Urban nexus and transformative pathways towards a resilient Gauteng City-Region, South Africa

Abstract

The challenges emanating from the rapid urbanisation of the Gauteng City-Region in South Africa require innovative strategies to transform the urbanised province into a climate action and adaptation centre. We provide an analysis of the impacts of rapid urbanisation in the Gauteng City-Region, highlighting major challenges related to (i) land use management, (ii) service delivery (water, energy, food, and waste and sanitation), and (iii) social cohesion, applying geospatial techniques to assess spatio-temporal changes and variations in land surface temperatures. Massive impervious surfaces, rising temperatures, flooding and heatwaves are compounding the challenges associated with rapid urbanisation in the city region. We provide an outline of the response pathways towards a sustainable and resilient city-region and inform policy on formulating coherent adaptation urban planning strategies. If not well managed, rapid urbanisation could be a huge environmental and human health risk and a threat to sustainable cities by 2030. Nexus planning is proposed to provide the basis to achieve urban resilience as it integrates distinct, but interlinked sectors, considering both ecological and built infrastructures, in a balanced and integrated manner.