The South African Cities Network (SACN) was established in 2002, as a peer-based learning network of South Africa’s largest cities and key partners to encourage the exchange of information, experience and best practices on urban development and city management.
The SACN has been at the forefront of driving the urban local government agenda in South Africa. It defines its scope of work according to the following thematic logic: that high-performing cities are productive, inclusive and sustainable, are well-governed, and guided by long-term city development strategies. The network undertakes knowledge-generation activities within each of these themes, with a special focus on measuring the performance of South Africa’s major cities.
The research conducted by the SACN typically takes place over a five year period and culminates in the flagship State of South African Cities Report. This report assesses the current state of our cities, reviews the challenges and opportunities that exist, and provides insight and communicates key messages about urban transformation and development.
SACN also produces key flagship reports like the State of City Finance, the State of Urban Safety and important knowledge and insights on issues like urban land, sustainability, the built environment and the urban economy.
Another exciting initiative of the SACN is the South African Cities Open Data Almanac, initiated by SACN, with its partners, as a city-centric approach to addressing the planning, management, monitoring and reporting needs of cities — and to realise more efficient and effective data systems and processes. The benefit for future urban research is that urban data and indicators will become more readily and consistently available.