Philip Harrison – The Conversation

Joburg skyline. South African Tourism/Flickr

June 9, 2025

Johannesburg’s problems can be solved – but it’s a long journey to fix South Africa’s economic powerhouse

Philip Harrison, University of the Witwatersrand; Graeme Gotz, Gauteng City-Region Observatory; Lorena Nunez Carrasco, University of the Witwatersrand, and Rashid Seedat, Gauteng City-Region Observatory

The question is not whether a city is fixed – it can never finally be – but rather what trajectory it is on.

Nelson Mandela Bridge in Johannesburg. Getty Images

October 17, 2023

South Africa’s 2022 census: has Johannesburg stopped growing, or are the numbers wrong?

Philip Harrison, University of the Witwatersrand; Alison Todes, University of the Witwatersrand; Darlington Mushongera, University of the Witwatersrand, and Graeme Gotz, Gauteng City-Region Observatory

If the numbers are correct, and it’s not certain that they are, Cape Town may have overtaken Johannesburg as the largest city in South Africa.

The aftermath of a 2021 fire disaster in an abandoned building in central Johannesburg. Photo by Sharon Seretlo/Gallo Images via Getty Images

September 8, 2023

Johannesburg fire: there was a plan to fix derelict buildings and provide good accommodation ‑ how to move forward

Marie Huchzermeyer, University of the Witwatersrand; Amira Osman, Tshwane University of Technology; Hannah le Roux, University of the Witwatersrand; Margot Rubin, Cardiff University; Matthew Wilhelm-Solomon, University of the Witwatersrand; Mfaniseni Fana Sihlongonyane, University of the Witwatersrand; Neil Klug, University of the Witwatersrand; Philip Harrison, University of the Witwatersrand; Priscila Izar, University of the Witwatersrand; Sarah Charlton, University of the Witwatersrand; Sarita Pillay Gonzalez, University of the Witwatersrand, and Tanya Zack, University of the Witwatersrand

Armed police interventions are unconstitutional and incapable of addressing housing and safety in the inner city.

Shenzhen, in China’s southern Guangdong province. A village until 1980, it’s a rare new city success story. Photo by Jade Gao / AFP via Getty Images

August 14, 2022

South Africa doesn’t need new cities: it needs to focus on fixing what it’s got

Philip Harrison, University of the Witwatersrand and Alison Todes, University of the Witwatersrand

New towns have had a better track record in places of rapid economic and population growth, such as east Asian countries.

In Toronto, lockdown measures asked residents to remain at home. (Shutterstock)

July 25, 2022

How COVID‑19 lockdown measures — and their outcomes — varied in cities around the world

Roger Keil, York University, Canada; Philip Harrison, University of the Witwatersrand, and Xuefei Ren, Michigan State University

Examining how COVID-19 lockdowns and stay-at-home orders were implemented in Toronto, Johannesburg and Chicago reveals the impact they had on vulnerable communities.

Singapore’s Surbana Jurong prepared master plan 2040 for the Rwandan capital, Kigali. GettyImages

May 3, 2022

New forms of urban planning are emerging in Africa

Sylvia Croese, University of the Witwatersrand and Philip Harrison, University of the Witwatersrand

Master planning has served the entwining interests and ambitions of international as well as local actors in Africa.

Mxolisi Kaunda mayor of eThekwini. If parties or individuals succeed in the politics and practicalities of governing a metro, the rewards are considerable. Darren Stewart/Gallo Images via Getty Images

November 29, 2021

Why South African political parties must find a balance between rural versus metro support

Philip Harrison, University of the Witwatersrand

Metros may be a graveyard for political ambition. But if parties or individuals succeed, the rewards are considerable.

Johannesburg skyline: the challenge is to create a city that is liveable, safe and resource efficient. Reuters/Siphiwe Sibeko

September 4, 2016

The revolt of South Africa’s metropoles: a revolution of rising expectations

Philip Harrison, University of the Witwatersrand

Populations revolt when lives are improving but not fast enough to meet their rising expectations.

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