South African Cities Set for R21.8bn Funding Boost

Cities can drive economic productivity by concentrating jobs, networks and opportunity, but that growth depends on reliable infrastructure, public services and competent management. Looking back at Grand Rapids from 2006 to 2008, Rapid Growth chronicled the city’s transition from its manufacturing roots, covering preservation, sustainable development, neighborhood identity, and the role of artists and entrepreneurs in building a more diverse future. Together, the accounts underscore how urban growth involves both the systems that make dense economic activity work and the people and ideas that shape a city’s direction.