Book launch digs into Mining waste management
On the 18th of April 2024 the Gauteng City-Region Observatory (GCRO) co-hosted the launch of two books with the Wits Institute for Social and Economic Research.
Read MoreDr. Wendy Tsoriyo presents paper on Inclusive Local Governance Reforms
Dr. Wendy Tsoriyo presented her paper titled Towards Inclusive Local Governance Reforms at the Association of Southern African Schools and Departments of Public Administration and Management (ASSADPAM) conference held at the University of Pretoria from March 18th to March 20th, 2024.
Read MoreCall for Research Proposals: GCRO Quality of Life 7 survey analysis papers
The GCRO is inviting proposals from researchers who would like to conduct early statistical analysis on the Quality of Life dataset during the embargo period of 31 May to the launch in August 2024.
Read MoreGCRO participates in Joint Summer/Winter School hosted by University of Johannesburg and CEPT University
The GCRO hosted the Joint Summer/Winter school delegation at the GCRO office on 11th December 2023 and delivered an interactive session showcasing their experiences in the Gauteng City-Region.
Read MoreRoundtable Discussion: Just Urban Transition for informal settlements
On February 22, 2024, the Islanda Institute hosted a roundtable to launch a report and engagement tool for municipal practitioners. The tool aims to help them engage with informal settlement communities for upgrading decisions to drive a just urban transition.
Read MoreThe seventh iteration of the Quality of Life (QoL) Survey is underway
Every two years, the Gauteng City-Region Observatory conducts a survey to gather data on various issues affecting Gauteng residents' quality of life.
Read MoreWorkshop on Green Public Procurement Guidelines for Gauteng
On the 22nd of February 2024, a workshop was held at the GCRO offices about the Green Public Procurement Guidelines for Gauteng Province.
Read MoreFiona Els presents Sewersheds Project at International Conference
Fiona Els presented her research at the 9th International Conference on Infectious Disease Dynamics in Bologna, Italy from November 26 to December 1, 2023
Read MoreCall for Research Proposals - Industrial Sector Studies in the Gauteng Province
The GCRO in partnership with the Gauteng Provincial Government has opened a call for proposals for research on identified industrial sectors.
Read MorePublication of book on BRICS city governance by Phil Harrison
The Gauteng City-Region Observatory is proud to be associated with a new published book on city-region governance
Read MoreGCRO Celebrates 15th Anniversary
GCRO celebrates 15 Anniversary with lively discussion on the city-region
Read MoreWits Centenary Fellowship to the GCRO
Dr Aidan Mosselson's visit to the GCRO, between November 2023 and end of February 2024, is facilitated by the Wits Centenary Fellowship, in partnership with the University of Edinburgh...
Read MoreSpringbok parade passes GCRO offices
When GCRO staff participated in the Springbok’s world cup victory parade in Braamfontein in 2019, they assumed it would be a once in a lifetime experience. As fate would have it, they got to do it again.....
Read MoreGCRO hosts the AfricaMobility Network
In early October 2023, the GCRO hosted the 5th Workshop of the AfricaMobility Network as part of the Mobility in African City Regions project...
Read MoreOpportunity for Student Researchers (Economic Development)
Opportunity for Student Researchers (Economic Development) ...
Read MoreYashena Naidoo attends SPIE Sensors + Imaging Conference
The 2023 SPIE Sensors + Imaging Conference was hosted in Amsterdam from 3 – 6 September 2023...
Read MoreOff-grid Cities project attends RGS-IBG 2023 Conference in London
Representing the GCRO at the RGS-IBG 2023 conference were Christina Culwick Fatti, Samkelisiwe Khanyile and Dr Brian Murahwa...
Read MoreOff-grid Cities writing workshop in Cambridge
This writing workshop, held at Newham College at the University of Cambridge, England, was a strategic opportunity to build team capacity and to share experiences and methods around writing...
Read MoreGCRO contributes to public debate following Marshalltown fire
GCRO researchers participated in public debates around, inter alia, circumstances that led to the disaster...
Read MoreThe GCRO hosts Wits student volunteers
The GCRO recently introduced the Visiting Scholar Programme. Six students volunteered themselves to take on several tasks at the GCRO...
Read MoreSthembiso Mkhize and Shamsunisaa Miles-Timotheus present at ISQOLS Conference
Their adventure was marked by successful presentations at the prominent International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies (ISQOLS) Conference...
Read MoreQuality of Life 7 Survey (2023/24) fieldwork rolls out across Gauteng
Fieldwork for GCRO’s Quality of Life (QoL) 7 Survey (2023/24) is now underway throughout the Gauteng province...
Read MoreExecutive Director strengthens relationships with UK research institutions
In line with the Gauteng City-Region Observatory’s (GCRO) internationalisation agenda, the Executive Director undertook a trip to the United Kingdom...
Read MoreGCRO seeks Senior Communications Officer (Wits University level AD08)
The GCRO is seeking to appoint a highly motivated and multi-skilled professional in the role of Senior Communications Officer...
Read MoreGCRO appoints Quality of Life 7 Survey (2023/24) Fieldwork Service Provider
The GCRO has appointed Geospace International to conduct fieldwork for the Quality of Life (QoL) 7 Survey (2023/24)...
Read MoreGCRO staff make grocery donations for Mandela Day project
In honour of Nelson Mandela International Day, GCRO staffers collectively donated groceries to needy communities in Gauteng...
Read MoreBrian Murahwa participates in podacast hosted by Charles Leonard
In this podcast hosted by Charles Leonard, a journalist working with the UJ’s Johannesburg Institute for Advanced Study (JIAS) discussed...
Read MoreBrian Murahwa attends workshop on digital technologies & management of urban services
The workshop on was attended by interdisciplinary international researchers...
Read MoreThe GCRO partners with LSE to host a planning exercise for the Executive MSc in Cities Laboratory
The GCRO participated in the LSE scenario planning exercise for the Executive MSc in Cities Laboratory...
Read MoreDr Darlington Mushongera presents at a Water Workshop at the University of Pretoria
On the 20th of April, 2023, GCRO Researcher, Dr. Darlington Mushongera made an appearance the webinar on Water...
Read MoreCelebrating the work of the GCRO Board
On the 19th of June 2023 the GCRO management team and Board fared two of our valued Board members well...
Read MoreUniversity of the Witwatersrand - University of Edinburgh Space Research Workshop
An international workshop, focusing on Space and GIS-themed collaboration was hosted by the University of Edinburgh...
Read MoreGCRO supports Wits / UCL Masters course on extended urbanisation
In early May, GCRO lent support to a jointly run UCL / WITS Masters course on extended urbanisation ....
Read MoreGCRO hosts Faces of the City seminar series
The GCRO organised and chaired seven Faces of the City seminars in the second quarter of 2023...
Read MoreExecutive Director participates in experts group meeting on metropolitan solutions
The Metropolitan Area of Barcelona and UN-Habitat have a framework agreement to cooperate on addressing metropolitan issues worldwide...
Read MoreGCRO’s academic publications January-May 2023
Academic publications by GCRO staff during the first five months of 2023 tackle a diversity of topics...
Read MoreThe Great Healing Tour of Holland, Germany and Belgium
The tour on the remediation of postmining landscapes took place from the 11th to the 16th of April 2023. It is for this reason of landscapes reclamation and preservation...
Read MoreRFP - GCRO Quality of Life 7 (2023/24) Survey – Fieldwork and Data Preparation
The GCRO has published a tender for the Quality of Life 7 (2023/24) Survey for fieldwork and data preparation. The GCRO Quality of Life (QoL) survey...
Read MoreA new Post Doctoral researcher has joined the GCRO team in 2023
The start of the year saw the introduction of a new Post-doc, Wendy, to the GCRO. Her research interests are in understanding the gendered dimension of the Water ...
Read MoreWelcome to the new GIS & Remote sensing intern joining the GCRO in 2023
The GCRO welcomes Ms. Phemelo Mahamuza to the GCRO team. Phemelo is an MSc GIS & Remote Sensing student at the University of the Witwatersrand...
Read MoreGCRO's young researcher publishes in the number one journal in human geography
The paper uses relevant strands of queer theory and draws on a critical review of literature on geographies of sexualities in sub-Saharan Africa...
Read MoreWalking the Watershed: stepping along the continental water divide in Johannesburg
On 28 September 2022 a group of participants at the Water Institute of South African Annual Conference walked along the continental watershed...
Read MoreGauteng City-Region Observatory signs MOU with Italian municipality
A memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Gauteng and the Italian municipality of Reggio Emilia is the latest gesture...
Read MoreGCRO, Gauteng COGTA and PARI co-host an exploratory energy crisis workshop
GCRO, GAUTENG COGTA AND PARI co-host an exploratory workshop on the energy crisis...
Read MoreGCRO ED elected Vice-Chair of the UN-Habitat’s Global Urban Observatory Network
GCRO's ED elected as the Vice-Chair of the UN-Habitat Global Urban Observatory Network Steering Committee...
Read MoreGCRO delegation attends a study tour in Germany hosted by BayFOR
GCRO delegation of Researchers were hosted by BayFOR for a study tour in Germany...
Read MoreFiona Els joins the GCRO on 1 March 2023 as an Epidemiologist
Fiona Els joins the GCRO as an Epidemiologist working on monitoring COVID-19 in wastewater...
Read MoreVisiting Researcher from the University of Cambridge joins the GCRO
Joanna Watterson from the University of Cambridge joins the GCRO as a Visiting Researcher...
Read MoreCo-hosted workshop on COVID-19 urban impacts and governance
On 17 Feb 2023, GCRO and the Wits SA Research Chair in Spatial Analysis & City Planning co-hosted a workshop on COVID's urban impacts & its governance
Read MoreThe GCRO-GPG Inclusive Economies Research Programme ramps up
The Inclusive Economies Research Programme, a joint initiative between GCRO and GPG...
Read MoreOff-Grid Cities project hosts session at 5th National Global Change Conference
The Off-Grid Cities project hosted a session at the 5th National Global Change Conference...
Read MoreGCRO ED to serve on CSIR Urban Knowledge Exchange SA (uKESA) Advisory Board
GCRO Director has joined the Advisory Committee of the Urban Knowledge Exchange Southern Africa...
Read MoreGCRO completes a two-legged Strategic Review and Planning process
The GCRO held its Strategic Pause & Review together with its 2022/23 Planning process...
Read MorePostdoctoral Researcher joins the GCRO Off-Grid Cities Project
Postdoctoral Researcher, Dr Brian Murahwa joins the GCRO Off-Grid Cities Project...
Read MoreShamsunisaa Miles-Timotheus joins the GCRO as a Quality of Life Intern
Shamsunisaa Miles-Timotheus joins the GCRO as an Intern working with the Quality of Life team...
Read MoreSenior Researcher joins the GCRO Inclusive Economies Research Programme
Ebrahim-Khalil Hassen joins the GCRO as a Senior Researcher in the Inclusive Economies Research Programme...
Read MoreRashid Seedat comments on Premier Lesufi's State of the Province Address
Executive Director of the GCRO, Rashid Seedat comments on Premier Panyaza Lesufi State of the Province Address...
Read MoreGCRO co-hosts seminar series on re-imagining measurements of sex, gender & sexuality
GCRO co-hosts a four-part online seminar series on re-imagining sex, gender & sexuality...
Read MoreThe GCRO seeks a GIS Intern in the field of GIS, data analytics, informatics and visualization
The GCRO seeks a GIS Intern in the field of GIS, data analytics, informatics and visualisation ...
Read MoreGCRO co-hosts seminar on governing climate change in Southern cities
GCRO co-hosted an online seminar entitled Governing climate change in Johannesburg, Mumbai, Karachi & Jakarta…
Read MoreDr Richard Ballard spends October-December 2022 at Tübingen University
GCRO Principal Researcher was based at the University of Tübingen in Germany as a visiting scholar...
Read MoreGCRO participates in the inaugural meeting of the Forum of African Regions
The GCRO Executive Director participates in the inaugural meeting of the Forum of African Regions...
Read MoreThe GCRO seeks Quality of Life Survey Intern (1-year fixed term contract)
The GCRO is recruiting a highly motivated intern to support its flagship Quality of Life survey...
Read MoreGCRO contibutes to practice note on children in spatial planning
A collective convened to produce this Practice Note on children’s participation in spatial planning...
Read MoreGCRO ED on the departure of Premier David Makhura and Quality of Life Survey
As Gauteng gears up to receive a new premier, Rashid Seedat elaborates on this in terms of the Quality of Life Survey...
Seminar Series: Re-imagining Measurements of Sex, Gender and Sexuality in Social Surveys
Join us for a seminar series on re-imagining measurements of sex, gender and sexuality in social surveys...
Read MoreSenior Researcher joins GCRO to lead the Quality of Life Survey
The GCRO welcomes Dr Pedzisai Ndagurwa as a Senior Researcher leading the Quality of Life Survey...
Read MoreGCRO seeks a Principal and Senior Researcher in Inclusive Economies
The GCRO is recruiting two positions: Principal Researcher and Senior Researcher: Inclusive Economies...
Read MoreGCRO, Gauteng COGTA and Urban Planning's Spatial Transformation Symposium
GCRO, Gauteng COGTA and Urban Planning partner to host a one day spatial transformation symposium...
Read MoreTwo GCRO Researchers graduate with PhDs from Wits University
Two GCRO Researchers, Darlington and Mamokete, graduate with PhDs from Wits University...
Read MoreTaking the City into the future: GCRO at the launch of Istanbul 2050
The Executive Director of the GCRO participates in the launch of Istanbul 2050 vision...
Read More
Dialogue on State of South African Municipalities
GCRO Executive Director participates in dialogue on state of SA municipalities...
Read MoreGCRO participates at the South African COVID-19 Country Report Launch
GCRO participates at the South African COVID-19 Country Report Launch....
Read MoreGCRO participates in Gauteng Provincial Government ‘War Rooms’
GCRO participates in Gauteng Provincial Government 'War Rooms'...
Read More
Universidade Eduardo Mondlane delegation visit to the GCRO
The GCRO hosted a delegation from the Universidade Eduardo Mondlane...
Read MoreTribute to the late Acting Director-General of the GPG
GCRO Executive Director pays tribute to the late Acting Director-General of the GPG...
Read MoreGCRO certified as a member of UN-Habitat’s Global Urban Observatory
The Gauteng City-Region Observatory has been certified as a member of UN-Habitat’s GUO-Net...
Read MoreCher Petersen graduates with Honours in Geography
GCRO GIS intern graduates with Honours in Geography from Wits University...
Read More
Call for applications for Postdoctoral Research Fellowship position
GCRO-UJ calls for applications for Postdoctoral research fellow focusing on the Quality of Life dataset...
Read MoreGCRO seeks Principal Researcher or Senior Researcher: Quality of Life
The GCRO seeks to appoint a Principal Researcher or Senior Researcher to manage its flagship Quality of Life Survey...
Read MoreGCRO bids farewell to two of its Senior Researchers
GCRO bid farewell to two of its senior researchers, Dr Alexandra Parker and Dr Julia deKadt, at the end of February 2022 ...
Read MoreDr Darlington Mushongera participates in "Beyond GDP" Podcast
GCRO Senior Researcher, Dr Darlington Mushongera spoke to Catherine Langsford of Indaba Down South...
Read MoreGCRO participates in the National Investigative Hearing into the July 2021 Unrest
The GCRO was invited by the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) to participate in its National Investigative Hearing into the July 2021 unrest ...
Read MoreThe GCRO seeks a GIS Intern in the field of GIS, data analytics, informatics and visualisation
The GCRO seeks a GIS Intern in the field of GIS, data analytics, informatics and visualisation ...
Read MoreSenior Researcher in GIS, data analytics, informatics and visualisation joins GCRO
Senior Researcher in GIS, data analytics, informatics and visualisation joins GCRO...
Read MoreDouble celebration for GCRO! Duo completes PhDs
The GCRO is very excited to announce that two of its researchers, Darlington Mushongera and Mamokete Matjomane, have successfully completed their PhDs ...
Read MoreGCRO & MISTRA partner on a 'Rebuild SA' webinar series
GCRO and the Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflection are partnering on 3 webinars themed 'Rebuild SA'. The third webinar on Rebuilding Government will be held Wed, 24 November, 14:00-17:00.
Read MoreGCRO launches results from its Quality of Life Survey 6 (2020/21)
On Thursday, 9 September 2021, the Gauteng City-Region Observatory (GCRO) launched the Quality of Life 6 Survey...
Read MoreMessage of condolence on the passing of Cllr. Geoff Makhubo, Executive Mayor of CoJ
Cllr. Geoff Makhubo, Executive Mayor of Johannesburg, passed away on Friday, 9 July 2021, from COVID-19 complications. GCRO offers its sincere condolences.
Read MoreGCRO receives 2019/20 AfriSam-SAIA Sustainable Design Award
GCRO is proud that our report, ‘Towards applying a green infrastructure approach in the GCR’, has won a 2019/20 AfriSam-SAIA Sustainable Design Award ...
Read MoreGCRO seeks Researcher/Senior Researcher in the field of GIS, data analytics, informatics and visualisation
The Gauteng City-Region Observatory (GCRO) seeks Researcher/Senior Researcher...
Read MoreRuth Mohamed is a GCRO COVID-19 Hero
Ruth Mohamed, Finance and Office Manager at the GCRO, took the opportunity to adapt a small outreach programme...
Read MoreGCRO appoints a new Executive Director
The GCRO is delighted to announce the appointment of our new Executive Director...
Read MoreOutgoing ED Rob Moore's farewell thoughts
Dr Rob Moore left as GCRO's Executive Director at the end of May 2021. Here he reflects on his long years of association with GCRO.
Read MoreGCRO nominated for three Humanities and Social Sciences Awards 2021
In January 2021 the National Institute for the Humanities and Social Sciences announced...
Read MoreOff-Grid Cities: Postdoctoral research fellowship call
We are currently recruiting one PhD and two postdoctoral researchers for the Off-grid Cities project...
Read MoreRE-ADVERTISEMENT: GCRO seeks applications for Executive Director
The GCRO is seeking to appoint a high-calibre researcher and manager to be the Executive Director and to lead the GCRO...
Read MoreSouthern Africa City Studies Conference: 31 August – 4 September 2020
From 31 August to 4 September, the Gauteng City-Region Observatory co-hosted the fifth Southern Africa City Studies Conference...
Read MoreGCRO at the 2020 Southern Africa City Studies Conference
The GCRO is co-hosting the 2020 Southern Africa City Studies Conference online at the end of August...
Read MoreSeminar series - Collecting social data (during COVID-19)
The GCRO, in collaboration with Social Surveys Africa and the Human Sciences Research Council, hosted a seminar series...
Read MoreGauteng launches sustainable drainage manual
Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development launch an implementation manual and support tools for the management of storm water through sustainable drainage systems...
Read MoreTender open for QoL survey VI (2020)
The tender for the 6th iteration of the Quality of Life survey is open...
Read MoreGCRO seeks research intern for QoL survey
GCRO seeks a motivated research intern with an interest in data collection and analysis to work on the 6th iteration of the Quality of Life survey...
Read MoreQuality of Life survey: technical review
The QoL survey has been conducted every two years since 2009, making 2019 the survey’s 10th anniversary. The GCRO has initiated a 10-year technical review of the QoL survey...
Read MoreUrban Gaze winners and exhibition
Urban Gaze, a project of the Gauteng City-Region Observatory (GCRO), is a documentary photography competition aimed at promoting the work of emerging, Gauteng-based photographers...
Read MoreLandscapes of peripheral and displaced urbanisms survey
The GCRO’s Landscapes of Peripheral and Displaced Urbanisms fieldwork survey, which forms part of a broader multi-sited research project, was successfully concluded in late April 2019...
Read MoreFood security and multi-level governance
A recent meeting of the Food Governance Community of Practice (CoP), held on 17 April in Gauteng, posed critical questions around the responsibilities associated with food security...
Read MoreGCRO Operations & Partnerships Senior Manager
GCRO wishes to expand its team with a highly skilled and motivated Manager or Senior Manager of Operations and Partnerships who shares GCRO's vision for the Gauteng City-Region...
Read MoreUrban Gaze walk
On Saturday, 16 March, the Urban Gaze Documentary Photo Competition and Friends of the Johannesburg Art Gallery (JAG) jointly hosted two photowalks in Johannesburg and Pretoria...
Read MoreGoverning for urban inclusion writing workshop
From 16-18 January 2019, GCRO co-hosted a writing workshop on the theme 'Governing for Urban Inclusion' in collaboration with a number of international partners...
Read MoreUrban Gaze photography competition launched
The GCRO has launched its second photography competition - Urban Gaze. It is an open call for digital photographs of the Gauteng City-Region. Find out more about this competition and how you can enter.
Read MoreGCRO launches 5th Quality of Life Survey (2017/18)
On Tuesday, 13 November 2018, the Gauteng City-Region Observatory (GCRO) launched the results of the 5th biennial Quality of Life Survey (2017/18) at a high-profile event...
Read MoreGCRO receives award for 'Research in sustainability'
GCRO's report 'A framework for a green infrastructure planning approach in the Gauteng City-Region' won the 2017/18 AfriSam-SAIA award for 'Research in Sustainability'...
Read MoreGCRO at Metropolis Annual Meeting: 26-29 August 2018
GCRO is proud to be participating in the Metropolis Annual Meeting and showcasing our research to an international audience...
Read MoreGCRO develops Gauteng Water Security Plan
The GCRO was tasked with the development of the Gauteng Water Security Plan and considers how the province’s water is managed and the implications...
Read MoreDevelopment infrastructure as a social laboratory
Ngaka Mosiane's research on Mabopane Station as developmental infrastructure attracts local and international interest...
Read MoreGCRO attends MOBILIZE Summit in Dar es Salaam
From 26-28 June 2018, GCRO Researcher Jesse Harber attended the annual MOBILIZE Summit in Dar es Salaam...
Read MoreThembani Mkhize participates in BIARI at Brown University
Thembani Mkhize participated in the annual Brown University International Advanced Research Institutes (BIARI) addressing pressing global issues through collaboration across academic...
Read MoreGIS Internship Programme
GCRO wishes to expand its skills base with a highly skilled and motivated GIS intern who shares a commitment to help develop a more sustainable, equitable and prosperous Gauteng City-Region...
Read MoreBidding farewell to Adele Underhay
On Thursday 19 April, the GCRO gave a warm goodbye to our long-serving senior finance and administration manager, Adele Underhay at a farewell function...
Read MoreGCRO learns from Italian city Reggio Emilia
In February 2018, the GCRO joined a delegation from Gauteng Provincial Government to its counterparts of the Italian region of Emilia Romagna...
Read MoreCollaborative student research with Erasmus University
GCRO researchers, hosted by Prof Wall, head of the Urban Competitiveness and Resilience (UCR) department at IHS, spent a week in Rotterdam giving lectures in late February...
Read MoreGCRO visits urban research institutes in Germany
In February 2018, Dr. Rob Moore visited the Leibniz Institute for Ecological Urban and Regional Development in Dresden, and the Leibniz Institute for Regional Geography in Leipzig...
Read MoreGovernance and partnerships at World Urban Forum 2018
The GCRO hosted a session at the World Urban Forum examining the importance of governance and the relationship between the GCRO, as an urban observatory, and Gauteng Provincial Government...
Read MoreStrong GCRO representation at the ACC Urban Conference
Last week (1-3 February 2018), GCRO made a splash at the ACC International Urban Conference 2018 in Cape Town despite the city's water crisis. GCRO had a delegation of 11 researchers...
Read MoreSeminar series: Governing Complex City-Regions
The GCRO is currently hosting a series of seminar-based discussions on the governance of city-regions, in a partnership with the SARChi in Spatial Analysis and City Planning (SA&CP).
Read MoreGCRO hosts CSP & World Bank Urbanisation Review dialogue
On 8-9 November GCRO hosted the Cities Support Programme (CSP) and World Bank for a policy dialogue on an Urbanisation Review that is currently being conducted for South Africa.
Read MoreGCRO at 2017 Seoul Biennale on Architecture and Urbanism
GCRO is proud to be participating in the Cities Exhibition at the inaugural 2017 Seoul Biennale on Architecture and Urbanism. The GCRO exhibition, entitled Shifting Borders and Building Bridges,
Read MoreGCRO embarks on largest Quality of Life survey to date
The Gauteng City-Region Observatory (GCRO) is partnering with ResearchGo, a University of Johannesburg organisation, to survey over 31 000 randomly selected Gauteng residents
Read MoreGCRO profiled ISIbalo CRUISE Urban & Regional Conference
The 3rd ISIbalo CRUISE Conference took place at STIAS, Stellenbosch, from 3-5 July 2017. The conference brought together researchers from...
Read MoreAlexandra Parker, one of M&G’s 200 Young South Africans 2017
GCRO researcher Alexandra Parker was named as one of Mail & Guardian’s 200 Young South Africans for 2017...
Read MoreGCRO participates in 12th Metropolis World Congress
The Metropolis World Congress, held in Montreal, Canada, from 19 – 22 June 2017, brought together the Metropolis network of major cities...
Read MoreIn photos: GCRO's 'Taking streets seriously' seminar
In photos: GCRO's seminar on 'Taking streets seriously'
Read MoreGCRO hosts Stephen Graham
From 20-24 March, GCRO hosted Stephen Graham on the Johannesburg leg of his NRF-funded visit to South Africa...
Read MoreGCRO participates in ICLEI’s LoCS4AFRICA congress
From 22-24 March 2017, ICLEI Africa hosted the LoCS4Africa 2017 congress in Ekurhuleni. The congress brought together academics and practitioners from a range of African cities...
Read MoreGCRO pays tribute to Ahmed Kathrada
It is with great sadness that we hear of the passing of Ahmed Kathrada this morning. Uncle Kathy stands in our memory as a undaunted warrior in the struggle for democracy...
Read MoreGCRO profiled at the UN World Data Forum in Cape Town
StatsSA, supported by the UN Department of Economic & Social Affairs Statistics Division, hosted the first UN World Data Forum, in Cape Town in January 2017...
Read MoreGCRO presentations at BRICS City Lab in Moscow
In December 2016 the Government of Moscow hosted the BRICS City Lab on Adaptive and Transformative Governance at the Moscow Metropolitan Governance University...
Read MoreExploring resource futures for sustainable urbanisation
In furthering GCRO’s ongoing research into metabolic flows and infrastructure transitions, Christina Culwick attended a workshop in Sheffield (UK) ...
Read MoreWelcomes and farewells for GCRO
2016 saw extensive change within GCRO's staff complement. The GCRO team said good bye to a number of staff members and has also welcomed a number of people to the team...
Read MoreWard Profile Viewer relaunched with updated 2015 QoL data
The recently released ward profile viewer is an innovative application developed to view a wide range of socio-economic indicator-based ward-level data. It offers a comparative spatial view across...
Read MoreShaping informed cities - Habitat III Urban future event
Urban observatories can play critical roles in decision-making, through providing relevant research and analysis for the successful implementation of New Urban Agenda. These institutions...
Read MoreParticipate in transport research via your phone
We want to find out how you move around Gauteng so planners, researchers, and government can better meet your transit needs! With all of the new and old transportation systems...
Read MoreCelebrating 100 years of Geography in South Africa
The Society of South African Geographers (SSAG) celebrated a century of Geography in South Africa with a centenary conference held at Stellenbosch University...
Read MoreGCRO presents at 2016 RGS-IBG conference in London
Richard Ballard and Siân Butcher attended the annual conference of the Royal Geographic Society/Institute of British Geographers in London from 30 August to 2 September 2016...
Read MoreGCRO researcher presents at HDCA conference in Japan
GCRO researcher Darlington Mushongera attended the 2016 Human Development Capacity Association (HDCA) conference in Tokyo, Japan. This three day conference took place...
Read MoreGCRO Researchers present at the RC21 conference in Mexico
Two GCRO researchers, Darlington Mushongera and Aidan Mosselson, attended the RC21 Annual Conference in Mexico from 21 to 23 July 2016...
Read MoreGCRO presents at WC2 Summer Symposium in Germany
In the lead up to the 2016 UN Habitat III conference, the WC2 Network (World class universities in world cities) met for the annual Summer Symposium...
Read MoreNew publications for 2016
GCRO researchers have been hard at work through the first half of 2016, producing a number of academic papers in international journals, and finalising a range of research reports
Read MoreWorkshop: Understanding the role of urban developers
On 25 to 27 July 2016, the Gauteng City-Region Observatory, together with the Wits University South African Research Chair in Spatial Analysis and City Planning, hosted a series of events...
Read MoreGCRO at an international conference on forced migration
In July 2016, Sally Peberdy presented at a conference of the International Association of Forced Migration Studies in Poland, entitled ‘The state, nationhood, belonging, exclusion and business in South Africa’...
Read MoreGCRO Quality of Life Survey 2015 Press Release
A month before the August local government elections, new data from the Gauteng City-Region Observatory (GCRO) shows that satisfaction with municipalities in Gauteng has declined very slightly...
Read MoreQuality of Life Survey 2015 Infographics
The GCRO has released ten infographics that each present an important finding in the Quality of Life Survey 2015. The infographics are designed to communicate these findings in an interesting and...
Read MoreNew Manager/Director position advertised
The Gauteng City-Region Observatory (GCRO) has grown substantially in recent years, both in size and the strategic scope of its work, and will continue to do so into the future...
Read MoreThe GCRO is looking for new research staff
The Gauteng City-Region Observatory (GCRO) is a research centre set up in partnership between the University of Johannesburg (UJ), the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg (Wits)...
Read MoreMovement Johannesburg
Movement Johannesburg is a new publication that examines the historical and contemporary movements that have and continue to shape Johannesburg. Edited by Zahira Asmal and GCRO...
Read MoreApplications Open: Systems Manager/GIS Professional
A key part of GCRO’s success has been the analysis and visualisation of spatial data. This is reflected in the Analytics, Cartographies and Visualisation research theme, and various outputs such as the...
Read MoreGold mining exploits published in Scenario Journal 5
Guy Trangoš and Kerry Bobbins have published an article entitled ‘Gold Mining Exploits and the Legacies of Johannesburg’s Mining Landscapes’ in the fifth edition of the...
Read MoreGCRO presents to officials in the Indian civil service
On 19 October 2015, GCRO hosted 27 senior members of the Indian Administrative Services on an IIHS-organised study tour into urbanisation and governance in South Africa...
Read MoreGCRO bids farewell to its founding executive director
As most of our partners and associates are by now aware, the founding executive director of the GCRO, David Everatt, has left the organisation and will now head the School of Governance...
Read MoreFormation of The Anti-Racism Network South Africa (ARNSA)
At the beginning of August 2015, the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation and the Nelson Mandela Foundation brought together over thirty organizations from around the country to discuss the formation…
Read MorePolicy engagements on mega human settlements
In July 2014, the national minister of Human Settlements announced a new direction in housing policy, arguing that in order to get back to adequate scale of housing production…
Read MoreDissatisfaction with the Performance of Government
A paper written by GCRO’s Koech Cheruiyot, Chris Wray, and Samy Katumba titled: ‘Spatial Statistical Analysis of Dissatisfaction with the Performance...
Read MoreRe-visiting Africa’s Political Economy Landscape
Claudious Chikozho presented a paper entitled ‘Re-visiting Africa’s Political Economy Landscape: Comparatively Articulating the National Macro-Economic Policy and Institutional Trajectories...
Read MoreSmart | City | Region Symposium and Exhibition
‘Smart city’ research is a recent academic focus, particularly in relation to cities in the global south. As Gauteng and its municipalities explore advanced technologies in order to streamline…
Read MoreNew GCRO Website
In late 2014 the GCRO identified that a new website would be essential to provide easier and more intuitive access to various outputs and online data websites. After months of design and development...
Read MoreA digital urban data gallery for the GCR
GCRO has a range of visualisation outputs including vignettes and map of the months that visualise key trends in the Gauteng City-Region (GCR). These static visualisations are great...
Read MoreKerry Bobbins takes up research stay at DiFU
As part of her Green Talents award, researcher Kerry Bobbins took up a fully funded research stay at the German Institute of Urban Affairs (DifU) in Berlin, Germany, during May 2015...
Read MoreDarlington Mushongera at the 2015 HDCA Conference
GCRO researcher Darlington Mushongera presented a paper at the 2015 Annual Human Development Capabilities Conference in Washington DC at Georgetown University from 10...
Read MoreGCRO Internship
The Gauteng City-Region Observatory (GCRO) is a research centre set up to build the knowledge base that government, business, labour, civil society and citizens need to develop a competitive, sustainable...
Read MoreGuy Trangoš presents at EUGEO conference in Budapest
On 1 September 2015, GCRO Researcher Guy Trangoš presented a paper at the fifth biannual EUGEO conference in Budapest, looking at a campaign of 'symbolic appropriation' of space in Johannesburg ...
Read MoreChristina Culwick presents at RC21 Conference in Italy
GCRO researcher Christina Culwick presented a paper - Social justice and sustainability transitions in the GCR - at the RC21 Conference in Urbino, Italy held 27-29 August 2015 ...
Read MoreKerry Bobbins, one of M&G’s Top 200 Young South Africans
Researcher Kerry Bobbins was selected from 2 000 applicants as one of Africa’s 100 Brightest Minds in 2015 for her commitment toward achieving positive social change...
Read More2015 Quality of Life Survey now in field
Every two years since 2009, the Gauteng City-Region Observatory carries out a ‘Quality of Life’ survey. We ask questions about a very wide range of issues affecting us all, from transport to education ...
Read MoreGCRO to present at Ahmed Kathrada Foundation
The GCRO has been invited by the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation to discuss the realities of racial division in South Africa at a colloquium entitled "Non-racialism at a dead end?"
Read MoreChanging Space, Changing City
Johannesburg is South Africa’s premier city and is the heart of the Gauteng City-Region that accounts for over one-third of the country’s economic output. Over the past decade or so there has been a growing ...
Read MoreBeyond-GDP in Africa: A Regional Dashboard
Darlington Mushongera, researcher at the GCRO was invited by the Governance Innovation Institute (GovInn) to participate as a speaker in the workshop ‘Beyond-GDP in Africa ...
Read MoreMobility in the GCR report released
The Mobility in the GCR report was released. News link: http://www.gcro.ac.za/category/report-category/reports
Read MoreGCRO researcher wins Green Talent Award
GCRO researcher Kerry Bobbins was selected from hundreds of applicants as one of 25 winners in the 2014 international Green Talents Competition. The Jury was particularly impressed by...
Read MoreGCRO releases first interactive visualisation vignette
GCRO releases first interactive visualisation vignette: getting to work in the GCR. News link: http://www.gcro.ac.za/interactive-vis/2014/10/transport-work-trips
Read MoreQoL 2013 survey launched
News link: https://gcro.ac.za/research/project/detail/quality-of-life-survey-iii-2013/
Read MoreArab Transitions in Comparative Perspective
Caryn Abrahams, senior researcher at the GCRO has been invited by the European Institute of the Mediterranean (IEMed) and the Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies to participate as a speaker in the ...
Read MoreGCRO presents at recent RGS-IGB conference in London
The Annual RGS-IGB (Royal Geographical Society – Institute of British Geographers) conference was held in London, from 26-29 August 2014. The conference took place in the historic...
Read MoreGCRO to attend IGU conference
Kerry Bobbins will be attending and presenting at the International Geographers Union (IGU) conference to be held in Poland from 18 – 22 August 2014. The theme of the conference...
Read MoreGCRO represented at the GI_Forum in Salzburg
GI_Forum is an annual conference, held in the beautiful city of Salzburg, Austria, which aims to provide a platform for dialogue among technologists and critical thinkers, GIScientists and educationalists...
Read MoreGCRO staff attend UN Habitat World Urban Forum
GCRO Senior Researcher Caryn Abrahams and Researcher Guy Trangos attended the UN Habitat World Urban Forum in Medellin (http://wuf7.unhabitat.org/), Colombia during April 2014.
Read MoreGreen Infrastructure Citylab launched
On 23 January 2014, GCRO launched a Green Infrastructure Citylab as part of a project on Green Assets and Infrastructure. The Citylab builds on the foundation laid by the 'State of Green...
Read MorePhoto essay: the GCR in a photograph
Photo essay − "Representations of a fluid spatial identity: the GCR in a photograph". GCRO has released the first in its series of photo-essays. This essay is a critical reflection on...
Read MoreThe State of the Gauteng City-Region Review 2013
The State of the Gauteng City-Region (GCR) Review 2013 was launched on 25 October 2013 by Professor David Everatt at the Wits Club. His presentation was followed by a response from...
Read MoreThird Quality of Life (QoL) Survey now in field
Fieldwork for the third Quality of Life survey (QoL III) has begun in earnest. The first QoL survey, a 6 600 sample survey to measure the quality of life, socio-economic circumstances...
Read MoreState of Green Infrastructure report launched
On July 29th, the GCRO launched the State of Green Infrastructure in the Gauteng City-Region report. The launch took place at the Faculty of Arts, Design and Architecture (FADA) gallery at the...
Read MoreGCRO appoints five new research staff
GCRO’s research capacity has been expanded with the appointment of 5 new research staff: Christina Culwick, Dr. Koech Cheruiyot, Guy Trangoš, Kerry Bobbins and Potsiso Phasha.
Read More'Portraits of a City Region' Photographic Exhibition
On Wednesday 17 April the GCRO launched the exhibition ‘Portraits of a City-Region’ and announced the winners of the GCRO photo competition held in February/March 2013.
Read MoreGCRO launches GCR photo competition
Entrants stand a chance to win great prizes including cash to the the value of R15 000! Selected entries will also be exhibited at FADA Gallery, UJ.
Read MoreCensus 2011 Results Released
The key findings from Statistics South Africa's National Census for Gauteng, released by Statistics SA on 30 October 2012, are summarized in a Data Brief, produced by the GCRO.
Read MoreGraduation of first joint-supervised student: UJ/GCRO
On 4 October, Adeline Ngie graduated with a MSc in Environmental Management at the University of Johannesburg (UJ). Her dissertation is entitled “A GIS Approach for Flood Vulnerability...
Read MoreGCRO launches 2011 'Quality of Life' survey
“Gauteng has fared extremely well during the last two years of global economic recession,and overall quality of life has risen very slightly to 6,25 (out of 10) for the province as a whole”...
Read MoreLaunch of Quality of Life Survey viewer
The Quality of Life (QoL) Survey Viewer has been developed to provide online access to the 2009 and 2011 QoL data.
Read MoreGCRO presents at international political science congress
Recently Annsilla travelled to Spain in order to present a paper at the International Political Science Association (IPSA) conference ‘Reshaping Power: Shifting Boundaries’ 22nd World Congress.
Read MoreGCRO to present at the XXII IPSA conference
On 09 July 2012 Annsilla Nyar will be presenting a paper at the XXIInd World Congress of Political Science of the International Political Science Association (IPSA). She is part of a panel on...
Read MoreGCRO appoints 3 interns
GCRO has appointed three interns for one year each, starting on 1 June 2012. The purpose of the internships is to provide post-graduates with the opportunity to gain meaningful workplace...
Read MoreWits’ new art museum adds vibe to the inner city
In another nod to inner city development Wits launched its art museum with much aplomb on Thursday 10 May 2012. The launch was attended by a colourful mix of artists, art-lovers...
Read MoreGCRO image gallery launched
GCRO has been building up a collection of images that reflect the varied nature of the Gauteng City-Region. A selection of these images are now available for viewing on image gallery...
Read MoreCall for papers: Sport and the City
The School of Architecture and Planning, at the University of the Witwatersrand, together with our partners, the Gauteng City-Region Observatory (GCRO) and the Johannesburg Development...
Read MoreGCRO discusses impact of the World Cup
GCRO recently co-hosted the Sport and the City Conference with the School of Architecture and Planning at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) and the Johannesburg Development...
Read MoreGCRO is offering two one-year internships
The Gauteng City-Region Observatory (GCRO) is a research centre set up in partnership between the University of Johannesburg (UJ), the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg...
GIS website updated and 50 priority wards theme launched
Visit our upgraded GIS website featuring new tools (such as load your own data) and new data themes such as the 50 priority wards.
Read MoreGCRO welcomes new senior researcher
GCRO is excited to welcome Dr Sally Peberdy, who joins GCRO from the University of the Western Cape, where she taught urban geography. Sally has extensive experience in research...
Read MoreLaunch of the OECD Territorial Review of the GCR
In mid-2009, the Premier’s Office in the Gauteng Provincial Government commissioned the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) to undertake a...
Read MoreLow income human settlements on dolomite
GCRO hosted this Policy Workshop on 22 November. Approximately 60 attendees from a range of disciplines discussed concerns, and potential solutions, around the building of settlements...
Read MoreLaunch of the 2011 State of the GCR
The 2011 State of the GCR was launched on 17 October, 2011.
Read MoreNon-Racialism in Post-Apartheid South Africa
Ahmed Kathrada opens the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation's two-day conference on non-racialism - "From words to action: the challenges of deepening non-racialism in post-apartheid South Africa"
Read MoreEnergy and Climate Protection Conference
Josephine attended the “Energy and Climate Protection Conference” on 5 October 2011 at Turbine Hall, Newtown, Johannesburg. The conference was co-hosted by Gauteng Department of...
Read MoreGCRO staff attain higher degrees!
Josephine Musango has complied with the requirements of a PhD degree (in Sustainable Development) at the School of Public Leadership at the Stellenbosch University, which will be conferred...
Read MoreGCRO hosts Ricky Burdett
On 19 and 20 September 2011, GCRO hosted Ricky Burdett, Professor of Urban Studies at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), and director of LSE Cities and the Urban Age programme...
Read MoreWits marches in support of the Dalai Lama
Prof David Everatt and GCRO board member, Prof Helen Laburn, Deputy Vice Chancellor, join a public march to protest against the Dalai Lama not being allowed entry to South Africa.
Read MoreGCRO and GPG DED host workshop Phase II
Over the last 6 months, GCRO has been supporting the Gauteng Provincial Government to develop a Green Strategic Programme for the province. On 20 May 2011, GCRO and the Gauteng...
Read MoreGCRO to attend Workshop at the Sustainability Institute
Between 30 March and 1 April 2011, five members of the GCRO team will be attending a workshop on Sustainable Urban Transitions and Governance at the Sustainability Institute in Stellenbosch.
Read MoreGCRO to attend OECD conference Higher Education
Annsilla Nyar will be attending the OECD conference Higher Education in Cities and Regions - For Stronger, Cleaner and Fairer Regions, to be held at the University of Seville in Seville, Spain...
Read MoreGCRO Xenophobia research in the journal Politikon
Some exciting news is that the civil society and xenophobia research that GCRO was involved with in 2010, now forms a special edition of the journal Politikon: the South African Journal of Political Studies.
Read MoreWorkshop on the ‘Green Economy’
Over the last few years the idea of a ‘Green Economy’ has begun to feature prominently in political statements, as well as policy and strategy commitments. In January 2011, the Central Strategy Unit at the...
Read MoreGCRO looking for 2 Senior researchers
GCRO is seeking to appoint up to two senior researchers, depending on the quality of applicants. With a PhD-level qualification, or a Masters and considerable experience, combined with expertise in...
Read More2009 QoL survey complete
The GCRO 2009 Quality of Life/ Customer satisfaction survey was completed towards the end of 2009, with a final sample of 6636 respondents across the GCR.
Read MoreGCRO website relaunched
The Gauteng City-Region Observatory (GCRO) website has been completely redesigned and relaunched on 5 February 2010. The new website details the GCRO and its role and mandate...
Read MoreThe Oxford 2010 Ngo Future of Work Prize
GCRO Senior Researcher, Sizwe Timothy Phakathi, has received the Oxford 2010 Ngo Future of Work Prize for his research paper (drawn from his PhD thesis): Getting on and getting by: the gold miners’ informal...
Read MoreGCRO GIS website launched on 1 September 2010
The GCRO GIS Interactive website was formally launched on 1 September 2010. The GIS website was developed as an interactive tool to assist both local and provincial governments...
Read MoreXenophobia reports released
This comprehensive 500-page report, coordinated by Strategy & Tactics, was written by some of South Africa's leading social and political scientists as well as civil society activists. The report analyses...
Read MoreGCRO to present at Ahmed Kathrada Workshop
Prof David Everatt has been invited to present at the Ahmed Kathrada workshop on deepening non-racialism. The Ahmed Kathrada Foundation was established...
Read MoreUpdate from the GCRO Executive Director
Prof David Everatt will over the course of the next few months, be presenting: a seminar on nonracialism in South Africa: history and prospects, at P&DM, May 5th...
Read MoreMaryna Storie sworn in as a National Councillor of DMISA
Maryna Storie has recently been sworn in as a National Councillor of the Disaster Management Institute of South Africa (DMISA), and is due to serve for a two-year period...
Read MoreGCRO releases results of 2009 Quality of Life Survey
A joint press conference was held by the Gauteng City-Region Observatory (GCRO) and Gauteng Provincial Government, Office of the Premier, on 27 May 2010, to release the results of the 2009 Quality of Life...
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