By Chedza Enviro & Planning Solutions | 16 June 2025 | Rosebank, Johannesburg
On 16 June 2025 — Youth Day in South Africa — Chedza Enviro & Planning Solutions proudly hosted the 2nd Edition of Entrepreneurship in Planning in Rosebank, Johannesburg. Under the theme “Empowering the Next Generation of Urban Planners,” the conference united planners, students, entrepreneurs, innovators, academics, and development practitioners to tackle one of the most pressing questions facing Africa’s built environment professionals:
How can entrepreneurial thinking, technology, and interdisciplinary collaboration transform the future of urban planning in Africa?
The event was more than a conference — it was a call to action. Through engaging panel discussions, a powerful keynote address, and meaningful networking opportunities, attendees explored how planners can adapt to rapidly changing urban realities and position themselves as leaders of innovation and sustainable development across the African continent.
Planning Beyond Traditional Boundaries: Entrepreneurship as a Driver for Spatial Transformation
The first panel — Entrepreneurship as a Driver for Spatial Transformation — challenged participants to rethink the role of urban planners in a continent experiencing rapid urbanisation and unprecedented technological change.
A recurring message from the discussion was clear: the future planner must be more than a planner.
Today’s urban challenges demand professionals who understand technology, data analytics, business development, policy, community engagement, and innovation. As African cities continue to grow at remarkable speed, traditional planning approaches are no longer sufficient to address the scale and complexity of urban challenges.
Panelists highlighted how technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), geospatial analytics, and telecommunications data are creating new opportunities for evidence-based planning and smarter urban decision-making. Young professionals were encouraged to embrace continuous learning, acquire digital skills, and cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset capable of responding to complex urban challenges.
The discussion also emphasised that while technology is transforming the profession, creativity remains at the heart of planning. Urban planners are not merely regulators of land use — they are designers of human experiences, community builders, and visionaries shaping the future of Africa’s cities.
Keynote Address: An Inspiring Journey of Entrepreneurship and Leadership
The keynote address by Dr. Emmanuel Sakado delivered one of the most memorable moments of the conference. Sharing his personal journey from humble beginnings to leading major development initiatives funded by international organisations, Dr. Sakado demonstrated the transformative power of vision, action, and collaboration.
His message resonated strongly with attendees across four key principles:
- Opportunities exist everywhere for those willing to identify and pursue them.
- Collaboration is often more valuable than competition — especially in the planning and development sector.
- Execution matters more than ideas alone — impact comes from turning concepts into action.
- Scaling impact requires courage and a willingness to embrace discomfort and uncertainty.
Most importantly, Dr. Sakado challenged young professionals to think beyond personal success and focus on building lasting legacies that create opportunities for future generations of African planners and development practitioners.
Reimagining Public Spaces for Sustainable African Cities
The second panel — Public Spaces, Innovation and the Future of Planning — explored how urban planners can create healthier, more sustainable, and culturally relevant urban environments that reflect African realities rather than simply replicating international models.
Key themes from the discussion included:
- Designing public spaces that encourage healthy lifestyles through walking, cycling, and active recreation.
- Integrating urban agriculture into city planning frameworks to enhance food security and green space.
- Promoting renewable energy initiatives that simultaneously generate employment and deliver environmental benefits.
- Strengthening community-led environmental restoration projects that empower local residents.
- Recognising the social, cultural, and economic value of natural assets within urban areas.
One particularly inspiring example showcased how community-driven environmental rehabilitation can restore ecosystems while simultaneously creating local pride, tourism opportunities, and economic activity — demonstrating that sustainability and economic development are not mutually exclusive.
Key Lessons for the Next Generation of Urban Planning Professionals
Several critical themes emerged throughout the conference, offering a roadmap for planning professionals seeking to thrive in Africa’s rapidly evolving urban landscape:
1. Agility is Essential
African cities evolve rapidly, often through informal processes. Future planners must be flexible, adaptive, and capable of responding to changing realities on the ground.
2. Technology is No Longer Optional
Artificial Intelligence, data analytics, GIS technologies, and digital collaboration tools are becoming core competencies for modern planning professionals. Digital literacy is now a baseline expectation, not an added advantage.
3. Innovation Happens at the Intersections
The most impactful planning solutions emerge where planning intersects with business, environmental management, agriculture, engineering, public policy, and technology. Breaking down silos unlocks transformative potential.
4. Lifelong Learning is Critical
Professional success increasingly depends on continuous upskilling. Short courses, professional certifications, networking opportunities, and self-directed learning have become essential investments in any planning career.
5. Vision Must Be Matched by Action
Big ideas only create impact when they are implemented. The conference repeatedly reinforced the importance of taking initiative and transforming concepts into tangible, measurable outcomes.
Building a New Generation of Planning Entrepreneurs
The Entrepreneurship in Planning initiative was founded on a simple but powerful belief: the future of urban planning belongs to professionals who can combine technical expertise with entrepreneurial thinking.
As cities across Africa confront interconnected challenges related to rapid urbanisation, climate change, infrastructure delivery, economic development, and social inclusion, urban planners have an unprecedented opportunity to become innovators, problem-solvers, and change-makers at the forefront of Africa’s urban transformation.
The 2nd Edition of Entrepreneurship in Planning demonstrated that a new generation of professionals is ready, willing, and equipped to embrace that responsibility.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Urban Planning in Africa
The conversations ignited in Rosebank do not end with the conference.
Chedza Enviro & Planning Solutions remains committed to creating platforms that connect planners, entrepreneurs, academics, policymakers, and industry leaders. By fostering collaboration and encouraging innovation, we aim to contribute meaningfully to building more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable African cities.
As we look ahead to future editions of Entrepreneurship in Planning, one message remains clear:
The planner of tomorrow is not simply a planner. They are a digital thinker, an entrepreneur, a collaborator, a sustainability champion, and a leader shaping Africa’s urban future.
About Chedza Enviro & Planning Solutions
Chedza Enviro & Planning Solutions is a South African consultancy dedicated to advancing sustainable development, environmental management, spatial planning, and professional capacity building across Africa. Through initiatives such as Entrepreneurship in Planning, Chedza continues to foster innovation, knowledge exchange, and leadership within the built environment sector.