If you could fix one barrier in residential development in South Africa today, what would it be?
Municipal approvals delaying projects? Infrastructure capacity limiting development? Access to funding for new housing developments? Policy uncertainty affecting investment decisions? Across the residential property sector, these are the real conversations developers, investors and policymakers are having right now. Demand for housing continues to grow, yet delivering new residential developments is becoming increasingly complex. From navigating regulatory processes to securing funding and infrastructure support, the development landscape is evolving rapidly.
At the upcoming 4th Annual Residential Investment & Development Summit, industry leaders will unpack these challenges and explore practical solutions shaping the future of housing in South Africa. Some of the key conversations include:
Streamlining for Scale A panel discussion examining policy reforms aimed at fast-tracking project approvals and unlocking state-owned land for development. Making the Case for Residential Investment A deep dive into international and local case studies that are attracting institutional and foreign capital into residential development. Decoding Semigration and Urbanisation An analysis of demographic and household trends that are reshaping demand in South Africa’s multi-family residential markets. Financing the Green Transition Exploring how developers can access green bonds and preferential funding for sustainable residential developments. Rethinking Townships: From Risk to Resilience A powerful discussion unpacking investment opportunities and misconceptions around township developments.
These are just some of the conversations taking place at the ResideSummit, where developers, investors, financiers, and government come together to explore the opportunities shaping South Africa’s residential landscape. If you are involved in residential development, housing investment, or urban planning, this is a conversation worth being part of.
JPOMA GM Angela Rivers attended the IBT Summit on 3 February 2026.
The IBT Presidential Summit brought together government, industry, financiers, researchers, innovators, and communities to shape a national agenda for accelerating the adoption of Innovative Building Technologies in South Africa. https://ibtsummit.co.za/
Key takeaways 1) We need more creative, cooperative, quicker, better, cheaper housing. 2) We need more decent housing in functioning human settlements.
Innovation in the building sector is a critical!
Challenges Facing the Implementation of IBTS and Intervening Mechanisms in South Africa Panel discussion
Key points: What are the barriers? Research, sustainability, climate change, transition to more sustainable concepts, education, construction delays, policy, scaling, social acceptance. Solutions Climate resilience products, 3D printing of houses, precinct-level interventions, green buildings, collaboration, local government needs to be included as they drive implementation.
Barriers Associated with IBTs and Applied Measures and Interventions Panel discussion
Key points: Need to encourage new innovation through design, inspect and certify. It is not about project delivery it is about the process and we need to get communities involved from the beginning. Community investment is everything. Regulation does not support quick innovation, Regulation has not kept up with the pace of innovation. There needs to be more support in the transition from informal to formal housing. New technology needs to support job creation
Ms. Tandi Mahambehlala Deputy Minister of Human SettlementsMs. Thembi Simelane Minister of Human SettlementsH.E President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa
By Chantelle Gladwin-Wood (Partner), Lauren Squier (Partner) and Maike Gohl (Partner) 30 January 2026
(Case No: 2022/20074)
The High Court has confirmed its precedent judgment and has, for the second time, dismissed the City of Johannesburg’s attempt to charge business rates to residential property owners.
Partners, Chantelle Gladwin-Wood, Maike Gohl and Lauren Squier of HBGSchindlers Attorneys (acting for the Second Respondent in the matter) are pleased to announce the dismissal of an application for leave to appeal which was brought against a judgment of the High Court in Johannesburg upholding a decision by the Valuation Appeal Board regarding the categorisation of residential sectional title properties for rating purposes.
The categorisation of the residential properties as sectional title business would have resulted in substantially higher rates being charged to the residential property owners, 4 times in excess of the sectional title residential rate.
This judgment serves to confirm (for the second time) that the appropriate rate to be charged to the property owners was sectional title residential, and it reinforces the legal position that municipal valuations and categorisations must be consistent with valuation principles and the law. The judgments handed down have prevented the City of Johannesburg and the Municipal Valuer from categorising other residential properties as business in the manner attended in this matter.
HBGSchindlers Attorneys are pleased with the outcome of this matter which sets a legal precedent and is a triumph for not only the Second Respondent, but for all owners of residential sectional title property within the City of Johannesburg alike.
On the 10th of October, Executive Mayor, Dada Morero met with inner-city property owners to share rapid progress on the High-Impact Service Delivery Programme in the CBD.
JPOMA GM Angela Rivers reiterated the critical need to sort out the billing crisis. Rivers also challenged the Mayor and his bomb squad to spend actual time in Revenue, City Power and Joburg Water, so they can get a real sense of what is happening on the ground. Based on the trust deficit and no sense of urgency in council, there is an urgent need for real intervention.
Following this engagement, the City of Joburg held an Open Day on 17 October, for Inner City property owners and residents to address their billing issues.
