Second only to top metropolis Hong Kong, the South African city shined in the 2014 Good City Index and scored like an over-achiever in the index’s five categories. It was found Jozi is a space for people to engage and implement new ideas and is perfect for civic engagement (be it in the form of public protests or graffiti).
The index, which is run by Good Worldwide, a magazine and community promoting global citizenship, ranked 50 countries in what it describes as “a celebration of the 50 cities around the world that best capture the elusive quality of possibility.”
Joburg’s second place status is thanks to what the index describes as “The city gives those who give it the time of day a chance to step in and own a small pocket of something—an idea, a space, a view, or a solution.”
For those cynics out there, you’ll be glad to know that the index isn’t ignoring Egoli’s many problems. Instead, it is looking directly at this sprawling economic hubs possibility and the many solutions that people on the ground are already implementing to bring about change.
Braamfontein in particular was one area the index noted for the slowly burgeoning growth in the city, calling it “a breeding ground of creativity and innovation packed full of galleries, artist spaces, bars, and start-ups focused on making meaningful connections with the man on the street…”
Joburg has also inspired with its 5-kilometer bicycle track and sidewalk along Orlando, Soweto, giving township residents a safe route to visit 12 schools, two clinics, a police station, several churches, and the famous World Cup soccer stadium. But that’s just the beginning stage of a four-part initiative which aims to create a 120 kilometers of safe cycling lanes that will connect many corners of the city, including Orange Farm, Ivory Park, and Soweto, the city’s largest township.
Of course, that’s not where the praises for this city end. Noted features, benefits, events and ideas are the fact that the city is considered one of the largest urban forests around, the successful Newtown Junction which helped rejuvenate an otherwise derelict area, and let’s not forget the city’s Champagne weather – 30-degree summers and glorious afternoon thunder storms.
Cape Town is 25th on the list, even being beaten by Nairobi in Kenya at 5th and Dakar in Senegal in 9th place.
