Exploring the efficacy of innovative urban public transport infrastructural systems on economic transformation: case of Gautrain and are Yeng in the City of Tshwane

Abstract: There is generally interconnectedness among the complex urban challenges that are being experienced in most developing countries. Of particular note are the spatial fragmentation and inefficient and ineffective transport systems that characterize South African cities. In response, innovative urban public transport systems that seek to improve mobility and encourage mixed land use development have emerged. The innovations also seek to resolve the three apartheid vices that are unemployment, poverty and inequality thus enhancing economic growth and development within South African cities. This paper therefore examined the role of innovations in urban public transport systems to the creation and improvement of business operations and employment opportunities within the City of Tshwane. Both qualitative and quantitative research approaches were adopted and applied to gather from key informants and users of the transport services using interviews and questionnaires. Study findings revealed that the innovations have resulted in some commendable developments within the city of Tshwane however, the poor and previously disadvantaged citizens are yet to benefit meaningfully. The economic transformation agenda still needs to deliberately facilitate the inclusion of the poor in line with the massive transport infrastructure investments that have been made. Accordingly, the study recommends an integrated approach to economic transformation and innovative urban transport system. Human capacity development anchored through investment in education, skills development and human rehabilitation for self-help projects and Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMME’s) is highly recommended. Major investment opportunities should prioritize the urban poor instead of mainly improving the lives of that are already part of the formal economy. As a result, the study concludes by developing a model on Integrated Approach to innovative urban transport planning and economic transformation

Vibrant or dull urban spaces : are City of Tshwane “A Re Yeng” and “Gautrain” connector points places of social and economic interaction?

Abstract: Public transport infrastructure investments have been widely advocated for as catalysts for economic growth and development. They have also been regarded as pivots of functionality of economic nodes and communities. Thus, considerations of innovative strategies in investing in public transport infrastructure as contributors of socio-economic transformation through facilitating the growth of business operations and the creation of small-scale entrepreneurship has gained momentum. The common envisaged outcome of such innovative approaches is creation of vibrant urban centers and economic spaces characterized by a variety of social and economic activities. In the same vein, this paper investigated the impact of implementation of innovative urban public transport systems on business operations and formation of new small-scale businesses within the City of Tshwane. The study adopted mixed research approaches where qualitative and quantitative data were gathered concurrently. Field observations, key informant interviews, questionnaire administration were used for data collection. Subsequently, content data analysis was applied through the exploration of findings under various relevant themes of public transport infrastructure and business operations. Findings reveal limited improvement on business operations or formations, especially integration of previously disadvantaged communities and informal traders to the local economy. Even for few opportunities created, limited entrepreneurial skills, knowledge and expertise amongst people previously systematically excluded restrained them from taking advantage of such opportunities. Skewed focus on public transport infrastructure roll-out coupled with limited practical focus on trickle down effects as socio-economic benefits was observed as another obstacle hindering creation of vibrant socio-economic spaces through public transport infrastructure investments. Thus, the work recommends the creation of activity nodes for social and economic interactions at connector points to the benefit of local economy and residents. To complement such, human capacity development and entrepreneurial skills development amongst the previously disadvantaged group is advocated to attain socio-economic transformation

The application of principal component analysis in examining the impact of public transport systems on socio-economic transformation in the City of Tshwane

M.Tech. (Operations Management)Abstract: There is generally interconnectedness amongst the complex urban challenges that are being experienced in most developing countries. Of particular note are the spatially fragmented, inefficient and ineffective transport systems that characterize South African cities. In response, innovative urban public transport systems that seek to improve urban mobility and encourage mixed-use development and activity corridors have emerged. These innovations also seek to resolve the three apartheid vices of unemployment, poverty and inequality thus enhancing socio-economic transformation within South African cities. The impact of recent innovative urban transport systems in South African cities have not been documented adequately, particularly their influence on the formation of economic opportunities. This study therefore aimed to examine the impact of public transport infrastructure investments on urban mobility and socio-economic transformation using the City of Tshwane as the case of study. A mixed research approach, which consisted of case study, qualitative and quantitative methodology, was adopted and questionnaires, interviews and observations were applied to gather and analyse data. Study findings revealed that the innovations have resulted in some commendable developments within the city of Tshwane. However, the effectiveness of policy and legislative interventions and subsequent investments on spatial and socio-economic transformation are still lagging behind and need to be strengthened. Lack of stakeholder cooperation throughout the planning process, implementation and operation of the innovative urban public transport system chain has hindered prospects of achieving multi-modal and integrated public transport networks that inspire socio-economic opportunities as desired. The socio-economic transformation agenda still needs to adopt and use new developments such as urban public transport systems, to facilitate the inclusion of the poor through business growth and creation of an enabling environment for small-scale entrepreneurs and informal traders. Accordingly, the study recommends an integrated approach to innovative urban transport systems and socio-economic transformation in South African Cities. Collective strategy formulation for an integrated public transport network, alignment of government investments and adoption of innovative approaches to design stations as hotbeds for socio-economic prosperity should characterize investments in public transport infrastructure. The study concludes by developing a model or framework for an integrated approach to Innovative Urban Transport Planning and Socio-economic Transformation