Siphelele Ngobese is a Researcher in the Inclusive Cities Programme at SA Cities Network (SACN) and is responsible for the Urban Safety Programme. We explore the Urban Safety Programme and its objectives, accomplishments, and how they are inspiring action. We look at current urban projects incorporating inclusion, wellbeing, and safety. Finally, we consider the challenges of stakeholder collaboration and Siphelele’s hopes for cities in 2040.
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Key Takeaways
Introduction
Urban Safety Programme: Objectives, accomplishments and inspiring action
Urban projects incorporating inclusion, wellbeing and safety
Challenges that stand in the way of collaboration
Siphelele’s hopes for cities in 2040
About Siphelele Ngobese
Siphelele Ngobese is a Researcher in the Inclusive Cities Programme at SA Cities Network (SACN). Under this banner, she coordinates the SA Cities Urban Safety Reference Group (USRG); which through an extensive research agenda, produces the annual State of Urban Safety in South Africa reports. The reports highlight the urban character of crime and violence and are a focal point of the USRG’s advocacy for integrated approaches to safety promotion. That means all players have a role, e.g. planning, environmental design and social development practitioners working in collaboration with law enforcement. She also manages SACN’s research programme on the Spatial Determinants of Wellbeing. This is an exploration of the linkages between space and access to life chances in South African cities by tracking progress on the realisation of spatially and socially just cities. The third component to the Inclusive Cities Programme centres on Youth, seeking to elevate the voice and capacity of young urban residents to co-create and influence decision-making in their cities. Siphelele leads a dynamic programme of engagement, incorporating the annual Young Planners Essay Competition, film screenings and technical learning modules to build the capacity of ordinary urban youth to engage with and influence local government. Siphelele’s own research interest is informality, particularly its interface with “world-class” African cities. She engaged with the subject in her Masters' dissertation, components of which featured in SACN’s 2016 State of Cities Report.
Visit: www.sacities.net/our-team/
About The South African Cities Network (SACN)
The South African Cities Network (SACN) is an established network of South African cities and partners that encourages the exchange of information, experience and best practices on urban development and city management. Since 2002 the SACN’s objectives are to:
Visit: www.sacities.net
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