GOOD Speech by Matthew Cook ,
GOOD National Chairperson and City of Johannesburg Councillor
27 November 2024
Note to editor: This speech was delivered during today’s sitting of the Johannesburg Council
The GOOD Party opposes the approval of the reviewed Spatial Development Framework (SDF), despite its stated intentions to address historical injustices and create a more equitable Johannesburg.
While we recognise the need for a robust framework to tackle the legacy of apartheid spatial planning, the current SDF falls short in several critical areas, raising concerns about its ability to deliver tangible change.
Unrealistic Objectives and Lack of Feasibility
The SDF’s core objective to create a “spatially just, world-class African city” is commendable in theory. However, the framework lacks clear, actionable strategies to achieve this vision. Addressing entrenched issues like spatial inequality, the job-housing mismatch, and stifled economic opportunities requires more than aspirational statements—it demands well-defined implementation plans, measurable milestones, and dedicated funding. Without these, the framework risks being yet another bureaucratic exercise with little real-world impact.
Overemphasis on Planning Without Execution
Johannesburg has seen numerous plans over the years that promise transformative change but fail at the implementation stage. The SDF does little to address this recurring issue, offering no innovative mechanisms to ensure accountability or enforce compliance. For a framework of this scale, the absence of strong governance and enforcement measures undermines its credibility.
Inadequate Response to Environmental and Urban Challenges
While the SDF identifies key challenges such as increasing pressure on the natural environment, urban sprawl, and inefficient land use, it fails to present comprehensive solutions. For instance:
• Environmental Pressures: The framework lacks specific initiatives to protect green infrastructure or integrate nature-based solutions into urban development.
• Urban Sprawl: There is no concrete plan to curb sprawl or retrofit existing fragmented neighbourhoods into more connected, sustainable communities.
• Land Use Diversity: The absence of actionable steps to promote mixed-use developments leaves residents in low-density areas with limited access to essential services and economic hubs.
Failure to Address Socioeconomic Realities
The framework acknowledges spatial inequalities but fails to address the socioeconomic realities that perpetuate them. Marginalized communities continue to bear the brunt of systemic exclusion, and the SDF does not adequately tackle the root causes, such as limited infrastructure investment in townships and informal settlements or the high cost of commuting from distant residential areas to job centers.
Neglect of Public Engagement and Inclusivity
For a document meant to address historical injustices, the SDF lacks meaningful public consultation and engagement. The voices of communities most affected by spatial inequalities
have been largely absent from the process, raising questions about whether the framework truly represents their needs and priorities.
Missed Opportunities in Policy Alignment
The SDF fails to align with other critical policies and initiatives, creating a fragmented approach to urban development. For instance, it does not adequately integrate transport planning, climate resilience, or housing delivery into its spatial strategies, missing an opportunity for cohesive and holistic urban transformation.
Conclusion: A Call for a More Practical and Inclusive Approach
The GOOD Party believes that while the reviewed SDF identifies important issues, it is fundamentally flawed in its approach and execution. A plan of this magnitude requires more than lofty objectives—it demands realistic, actionable solutions that prioritize the needs of Johannesburg’s most vulnerable communities.
We urge the City to return to the drawing board and:
- Develop a detailed implementation plan with clear timelines, responsibilities, and funding sources.
- Prioritize meaningful public engagement to ensure that the framework reflects the voices of all residents, particularly those in marginalized areas.
- Align the SDF with other critical policies and initiatives to create a cohesive urban development strategy.
- Establish robust monitoring and enforcement mechanisms to ensure accountability and progress.
Until these critical gaps are addressed, the GOOD Party cannot support the approval of the SDF in its current form. Johannesburg deserves a spatial planning framework that moves beyond rhetoric to deliver real, transformative change.
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