The city gets a makeover, with streets widened, verges planted, leaking sewers fixed -- all in preparation for the city's biggest-ever event

What the Summit
has done for Jo'burg
The lasting benefits to Jo'burg of the World Summit range from better roads and sewers to the revamping of whole areas

World Summit: we're ready!
Johannesburg, World Summit city, is ready for you. We've spruced up the town, widened the roads, planted thousands of trees, checked and double-checked the hotels you'll be staying in, bought hundreds of buses for you, and erected the world's biggest tent

Sweden donates R10m to Summit
The latest contributor to the coffers of the Johannesburg World Summit Company (Jowsco) is Sweden, with a donation of R10-million for general logistics

Jo'burg's ready for the Summit, says the Mayor
"Johannesburg is a living museum of South Africa's struggle for democracy," said Executive Mayor of the City of Johannesburg, Amos Masondo, in his weekly media briefing on Wednesday. Masondo made assurances that all systems had been put in place to make Johannesburg ready to host the World Summit on Sustainable Development

Just over 53 000 beds booked so far
So far 43 000 hotel rooms - or 53 000 beds - have been booked for delegates to the World Summit on Sustainable Development. A further 7 000 beds in private homes and township bed and breakfast establishments are available

Jo'burg buses go topless for the Summit
Let's hope it doesn't rain between 26 August and 4 September when World Summit delegates will be invited to take the topless shuttle bus around the city centre to indulge in some culture, some shopping, some history, some African medicine, or to view some of the exciting projects being prepared for them

Advanced Summit briefings under way
World Summit delegates are gathering in Johannesburg this week for advance team briefings in an effort to reach an implementation plan for Agenda 21 and other global issues

Let's give Jo'burg a good scrub
It's time to give Jo'burg a good scrub, says Pikitup, which is co-ordinating "Clean Up Jo'burg Day" next week

City health ready for Summit
The City's health department is ready for the World Summit on Sustainable Development - hotels and restaurants have been checked and approved, and a contingent of around 50 environmental health officers are on standby

Yacht moors in Sandton for summit
A 62-foot yacht is about to be "moored" in Sandton in Johannesburg. The yacht was used by polar explorer Robert Swan, to take young people to Antarctica on a huge clean-up mission

Why does Jo'burg need the world summit?
Johannesburg could spend up to R65-million on hosting the 70 000 visitors expected to attend the fortnight-long World Summit on Sustainable Development in August. Many residents wonder whether this is appropriate use of city resources. All that money on a jamboree for foreign visitors?

Earth Plan: Jo'burg or never?
With top-level talks on a development blueprint for the planet ending in disagreement in Bali, it will be up to the delegates attending the World Summit on Sustainable Development in August and September to finalise an action plan for protecting the environment and tackling poverty worldwide

The summit won't disrupt your life
Sandton residents will be pleased to learn that only one short stretch of road will be closed during the World Summit on Sustainable Development in August and September. There will be normal access to most buildings in the area - the only obvious difference will be the increased numbers of policemen on patrol

World's biggest tent en route to Wanderers
The largest temporary mobile structure in the world - Tensile One, a massive tent - is on its way to the Wanderers Club, where a geo-technical survey has begun as the first step towards accommodating it

How Jo'burg plans to save that water
Johannesburg has ambitious plans to overhaul a water system burdened by antiquated technology and the legacy of apartheid planning

Don't worry, Sandton loos will flush in August
Closed circuit TV cameras are not only useful for checking on criminals in downtown Johannesburg. They have also been used by Johannesburg Water to check the condition of the sewers in Sandton, where the World Summit on Sustainable Development is to be held.

Greening the World Summit
Much energy is being put into ensuring that the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) is organised along environmental best practice lines, and that the impact of expected 65 000 delegates on Johannesburg is minimised

Fire and ambulances ready for emergencies
Six Johannesburg venues gear up to high security by conducting evacuation exercises

Sandton drivers: be patient
Some R56-million has gone towards upgrading Sandton's roads in preparation for the summit

A culture of 'No more Waste'
Pikitup has pledged to create a "No more Waste" culture in its build-up to the summmit

So, how far does 6 000 litres go?
Johannesburg has been giving every household 6 000 litres of free water each month since July 2001 - one of the city's most important contributions to uplifting the poorest residents.

Business giants put in millions
Five major corporations have each contributed R5-million to the summit

Will George Bush attend?
Some 190 heads of state will be arriving for the summit, but there is uncertainty whether George Bush will be among them

Busy Bee Jo'burg gets ready
From the Ubuntu Village community centreto Busy Bee volunteers - it is all falling into place

Jo'burg plans to wow the world
Johannesburg can expect some 65 000 delegates and 150 heads of state to descend on the city's facilities, with almost every hotel bed in town booked long in advance by the summit organisers