INITIALLY identified in 1997 by the then deputy president Thabo Mbeki, as the "Golden Heartbeat of Africa" Johannesburg's inner city has been the focus of much attention.

While a great deal has already been done to tackle urban decay and upgrade and regenerate the inner city over the past decade, the City - along with other major role players - is determined to see the inner city become a vibrant, economically flourishing part of Johannesburg.

Following a summit held in early 2007 to plan the future of the inner city, a charter was drawn up, setting out the core issues the City, working with the full community of stakeholders, will focus on in the years ahead. For each issue there is a clear statement of the desired outcome to be achieved.

On the basis of a synthesis of these desired outcomes, the charter proposes that all stakeholders envisage the future inner city as a place:

• That will be developed in a balanced way in order to accommodate all people and interests;
• Which remains as the vibrant business heart of Johannesburg as a whole, but which balances future commercial, retail and light manufacturing development with a large increase in residential density;
• Which works, as many other cities do elsewhere in the world as, a key residential node where a diverse range of people from different income groups and backgrounds can have their residential needs met. The inner city will not be a dormitory for the poor, nor an exclusive enclave of loft apartments, galleries and coffee shops;
• Of first entry into Johannesburg, but also a place where people want to stay because it offers a high quality urban environment with available social and educational facilities, generous quality public open space, and ample entertainment opportunities;
• Which serves as both the key transportation transit point for the entire Gauteng Global City Region, but also as a destination point where people want to walk in the streets; and
• Where the prevailing urban management, safety and security concerns are a thing of the past.

Fast changing city centres that accommodate a wide range of functions and interests in a dynamic mix do not have to be places where waste is not collected, by-laws are not enforced, buildings are in decay and public spaces deteriorating, and where many people cannot walk in the streets free of the fear of crime. Regardless of the functions and people it accommodates in future the Johannesburg inner city will be well-managed, safe and clean.

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