A look at ambitious R500 billion smart cities planned for Gauteng

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Artist impression showing Lanseria's smart-city, Gauteng. Artist impression showing Lanseria's smart-city, Gauteng.

The Gauteng Provincial Government plans to forge ahead developing R500 billion mega smart cities including a new university over the next 10 years.

President Cyril Ramaphosa revealed in his state of the nation address on Thursday on 13 February that a new smart-city is taking shape in Lanseria, Gauteng.

The process is a joint project between the Investment and Infrastructure Office in the Presidency and the Gauteng and North West provincial governments.

The cities of Johannesburg, Tshwane, and Madibeng and private partners will also help to make the smart city a reality.

According to a new report published by Gauteng Provincial Government, construction will be implemented along five development corridors that have distinct industries and different comparative advantages. The corridors split into five are:

  • The Central Development Corridor – anchored on the city of Johannesburg as the hub of finance, services, information and communication technology, and pharmaceutical industries;
  • The Eastern Development Corridor – built around the economy of the Ekurhuleni metro as the hub of manufacturing, logistics and transport industries;
  • The Northern Development Corridor – anchored on Tshwane as the administrative capital city and the hub of the automotive sector, research, development, innovation and the knowledge-based economy;
  • The Western Corridor – encompassing the economy of the West Rand district and the creation of new industries, new economic nodes and new cities; and
  • The Southern Corridor – encompassing the economy of the Sedibeng district and the creation of new industries, new economic nodes and new cities.


“In the centre and in all four corners of the province, the development of economic corridors was underway,” the authors state.

“This monumental strategy had forever altered sole reliance on a skewed capital-intensive productive base, dominated as it had been by large enterprises principally operating in only three of Gauteng’s metro areas.

“Regional economic inclusiveness was now showing signs of breaking past the dismal employment status quo and opening up the possibility of keeping up with future demands for jobs.”

The Northern Development Corridor will unlock over R60 billion in investment

The Menlyn Maine development.

  • A new high-tech special economic zone;
  • The Automotive special economic zone;
  • The development of the Rosslyn Auto City;
  • The continued development of Menlyn Maine;
  • Consolidating and regenerating existing areas (CBD, Centurion and Silverton);
  • Investing in infrastructure to revitalise townships and create economic opportunities.

The Eastern Development Corridor will unlock over R200 billion worth of investment

OR Tambo International Airport.

  • The construction of the new OR Tambo University of Science and Innovation;
  • The development of the OR-Tambo logistics gateway;
  • The Prasa-Gibela rail manufacturing hub in Nigel;
  • The expansion of the OR Tambo International airport;
  • A new industrial development zone for jewellery manufacturing;
  • The development of new agro-processing and fuel-cell technology;
  • Major private sector developments taking place along R21 highway.

The Central Development Corridor will unlock over R200 billion in investments

Johannesburg CBD.

  • The revitalisation of the Joburg inner-city;
  • The development of new mega-projects in the south from Soweto to Orange Farm;
  • A number of major new projects in Rosebank, Sandton, Midrand and Fourways;
  • The revitalisation of townships.

The Western Development Corridor will unlock over R25 billion worth of investment

Lanseria Smart City.

  • The Lanseria Airport expansion and the new Lanseria Smart City development;
  • The expansion of the Busmark bus manufacturing plant;
  • The Agro-processing Mega Park & Logistics Hub on the N12 highway and other private sector mega projects.

The Southern Development Corridor will unlock over R20 billion investment

Vaal City development.

  • The new Savannah City development;
  • Development of the Vaal River City and the Vaal University Village precinct
  • A cargo airport and logistics hub;
  • The Vaal Marina development and logistics and mining investments in Lesedi.

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