By Thomas Thale
CITY MANAGER Pascal Moloi left for Sao Paulo in Brazil on Saturday as part of a high-powered delegation to study ways of setting up an 'integrated city region' in the Gauteng province.
The delegation is led by Mogopodi Mokoena, Director General of the Gauteng Provincial Government, and includes Paul Maseko, city manager of Ekurhuleni, Blake Mosley-Lefatola, city manager of Tshwane, Bongi Kunene, Head of the Department of Finance and Economic Affairs in Gauteng, Oupa Seabi, Head of Local Government in the province and Sibusiso Buthelezi, Head of Public Transport, Roads and Works.
Gauteng Premier Mbhazima Shilowa says the delegation is on a week-long visit to "gain a deeper understanding of state and municipal development strategies, operations and institutions in the Sao Paulo State to further develop the strategy to make Gauteng a globally competitive integrated city region".
Latin American cities, including Sao Paulo, have in recent years accelerated their rates of urbanization, traversing traditional boundaries and becoming mega-cities or city-regions.
The concept of an "integrated city region" refers to the growing importance of so-called 'global city-regions' as critical players in the spheres of politics, economic and technological development in this age of globalisation. "The study tour will gain insight from Sao Paulo on the establishment and operating arrangements of a global city-region with a particular focus on economic productivity, social inclusion, environmental sustainability and institutional arrangements" said Shilowa.
The idea would be for the three Gauteng cities of Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni and Tshwane to work in a more integrated way to realise their economic potential and become more globally competitive. The boundaries of the three cities touch, their economies are intertwined, and large numbers of residents travel between them daily. Debates inside SA Cities Network, an information exchange partnership between the nine major municipalities, have highlighted the problem that when neighbouring cities compete, they simply weaken one another.
The highlight of the Sao Paulo trip is expected to be the signing of a cooperation agreement between the Brazilian and South African cities covering areas such as:
- Job creation and poverty alleviation strategies
- Sustainable housing strategies
- Public transport strategies
- Trade and tourism promotion
- Promotion of sport and sport development
- Cultural exchanges and heritage management.
The trip could see the start of a process in which the three cities constitute an urban centre that drives economic development in the province. The delegation is due back in the country this weekend.
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