The significance of public space governance in enhancing the quality of public space delivery and management in South Africa

ABSTRACT

The role of public space governance in delivering and managing qualitative public space in South African cities is inadequately documented from a municipal governance perspective. The article focuses on the governance of public space delivery and management in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality to unlock the best urban design practices concerning creating and sustaining high-quality public space as an essential element of urban infrastructure. The paper argues that the delivery and management of high-quality public spaces in South African cities are underpinned by several essential governance prerequisites that influence the significance, nature and role of public space within these cities.

KEYWORDS:

• Public space
• urban design
• governance
• institutionalization
• Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCMM)

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).