Shows
Talking TransformationTTPod 4.7: "Lines, Wines and Tears!" - the ups and downs of Johannesburg's post-2000 Metro Planning PolicyWe follow up from our introductory episode with a second podcast episode featuring the planners who have worked as the head of the City of Johannesburg's Metro Planning unit 2000: Johan Olivier, Pete Ahmad, Nkateko Shipalana, Thandeka Mlaza-Lloyd and Minenhle Maphumulo.
These guests represent a straight line of
succession from the inception of the metro in 2000. Their availability and willingness to share their experiences presents a unique opportunity to go deep into the themes and aspects of metro scale planning.
In this episode we consider some of the processes and plans that have become fundamentals of...
2024-10-2745 min
Talking TransformationTTPod 4.6: iGoli's Post-2000 Metro Planning Generations and Perspectives - Intro EpisodeAfter a period of downtime on the TTPod recording front, we return with this first episode of a miniseries contemplating the metropolitan scale planning challenges and approaches adopted in the City of Johannesburg since 2000.
This first introductory episode acts as an introductory episode, introducing six of us: professional planners who have held the title of Assistant Director: Metroplitan Planning since the City was constituted in 2000.
Colleagues Johan Olivier, Peter Ahmad, Nkateko Shiplana, Dylan Weakley, Minenhle Maphumulo and
Thandeka Mlaza-Lloyd each take a turn in introducing themselves and reflect on dominant themes and challenges they faced over two and half decades...
2024-10-0749 min
Commercial Photographer: Your Guide to Marketing, Creativity and GrowthWhat can photographers learn from musicians with Pete CocoPete is a New York headshot and portrait Photographer and musician.
Peter started photography and music at the same time as a teenager. As a musician Pete is a Jazz musician. And he spent lots of time learning the music of the Jazz masters. He spent time working out bass lines of great jazz music. As you do this over time you start to absorb their work into your style and then develop your own style. And Pete then took this approach to photography. First he started working with New York headshot and portrait Photographer and musicians
2024-09-0531 min
Talking TransformationTTPod 3.8: "Show and Tell Part 2" - Conversations with students and lecturers engaged in the CoCT Urban Planning and Design Expo '23We are straight into our second of three Talking Transformation Podcast conversations recorded at the City of Cape Town’s Spatial Planning and Urban Design exhibition that took place between July 27th and August the 2nd.
In our first episode we heard from the management and organisation teams from the City’s Planning and Urban Design department.
In this second episode we shift our focus to the voices of the tertiary school participants, the lecturers and students who took part and exhibited in the programme.
The expo platform allowed the students to test some...
2023-08-0330 min
Talking TransformationTTPod 3.7: "Show and Tell Part 1" - Overview of the City of Cape Town's Urban Planning and Design Expo '23This Talking Transformation Podcast mini-series differs slightly from our usual approach. The episodes that follow canvass the thoughts and perspectives of participants in the City of Cape Town’s Spatial Planning and Urban Design exhibition that has been taking place between July 27th and August the 2nd.
On August the 1st I spoke with many of the participants on a day that focused on inputs from tertiary institutions in the planning and urban design disciplines.
What was particularly encouraging was the use and transformation of the public space within the Civic Centre from an echoey and...
2023-08-0243 min
Talking TransformationTTPod 3.6: "From the Ground Up!" - Participants of DAG's CDA reflect on their respective journeys into the small-scale rental property sectorTwo episodes ago the Talking Transformation Podcast considered the genesis story of NGO, Development Action Group's Contractors and Developers Academy (CDA).
In this episode we reconnect with the theme of micro development with two members of the CDA and two academy participants and graduates: developer Luvo Mayaphi and contractor Brian Bango. Both share an Eastern Cape heritage and reflect on their transformative experience here in the Western Cape working in the small-scale rental sector.
These are inspiring stories from inspirational individuals who are helping shape the sector through their individual business pursuits and collective activism a...
2023-07-131h 05
Talking TransformationTTPod 3.5 - "Natural Born Planners" - Enhancing the voice and needs of children in planning and design processesThe latest Talking Transformation Podcast takes me back in time to a period when children and youth were at the forefront of planning innovation in the City of Johannesburg.
In 2009 I led an initiative with the City of Johannesburg's Development Planning and Facilitation team to several schools across Johannesburg. The objectives? Interrogate and plan for the challenges and movement patterns, needs and ambitions of different schools, from the most impoverished to the most affluent.
Initial excitement and methodologies that were developed regrettably never took seed or became embedded within the planning processes in the metro...
2023-06-3043 min
Talking TransformationTTPod 3.4: Capacitating the Small-Scale Rental Market: a Conversation with DAG's CDA teamAfter a lengthy break, the TTPod returns with an in-depth discussion with members of DAGs Contactors and Developers Academy (CDA).
We explore the genesis of the initiative and how the NGO identified a gap and need to support entrepreneurs and artisans providing affordable rental units in urban areas. This has increasingly been referred to as the small-scale rental market and has expanded the scope, permanence and quality of rental options within the township property sector.
The transformation of both the physical space and densities associated with this type of development has grown over the last...
2023-06-2159 min
Talking TransformationTTPod 3.3: "Wake Up, This is Joburg" - in discussion with authors, Tanya Zack and Mark LewisI've always enjoyed conversations with guests and colleagues when they've published books and material that build the understanding of our cities in an accessible and visual way. This year, I was excited to learn of the collaboration between Tanya Zack and Mark Lewis. Tanya and I have known each other for many years from my extended working period in Johannesburg. Mark I hadn't met before but I'd been struck by his vivid black and white portraits, accessible via the web, in preparing for this conversation.
Their collaboration over a four-year period - as wordsmith and photographer respectively...
2023-02-2547 min
Talking TransformationTTPod 3.2: Title Matters - The Conundrum of Title Deed Administration with guest, Deon van DeventerIn previous Talking Transformation Podcast episodes, we have looked in-depth at housing issues and challenges in South Africa. We’ve also considered the issue of title deed administration, and how important addresses are to the sense of place and security of tenure for communities.
In this episode we go deeper into the question of title deed administration and why the processes around conveyancing are so important to the development processes and property market. Deon van Deventer has been working with subsidised housing developments in South Africa for over 30 years. His understanding of the challenges and complexities behind housing administration are ex...
2023-02-1243 min
Homeopathy Health with Atiq & NailaEP11: Dementia Care with Pete HillPete Hill hosts the weekly 'D' word show on UK Health Radio, a show dedicated to covering all things related to dementia.
As an advocate for more dementia care in our health systems, Pete talks about his work on raising awareness of this 'modern' disease and how his show has helped in this objective.
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On my official Instagram, you'll find the latest guest podcast reels, show trailers, special messages, features on my upcoming guests and...
2023-02-0944 min
Talking TransformationTTPod 3.1: Rising Sun and Raising the Game - with Ashleigh Manyara, City of Cape TownWe kick start 2023 and a third series of the TTPod revisiting the themes of partnerships and learning. We reflect on town planner, Ashleigh Manyara’s recent study tour and studies with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), based in the cities of Tokyo and Yokohama in Japan.
Ashleigh is a Senior Professional Officer with the City of Cape Town and has extensive experience of metropolitan-scale planning issues, policy and tools relating to growth management. She was an integral member of the City's spatial planning team that delivered the Municipal Spatial Development Framework (MSDF), approved in January 2023.
She reflects on the Act...
2023-02-0433 min
Talking TransformationTTPod 2.11: "Smoke and Mirrors" - In pursuit of transformation within the property sector - a conversation with Nigel Adriaanse, CEO of EDPFThe TTPod has visited the issue of land - or rather access to land in South Africa - on several occasions.
It’s well understood the one of apartheid’s primary weapons was the denial of access and ownership to property in urban centres around South Africa. For non-white groups. The inter-generational impact of that perverse legal arrangement compounds year on year and the issue of land remains one of the most pivotal of the many South African socio-economic challenges.
Access to finance via the major banks remains a challenge for most households and the gap be...
2022-10-1044 min
Talking TransformationTTPod 2.10: Partnerships and Practice Shaping Climate Adaptation and Fair Trade - with Ralf Mützel (Neumarkt Municipality, Germany)For this latest episode of the Talking Transformation Podcast we’ve extended the scope of our most recent conversation with Drakenstein's Executive Director: Planning & Development, Jacqui Samson discussing the collaboration the Drakenstein municipality has with Neumarkt in Germany and the themes and projects that underpin that partnership.
We learn of these approaches and the projects being implemented with Jacqui and Ralf Mützel, who coordinates the activities of the Fairtrade city of Neumarkt in the Office for Sustainability Promotion. I caught up with them both in Neumarkt, within the Bavaria region of Germany where action plans that sha...
2022-09-1939 min
Talking TransformationTTPod 2.9: "Executive Orders": In Conversation with Jacqui Samson ED Planning and Development: Drakenstein MunicipalityThis 75th published episode of the Talking Transformation Podcast explores a theme I am wanting to emphasise and develop in coming episodes: the importance of “leadership with integrity” as a foundation for South Africa’s transformation journey. In this episode we look at one of the young leaders in a position of executive authority within a rapidly growing municipality here in the Western Cape.
Jacqui Samson recently celebrated a year as the Executive Director of Planning and Development within the Drakenstein municipality. I’ve been wanting to interview Jacqui since we met when she was working within the West...
2022-08-1443 min
Talking TransformationTTPod 2.8: Desire Line on the Horizon - In Conversation with Nicolaas LouwI visited Ireland for the first time, earlier this month of July 2022. The countryside was as beautiful as I’d imagined and the cities, towns and hamlets full of history and aesthetic beauty. It really is a magical isle with a rich and troubled history, warm people and the home of U2 – rich talent and treasures abound!
The visit provided a chance to catch up and reflect with one of my closest colleagues and earliest friends in planning – Nicolaas Louw. He and I worked together in the newly reframed Gauteng Department of Development Planning and Local Government under the maverick leader...
2022-07-3137 min
Talking TransformationTTPod 2.7: "After the Flood" - Community Responses to the KZN 2022 Floods with Ranyaka's Andile Wafa and Guy CampbellIn this episode of the Talking Transformation Podcast, we revisit the South African Province of KwaZulu-Natal and consider relief efforts in support of the severe flooding and landslides that took place there in April of 2022.
The flooding led to more than 400 deaths and thousands more people went missing. More than 4,000 houses are estimated to have been destroyed and 8,000 estimated to have been damaged, particularly in and around the Durban city and surrounding areas.
There was also massive damage to infrastructure, roads, health centres, schools, much of the infrastructure, significantly damaged by the flooding. There was an urgent need for basics a...
2022-07-0131 min
Talking TransformationTTPod 2.6: "On the Receiving End" - South Africans Supporting the Ukraine Refugee and Relief Efforts in Europe - with Diane Arvanitakis and Jan de BruinIn today’s TTPod episode we look across continents and the Ukrainian conflict. The episode tries to consider the challenges and support being rendered via the reflection of two South Africans currently based in Europe. In the last months, the world’s media has focused in on the Ukraine and the untold suffering endured by the communities and cities affected by Russian military activity in the Ukraine.
For every action, there is a re-action and, one major driver of transformation of communities and cities - in the most negative way imaginable - is via war. At the time o...
2022-06-2552 min
Talking TransformationTTPod 2.5: Partnerships & Transitions in Pursuit of Community Transformation - with Ranyaka NPO's William Bila and Johan OlivierIn this TTPod episode we look at a community building initiative that has grown from humble beginnings and now reaches and engages with communities in over 20 towns across the country. The Ranyaka Community Transformation Non-Profit Organisation (NPO) has grown partnerships with communities and corporate South Africa to champion a transformation methodology and opportunities afforded to communities in need. These partnerships are complementing the efforts, resources and planning of the municipalities and suggests a model of intervention and collaboration that could prove invaluable for many more towns and communities in the future.
Having joined the Ranyaka professional team in April, I...
2022-06-1246 min
Talking TransformationTTPod 2.4: "Free-wheeling" – Reshaping places and equity through our streets and spaces: A Conversation with Open Streets MD: Kirsten WilkinsI’ve been wanting to speak with Open Streets (https://openstreets.org.za/) even prior to this podcast launching in mid-2019.
Most listening to this podcast would have some idea of the Open Streets initiative but let me not assume that IS the case: Open Streets is a citizen-driven collective, working towards improving the equitable design and use of public space and streets for all users. It was founded in 2012 by a group of volunteers committed to a more equitable, integrated, safer and vibrant Cape Town. The very premise of spatial transformation and equity of enhancing spaces and linking places is...
2022-05-3040 min
Talking TransformationTTPod 2.3 Changing the narrative – Storytelling and graphic novels conveying the history and future of communities and citiesThis podcast episode is markedly different from the more routine Talking Transformation “script” and speaks to two graphic illustrators, Nathan Trantraal and Julia Louise Pereira from South Africa and Canada respectively. Both have used their talent to tell stories about factors that have shaped or are currently shaping or cities and communities.
I’ve been wanting to have this discussion since coming across the internationally acclaimed: Crossroads I Live Where I Like: A Graphic History publication (https://jacana.co.za/product/crossroads/). It’s a non-fictional cartoon strip set in 1970’s South Africa - that tells the powerful a...
2022-05-2449 min
Talking TransformationTTPod 2.2 - "It’s all Academic": Reflections on City Transformation and Knowledge Exchange in 2022 with Dr S. Verdis & Dr P. RodeIf you’ve listened to the first couple of productions in Series 2 you’ll know this period of 2022 has been very much a period of personal transformation for me. Just over a month prior to leaving the public service I concluded studies with the London School of Economics in February. I had chosen the Executive Masters In Cities (https://www.lse.ac.uk/cities/education/emc), as much for the content as the ringing endorsements from South Africa’s who had studies in the first few years of the course’s inception. You’ll already heard from a couple if you are...
2022-04-1941 min
Talking TransformationTTPod Bulletin - UKESA & TTPod Partnership - Urban Knowledge Exchange South Africa - with Dr Mark NapierDr Mark Napier is currently Principal Researcher with CSIR and project lead for the design and management of the “Urban Knowledge Exchange Southern Africa” - an online knowledge-sharing platform https://www.ukesa.info/. Mark has a strong background in land and housing issues and prior to joining the CSIR, was director of the Urban Land Markets (ULM) Programme Southern Africa, between 2006 - 2013. The ULM team established some of the foundational research and analysis in land markets and human settlements in that period.
In this bulletin we discuss UKESA and the support it is rendering to the TTPod in es...
2022-04-1422 min
Talking TransformationTTPod 2.1 Contemporary Urbanism – Relevance, Opportunities, Challenges - Guests: Jodi Allemeier & Roland PostmaJoining the TTPod for this first episode of Series 2 are two leading young urbanists who are shaping the way many of us think and respond to the built environment.
Jodi Allemeier is no stranger to the podcast and operates as an independent professional and thought leader in the country. Her UrbanJodi blog remains a must follow for those who enjoy continuing the debate (find it at www.jodi.city).
Roland Postma has recently concluded his studies and is a leading and articulate voice in the Young Urbanists (@young-urbanists) who have been generating increasing online content and debate for young professionals...
2022-03-3155 min
Talking TransformationRevisiting Series 1 and Looking Ahead to ”New Beginnings”TTPod Series 2: Bulletin #1 Revisiting Series 1 and Looking Ahead to ”New Beginnings”
With: Catherine Stone and Pete Ahmad
In this introductory bulletin to Series 2 of the TTPod, Cathy Stone assists podcast founder Pete Ahmad reflect on the:
• genesis of the podcast;
• value of partnerships and community;
• reasons behind the ‘break in transmission’ and the second series; and
• transformation conversations we can anticipate and what else is coming in Series 2.
It’s an engaging “reset” conversation and we hope it will reinspire you for what is to come or to inspire you to join our growing community of listeners.
The next chapter of the TTPod journey p...
2022-03-2736 min
Talking TransformationEpisode 37: Fields of Dreams (or just 'plain dreaming') - Release of state-owned land for public housingToday's Talking Transformation Podcast tackles the issue of state-owned land and its importance in supporting spatial transformation and city-building, in particular, for affordablehousing programmes. It comes at a time when Illegal land occupations and the quantum of informal settlements in many of the towns and cities continues to increase as tangible indicators of urbanisation.
Legislative reforms considering land expropriation without compensation are unfolding at the same time when the state is accused of paralysis and inertia in releasing well-located land it owns for the purposes of affordable housing and social amenities.
Many advocacy groups are...
2021-08-2948 min
Talking TransformationEpisode 36 - Part 2: Inclusionary Housing: What's the Deal? What's Been Done? and What's Being Done?Following on from our introductory episode this second and final part (for now!) considers:
What is it that Province is advocating for the Inclusionary Housing policy – isn’t it just another method of taxation?
What are the negotiable variables and thresholds that have been used in Joburg?
Why do the NGOs suggest that micro-units aren’t helpful in the Inclusionary Housing debate?
How has the language and skill sets of contemporary planners been challenged by the Inclusionary Housing negotiations on policy and applications?
What have been the unintended and unresolved aspects from the Joburg experience?
How have the tribun...
2021-07-1045 min
Talking TransformationEpisode 36 - Part 1: Inclusionary Housing: What's the Deal? What's Been Done? and What's Being Done?Our guests on this first of a multi-part episode looking at the vexed issue of Inclusionary Housing in South African cities are Eric Raboshakga, City of Johannesburg, Dylan Weakley Senior Specialist: Strategic Urban Planner, City of Johannesburg; Lorraine Nzimande: Masters Graduate University of Witwatersrand and former CoJ; Robyn Park-Ross, researcher, Ndifuna Ukwazi; Willard Matiashe Lead Researcher, Development Action Group; and Catherine Stone Director Spatial Planning (Western Cape Provincial Government.
In this first episode each participant sets the scene - What is it? Why is it important? And, what have been some of the challenges for City of...
2021-07-0334 min
Talking TransformationNZCB Deep-Dive Series Finale Live Webinar RecordingWe close our "deep-dive" series on the Roadmap to Net Zero Carbon Buildings Programme with this edited recording of our live webinar hosted in association with Sustainable Energy Africa and C40 Cities. It was a special way to conclude with a global audience with guests from around the South African cities and guests from afar afield as Nairobi and London.
You'll hear from experts in the advocacy field; public sector professionals who are making the difference in the metros who have signed up to the C40 Cities NZC Buildings programme; academics and the private sector. There's plenty t...
2021-05-301h 07
Talking TransformationNZCB - Deep-Dive Series Episode 4 (of 4): #Leave_no_one_behind - The Net Zero Carbon Building Programme & InformalityListeners to the Talking Transformation Podcast would recognise the severe urban housing backlog in South Africa and that informal settlements are frequently dictating growth patterns of our cities.
Within informal settlements, “shacks,” are generally built poorly out of tin and other materials. There is often limited sanitation, plumbing and electricity. So, what is the relevance of the NZCB programme to these communities and others within the lower-end of the property market?
Most importantly, how can the custodians and champions of the programme ensure that net zero carbon building includes and embraces informality and low income households?
In this concluding session of ou...
2021-05-091h 06
Talking TransformationEpisode 35: Mr Cape Town - Andrew Boraine, Reflects on Urban Governance and LeadershipIn this latest episode of the Talking Transformation Podcast, I’ve nicknamed our guest “Mr Cape Town”.
However, that’s only half the truth: Andrew Boraine is a globally respected thought leader and expert in urban and economic development. His influence extends well beyond the Western Cape and is deep into four decades of service and involvement in the political and administrative spheres of South Africa.
His own self-penned LinkedIn profile describes him as a student leader, activist, advisor, negotiator, government planner, city manager, chief executive, facilitator, partnership specialist, designer, communicator, writer and photographer. I knew abo...
2021-05-0349 min
Talking TransformationNZCB - Deep-Dive Series Episode 3 (of 4): Supporting market scale transformation in the building sectorIn this 3rd episode of our Deep Dive Series on Net Zero Carbon Buildings, hear from four leading experts on the transition efforts of the built environment sector. The Talking Transformation Podcast is delighted to host colleagues from both the private and public sector: Lesley Sibanda and Mary Haw (City of Cape Town), Chilu Lombe (Solid Green) and Megan Sager (Sustainable Solutions). They reflect on a series of themes including:
Can the private sector handle the transition and to date, what has the response been?
The sectors, companies and land uses - who is leading / who is following?
A...
2021-04-101h 04
Talking TransformationEpisode 34: Densifying the City - Global Cases and JohannesburgAnother episode – another book review and another chance to revisit Johannesburg! I’m delighted to welcome the editorial team for the book - Densifying the City - Global Cases and Johannesburg - on this episode: Alexandra Appelbaum, Alison Todes, Margot Rubin and Philip Harrison.
For regular listeners, you’d know that Phil was our very first guest way back in July 2019 and that Margot has been a guest on another episode that dealt with backyard rentals, the last episode before the national lockdown if my memory serves me well.
A new publication has tackled the complexi...
2021-03-0849 min
Talking TransformationNZCB - Deep-Dive Series Episode 2 (of 4): Governance & Leadership – Just how ready are cities to make the shift?Listen in to this second deep-dive TTPod Episode and hear from five of South Africa’ leading authorities on SA’s transition to energy efficient cities and decide for yourself:
Are Cities ready to implement NZC-Buildings and the C40 South African New Buildings Programme?
Do cities have the mandate (powers and function) to drive such an ambitious programme?
How are the plans and regulations aligning – between corporate and environmental planning and between the spheres of government?
Who is responsible for what – Constitution vs By-laws v National Building Regulations (NBR) Who leads and who follows?
What adaption is needed for building off...
2021-03-0444 min
Talking TransformationNZCB Deep-Dive Series Episode 1 (of 4): Foundations and Aspirations - Roadmap to Net Zero Carbon Buildings by 2030In 2018, as part of the C40 Cities Climate Change Leadership Group (C40), four South African Metros—Johannesburg, Cape Town, eThekwini, and Tshwane—signed the Global Net Zero Carbon Buildings Declaration.
As signatories to this commitment, these cities are working towards look to achieve sustainable buildings, powered by renewable energy for new buildings by 2030 and existing ones by 2050. Not only does this declaration align with the imperative of the Paris Agreement to limit the global temperature rise to 1.5°C, but also follows South Africa’s national strategy, and the post-COVID recovery approach of ‘building back better.’
Partnering...
2021-02-1947 min
Talking TransformationTTPod Bulletin - Countdown to Zero! Introducing TTPod Roadmap to Net Zero Carbon Buildings SeriesOur first bulletin of 2021 kick-starts a forthcoming five-part series where we explore the South African New Buildings Programme. Our experts, Hlengiwe Radebe and Megan Euston-Brown from Sustainable Energy Africa (SEA) introduce us to the topic and walk us through what listeners can expect in the upcoming discussions over the next few months.
We learn about the need for the series, the ambition of the programme and what themes we will be covering. Listeners can also consider registering for a concluding online, live-event that will conclude the programme. More on that to follow.
Join us over...
2021-02-0518 min
Talking TransformationEpisode 33: Protect, Contain, Disrupt! The foundations and future of the township economyIn this TTPod episode we consider the Township economy: the people, the spaces and the practices that are shaping the fortunes many of our communities in South Africa.
Our conversation invites the three authors of the book Township Economy: People, Spaces and Practices: Andrew Charman, Thireshen Govender and Leif Petersen to talk about the transformative potential of the informal economy and the power relations and adaptive strategies that allow micro-enterprises to thrive or falter.
Having bought the book and been intrigued by the case studies and spatial data they’ve incorporated, I wanted to ask them more about the inspiration fo...
2021-01-291h 04
Talking TransformationEpisode 32: Blue Moon Rising – the Blue Moonlight Constitutional Court Judgement a Decade On - Guest: Zunaid KhanIn our first Talking Transformation Podcast of 2021, we pick up where we left off last year, with a conversation with another former colleague from the City of Johannesburg and reflections on a particular moment in time that has shaped the legal fortunes of municipalities in dealing with temporary accommodation for evictees.
Our guest Zunaid Khan - Chief Director at the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation – Office of the Presidency - revisits 2011 and the landmark Blue Moonlight housing case. This Constitutional Court ruling provided that the state is liable to provide alternate – temporary - accommodation to unlawful occupiers who may be r...
2021-01-231h 03
Talking TransformationEpisode 31: Agonism and Strife in Johannesburg - Dr Li Pernegger Author "The Agonistic City"Last month saw the publication of a new book that looks at the challenges and conflicts that have accompanied Johannesburg’s post-democratic growth and development. The book, titled “The Agonistic City? State-society Strife in Johannesburg” questions the realities and potential of the state's agonistic practices in response to service delivery issues as diverse and complex as the water conflict in Orange Farm, informal trading in the Joburg CBD, and the billing crisis. Each of these examples has challenged the city to respond to these many grievances lodged by its citizens across the spectrum of communities: from the privileged, to the ma...
2020-12-1649 min
Talking TransformationBonus Episode: Cape Town Future Energy Festival - In conversation with Jodi AllemeierIn this episode of the talking transformation podcast our content is taken from the 2020 Cape Town Future Energy Festival.
To date, this is the only episode where I am wearing my City of Cape Town hat! The conversation is with a friend of the talking transformation podcast, PWC's and urban issues blogger Jodi Allemeier. You may remember Jodi was one of our FutureCast episode guests back in January this year, before COVID hit South Africa, before lockdown and before 2020 changed irrevocably. We recorded this at the Hotel Verde near Cape Town Airport on the 14 October and it...
2020-11-3030 min
Talking TransformationEpisode 30: Micro-finance and city building: the future for Africa’s housing market?Adding to the rich content of housing conversations – in particular Episodes 14, 22 and 27 – in today’s episode we take a closer look at the private finance models available to micro-developers; what progress has been made and what ambitions this emerging sector has.
Currently making a dent in the housing market in Cape Town, Bitprop finance’s mission is to create assets and income streams for underdeveloped markets by upscaling of backyard rental properties. Innovative thinking, technology and securing title deeds are also key approaches they employ to make a dent into the 65 Million housing units required across Africa at a cos...
2020-11-2755 min
Talking TransformationEpisode 29: #Legacy? 2010 World Cup – Assessing Transformation a Decade OnJust over ten years ago, the final whistle blew on the highly anticipated FIFA 2010 World Cup held here in South Africa. Expectations were high and the question remained before that kick off: could SA deliver. Deliver it did, staging a remarkable global event which bought SA goodwill and recognition for the event and the manner in which it was held. Crime fell, footballing tourists flocked to the stadiums and investment in fan parks and playing areas around the world suggested a new era of nation building on the back of other successful sporting ventures like the 1995 World Cup Rugby...
2020-10-2955 min
Talking TransformationEpisode 28: "One Year On" - Reflecting on and celebrating a year of Talking TransformationIt’s been over a year since the launch of the Talking Transformation Podcast, and to celebrate the first anniversary, we’ve taken a moment to reflect on how far we have come and where we want to go!
In this episode host, Pete Ahmad, is in the hot seat, where he shares some of his insights from the past 12 months. We get to know the man ordinarily behind the mic and learn about his journey as a planner.
We also find out what catalysed the creation of the podcast and how it has done in t...
2020-10-0850 min
Talking TransformationTTPod Bulletin - Sept 2020 Showcasing Urban Festival 2020A quiet month of September from the Talking Transformation Podcast ends with a bulletin communicating the Urban Festival 2020 event and program with festival coordinator, Rashiq Fataar.
Rashiq talks about the diverse and extensive program during the course of October. He communicates how you can get involved both real time and via the recorded material.
Find out more via the excellent website:
urbanfestival.co/2020-programme
Quoting from their website:
"Urban Festival is a series of virtual engagements hosted by South African Cities Network (SACN), Civic Tech Innovation Network (CTIN), The Dep...
2020-09-3014 min
Talking TransformationEpisode 27: "Masterclass!": Reflections on global approaches to urbanisation and settlement upgrading - Claudio Acioly Jr.In this Talking Transformation Podcast episode we hear from renowned architect and urban planner, Claudio Acioly Jr.: the latest in our "We've GOT to talk about housing!" - 26 Years and counting! 'Deep-Dive Series’.
Four decades of practical and research experience working across the world establishes Claudio as one of the leading housing and settlement upgrading experts globally. Until recently, he headed up the United Nations Human Settlements Programme. He has worked for global organisations, advised national, provincial, and local governments around the world; worked closely with community-based organisations and lectured to international students via the IHS, Netherlands. Si...
2020-09-0358 min
Talking TransformationEpisode 26: "New Arrivals and New Horizons" Insights and reflections from founder of Women in Planning South Africa (WiPSA): Gugu NgobeseAs Women’s Month draws to a close, we thought it fitting to hear from the newest voice and professional organisation in the planning collective - Women in Planning South Africa, WiPSA.
In this episode, Founder, Gugu Sithole-Ngobese, sheds light on their organisational aims and objectives. We discuss the notion of gender mainstreaming and how this extends both to the spatial planning policies and the planning profession itself. Gugu also discusses what the reception to the organisation’s launch, which happened during the lockdown, has been.
While there have been some doubts around WiSPA’s foundi...
2020-08-2541 min
Talking TransformationEpisode 25: The Future of Planning (in South Africa) - reflections and aspirations from recent online surveyIn July, after four months of lockdown here in South Africa - the podcast ran a survey to canvass opinion an feedback form planners across the country, across the public, private and research sectors and across the generations: planners young and old(er).
The survey ran for two weeks and sought responses and views on these topics. You can access it here.
It was inspired by the social media debate that has been very evident online, many professionals young and old sharing personal and professional perspectives on their hopes and fears… We asked questions of value for money of organisations, what...
2020-07-311h 19
Talking TransformationEpisode 24: #PlantheWorldWeNeed - Learning from the Royal Town Planning Institute’s response and value add during the pandemicThe Royal Town Planning Institute – RTPI - formed in 1914 – has over 100 years of history serving its members and the interests of planning and built environment community. Based in the UK and Ireland it is an organization that has international reach and a membership of greater than 25,000.
The RTPI recently launched a Plan The World We Need campaign calling on the UK and Irish governments to capitalise on the expertise of the planners to achieve a sustainable, resilient and inclusive recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. The campaign resonates with our own South African built environment issues reflecting on:
2020-07-1746 min
Talking TransformationEpisode 23: Talking 'bout the next generation...2020 SACN Young Planner and Designer CompetitionIt’s Youth Month here in South Africa and to celebrate, the Talking Transformation Podcast sits with three young planners: the winner, the runners-up and co-ordinator of the South African Cities Network’s Young Planner and Designer Competition, 2020.
All three provide refreshing, powerful, and personal takes on the challenges our cities have and the future cities they want to shape. They explain how they considered these issues and themes in their submissions and the evaluation of competition entries.
Based in Glasgow, Scotland - but a Joburger at heart - we speak to winner Zubeida Lowton about...
2020-06-2253 min
Talking TransformationTTPod COVID Diary 12: Integrating Health in Urban and Territorial PlanningA new Sourcebook “Integrating Health In Urban And Territorial Planning” has recently been launched by the World Health Organisation and UN-Habitat. It could not be more appropriate and timely given the COVID-19 pandemic. It also considers a range of long-standing health challenges that impact constantly on mortality around the world.
The necessity for the different planning and health authorities to work closer together to address the immediate challenge and long-standing health issues are obvious now and in the future.
History shows us that standards and approaches are reshaped in the aftermath of these health challenges and...
2020-06-1732 min
Talking TransformationTTPod COVID Diary 11: “When the Streets Have No Names” The importance of addressing as the basis for responsive service delivery and governanceThe ability to track and trace movement of citizens to assist with monitoring and evaluation of COVID-19 has been one of the main responses of governments health authorities globally. Mapping where new infections are occurring, where patients have recovered and who has received – when developed - vaccines is fundamental to an effective health response. However, that mapping implies the ability to place a case “in space” and the credibility of the monitoring system will be determined by the accuracy of the placement.
But what happens when you don’t have an address that is recognised by a land, po...
2020-06-0642 min
Talking TransformationTTPod COVID Diary 10: Driving to Florida! [Road - KZN] - Adapting our streets in the time of COVIDIncreasingly, the conventional role and design of our streets is being rethought and challenged. Longer running initiatives such as Open Streets here in Cape Town, the critical mass cycle rides in some of our cities and now the challenge of social / physical distancing in the time of a pandemic are directly and indirectly challenging and shaping new norms, standards and conventions.
Today we speak to Rashiq Fataar Director of NPO Our Future Cities. Although he is based here in Cape Town, OFC is active across South Africa and globally working on collaborative urban projects in an advisory...
2020-06-0339 min
Talking TransformationTTPod COVID Diary 9: Gearing up for the "New Normal” – town planners’ perspectives on the road ahead for South Africa’s development industryIn recent weeks, the Talking Transformation Podcast has considered the impact of COVID-19 on different cities around the world: how it has impacted on daily activities, impaired movement and forced a rethink on built environment issues such as density, commercial space and technology.
In today’s episode we hear from three practitioners working in the development field and their experience so far during the lockdown period. We learn about their hopes about returning to full operations and projects and the prerequisites for kick-starting the economy. Our guests are:
• Dave Bettesworth Chairperson of the South Africa Asso...
2020-05-181h 12
Talking TransformationTTPod COVID Diary 8: “Deciphering De-densification” Spatial and socio-economic implications of urban density and accelerated informal settlement relocationsSince the advent of COVID-19 here in SA our post-apartheid housing themed episodes have taken a back seat to the conversations locally and around the world with our COVID dairies. This episode bridges directly and indirectly the built environment, housing and COVID within one in-depth discussion.
Almost immediately COVID became a reality in South Africa, the recognition that our most vulnerable of communities – those living in our densely populated informal settlements with rudimentary sanitation and water - would be MOST at risk from a virus that thrives on such infrastructure challenges. The National Department of Humans Settlements ha...
2020-05-0153 min
Talking TransformationTTPod COVID Diary 7: “On your marks, (re)set, GO!?” Considering the structural and institutional opportunities for socio-economic and spatial change Post-COVIDIn these troubling times, the Talking Transformation Podcast team remains committed to bringing you conversations from South Africa and beyond. We continue to speak with professionals working around the globe and ask them to share their perspectives and insights into the cities they are operating from.
Heading up the University of Cape Town's Urban Real Estate Unit (URERU), Professor François Viruly is closing in on securing a co-host slot as he re-joins the conversation to discuss the economic impacts and challenges implied by SA’s extended lockdown and the continued uncertainty: what can government and industry col...
2020-04-161h 00
Talking TransformationTTPod COVID Diary 6: “Freetown and Land of the Free” Contrasts, commonalities and leadership in the time of Coronavirus (Sierra Leone and USA)In these troubling times, the Talking Transformation Podcast team remains committed to bringing you conversations from South Africa and beyond. We continue to speak with professionals working around the globe and ask them to share their perspectives and insights into the cities they are operating from.
From London, UK reflecting on his current experience working with the municipality of Freetown - capital of Sierra Leone - we hear from Modupe (Mo) Williams a Project and Programme Management Professional and Professional Engineer.
Jana le Roux is a South African attorney by trade who is currently studying Urban Planning & Housing Policy as...
2020-04-1446 min
Talking TransformationTTPod COVID Diary 5: “Ground Zero” – A visitor’s guide to Wuhan: ChinaToday we hear from the City of Cape Town’s Tim Hadingham (Investment Facilitation) who reflects on his recent month-long busman’s holiday to China and the City of Wuhan. His work in support of the Atlantis Special Enterprise Zones (SEZ) supported by the National Dept. of Trade and Industry (DTI) took him east and we learn about that initiative before hearing of his reflection on the cities of China and Wuhan in particular.
Wuhan is acknowledged as the “Ground Zero” of COVID 19 and we hear Tim’s observations whilst there and now he’s back home. We talk about the culture...
2020-04-0549 min
Talking TransformationTTPod COVID Diary 4: "East meets West…North and South” New York Enters the ConversationIn these troubling times, the Talking Transformation Podcast team remains committed to bringing you conversations from South Africa and beyond. We continue to speak with professionals working around the globe and ask them to share their perspective and insights into the cities they are operating from.
Today from our base here in the global south we hear from three colleagues from the global north, east and west.
We hear back from Carli Venter in Bucharest, Romania and Eloise Rosseau in Hong Kong and introduce Flavio Copolla (working with the C40 programme) from New York City, USA.
NYC has become the...
2020-03-2946 min
Talking TransformationTTPod COVID Diary 3: “End of Days or New Horizons?” – During and after COVID 19 – what can we expect from SA’s property marketIn these troubling times, the Talking Transformation Podcast team remains committed to bringing you conversations from South Africa and beyond. We continue to speak with professionals working around the globe and ask them to share their perspective and insights into the cities they are operating from.
Heading up the University of Cape Town's Urban Real Estate Unit (URERU), Professor François Viruly has already guested on our TTPod FutureCast panel episode in February this year. We are delighted he’s back again today to consider – even at this early stage - the possible impacts of COVID 19 on the national economy and p...
2020-03-2844 min
Talking TransformationTTPod COVID Diary 2: “View from the Balcony” - Hong Kong from on HighIn these troubling times, the Talking Transformation Podcast team remains committed to bringing you conversations from South Africa and beyond. In what we anticipate will become an ongoing and dynamic initiative we speak with professionals working around the globe and ask them to share their perspective and insights into the cities they are operating from.
Some you will have heard from before like todays guest, Eloise Rousseau who speaks to us from central Hong Kong.
Some countries are coming out of the worst of the pandemic, others, like South Africa are only beginning to come...
2020-03-2518 min
Talking TransformationEpisode 22: Incremental Densification - The rise and rise of backyard and micro units in our citiesIn this episode of the TTPod we look at the growth of backyarding and so-called, “micro" units within many urban areas of South Africa and the economic and accommodation opportunities they afford. Our research journey takes us to Gauteng and the Western Cape – to the banks of Alexandra, Johannesburg and the historic Orlando and Zola in Soweto. It brings us south to the Cape Flats, to Khayelitsha and Delft South where we learn of the challenges and opportunities alike for owners, builder and the regulators.
When we think new cities – shouldn’t we be thinking of this, in terms...
2020-03-251h 00
Talking TransformationTTPod COVID Diary Entry Number 1: Nairobi and Bucharest Calling [March 22nd 2020] - Global conversations on the COVID 19 pandemicIn these troubling times, the Talking Transformation Podcast team remains committed to bringing you conversations from South Africa and beyond. In what we anticipate will become an ongoing and dynamic initiative we speak with professionals working around the globe and ask them to share their perspective and insights into the cities they are operating from.
Carli Venter and Herman Pienaar are welcome new voices to the TTPod and provide additional global perspectives working respectively from Bucharest, Romania and Kenya’s capital Nairobi for global development agencies. We ask them how their adoptive cities are doing in the fac...
2020-03-2230 min
Talking TransformationEpisode 21: “The Road to Ficksburg” The B(uilt) E(nvironment) I(ntegration) T(ask) T(eam) journey - reflections on governance and transformation in democratic South AfricaThere are many spatially transformative proposals in the plans and programmes of local government. National, provincial and local government are all committed - on paper at least - to “Spatial Transformation”. But what does it actually mean? Why is success of government frequently measured only in numbers – the auditors having an increasingly powerful role in the space and outcomes of municipalities? What about the “softer” issues and the numerous dependencies across municipalities and between spheres of government?
Addressing complex spatial challenges successfully is frequently dictated by the strength of the institutional and governance aspects to be in place – the...
2020-03-191h 05
Talking TransformationEpisode 20: "Dignity, Love and Respect" - Homelessness and the search for connection on our cities' streetsToday we are looking at issues of homelessness in our cities. This is the third episode of our "deep-dive" series: "We've GOT to talk about housing!" - 26 years and counting...
We consider the challenges faced by the homeless, what circumstances can lead to this eventuality and what is being done to assist the homeless community by non-government organisations such as Super Troopers. Wherever in the world I’ve travelled in recent years this is an increasingly visible indication of personal strife, systemic challenges and socio-economic circumstances. It is not unique to South Africa. What does transformation mean fo...
2020-03-0944 min
Talking TransformationEpisode 19: Growing Pains of Integration and Community Building: The Cosmo City StoryIn 2004, to the north of the Johannesburg’s urban fringe - a “peri-urban area” in old planning terms - the City of Johannesburg broke ground on the R3,5bn project: ComsoCity. It bookended ten years of democracy and the housing programme which had already delivered a million housing opportunities across the country.
What makes and made Cosmo “special”? What did it take to bring this initiative to fruition? How many years of planning, of engagement with communities – both for and against the development – of legal challenge came before this moment. How important was the concept of a public-private partnership?
15 years on – a generat...
2020-02-2955 min
Talking TransformationEpisode 18: The Heart of the Matter [Setting the Scene for "We've GOT to talk about Housing"]The Talking Transformation Podcast conversations planned in the coming weeks are being scheduled as a “deep-dive” series of conversations with a wide variety of practitioners active in the South African housing field. We're looking back at the achievements and shortcomings of 26 years of implementation; considering current challenges and looking ahead to the future of human settlements.
In this first episode of the series, we speak with Monty Narsoo who has served at the forefront of housing policy, programmes and delivery since 1994. His CV is a testimonial to activism, public service and contribution to the housing field and built...
2020-02-2846 min
Talking TransformationTalking Transformation Podcast: Bulletin February 2020It’s been a busy month of planning for the Talking Transformation Podcast.
We’ve taken a recording breather after the successful FutureCast panel collaboration with the Architects, Planners, Engineers and Surveyors society. If you haven’t yet caught that episode it makes for interesting listening. It was a very special event with passionate speakers and an audience who came out to Hout Street, cape Town in big numbers. It was a lively event with strong ideas and perspectives on where we need to go and what lessons we should take head from.
The planning through...
2020-02-2704 min
Talking TransformationEpisode 17: "TTPod FutureCast": Panel discussion - Review of 2019 and what lies in store for 2020 and beyond...Our most ambitious project yet! After four months of planning, the Talking Transformation Podcast, in collaboration with APES+ Society, brings you the inaugural “Talking Transformation FutureCast” episode.
In Cape Town’s Hout Street, on a warm summer’s evening, an enthusiastic and engaged audience of 60 guests gather to listen to a diverse panel of built environment practitioners. In the hour and a half that followed we reflected on “2019: the year that was” and then looked ahead to the rest of 2020 and next decade.
What are the contemporary and future built environment issues that matter? Which of the opportu...
2020-01-251h 22
Nightwatchmen: Cricket PodcastEpisode 11: 4 wickets, 1 run, 25 minutes: "That’s all folks!" (Well, at least at the start of Day 4)Newlands was a clear warning to the Proteas that the series balance was shifting in favour of the tourists. Instead of adapting and improving to meet this challenge, the Protea’s skill sets and application – evidenced at Cape Town - were jettisoned in the "Friendly City" in favour of a cricket-brand not witnessed on home soil in recent memory. Exposed in all facets of the game, the Proteas are now up against it to secure an honourable draw. How did it come to this? Are England really THAT good or are the Proteas rally that distracted / poor? Both are teams "in tran...
2020-01-2039 min
Talking TransformationEpisode 16: Conversations From Down UnderIn this first TTPod episode of 2020 - and the new decade - we take a journey "Down Under" and discuss challenges - new and old - facing two built environment professionals who have transferred skills and perspectives from South Africa to Australia.
The loss of professional talent to the international market has become a major capacity constraint for both the public and private sector here in South Africa - and it's not just the built environment that is feeling that pressure. It’s not just the talent but the experience that is being eroded and whilst this will always provide opp...
2020-01-171h 30
Nightwatchmen: Cricket PodcastEpisode 10: "Cometh the Firestarter" - Stokes and England restore parity at Sun-baked NewlandsA later than anticipated reflection on the 2nd Test at Newlands. Ken Borland celebrates his own 50* and reflects on the performances and efforts of the Proteas and the "Engerland". The first century of the series, catching records, a dogged fightback from the Proteas on days 4 and 5 and a nail-biting finish into the final session of day 5. So, not much to reflect on before proceedings get going in PE in a day or two! Meanwhile the Zoo Lake Opener tries to recover from late night listening and viewing of proceedings from Down Under, jet-lag and three continents of travel. Go easy...
2020-01-1434 min
Nightwatchmen: Cricket PodcastEpisode 9: SA 1 England 0 - Protea's rediscover that winning feelingIn this stripped-down ("naked") episode of the Nightwatchmen we look back at the Protea's win in the first test vs England at Centurion. We discuss the performers and the weak-links as well as the influence of the new-look Protea coaching team on the field. Recorded in Adelaide, Australia and Johannesburg, South Africa, Ken and the Zoo Lake Opener (who reveals his alias) also look ahead to the showpiece of the cricketing calendar: the New Year Test at Newlands.
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2019-12-3035 min
Nightwatchmen: Cricket PodcastEpisode 8: Calm Before the Storm - England Open Up in Benoni and Faf and co. Prepare for Centurion's Boxing Day "Festival of Speed"A concise refection on England's opening tour match in Benoni; the Protea's Test squad announcement and the return of King Kallis and Charl Langeveldt into the Protea setup in consulting roles.
Also: A momentary refection on the Mzanzi Super League conclusion and [even] more off-field announcements... It's enough to declare the 2019 innings on!
Next episode will follow at the conclusion of the Boxing Day Test.
A warm welcome to the England team and Barmy Army legions. Festive greetings to all our listeners!
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2019-12-1933 minNightwatchmen: Cricket PodcastEpisode 7: Cricket Capture and Second ComingsWhat a month it has been for Cricket South Africa…A mirror of our current national South African malaise and recovering captured State?
Whilst rugby shows the nation what is possible with transformation, leadership and dedicated goal setting, CSA has imploded leaving players considering strike action; sponsors re-assessing or withdrawing from future commitments; journalists locked out of grounds and denied the Constitutional Right to freedom of the press. And meanwhile the coffers are increasingly bare…You REALLY can’t make this up.
The journalists targeted include Nightwatchmen co-host Ken Borland: one of the...
2019-12-161h 13
Talking TransformationEpisode 15: “Whose Line Is It Anyway?”: Dr. Anele Horn - Efficacy of urban edges / growth boundaries in post-1994 South AfricaIt’s estimated that between 1990 and 2015 South Africa’s population grew from 37 million to 54 million.
Much of this growth located within towns and cities, driven by the economic and social opportunities afforded in these centres and followed the global trend of mass urbanisation. Post-1994, many of the South Africa’s towns and cities were – quite literally - bursting at the seams. Growth of the formal and informal sectors have continued to push the limits of organic and managed growth and infrastructure: the pipes, the roads, the public transport and social amenities have been pushed to breaking point.
Con...
2019-12-1340 min
Talking TransformationTalking Transformation Podcast: (Late!) Bulletin November 2019We're headed towards the year-end and festive season as at a rapid rate and this November month has been light on content and episodes after a generally busy first four months of the Talking Transformation Podcast. We did celebrate a fascinating insight into the housing market here in SA and there’s a lot of recorded material from my UK travels which may find its way onto the podcast in the new year. Things have been busy however behind the scenes...
We've successfully concluded the logistics of our collaborative live "FutureCast" event, on January 22nd 2020 with the Soc...
2019-11-3010 min
Talking TransformationEpisode 14: Blockchains and Housing LaddersFor most of us a house is the most significant asset we can own. This is amplified for low income property-owning urban households where the affordable housing market offers significant wealth creating potential for beneficiary households. However, in this market the ability of households’ to realise value from their housing assets is frequently and significantly hampered by a number of challenges.
Some quick numbers!
• Affordable properties represent a substantial portion of the residential property market in South Africa
• 60% of the 6.3 mill formal, registered properties were valued
2019-11-091h 08
Talking TransformationEpisode 13: "It's the [food] economy stupid!"“If planners are not conscious [of food issues], then their impact is negative, not just neutral”
(Pothukuchi & Kaufman, 2000).
With over 50% of South Africans estimated to be food insecure or at risk of food insecurity this episode of Talking Transformation is a timely wake-up call to all built environment activists and practitioners. Arguably a lesser-understood, “rural planning issue” this episode challenges directly this preconception and reminds us that food security is less about the supply quantum of food as it is access to [healthy and a variety of] food sources.
Taking its lead from Consumin...
2019-10-3045 min
Nightwatchmen: Cricket PodcastEpisode 6: India 3 RSA 0: Rancor and ruin in RanchiA series that started with excitement, talk of transition and new faces ends with a second straight innings defeat and whitewashed 3-0 result. It wasn't meant to be end like this was it? Or, was it ever going to be any different? The stats read like a horror show if you follow the Proteas. Ken and The Zoo Lake Opener reflect on what was seen and read respectively. Audio inserts from a fatigued skipper Faf also make for an interesting listen. Settle in for an extended dissection of the match which saw numerous changes to playing personnel and the series...
2019-10-2549 min
Nightwatchmen: Cricket PodcastEpisode 5: "Murder in Pune"This is a Naked Nightwatchmen podcast episode brought to you on the hoof! A disastrous outing for the Proteas in the second test and a historic and crushing victory for India who seal the series without breaking sweat. What a disappointment. Lots to consider as Ken dissects performances and looks ahead to a third test in Ranchi and who we can expect to see coming into the team.
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2019-10-1432 min
Talking TransformationEpisode 12: 4IR - Decoding the Jargon and Embracing the FutureIn this episode of the Talking Transformation Podcast we revisit a theme we've touched on in previous episodes: smart / digital cities and the implications of the fourth industrial revolution or 4IR as it has become known. Listeners may recall that State President Ramaphosa talked about this in this in his 2019 State the Nation Address at Parliament a number of months ago.
The questions remain: if this is the aspiration: How do we do it? What does it require? And what are the benchmarks and lesson learnt around the world that might influence how we go about our bu...
2019-10-1037 min
Nightwatchmen: Cricket PodcastEpisode 4: Raining sixes: Blunted Proteas go one down against IndiaA little late but better late than never! Ken Borland and the Zoo Lake Opener dissect the Proteas loss to India. Lots to discuss: team selection, effectiveness of the THREE spinners in SA lineup and some really impressive patches of play from the Proteas batting line up - in the one innings! We hear from skipper Faf du Plessis as he reflects on the challenges and some plusses notably from debutant Senuran Muthusamy. Feel free to have your say via the Voice Message link on Anchor! Enjoy the episode!
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2019-10-0827 min
Talking TransformationTalking Transformation Podcast: Bulletin October 2019In this bulletin we celebrate 1100+ listens over our starting 11 episodes - all in less than three "live months"! We reflect on September's three informative and engaging episodes and look to January 2020 and the "FutureCast" planned with our friends @ APES+. We're really excited about this new collaboration. Learn how you can get involved and who has committed to being part of the panel looking back on 2019 and forward to 2020. It's quite a line-up! Be sure to engage with us through our Twitter-feed @talkingtransfo1 and / or leave us a voice message on the Anchor Podcast platform.
If you've engaged w...
2019-10-0304 min
Nightwatchmen: Cricket PodcastEpisode 3: Shifting Gears and Rotating TalentsThe T20 series is done and dusted: the spoils shared between hosts India and the Proteas (and the weather)! Some old flaws in technique and application haunt the "A" side also touring India. In this episode Ken and the Zoo Lake Opener reflect on what went right and what needs improving ahead of the Test Series. We touch on the appointment of the Proteas "hired-gun" batting coach Amol Muzumdar and what we can expect personnel wise from India - in particular from their batting. There's some concerning stirrings from Newlands and a brief take on the Boks in...
2019-09-2629 min
Talking TransformationEpisode 11: The Integration Syndicate: Conversations and provocations designed to confront and progrIn this episode of Talking Transformation we consider the work and findings of the Integration Syndicate, an initiative that took place in Cape Town under the auspices of the African Centre for Cities (ACC).
Our guest, Professor Edgar Pieterse, the founding director the ACC, reviews the method, approach and findings of the Syndicate that sought to explore the obstacles and practical solutions to social-spatial integration in the Cape Town metropolitan region. The Syndicate's process and publication comes at a time when the public voice of advocacy groups has exploded in addressing issues of inequality and the slow s...
2019-09-2454 min
Talking TransformationEpisode 10: #money4meerkats: Co-ordinating Complexity and Spatial PrioritiesHow the public sector spends its money is increasingly being scrutinised by the public and private sectors alike. Limited funds, flatlined economy, austerity: increasingly there’s a need to do more with less and demonstrate tangible value for money and impact within our communities To achieve this, and to address the complexity and the variables impacting on decision-making requires institutional co-ordination, inter-disciplinary approaches and inter-governmental cooperation. It means a collective effort with the limited funds at hand to achieve the transformation of our landscapes, maximise service delivery and maintain the economic foundations of the cities and country.
In t...
2019-09-2344 min
Nightwatchmen: Cricket PodcastEpisode 2: "Indian Summer Reign"In our second episode we hear from T20 skipper of the India tour Quinton de Kock, KG Rabada, T20 batting coach Zulu Klusener and team director Enoch Enkwe as we consider the places, pitches and expectations that lie ahead in India. The first half of our second Nightwatchmen podcasts looks back at the contributions of four of the Protea's finest - Dale Steyn, Hashim Amla, JP Duminy and Imran Tahir: all no longer available for the India Tests and tour. We hope you enjoy! Do leave us a voice message and let us know if you are enjoying...
2019-09-1153 min
Talking TransformationEpisode 9: “Trying to stop a tsunami.” Public transport and the role of technology in advancing mobility in cities.In this episode, we consider issues of mobility, public transport and the role that technology can play in meeting the increasing challenges of movement in and around our towns and cities.
The South African mobility landscape sees an estimated 15 million people dependent on minibus taxis every day as their commute mode. Then there’s the historic rail systems and “new wave” of bus routes – typified by the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) infrastructure of the metros that were introduced in support the FIFA World Cup 2010.
Yolisa Kani is an experienced and highly respected professional who has worked ex...
2019-09-0856 minTalking TransformationTalking Transformation Podcast: Bulletin September 2019The Talking Transformation Podcast has been live for just short of two months. In that time we've published eight in-depth interviews with guests with a story to tell and lessons to be learnt.
Listeners and interest have grown by the week on the back of some exceptional guests and the insights they've kindly shared.
This short, sharp bulletin takes a quick look back at the last four episodes and looks forward to coming topics we aim to cover.
Many thanks to each and everyone of you who has taken the time to contribute, l...
2019-09-0205 min
Nightwatchmen: Cricket PodcastNightwatchmen: Opening the InningsA first for South African cricket? An independent podcast focusing on the hopes and fears of the Proteas cricketing teams. Up first in this pilot episode cricket writer Ken Borland and The Zoo Lake Opener reflect on a turbulent period for the Proteas men's team. After a woeful World Cup we find interim arrangements across the coaching set up, a daunting assignment in India round the corner...Oh, and no Steyn, Amla to lend a hand! Mission impossible? Listen on and understand the lie of the land. The episode includes excerpts from the press conference announcing Enoch Nkwe as...
2019-08-2754 min
Talking TransformationEpisode 8: “The Original Sin”: Presidential Land Reform Panel Report - Unpacking the origins and findingsThe issue of land reform in South Africa is arguably the most politically charged issue facing the country, its citizens and politicians charged with leading a transformation agenda. In October 2018, President Ramaphosa stated “…Our nation is focused on the effort to correct the original sin of land dispossession”, a month after he appointed an expert advisory panel on Land Reform and Agriculture.
Releasing the panel’s final report in July 2019, Chairperson Dr Vuyokazi Mahlati suggested that: “The urgency and Constitutional imperative of land reform in South Africa can neither be taken lightly nor postponed.”
Today’s Talking Transf...
2019-08-2350 min
Talking TransformationEpisode 7: "Here to Stay": Enhancing Informal Settlement - Insight, reflection and lessons learnt from SERI's researchIn July 2019 the Socio-Economic Research Institute (SERI) published a series of research reports reflecting on three informal settlements: Ratanang in Klerksdorp, North West Province; Marikana in Philippi, Cape Town, Western Cape; and Siyanda in KwaMashu, eThekwini, KwaZulu-Natal. Today’s Talking Transformation Podcast guest is SERI Senior Research and Advocacy Associate Lauren Royston who led the research team. In this episode she summarises the approach and main findings from SERI’s detailed research (available via this link). A development planner by trade, Lauren has been a leading advocate on land and tenure issues in South African and regionally for many years...
2019-08-1350 min
Talking TransformationEpisode 6: “Here Be Dragons...”: The case for evidence based decision making (and how to go about it…)In today’s Talking Transformation Podcast we hear from three very different planning personalities (in order of appearance), Claus Rabe, Jaco Petzer and Eloise Rousseau.
All share at least three things in common…
They’re professional town planners by trade;
They’ve worked together in the same metropolitan planning team; and
Each has had to consider alternative skills and approaches to support their work.
In an era of “Big Data”, data science and coding languages like Python, this three-part conversation reflects on three personal journeys. It broadens the scope and debate about the skills and techniques that...
2019-08-031h 27
Talking TransformationEpisode 5: #DreamingOfWakanda: (A "New" SA City) Noble Aspiration or Pure Folly?A month ago State President Ramaphosa announced his ambition of a new city, connected to other cities by a bullet train and led, by the 4th industrial, tech revolution. Following this announcement via his state of nation address, commentators have applauded and scorned the ambition in equal measure. This week I invited Dr Geci Karuri-Sebina to air her views on the matter. Geci is one of the pre-eminent commentators and observers on South African towns and cities having worked for many years as an associate at the South African Cities Network and researcher with, amongst others, the CSIR and H...
2019-07-2642 min
Talking TransformationTalking Transformation Podcast: Bulletin July 2019The Talking Transformation Podcast has been live for two weeks now...
Since then I’ve had an overwhelming positive response to the episodes and personalities we’ve presented via the podcast platform.
Many thanks to each and everyone of you who has taken the time to listen and engage and encourage.
This short bulletin reflects on the last few weeks; the podcast content - past and future; and outlines ways for listeners to get more directly involved.
It also takes a few moments to reflect on the passing of two giants of Sout...
2019-07-2206 min
Talking TransformationEpisode 4: A tour of duty...and of service: Peacemaking and healing in communities affected by trauma and violenceOur special guest this episode takes us on a very different and compellingly tour of duty and service. Jana El Horr - who was visiting South Africa and the Western Cape - recounts her own story from war torn Lebanon and Iraq to the US where she is now based. Her skills and talents, as both an economist and peacemaker, are helping communities across the globe come to terms with the aftermath of conflict, violence and trauma. In a month where troops have been deployed in a number of communities in Cape Town to combat violence and gang-related crime he...
2019-07-1734 min
Talking TransformationEpisode 3: “Pushing the Boundaries” – the remarkable story of Port Elizabeth’s infill housing successesBeyond the theory, beyond the rhetoric...
This episode finds us in the Friendly City of Port Elizabeth. Our guest Lance del Monte recounts his journey as one of the pioneers of high density, mixed typology and infill, susbsidised housing in South Africa. With support from General Motors and the beneficiary communities he has served, he has transformed the landscape of many parts of the city and impacted directly on the lives of the communities who live in the spaces he has imagined, designed and executed.
This is a lengthy podcast and a deep dive into th...
2019-07-091h 17
Talking TransformationEpisode 2: Revisiting Jozi City’s Corridors of Freedom Initiative “Leveraging value from colours on the map”In this second episode, we are privileged to talk with former City of Johannesburg Executive Director, Yondela Silimela about her experience implementing the Corridors of Freedom spatial restructuring initiative.
Yondela is an inspirational leader and built environment professional. She has recently taken up an executive position with the World Bank and joined us from her new base in Paris.
She talks about the challenges and ingredients for success in the Corridors initiative and lessons learnt.
She also provides an interesting take on NIMBY-ism, land value capture and tax increment financing and the strengths an...
2019-07-0837 min
Talking TransformationEpisode 1: “The Buffalo in the Room” - Revisiting the National Development Plan (NDP)In this, our first episode, we talk to former National Planning Commissioner Professor Philip Harrison.
Presently the Research Chair in Spatial Analysis and City Planning (Wits University), Phil reflects on the exciting period that led up to the publication of the NDP and the strengths and challenges associated with implementation.
His strong and grounded views will be of interest to anyone who is interested in understanding how the plan sought to eliminate poverty and reduce inequality in South Africa by 2030. These approaches included: drawing on the energies of its people, growing an inclusive economy, building c...
2019-07-0828 min2019-07-0700 min