GCRO 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 Department of Economic Development together hosted a target-setting and recommendations workshop at the Parktonian Hotel in Braamfontein. Over 80 attendees – representing a range of provincial government departments, Gauteng municipalities and civil society organisations – were present, indicating a significant uptick of interest in the idea of a more sustainable province.

Through presentations and discussions the workshop gave participants an overview of key insights and recommendations emanating from research conducted during Phase I of the programme. Participants then gave input on key targets and points of intervention to be incorporated into a Green Strategic Programme document, Phase 2 of the process. This will be submitted for approval by the Provincial EXCO later in June, and then taken to a major Gauteng Green Summit planned for later in the year. This process, being undertaken in partnership with the Gauteng Department of Economic Development, lays a foundation for GCRO’s further research and policy support work in the area of ‘sustainability in the city-region’, with projects on ‘metabolic flows & infrastructure transitions ’, ‘the intersection between sustainability and disaster vulnerability’ and ‘green assets and infrastructures’, planned for 2011/12.