Research Advisory Committee (RAC)
In early 2010, GCRO constituted a Research Advisory Committee (RAC) comprising senior academics from universities across the city-region, and some representatives from government, the private sector and civil society.
The role of the RAC is to:
(a) help develop a research agenda for the GCR;
(b) provide a forward-looking perspective on policy issues and research; and
(c) help develop relationships between key academic researchers and their counterparts in government.
2011
The first meeting of the RAC for 2011 was held on 17 March. The agenda focused on the findings and recommendations in the draft report from the OECD’s Gauteng Territorial Review.
The second meeting of 2011 took place on 11 May and focused on the GCRO’s three year strategic plan.
The third RAC for 2011 was held on 24 July. The agenda focused on the results of the 50-priority ward project and the Green Strategic Programme for Gauteng.
The fourth meeting of the RAC is scheduled for 1 December. Two RAC members, both members of the National Planning Commission (NPC), agreed to present at this RAC meeting on the NPC’s diagnostic and initial ideas for a national plan.
2010
In the first meeting the RAC heard and discussed a presentation on Gauteng's draft long-term G2055 strategy. It also considered a brief progress report on GCRO’s work.
In the second meeting the RAC heard a presentation by Aromar Revi, from the Indian Institute of Human Settlements, on India’s long term perspective on its urban transition, as well as reflections on the implications for South Africa by Edgar Pieterse. It also briefly discussed GCRO’s planned work for 2010/11.
In the third meeting the RAC broke into groups and discussed how they would imagine a “sophisticated, Afropolitan, futuristic Gauteng City-Region”.
In the fourth meeting the RAC heard a presentation from the HSRC on R&D spending and innovation in Gauteng, leading into a discussion on how to build a Regional Innovation System in the province. It also considered a presentation on the challenge of Acid Mine Drainage affecting Gauteng.
In the fifth meeting, the RAC gave useful input into the GCRO’s 2011/12 to 2013/14 three-year strategic framework.
