Conceptualising the Gauteng City Region
The project takes the core intellectual work of the Gauteng City-Region Observatory (GCRO) as its starting point. Of course the city-region has no physical reality as such. It is not an actual territorially-defined space with administrative boundaries or a designated budget. Rather it is a construct which can be subjectively conceptualised from the perspective of multiple actors and interests in the space. Currently it has been mobilized as a central organising principle for the planning and development strategies of the Gauteng Provincial Government (GPG). Our interests lie in critically unpacking the concept of the city-region and assembling ‘multiple footprints’ or conceptualisations of the city-region.
Key objectives of the project include: (a) developing appropriate methodologies by which the GCR can be defined; (b) assembling a focused body of qualitative and quantitative data which describes the make-up of the GCR (population growth and distribution; economic activity; transport; employment; land use etc.); and (c) forecasting long term trends for the city-region.
The policy relevance of the work is clear. Policymakers can draw on a set of targeted recommendations for the GCR which will feed into policy debates and regional development strategies such as the G2055 long term vision. The research will also contribute to academic research on cities and regions.
The end goal of the research is two main outputs: (a) a mini research report about the city-region in an engaging and accessible format – ideally as an ‘atlas’ of maps and GCR visualizations accompanied by short analytical pieces; and (b) a book which comprises chapters from GCRO team members, as well as commissioned pieces from established academics (either national or international) who are able to offer perspectives from experiences of other city-regions. This is a cross-cutting project which interfaces with all the work currently being undertaken on GCRO’s research agenda. It draws upon all the data, qualitative and quantitative, which GCRO has undertaken in its three years of existence. The results of the OECD Territorial Review provide a strong base underpinning the research.
2012/13 will see the following:
- A dual process of (a) systematic data-gathering and (b) sourcing contributors for both a mini research report and an academic book;
- Preparation and submission of a book proposal;
- Preparation, production and release of a draft mini research report – an ‘atlas’ style conceptual study of the GCR – in October 2012;
- A roundtable discussion on Conceptualising the GCR in November 2012.
Timeframes
This is a three year project which began in 2010. However due to unavoidable delays related to the OECD Territorial Review, it only became operationalised in 2011. It will end in 2013/2014.
Key partners
GCRO internal research team working with either national academics such as those based at the African Centre for Cities (ACC) or international academics such as those based at leading development institutes.
Outputs in 2012/13
- An atlas-style 65 page mini research report outlining some ‘vital statistics’ related to the GCR and accompanied by a set of cutting edge maps and graphs, will be produced in October 2012
- A roundtable discussion with key stakeholders will be held in November 2012. The 65 page mini research report will be used as a thematic resource informing the content of the roundtable discussion
- A book will be produced at the end of 2013/early 2014 which draws on thematic content from the mini research report released in October 2012.
