23rd June2016

eThekwini Urban Observatory Draft Discussion Paper

  • Background and purpose of document

At its March 2016 meeting of the eThekwini Municipality’s City Planning Commission (CPC) a short presentation on observatories was made. Having considered the input, the Office of Strategy Management was requested to provide a two-page discussion paper that summarises the essence of an observatory and proposes a way forward for the CPC to further deliberate on

  • What is an Urban Observatory?

From a desktop survey of international and national observatories, it is evident that observatories take different forms and respond to different needs, based on the unique circumstances and contexts within which they are located. Notwithstanding this, an observatory in a municipal setting is best understood as a vehicle that is established to specifically provide insights into the serious challenges faced by eThekwini in order to support evidence-based decision making in the policy and practice of local governance. This is done through identifying and assessing international and national evidence and good practices.

  • A case for an eThekwini Urban Observatory (UO)?

Some of the key motivating factors for the establishment of an UO could include the following:

  • The lack of easily useable and readily available data for internal and external researchers and policy analysts.
  • The need for a central repository of data collected by various line departments which can be used more strategically and to collaborate on long term issues facing the city
  • The recognition of the lack of current capacity for more cutting-edge analysis and business intelligence resulting in innovative solutions that address strategic challenges facing the city
  • The absence of a dedicated full-time institutional vehicle that brings together the municipality and key research partners to collaborate on long-term issues facing the city.
  • Providing a credible non-partisan research output.
  • Some key considerations: Implications and institutional options

It is argued that whilst the notion of the establishment of an UO is well-intentioned, it is important to explore whether the creation of such a vehicle will be the best option

that addresses research needs of the CPC and addresses the motivating factors identified above. Will other strategic responses such as elevating the strategic importance of municipal research and policy, fully capacitating the current unit, adopting a more strategic research agenda that aligns with that of the universities for example not achieve the same outcomes? These are important considerations to be explored.

It is recommended in the short term that:

  • Priority is given to developing a research brief that is responsive to the CPC’s concerns raised in the eThekwini on the Edge storyline.
  • That existing structures within eThekwini Office of Strategy Management, in collaboration with the CPC, develop clear research briefs.
  • Explore various existing options for completing this research including, the appointment of other Organs of State, utilising eThekwini’s existing MOUs with Tertiary Institutions, and open tenders.
  • That an independent cost–benefit analysis of establishing an urban observatory in eThekwini is commissioned by the CPC. This should include an analysis of existing urban observatories and the value that they add where there are local tertiary institutions. This work must include a business for the establishment of an urban observatory.

Should the UO as an institutional response be the most suitable, there are various options that could be considered. These could include:

  • Establishing the UO within an existing research institution (e.g. HSRC or local university), with research commissioned
  • Creating a separate institution with collective investment and collective management by the city and key partners (business, civil society, academia)
  • Create a separate institution with independent board and multiple funders

Each of these options will obviously have different funding and institutional implications, which will be detailed in the feasibility and subsequent business plans.

  • Moving forward: Recommending a phased approach

It is recommended that rather than adopt a big-bang approach, a more measured, incremental approach be pursued. Clearly, establishing a sustainable urban observatory is a time-consuming process that will require in the first instance a cost-benefit analysis or mini- feasibility study and business plan that will involve development of strategy and structure, stakeholder consultation, fund mobilisation, office and staffing establishment, political leadership support, etc. Given these processes, the realistic operational functioning of the UO may be a more medium term response to the current research challenges.