MEDIA RELEASE
MARCH 2016
CALLING FOR A “NATIONAL SPATIAL REVOLUTION”!
“It is clear that widespread, vibrant and sustainable economic growth and accessible opportunity is central to meaningful job creation, poverty reduction and narrowing of the wealth disparity gap. These are essential to attract financial investment, build social stability, and significantly reduce non-renewable natural resource consumption” says Ruben Reddy, President of the KwaZulu-Natal Institute for Architecture (KZNIA).
“There is a growing global realisation that the radical transformaton of our Cities, Towns and Villages into much denser, more diverse, well connected physical environments is a prerequisite to achieving these goals. Public space that compliments recreational use with real economic, cultural and social opportuity is also key. This implies the necessity for a National Spatial Revolution.”
With international keynote speakers, Felipe Leal, immediate past Minister of Urbanism for Mexico City and Kelvin Campbell, chair of Smart Urbanism in London, together with Metropolitan Government, National Treasury, national and local business and property industry representation, and leading South African practitioners in Urbanism, Architecture and Urban Planning, the KZNIA 2016 We Design Conference will provide an interactive platform to intensely explore the potential of a comprehensive National Spatial Revolution [NSR] in South Africa.
The KZNIA’s prime objective is to ignite a national collective consciousness about the potential of radical change in the spatial configuration of our South African Cities, Towns and Villages.
“We believe that by removing so many of the physical and spatial barriers between current reality and a prosperous, egalitarian, stable, safe and secure South Africa, we can radically transform into a sustainable powerhouse of economic opportunity,
underpinned by cohesive social networks and celebrated in compellingly vibrant centres of unique urban cultural expression. We are inviting interested parties to join us on this paradigm shifting journey,” Reddy continues.
For more information or to attend WeDesign 2016 contact Kubash on (031) 201 7590
Media Enquiries: Joanne Hayes, Tumbleweed Communications
Cell: +27 83 6277249
e-mail: tigerjo@iafrica.com
