The Sunday News
Cape Town — Africa needs to be smart about city planning and sustainability as it faces one of the fastest urbanisation rates in the world and challenges around climate change.
That’s the word from TC Chetty, South Africa country manager of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), ahead of the influential 2018 RICS Summit Africa event, scheduled to take place on 30 to 31 May in Sandton Central, Johannesburg.
“In the wake of rising economic growth, Africa’s rapid urbanisation topped the agenda at last year’s summit. And, this year we zone into how Africa can build smarter cities and more sustainable cities, to better deal with its high levels of urbanisation and global climate change,” says Chetty.
The annual RICS Summit Africa brings together leading speakers and professionals in the built environment sphere from business, government, academia and the NGO sector.
More than 200 delegates are set to attend the two-day event, sponsored by Cushman & Wakefield Excellerate, Colliers International and Broll Property Group.
The RICS Summit Africa will follow the RICS Summit of the World Built Environment Forum, which takes place in London later this month.
“RICS is a globally-recognised professional organisation that marks its milestone 150th Anniversary this year.
Headquartered in London, RICS promotes and enforces the highest qualifications and standards in the areas of land, real estate, construction and infrastructure.
As a public benefit organisation, RICS operates in all the world’s major financial hubs in delivering international standards and policy influence,” says Chetty.
“With Africa’s billion-strong population seeking economic opportunities and better lifestyles in its cities, the pressure is on urban planners to create smarter and more sustainable urban environments. Greater demands are placed on resources such as water and electricity, but also on infrastructure around which cities are built.” — news24
