Addressing the National Development Plan 2030
Planning Africa Conference

Conference Background

The South African Planning Institute (SAPI), is a voluntary non-profit organisation established in 1996 to promote planning as a discipline. SAPI is South Africa’s representative to the Commonwealth Association of Planners. SAPI is a recognized voluntary profession association of Planners.

Every two years SAPI organises a conference on planning with the following broad objectives:

  • To provide the planning profession with a profile, identity, a voice and a platform to engage, comment and debate on critical issues affecting planning and development within the country and abroad;
  • To strengthen the local networks and at the same time, build regional networks;
  • To enhance theory and practice related to sustainable local, regional and national human and physical development planning.
Year City and Province Conference Theme
2002 Durban, Kwa-Zulu Natal “Regenerating Africa through Planning”
2006 Cape Town, Western Cape “Making the Connections”
2008 Johannesburg, Gauteng “Shaping the Future”
2010 Durban, Kwa-Zulu Natal “Beyond Crisis—Opportunities and Actions”
2012 Durban, Kwa-Zulu Natal “Growth, Democracy and Inclusion – Navigating Contested Futures”
2014 Durban, Kwa-Zulu Natal “Making Great Places”
2016 Johannesburg, Gauteng “Making Sense of the Future: Disruption and Reinvention”
2018 Cape Town, Western Cape “The Making of Modern African Cities”
Planning Africa Conference Bidding

Potential Host institutions need to fulfil the following requirements

  • The Bidder must have a firm foothold in planning.
  • The planning practices conducted by Bidder must be clarified for an assessment to be made regarding the value to delegates by way of tours and host participation in conference organising
  • The local potential venues for conference must be detailed with costs
  • The local accommodation and transport range must also be detailed with costs
  • Submission of a detailed and compelling motivation on why SAPI should organise Planning Africa in the locality recommended and why should SAPI partner with the Host
  • Motivation on what the added value the institution brings to SAPI and to Planning Africa
  • Details of funding commitments for conference from the Host
  • Written and signed commitments on support for the bid, resolutions from the Host Institution and supporting documents from any third parties supporting the bid.

Motivation by prospective host must cover:

  • Full costs of venues including, health & safety, emergency and security measures, all audio visual and other logistical arrangements needed for a successful conference such as catering and transport.
  • Costs of international speakers and travel and accommodation of key note speakers
  • Assurance of a minimum of 500 delegates
  • Negotiations with local accommodation outlets for delegates
  • Technical tours displaying planning instruments and tools
Awarding of Bids

Submission of Bids

  • All bid submissions will be on-line
  • Only online submissions will be considered

Evaluation of Bids

  • Foothold in planning
  • Signed commitments
  • Venue and allied services prices
  • Accommodation prices
  • Bids that score 60 points and more will qualify for further evaluation
  • Further Evaluation based on the motivation submitted will be on
  • Value-add to planning
  • Funding commitment firmly demonstrated to cover all costs
  • Longer term value in the partnership
  • Locality assessment, in as far as possible new localities will be given preference
  • Scoring of bids will be carried out independently by reviewers nominated by SAPI
  • Evaluations will be finalised with two preferred bidders and presented to the SAPI Board for a decision within three months of the bids closing