Self-sufficient city
- 17 KM2
- $20 Billion USD
- Eastern region of South Africa
- 150,000 residents
- 40,000 residential units
Dubai-based URB have unveiled plans to develop Africa’s largest sustainable city known as THE PARKS. The city will provide the world’s highest standard for sustainable living for 150,000 residents. The city will also produce 100% of its energy, water & food on site to become a self-sufficient destination.
Read more: ZA: Dubai-based URB reveal designs for Africa’s largest sustainable city
The access and use of public spaces by women without risk is a fundamental human right, and yet it remains an elusive one.
For most women, moving around the city at night, or in secluded spaces, is often unsafe, if not downright dangerous.
While no technology in the world can remove the risk completely, this is as much a cultural shift as it is an innovative implementation, there are ways in which the Internet of Things (IoT) and smart cities can support safety and wellbeing.
South Africa is a dominantly urban country, with almost 70% of the population living in cities and towns. But urban services and infrastructures are coming under increasing strain from the collapse of infrastructure in many smaller and medium sized towns and deteriorating levels in the large cities.
A common response to a gathering urban crisis is to imagine starting afresh with new cities. The impulse crosses the political spectrum.
Read more: South Africa doesn’t need new cities: it needs to focus on fixing what it’s got
The new system is expected to improve the city’s business processes ensuring that it delivers quality services optimally.
The City of Ekurhuleni announced that it will soon implement a new meter reading system that has been developed to allow its customers to directly send their water and electricity meter readings to the municipality on time.
According to metro spokesperson Zweli Dlamini, this is in line with the city’s vision of being a smart city and enhancing the customer experience of its residents.
Read more: ZA: Gauteng: Ekurhuleni: City to launch new self-service meter reading system
In a plan being mooted by Stellenbosch University’s faculty of engineering, Stellenbosch is set to become the first transport-oriented “smart city” in South Africa.
The Stellenbosch Smart Mobility Laboratory (SSML) today announced a partnership with German firm PTV Group.
Read more: Stellenbosch to be SA’s first transport-oriented smart city