Public Private Partnerships - A Critical Cog in the Infrastructure Development Arsenal

In 2009, following the disestablishment of the Department of Public Transport, Roads and Works, and given the significant role that the provision and maintenance of public infrastructure play in socio-economic development and growth, the Department of Infrastructure Development (DID) was established as a separate portfolio. Rapid post-1994 urbanisation and a sense of urgency to satisfy the constitutional mandate resulted in fragmented and stand-alone infrastructure, which was conducted in a crisis-management style rather than within the context of a long-term vision. The huge and increasing demand for infrastructure development requires a rethink around the themes of centralisation, shared services, systems integration and high densification. Gauteng Province has responded by redefining the city into five economic regions in line with implementing the Transformation, Modernisation and Reindustrialisation agenda. DID has also adopted a property optimisation strategy, which advocates the development of Government Service Precincts with various government services agglomerated and in close proximity to each other. These integrated GSPs should be open to participation from the private sector and developed in consultation with the communities they serve. The accompanying article expands on this “new approach” by the DID, emphasising the importance and necessity of Public Private Partnerships.