Building Smart Cities Booklet Web

emerged as a global leader in platinum mining, with rapid expansion driven by rising demand for the metal. To the south, Sasolburg is a key centre for coal-to-liquid fuel production, supporting South Africa’s energy needs. Further southwest, towns like Potchefstroom and Klerksdorp, historically built on gold mining, have experienced economic stagnation and limited population growth as mining activities have declined. To the east, towns such as Witbank, Middelburg, and Secunda are anchored in coal mining, iron and steel production, and energy generation, respectively. Meanwhile, to the northeast, a belt of semi-urban settlements—originally shaped by apartheid-era Globally, smart city initiatives are implemented to achieve multiple strategic objectives that contribute to urban transformation and liveability. The key objectives include: • Efficient Service Delivery: Optimise public resource use and provide high-quality, responsive services for residents. • Sustainability: Promote environmentally responsible growth with reduced ecological impact. • Smart Mobility: Enhance accessibility through integrated transportation options, supporting seamless movement by foot, bike, car, and public transit. • Public Safety and Security: Strengthen safety measures for everyday life, events, and emergency preparedness. • Economic Development: Foster innovation, attract investments, and create opportunities for business growth and job creation. 6.5 Global Key Smart City Objectives

spatial planning—houses over half a million residents with limited local economic activity. This population remains functionally linked to Gauteng’s economy through long-distance subsidized commuter bus routes, which transport thousands of workers to Pretoria daily. As urbanisation accelerates, the Gauteng City Region continues to evolve, reinforcing its role as a national and continental economic hub. The region’s future lies in strategic urban planning, infrastructure investment, and smart city innovation to ensure sustainable growth and enhanced connectivity across its expanding network of cities and towns. • Digital Inclusion: Ensure equitable access to digital services and bridge the digital divide for all citizens. • Resilience: Build adaptive urban systems to mitigate risks from climate change, natural disasters, and other crises. • City Reputation and Competitiveness: Enhance the city’s global profile as a leader in innovation, tourism, and business. • Community Engagement: Promote participatory governance through digital platforms and data driven decision-making. • Quality of Life: Advance overall liveability by integrating technology into housing, education, and healthcare. A comprehensive smart city strategy integrates these objectives to drive sustainable growth and improve residents’ quality of life while positioning the city as a model of innovation and inclusivity.

6.6 Global Smart City Examples

Successful smart city initiatives worldwide demonstrate the transformative potential for Gauteng: • Dubai digitised municipal services, cutting backlogs by 60%. • Singapore uses IoT for real-time water monitoring,

achieving high water sustainability. • Copenhagen transitioned to renewable energy, reducing carbon emissions by 40%. • Barcelona revitalised public spaces with technology integration.

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