City of Johannesburg to Unlock Public Asset Value for Economic Growth
The City of Johannesburg is accelerating efforts to unlock the full potential of its property and infrastructure portfolio as part of a broader strategy to diversify revenue, enhance service delivery, and stimulate economic growth.
“The City of Joburg is actively exploring new avenues to unlock funding and diversify revenue streams,” said Councillor Margaret Arnolds, Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Finance.
Through the Joburg Property Company (JPC), the City is identifying revenue-generating municipal assets—including rental properties, billboards, and market stalls—to ensure better financial returns and long-term sustainability in service delivery.
Unlocking Job-Creating Opportunities on City-Owned Land
In addition to income-generating leases, the City is also pinpointing underutilised public land and buildings that can be transformed into job-creating developments. Targeted sectors include:
- Urban farming
- Logistics and warehousing
- Light manufacturing
“We are identifying underutilised City-owned land and buildings to unlock job-creating opportunities in urban farming, logistics, and light manufacturing,” added Cllr Arnolds.
Building a Smarter and More Inclusive Johannesburg
These efforts are aligned with the City's long-term economic recovery and resilience plan, which aims to:
- Boost local economic activity
- Attract investment through smart land use
- Maximise the value of public assets
- Promote inclusive, community-centered development
This initiative forms part of a smarter, more inclusive Johannesburg—where underperforming City-owned assets are leveraged to create sustainable economic opportunities and improved urban service delivery.
