Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo (JCPZ) has published the first ever book to be written on African urban forests and green spaces. The 170 page compendium, which can be downloaded from their website, covers 34 urban forest case studies and forges an Africa-centric way forward for trees in cities. The book is science-based and references global best practices, heralding a new era in which, as Africa continues to urbanise, its towns grow greener and its people have shaded street

Digitising water systems reduces non-revenue water and operating costs, which is a pre-requisite for any municipality attempting to modernise towards smart city standards. Few cities have reached the status of being comprehensively ‘smart’, yet there are some examples of smart city advances, such as dynamic traffic lights in New York and smart energy grids in Shenzen. Smart water adoption has outpaced most other smart infrastructure initiatives because utilities can quantify

A recent study by scientists at the University of Pretoria and Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland, has revealed that some of the oceans most powerful predators are running hotter due to warming oceans and declining food resources. The research shows that warm-bodied fish, including the great white shark, the basking shark and tuna species, burn nearly four times more energy than their cold-blooded counterparts. This means they’re likely to face an increasing risk of overheati

Amazon SA will partner with the Kolisi Foundation on crucial educational initiatives and community programmes in underserved communities across South Africa. National rugby captain and icon Siya Kolisi will serve as a brand partner for 12 months, until March 2027, and the collaboration will see him feature across Amazon’s marketing campaigns and brand initiatives in South Africa. Robert Koen, Amazon MD for Sub-Saharan Africa, says that Kolisi embodies resilience, leadership a

The South African Green Industries Council (SAGIC) is pleased to announce that Rand Water – Water Wise will continue its Platinum Sponsor partner status with SAGIC for 2026. SAGIC is a voluntary NPC umbrella organisation representing the greater green industry which, by its very nature, is fully reliant on accessibility to water and therefore ascribes to the intelligent use of water. The partnership with Rand Water-Water Wise is viewed as vital for the green industry; the int

A masterclass in contemporary botanical drawing will be held on 8 July 2026 at Vergelegen Wine Estate in Somerset West, Cape Town. Guided by renowned botanical artist Sally Arnold, participants will explore how to plan, compose and execute a botanical artwork inspired by Vergelegen’s celebrated camellia collection. The programme is structured to help artists refine their technique, elevate their individual style and reinterpret a classical subject. Ms Arnold has studios in bo

This book, edited by Maliga Naidoo, identifies the urgent need to reshape urban environments, enabling public service officials worldwide to address the pressing issues confronting the population – from lifestyle diseases and social inequity to the climate crisis. As governments are tasked with serving the people and safeguarding the land, the concept of urban sustainability lies in the ability of cities to respond to the immediate needs of their residents, while preserving r

Drops of Life is an open source, 3D-printable device that channels air conditioner condensation into a clean, safe water source for urban birds, helping them to cope with heat stress and water scarcity in cities such as Johannesburg and Cape Town. Birds are feeling the effects of a warming planet, higher temperatures and a lack of clean water; this correlates with lower bird diversity. Outside of offices and apartments, birds are vulnerable to physiologocal stress and in some

A strategic brand consolidation has been launched under the Atrax umbrella, one of the world’s premier hubs for the recreation and park industries. Aquafun, a pioneer in pool and spa technologies, and Outdes, the prestigious brand for landscape and outdoor living, have joined forces to reposition themselves as a single powerhouse – Aqualand. Aqualand brings together water engineering and landscape architecture—two integral components of modern design—on a single, unified plat