Conceptual Framework for IDPs Responsive to Functional Regional Economies
A national conceptual framework for SALGA enabling municipalities to plan Integrated Development Plans around functional regional economies rather than administrative boundaries.
2021 · South African Local Government Association (SALGA) · Strategic planning framework and research · 3 months duration
Key contributors: Dr Johnny Coetzee, Dylan La Loux
SALGA appointed Cadre Plan to develop a conceptual framework for Integrated Development Plans (IDPs) that respond to functional regional economies and facilitate spatial transformation. IDPs are cross-sectoral planning instruments, but they respond to political and administrative boundaries and carry short-term planning horizons, leaving local governments poorly equipped to secure long-term municipal sustainability.
Cadre analysed all the South African metropolitan municipalities, synthesising the latest IDPs and SDFs to build a contextual understanding of how regions function and form in South Africa. The work determined which regions require a regional IDP and demonstrated how regional interventions and flagship projects can create new economic nodes or strengthen existing ones across municipal, district, provincial and even national borders.
The framework comprises four parts: location and context, a contextual framework, a development framework covering visions, goals, strategies and flagship projects, and an implementation framework with business plans for flagship projects. It also sets out recommendations on the support role SALGA should play for municipalities.
Key figures: All South African metropolitan municipalities analysed | 4-part framework delivered | National policy scope