I2UD invites you to... February 2013 The Institute for International Urban Development invites its Board and friends to a very special trip to South Africa. Don t miss this unique opportunity to see the Rainbow Nation through the eyes of urban planning experts who have worked in its cities and townships since the end of Apartheid. Meet with senior officials at the National, Provincial and City levels who are shaping South Africa s future development strategies. Visit the country s pioneering urban development projects, including those in which I2UD staff has been involved. Experience first-hand South Africa s growth and bring your ideas for addressing its continuing challenges. You will also indulge in the best that South Africa has to offer: first-class accommodations, exquisite dining and wine, spectacular natural sites and exciting adventures. Reserve your spot today for a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience! ABOUT I2UD: The Institute for International Urban Development, I2UD, is a registered, non-profit organization that provides urban planning and management assistance in emerging economies to help governments and communities cope with rapidly changing urban environments. I2UD regroups the educators and urban and regional planners who created and ran the Center for Urban Studies at Harvard University for 20 years. In 2005, we became an independent organization, building on our past excellence to continue to provide technical assistance, action research and educational programs that Inform decision makers and educators; Improve the lives of citizens; Unite policy makers, local leaders and donors; and Deliver recommendations that serve the community. Learn more about us at www.i2ud.org. By participating in this trip you will be helping us achieve our mission. COLLABORATE. EDUCATE. PLAN. SUSTAIN.
Why South Africa? Why now? 2014 will mark 20 years since the end of Apartheid in South Africa. Since 1996, when we were still at Harvard, we have been active in the country. Our work there, under Mona Serageldin, has involved the evaluation of infrastructure and urban services programs as part of the Municipal Infrastructure Grant Program, and the training of senior officials in the provincial and municipal administrations. We taught our last training program in 2006 after we had moved to I2UD. As part of our work in South Africa, we were instrumental in promoting the rehabilitation of existing infrastructure systems alongside new projects in order to speed up the delivery of upgraded services to underserviced areas. These activities, including the evaluations and training programs, were conducted by Mona Serageldin, John Driscoll and other associates of the Institute. In the past five years we have been involved with South African colleagues at WorleyParsons in various activities to upgrade and improve the living environment in small urban settlements and townships. The Institute team, led by Alejandra Mortarini and including Christa Lee-Chuvala and Carolina Morgan, works with municipalities and communities to prepare spatial development strategies and urban design frameworks. We completed our most recent project a few months ago. Through our long involvement in South Africa, we have had fruitful relationships with senior officials involved in local development, urban planning, housing and infrastructure at the three levels of government. They have generously offered to organize the substantive parts of the planned visit of the Board and Friends of the Institute in February. This visit comes at a very interesting time as the different administrations are currently completing their 20-year assessment of the performance of their programs and preparing their plans. In particular the National Planning Commission is completing the 2030 National Plan which will guide the country's development. Meanwhile, the National Department of Human Settlements is in the process of developing new directions for the South African housing programs. Following the conclusion of the programmed visit, a safari to Kruger Park is proposed for those who wish to see the African wilderness. The cost of the safari is not included in the cost of the program. Mona Serageldin and John Driscoll will accompany the group on the visit. Mona Serageldin Vice President of I2UD Dr. Serageldin was Adjunct Professor of Urban Planning at the Harvard University Graduate School of Design where she had been a member of the faculty since 1985. She has over 35 years of international professional experience specializing in local development, strategic planning, social inclusion, and policy and program assessment. John Driscoll Vice President of I2UD Mr. Driscoll is also Director of the ICLRD in Northern Ireland and a research fellow at the Harvard University Joint Center for Housing Studies. As a planner interested in urban management and community development he has worked in transition societies and economies since 1984 with central and local authorities and community groups. Cover photo credit: flickr, Derek Keats
Day One Johannesburg/Joburg/Jozi AM: Arrival at Johannesburg Airport. Transfer to Sheraton Pretoria. Bus tour of Pretoria/Johannesburg area. Dinner. Sheraton Pretoria Hotel The Sheraton Pretoria Hotel is situated within the heart of South Africa s capital city. With stunning views that command all of Pretoria and customdesigned furnishings, the hotel exemplifies service excellence. http://www.sheratonpretoria.com/ Day Two AM: Our group has been invited to participate in a special session with senior officials of the Department of Performance Monitoring and Evaluation in the Presidency, the National Planning Commission and the National Department of Human Settlements. We will contribute to the discussion of the plans and the options that are being considered as South Africa continues to shape its path towards sustainable development. photo: http://web.ndmc.gov.za Day Three AM: Meeting with the Gauteng Planning Commission to discuss its most recent development plans, which provide the context for local economic and spatial planning. Gauteng Province is the anchor of South Africa's main growth corridor. Like many such nodes, it encompasses the country's most dynamic areas, with projects that rival those in Europe and North America but it also has to address the needs of economically distressed townships whose development is being integrated in the Province's plans. Gauteng Map Pretoria Johannesburg Site visits to development projects in the Pretoria/Johannesburg area. http://www.openstreetmap.org
Visit to Sedibeng District Municipality, one of the Institute s projects. Meeting with public officials of the Sedibeng District Municipality. Sedibeng District Municipality In partnership with WorleyParsons RSA, I2UD provided technical assistance to the municipality for the formulation of development strategies, urban design frameworks and priority projects to revitalize and upgrade its townships. Typical Township Housing Day Five Cape Town is a world city and features prime tourism destinations. It has been a leader in initiating innovative housing and transportation projects including South Africa's first light rail. Frank Vigier, I2UD President and Jim Kostaras, Senior Associate, were involved in outlining the development impacts of a proposed lightrail connection between downtown and the airport. The City is revitalizing its waterfront and developing its tourism and hospitality sectors. It has attracted migrants from other provinces and has been working on improving living conditions in poorer and informal neighborhoods. Radisson Blu The only Cape Town hotel situated on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean, it offers sweeping views of Table Mountain, Robben Island and Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. Day Four AM: Meeting with the director of the City of Johannesburg Planning, Built Environment Performance Plan and the City Development Plan. The City of Johannesburg has done innovative work on planning frameworks and human settlements development frameworks addressing the spatial dysfunctionalities in the city which led to the movement of economic activities to Midrand and the relocation of the stock exchange to Sandton. The City has been struggling to revitalize its downtown and attract investment. Simultaneously, it has been striving to improve the living conditions in its poorer neighborhoods. http://www.radissonblu.com/hotel-capetowncom/ AM: Meeting with the Cape Town head of Housing/Human Settlements to discuss the efforts being made to enhance the liveability and vitality of all of the City s neighborhoods. Flight to Cape Town, Transfer to Radisson Blu, Cape Town
Following the meeting, participants may choose one of two options for the remainder of the day: Safari in Kruger National Park Option One: Site visits of selected projects followed This leg of the trip is optional. by a free afternoon. Game Drive Option Two: Tour of the wine valley from Stellenbosch to Franschhoek. Frankschhoek Vine http://www.royalmalewane.com/ The Royal Malewane Hotel is recommended by photo: flickr, paulscott56 the Chairman of the Board Joe Brennan. Joe has vacationed with this company in the past and highly Day Six AM: recommends them. Royal Malewane has arranged the following itinerary for those wishing to go on the Meeting with the Director of Planning, City of Cape Town to review their development strategies and urban development frameworks. Visit to Cape Point (the Cape of Good Hope) at the tip of Africa. Safari. Safari Day One Flights leave Johannesburg on the morning of November 10th to Hoedspruit Airport. Lunch on arrival Afternoon /Evening Game drive Cape Point Dinner Safari Day Two Early morning Tea/Coffees & pastries Morning game drive Breakfast upon your return from game drive Lunch Afternoon/Evening game drive Dinner photo: flickr, exfordy Flight to Johannesburg Airport for International departure or overnight at Johannesburg Airport for early morning flight to Kruger Park. Safari Day Three Early morning Tea/Coffees & pastries Morning game drive Breakfast upon your return from game drive Lunch should you have late departure
COST AND BOOKING The South Africa trip will begin in Johannesburg in February, 2013.. The cost per participant is $6,100 which includes: hotel rooms, all meals (with wine!) and transportation within South Africa including a roundtrip flight between Johannesburg and Cape Town. Additionally, each participant will receive a tax deductible gift receipt of $500. TO MAKE A RESERVATION: A $1,500.00 deposit per person is due upon confirmation and no later than Thursday November 1st 2012. The balance of payment is due by December 1st 2012. To reserve your spot, go to www.i2ud.org/satrip-2012-reservations/ Safari in Kruger Park: If you wish to go on the Safari, please let us know as soon as possible so that we can confirm your reservation. I2UD s travel agent is happy to reserve your plane flight roundtrip between Johannesburg and Hoedspruit Airports so that everyone arrives together for the transportation to the Park. Flights leave in the morning from Johannesburg, so upon arrival back to Johannesburg on November 9th you will have to stay in a hotel in the airport for the flight out on the morning of the 10th to Hoedspruit Airport. The Safari payment is paid directly to I2UD, the flight to and from Hoedspruit Airport is paid directly to the travel agent, or you can book your flight with your own travel agent. Accommodation and safari for two nights is $2,722 per person. This includes: Lodge rooms, all meals and game drives. Additional charges per person: Overnight stay at hotel in Johannesburg International Airport: app. $200 Flight to and from Johannesburg: app. $400 (paid directly to airline) Transportation to and from airport to Lodge: app. $100 IMPORTANT INFORMATION: 1) Arranging for everyone to be in the same hotels, and on the same flight to and from Johannesburg to Cape Town is very important. 2) It is not advisable to arrive on an international flight into Johannesburg late at night. (Transportation from the airport has been arranged). 3) Passports must have at least two blank pages. 4) You will obtain your visa upon arrival into Johannesburg Airport. If you have any questions regarding the trip or payment, please contact Mary Shia, Director of Individual and Corporate Giving. Mary will be traveling with us. shia@i2ud.org Tel: 617-744-5230 Cell: 617-852-8343