MUNICIPAL ENGINEERING IS A KEY ENABLER

During April 2023, I had the opportunity to attend the first International Federation of Municipal Engineering (IFME) board meeting for the year, as the representative for South Africa and IFME’s other Southern African member countries, namely Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe.

Hosted in Birmingham, England, this coincided with the Interchange Conference focusing on integrated transport infrastructure, including how information technology, artificial intelligence and alternative energies like green hydrogen will shape the future of smart city mobility.

In parallel, as one of the Interchange’s six co-hosted events, was the 2023 IFME World Congress, where I had the opportunity to network and exchange ideas with my municipal engineering counterparts on shared experiences.

It’s refreshing to note that our Southern African challenges are not unique –particularly when it comes to asset management and optimum infrastructure utilisation. There were key speaker presentations in this respect from the UK and New Zealand, homing in on the challenges of managing and detecting underground services.

While non-revenue water (NRW) losses are a factor worldwide, the problem is particularly concerning in South Africa, due to our ageing and leaking infrastructure. Estimates place this at around 35% on average, compared to a global benchmark of some 15%. In addition to lost billable revenues, the implications for our waterscarce country are severe and so far more needs to be done to monitor, maintain and upgrade pipeline services, referencing best-in-class interventions.

Climate change is a real threat

Climate change mitigation is crucial when it comes to extreme weather events, which includes the need for future-proof designs, ranging from river erosion control to stormwater management and sustainable urban drainage systems.

Lowering carbon emissions is an equal priority in terms of how we design and build structures, with an emphasis on using ‘green’ materials and techniques.

A key element will be the way renewable and alternative energies dovetail with current and future designs. Within this context, new fuels like green hydrogen will help to lower the cost in all sectors – from desalination to the powering of vehicles.

These and allied themes will continue to grow in importance as UN nations strive for net-zero emissions by 2050. They will also be a major focus for the IFME 2024 World Congress scheduled for 23-26 September in Utrecht, Netherlands, under the theme ‘Future Green City.’ Utrecht is the ideal location, as this city is regarded as an international reference site for best-inclass municipal innovations.

Back in South Africa, we also need to do more to green our cities, and make them optimal living spaces, with a concerted effort made to promote a circular economy.

It is an exciting new frontier of exploration, and one that requires constant engagement between the public and private sector. Within this area, IMESA’s role is to facilitate positive change within the municipal space, constantly engaging with our Institute members, municipalities and industry stakeholders to perfect workable solutions.

Strategic partnership

A very encouraging development in this respect is that SALGA (South African Local Government Association) and IMESA are reviving the strategic partnership agreement that was signed in 2011 to strengthen collaboration and assist municipalities with their infrastructure challenges. A steering committee is being appointed to identify which of the key issues can be addressed and to ensure that the proposed strategies are implemented.

Working together, we are stronger in our quest for a sustainable world that delivers dignified and enabling infrastructure services.