Across the globe, cities are discovering the power of creative placemaking, where art and culture are not just add-ons, but central tools for urban transformation. This innovative approach brings together artists, residents, and city planners to reimagine public spaces, shaping not only the look of a city but also its spirit, safety, and sense of belonging.

From New York’s High Line to Hamburg’s HafenCity, creative placemaking has turned forgotten spaces into lively, inclusive hubs. In New York, an old railway became a celebrated park. In Hamburg, a waterfront was reborn as a mixed-use district blending homes, businesses, and culture. These projects show that when art is woven into urban planning, it sparks economic growth, attracts investment, and makes communities safer and more welcoming.

Johannesburg is now leading the way with bold, creative placemaking initiatives, and Jozi My Jozi is at the forefront. The city’s inner core faces real challenges—neglect, crime, and crumbling infrastructure. But Jozi My Jozi is using creative placemaking to change the story, starting with the city’s gateways.

Gateways as Canvases for Change

The Jozi My Jozi Gateway Projects represent a transformative approach to urban revitalisation that goes beyond traditional municipal interventions. Gateways are the first thing people see when they enter Johannesburg. They set the tone for the city experience. If these spaces are dirty or unsafe, they send a message of decay. If they are vibrant and creative, they tell a new story—one of hope and possibility. By focusing on the critical entry points that shape first impressions of Johannesburg, the initiative addresses both immediate safety and infrastructure concerns while building toward a longer-term vision of a more connected, accessible, and vibrant inner city.

The 10 Prioritised gateways into the city

So what’s Changing at the Gateways?

Safety and Security Enhancements

• Installation of CCTV cameras for enhanced surveillance
• Improved lighting systems, including solar-powered options
• Enhanced security infrastructure to deter criminal activity

Infrastructure Improvements

• Pothole repairs and road surface restoration
• Traffic light maintenance and upgrades
• Sidewalk repairs and pedestrian infrastructure enhancement

Environmental and Aesthetic Upgrades

• Comprehensive cleaning operations
• Long-term maintenance planning

Our approach to creative placemaking is hands-on and collaborative:

• Art as a Catalyst: Murals, sculptures, and installations reflect local history and identity to make gateways feel alive and meaningful.
• Community at the Centre: Residents and business owners are invited to participate in planning and maintaining the spaces, ensuring the projects reflect the needs and voices of the people who use them every day.
• Safety Through Creativity: Over 650 solar-powered lights and CCTV cameras have already been installed, making the city safer while also serving as part of the creative landscape.
• Infrastructure with Imagination: Broken sidewalks are fixed, street furniture is designed with flair, and landscaping is used to create welcoming green spaces.

The success of this project will demonstrate the power of public-private partnerships in addressing complex urban challenges. Through the adoption model, corporate sponsorship, and community engagement, the Gateway Projects aim to create sustainable improvements that benefit all users of Johannesburg’s inner city. As the initiative continues to expand, it serves as a model for collaborative urban transformation that could be replicated in other metropolitan areas facing similar challenges.

Placemaking in Action

The Nelson Mandela Bridge stands as a flagship example of the Gateway Projects’ impact. This iconic 284-meter structure, spanning 42 railway lines, connects the historically divided neighbourhoods of Braamfontein and Newtown. As part of the Gateway Project, the bridge has undergone significant renovation with the support of ABSA.

The Nelson Mandela Bridge is now lit up at Night.

A key route for students and workers, the bridge has been restored and lit up, making it safer and more inviting for thousands of daily users. The initial phase saw the addition of solar-powered LED lights, repaired glass panels, restored vibrant coloured lights, enhanced security measures, and a thorough cleanup. Steel structures were repainted, paving repaired, sidewalks resurfaced, and crash barriers and bollards installed.

The creative placemaking interventions by James Delaney and Farai Mafurirano from Moja Nation celebrate Johannesburg’s rich cultural tapestry, inviting everyone to experience the city in a new light. The bridge’s new look is further enhanced by the addition of bold, geometric stencilled patterns and murals with quotes from the preamble to the Constitution by @dekor_one.

The Moja Nation team at work on the Nelson Mandela Bridge.

One of the most transformative additions to the Nelson Mandela Bridge is the installation of benches. The mosaics by Dionne MacDonald and team from the Spaza Arts Trust capture the morning & sunset views in mosaic, complete with skyline & hadadas flying. These benches are more than functional—they are powerful placemaking tools that transform the bridge from a mere transit route into a destination. They invite locals and visitors alike to pause, take in the views, reflect, and engage with the legacy of Nelson Mandela. By providing a place to sit and contemplate, the benches help turn the bridge into a vibrant public space, fostering community interaction and creating moments of connection amidst the city’s hustle.

The new benches on the Mandela Bridge.

Restoration work has also begun on the Queen Elizabeth Bridge, supported by FNB. The bridge was built in the 1950s, connecting key parts of the city and spanning railway tracks near Johannesburg Station. Creative placemaking on the bridge includes murals and steel sculptures, depicting the gateway theme of Jozi people by local award-winning illustrator, designer and founder of streetwear brand, Beautiful Boys Lazi Mathebula.

Lazi Mathebula’s metal sculptures depict characters in everyday Joburg.

Building on Local Success

Johannesburg already has proof that creative placemaking works. The Maboneng Precinct and Victoria Yards, once neglected industrial areas, are global models for arts-led urban renewal. These projects show that when art is at the heart of urban planning, it can address multiple challenges at once—safety, economic growth, education, and social connection.

Challenges and the Way Forward

Creative placemaking is not without its risks. There is always the danger that projects become exclusive or push out existing communities. Success and sustainability depend on real community engagement and building local capacity and ownership. Cape Town’s Tafelsig Place Making project is a great example of what’s possible when residents come together to improve their own spaces.

Jozi My Jozi: A Citywide Movement

Jozi My Jozi’s Gateway Project is just the beginning. These projects show that when art is at the heart of urban planning, it can address multiple challenges at once—safety, economic growth, education, and social connection. By putting creative placemaking at the centre of urban revitalisation, the organisation is changing perceptions and building momentum for broader change in Johannesburg’s inner city. Our approach is practical, collaborative, and rooted in the belief that art and culture can make a real difference in people’s lives.

Creative placemaking is showing that positive change is possible, starting with the places people see first. When art is at the heart of urban transformation, the whole city benefits.

Dawn Robertson
Jozi My Jozi: Creative & Visitor Economy Catalyst