In 2013, the Mayor of Johannesburg announced ambitious Corridors Freedom (CoF) initiative to transform city’s socio-spatial structure. The CoF were constructed be an inclusionary form transit-oriented development (TOD). Using a 1,200 respondent survey, over 75 interviews, documentary analysis, and attendance at public participation interventions, paper questions possibilities for, constraints on, practice TOD. six criteria—spatial transformation, mobility, affordable accommodation, jobs...

Large-scale urban development projects are a significant format of expansion and renewal across the globe. As generators governance innovation indicators future city in each context, large-scale have been interpreted within frameworks ‘variegations’ wider circulating processes, such as neoliberalisation or financialisation. However, often entail state support investment, strongly linked to wide variety transnational investors developers frequently highly contested their local environments....

The purpose of this article is to examine the urban visions articulated in two large projects Johannesburg. Using Corridors Freedom project, led by Johannesburg metropolitan municipality, and Modderfontein, initiated a Shanghai-based developer, we show that intention varies significantly despite often similar rhetoric. We also actors interests involved are more diverse than may initially appear, outcomes less certain confident public pronouncements suggest. Each project promises make...

The City of Johannesburg's Corridors Freedom (CoF), launched in 2013, were intended to cut across the economically and racially divided city using infrastructure interventions built environment around new transport nodes. Undertaken haste for political reasons projected be delivered as swiftly possible, those driving this mega project oversaw substantial consultation exercises, but provided relatively few spaces direct engagement shape project. This paper presents experiences a team...

How to reinvent Johannesburg, a metropolis whose geography of inequality has remained stubbornly entrenched since the end apartheid? By launching 'Corridors Freedom' (CoF) initiative in 2013, municipal government decided take bold and deliberate steps towards conceiving promoting more inclusive people-centred city. The goal was disrupt prevailing spatial social pattern by connecting different parts city via large public transit network altering these same areas through increased levels...

Chinese economic activities in Africa have gained increased visibility parallel to the recent acceleration of Sino-African relations. This paper, which is framed from a geographical perspective that often absent or neglected studies covering China–Africa, focuses on spatial forms and dynamics. It depicts way two contrasting entities – state-owned company Chad privately owned commercial malls Johannesburg, South engage with their respective host environments. While drawing concepts...

In recent years, Chinese spatial markers in Johannesburg have expanded unpredictable and manifold ways, leaving a more or less visible 'ethnic' imprint on the city. Often perceived as different (implicit for 'oriental') enclaved, while underpinned by economic ambitions, these spaces of capital none become active (yet accidental) participants making shaping multifaceted urbanity. context that is torn between real development challenges world-class city unfolding points towards broader...

Large-scale and long-term urban development projects often cause sizeable transformations in the built social fabric, raising questions about impacts on existing neighbourhoods communities, how they might try to shape development. There are significant challenges achieving community-based engagement at a large scale involving mobilising wide range of stakeholders with different positionalities, agendas priorities across multiple diverse areas city. In this interview, two experienced...

This article refers to:Features of Modernity, Development and 'Orientalism': Reading Johannesburg through its 'Chinese' Urban Spaces

Derrick Avenue in Cyrildene, is a striking example of clichéd Chinese (street life) atmosphere Johannesburg. Owing to its visible markers and demographics, this activity node sparks visions spatialised elsewhere. Standing sharp contrast surrounding quiet mostly residential neighbourhood, has been viewed as exceptional, different closed, resulting spatial cognitive divorce from the rest area. These representations, largely associated with spaces, not only shape ways which such spaces are...

As different forms of Global China have emerged and expanded throughout the African continent, this phenomenon has also materialised spatially. Particularly visible in urban environments, Chinese investments, entrepreneurship, a multifaceted presence contributed to shaping morphology fabric at scales, whether by altering existent built environment or adding new features. The production manifestation these types spaces, transient o...

Depuis quelques années, le Gabon nourrit l’ambition de réduire sa dépendance envers les revenus du pétrole et diversifier son économie. Cette volonté coïncide avec l'augmentation des investissements chinois dans pays africains richement dotés en ressources. Parmi l’éventail relations sino-gabonaises, secteur minier - surtout projet la mine fer Bélinga se place au centre l'intérêt deux parties.Sous règne d’Omar Bongo, ce vaste avait été promu présenté comme fleuron l’économie nationale....

Lusaka’s ongoing construction boom and shifting urban landscape are seen as closely linked to a significant level of Chinese involvement, especially with regard the building process. Although features in cityscape pervasive have increased recent years, visual reflections this can be misleading. They do not reveal extent which global China is playing part altering built environment trajectories city marked by rapid growth, spatial inequality uneven development. With focus on main simultaneous...