third series of the TTPod revisiting the themes of partnerships and learning. We reflect on town planner, Ashleigh Manyara’s recent study tour and studies with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), based in the cities of Tokyo and Yokohama in Japan.Ashleigh is a Senior Professional Officer with the City of Cape…

The TTPod has visited the issue of land - or rather access to land in South Africa - on several occasions. It’s well understood the one of apartheid’s primary weapons was the denial of access and ownership to property in urban centres around South Africa. For non-white groups. The inter-generational impact of that perverse legal arrangement compoun…

For this latest episode of the Talking Transformation Podcast we’ve extended the scope of our most recent conversation with Drakenstein's Executive Director: Planning & Development, Jacqui Samson discussing the collaboration the Drakenstein municipality has with Neumarkt in Germany and the themes and projects that underpin that partnership. We lear…

This 75th published episode of the Talking Transformation Podcast explores a theme I am wanting to emphasise and develop in coming episodes: the importance of “leadership with integrity” as a foundation for South Africa’s transformation journey. In this episode we look at one of the young leaders in a position of executive authority within a rapidl…

I visited Ireland for the first time, earlier this month of July 2022. The countryside was as beautiful as I’d imagined and the cities, towns and hamlets full of history and aesthetic beauty. It really is a magical isle with a rich and troubled history, warm people and the home of U2 – rich talent and treasures abound!The visit provided a chance to…

In this episode of the Talking Transformation Podcast, we revisit the South African Province of KwaZulu-Natal and consider relief efforts in support of the severe flooding and landslides that took place there in April of 2022. The flooding led to more than 400 deaths and thousands more people went missing. More than 4,000 houses are estimated to ha…

In today’s TTPod episode we look across continents and the Ukrainian conflict. The episode tries to consider the challenges and support being rendered via the reflection of two South Africans currently based in Europe. In the last months, the world’s media has focused in on the Ukraine and the untold suffering endured by the communities and cities …

In this TTPod episode we look at a community building initiative that has grown from humble beginnings and now reaches and engages with communities in over 20 towns across the country. The Ranyaka Community Transformation Non-Profit Organisation (NPO) has grown partnerships with communities and corporate South Africa to champion a transformation me…

I’ve been wanting to speak with Open Streets (https://openstreets.org.za/) even prior to this podcast launching in mid-2019. Most listening to this podcast would have some idea of the Open Streets initiative but let me not assume that IS the case: Open Streets is a citizen-driven collective, working towards improving the equitable design and use of…

This podcast episode is markedly different from the more routine Talking Transformation “script” and speaks to two graphic illustrators, Nathan Trantraal and Julia Louise Pereira from South Africa and Canada respectively. Both have used their talent to tell stories about factors that have shaped or are currently shaping or cities and communities. I…

If you’ve listened to the first couple of productions in Series 2 you’ll know this period of 2022 has been very much a period of personal transformation for me. Just over a month prior to leaving the public service I concluded studies with the London School of Economics in February. I had chosen the Executive Masters In Cities (https://www.lse.ac.u…

Dr Mark Napier is currently Principal Researcher with CSIR and project lead for the design and management of the “Urban Knowledge Exchange Southern Africa” - an online knowledge-sharing platform https://www.ukesa.info/. Mark has a strong background in land and housing issues and prior to joining the CSIR, was director of the Urban Land Markets (ULM…

Joining the TTPod for this first episode of Series 2 are two leading young urbanists who are shaping the way many of us think and respond to the built environment.Jodi Allemeier is no stranger to the podcast and operates as an independent professional and thought leader in the country. Her UrbanJodi blog remains a must follow for those who enjoy co…

TTPod Series 2: Bulletin #1 Revisiting Series 1 and Looking Ahead to ”New Beginnings”With: Catherine Stone and Pete AhmadIn this introductory bulletin to Series 2 of the TTPod, Cathy Stone assists podcast founder Pete Ahmad reflect on the:• genesis of the podcast;• value of partnerships and community;• reasons behind the ‘break in transmission’ and…

Today's Talking Transformation Podcast tackles the issue of state-owned land and its importance in supporting spatial transformation and city-building, in particular, for affordablehousing programmes. It comes at a time when Illegal land occupations and the quantum of informal settlements in many of the towns and cities continues to increase as tan…

Following on from our introductory episode this second and final part (for now!) considers: What is it that Province is advocating for the Inclusionary Housing policy – isn’t it just another method of taxation? What are the negotiable variables and thresholds that have been used in Joburg? Why do the NGOs suggest that micro-units aren’t helpful in …

Our guests on this first of a multi-part episode looking at the vexed issue of Inclusionary Housing in South African cities are Eric Raboshakga, City of Johannesburg, Dylan Weakley Senior Specialist: Strategic Urban Planner, City of Johannesburg; Lorraine Nzimande: Masters Graduate University of Witwatersrand and former CoJ; Robyn Park-Ross, resear…

We close our "deep-dive" series on the Roadmap to Net Zero Carbon Buildings Programme with this edited recording of our live webinar hosted in association with Sustainable Energy Africa and C40 Cities. It was a special way to conclude with a global audience with guests from around the South African cities and guests from afar afield as Nairobi and …

Listeners to the Talking Transformation Podcast would recognise the severe urban housing backlog in South Africa and that informal settlements are frequently dictating growth patterns of our cities. Within informal settlements, “shacks,” are generally built poorly out of tin and other materials. There is often limited sanitation, plumbing and elect…

In this latest episode of the Talking Transformation Podcast, I’ve nicknamed our guest “Mr Cape Town”. However, that’s only half the truth: Andrew Boraine is a globally respected thought leader and expert in urban and economic development. His influence extends well beyond the Western Cape and is deep into four decades of service and involvement in…

In this 3rd episode of our Deep Dive Series on Net Zero Carbon Buildings, hear from four leading experts on the transition efforts of the built environment sector. The Talking Transformation Podcast is delighted to host colleagues from both the private and public sector: Lesley Sibanda and Mary Haw (City of Cape Town), Chilu Lombe (Solid Green) and…

Another episode – another book review and another chance to revisit Johannesburg! I’m delighted to welcome the editorial team for the book - Densifying the City - Global Cases and Johannesburg - on this episode: Alexandra Appelbaum, Alison Todes, Margot Rubin and Philip Harrison. For regular listeners, you’d know that Phil was our very first guest …

Listen in to this second deep-dive TTPod Episode and hear from five of South Africa’ leading authorities on SA’s transition to energy efficient cities and decide for yourself: Are Cities ready to implement NZC-Buildings and the C40 South African New Buildings Programme? Do cities have the mandate (powers and function) to drive such an ambitious pro…

In 2018, as part of the C40 Cities Climate Change Leadership Group (C40), four South African Metros—Johannesburg, Cape Town, eThekwini, and Tshwane—signed the Global Net Zero Carbon Buildings Declaration. As signatories to this commitment, these cities are working towards look to achieve sustainable buildings, powered by renewable energy for new bu…

Our first bulletin of 2021 kick-starts a forthcoming five-part series where we explore the South African New Buildings Programme. Our experts, Hlengiwe Radebe and Megan Euston-Brown from Sustainable Energy Africa (SEA) introduce us to the topic and walk us through what listeners can expect in the upcoming discussions over the next few months. We le…

In this TTPod episode we consider the Township economy: the people, the spaces and the practices that are shaping the fortunes many of our communities in South Africa.Our conversation invites the three authors of the book Township Economy: People, Spaces and Practices: Andrew Charman, Thireshen Govender and Leif Petersen to talk about the transform…

In our first Talking Transformation Podcast of 2021, we pick up where we left off last year, with a conversation with another former colleague from the City of Johannesburg and reflections on a particular moment in time that has shaped the legal fortunes of municipalities in dealing with temporary accommodation for evictees.Our guest Zunaid Khan - …

Last month saw the publication of a new book that looks at the challenges and conflicts that have accompanied Johannesburg’s post-democratic growth and development. The book, titled “The Agonistic City? State-society Strife in Johannesburg” questions the realities and potential of the state's agonistic practices in response to service delivery issu…

In this episode of the talking transformation podcast our content is taken from the 2020 Cape Town Future Energy Festival. To date, this is the only episode where I am wearing my City of Cape Town hat! The conversation is with a friend of the talking transformation podcast, PWC's and urban issues blogger Jodi Allemeier. You may remember Jodi was on…

Adding to the rich content of housing conversations – in particular Episodes 14, 22 and 27 – in today’s episode we take a closer look at the private finance models available to micro-developers; what progress has been made and what ambitions this emerging sector has. Currently making a dent in the housing market in Cape Town, Bitprop finance’s miss…