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U202025

SUBMISSION OF U20 CONTRIBUTIONS

U20 Joburg 2025: Consolidated Public Inputs

As the City of Johannesburg prepares to host the Urban 20 (U20) Mayoral Summit in September 2025, a crucial component of the engagement process involves soliciting public inputs across the four key U20 themes.[1] Whilst the U20 Mayoral Summit is a closed event reserved for the mayors of member cities, their delegations, partners, and observers, the public can contribute to the process by providing their opinions on the U20 themes. This initiative aims to gather diverse perspectives from researchers, practitioners, civil society organizations, youth networks, and urban stakeholders. A total of 12 [2]submissions were received from the public. The inputs received offer invaluable insights and actionable recommendations, addressing both persistent structural challenges and emerging opportunities within our urban environments.


Consolidated Public Inputs by Theme

1. Economic Opportunities and Financing
1. Economic Opportunities and Financing
Submissions Received: 1
​Key Issues Raised: 
  • Unequal access to financing for inclusive housing and infrastructure
  • Underrepresentation of women and youth in property and enterprise sectors
  • Limited support for SMMEs, especially in digital and green sectors
  • Financial exclusion and high debt costs hindering clean energy transition 
Public Recommendations:

  • Enable land value capture and blended finance models
  • Provide grant-based support for social housing
  • Prioritize public-private partnerships and municipal-led land release
  • Recognize data access as a basic economic service
  • Expand public Wi-Fi and integrate digital strategies
  • Use gender-disaggregated data and enforce procurement thresholds
  • Advocate for Just Transition Investment Funds and Debt Resolution Facilities 

2. Climate Action and Urban Resilience
2. Climate Action and Urban Resilience
Submissions Received: 4
​Key Issues Raised: 

  • Vulnerability to floods, droughts, and heatwaves
  • Fossil fuel dependence and poor urban mobility
  • Inadequate funding and decentralized climate governance 

Public Recommendations:

  • Double public transport trips by 2030
  • Promote inclusive urban design and modal shifts
  • Adopt the "Resist–Delay–Store–Discharge" water management model
  • Promote circular water economies and green-grey infrastructure
  • Integrate climate targets into urban budgets
  • Empower local governments and apply SDG/Sendai indicators
  • Endorse the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty
  • Invest in renewable infrastructure and just transition job creation 

3. Social Inclusion and Equity
3. Social Inclusion and Equity
Submissions Received: 4
​Key Issues Raised: 

  • Housing insecurity, homelessness, and spatial inequality
  • Exclusion of women, youth, and informal actors
  • Lack of support for collective housing and marginalized communities
  • Youth unemployment and social exclusion
  • Gender-based violence linked to economic exclusion 

Public Recommendations:

  • Prioritize collective and social housing
  • Implement "Housing First" models and intersectoral service delivery
  • Establish a Women’s Property Fund and enforce procurement targets
  • Support skills development and mentorship for women
  • Institutionalize participatory governance for youth
  • Expand access to education, enterprise, and digital innovation
  • Promote cross-sector collaboration and civil society inclusion 

4. Digital Transformation and Innovation
4. Digital Transformation and Innovation
Submissions Received: 5
​Key Issues Raised: 

  • High data costs and poor digital infrastructure
  • Weak municipal capacity for digital governance
  • Fragmented data systems 

Public Recommendations:

  • Expand free public Wi-Fi and broadband infrastructure
  • Recognize data access as a basic municipal service
  • Centralize data governance and unify systems across departments
  • Apply Resource-Based View (RBV) and Dynamic Capabilities Theory (DCT)
  • Use digital tools for safety, service delivery, and innovation
  • Foster community-based digital innovation, especially in crime and drug prevention 

Conclusion

The consolidated public inputs for U20 Johannesburg 2025 represent a rich tapestry of perspectives and a powerful call to action. They collectively underscore the urgent need for city-led leadership, systemic reform, and inclusive multi-level collaboration to address the complex challenges facing urban environments. From scaling social housing models and financing climate resilience to mainstreaming gender and youth empowerment and enhancing digital governance, these contributions provide a compelling foundation for shaping Johannesburg’s strategic priorities within the U20 Communiqué. By integrating these grounded recommendations, the city can not only strengthen its position within the global urban discourse but also foster more equitable, resilient, and digitally inclusive communities for all its residents. The detailed individual submissions are available for comprehensive review, and these vital inputs will be shared with relevant city departments, the City of Tshwane, and SALGA to ensure their integration into ongoing policy development and service delivery initiatives. 

👉 Access all public submissions by theme—click the button below to download.

Economic Opportunities and Financing(1)
Climate Action and Urban Resilience(4)
Social Inclusion and Equity Download (4)
Digital Transformation and Innovation(5)

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