An analysis of the transportation planning for the 2010 Soccer World Cup in South Africa

Abstract

South Africa will host one of the Soccer World Cups in 2010. The planning of this event will require that the present transport system be upgraded not only for the event, but also to support sustainable economic growth and development in the period post 2010. For the National Department of Transport (NDOT), the 2010 FIFA World Cup needs to be a success if the accelerated transport investment secured in preparation for 2010 must support and address the upgrading in the quality transport services, infrastructure and systems within the national space economy. The transport services and infrastructure provided in 2010 must thus meet the requirements of efficiency, safety, quality and cost-effectiveness in the growth and development of the South African economy within the goals and objectives of the accelerated growth initiative (ASGISA). The services and infrastructure developed must be accessible to visitors and citizens alike within South Africa. Transport forms the ‘lifeblood’ of the development of any spatial system and is thus the key driver in economic and spatial growth and development. The present transport system, infrastructure and services in South Africa are already under enormous pressure due to rapidly increasing urbanization following democratization in 1994. The development of transport infrastructure and services for the World Cup 2010 thus serves as an important incentive to address existing needs and unlock further development potential. This paper analyzes the transport planning undertaken in South Africa based on an assessment of the impact of the event and its role to support and facilitate development in the period after 2010. The recent initiative to prepare a National Transport Master Plan for 2050 (NATMAP) for South Africa will be used as the basis on which to assess the value and contribution of the transportation planning projects presently being implemented.