Introduction to the ITMP25
The Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport (GDRT) developed the initial 25-year Integrated Transport Master Plan (ITMP25) for the Gauteng Province (also known as the ITMP25 project) in 2013. This project mapped out key transport projects and plans to be rolled out over the next 25 years until 2037. In addition to the 2013 ITMP25, the GDRT developed a 5-Year Gauteng Transport Implementation Plan (GTIP5). Subsequently in the second quarter of 2023, the Transport Authority for Gauteng (TAG) and the GDRT commenced with the review, preparation, and update of the ITMP25. It also includes the preparation of an interim GTIP5 with the final GTIP5 to be concluded together with the ITMP25.
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The TAG and the GDRT considered the rapid changes brought about in the societal environment by factors such as climate change, technological developments and their impacts on transportation, land use and spatial development planning, and implementation. These aspects, together with the publication of the National Land Transport Strategic Framework (2023 – 2028) and the overarching objectives of the National Transport Master Plan 2050 (NATMAP) served as some of the main drivers for the TAG and GDRT to review and update the GTIP5 and ITMP25 for the next 25 years.
What is meant by an Integrated Transport Master Plan?
By definition, a master plan is a strategic tool, mapping out short-, medium- and long-term objectives while not micro-managing the actual implementation. An integrated approach combines and coordinates economic, logistic, technological, environmental and human factors with one end-result in mind: enabling the people of Gauteng to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow and make the most of their opportunities.
Transport is clearly the main focus of the plan – but this does not mean that its scope is limited to infrastructure. Ultimately, transport is about people. The ITMP25 is managed as a social project rather than a transport project, which can be seen in an overview of the key focus areas of the plan.
Why do we need the ITMP25?
Gauteng is South Africa’s smallest province in terms of land area but it has the highest population density with around 870 people per square kilometre. Land must be used as efficiently as possible, especially as urbanisation is a global trend and will continue in the foreseeable future. This means that the transport network is subjected to increasing demands that the current infrastructure cannot meet. Commuters are the most obvious users of the transportation system but the demand does not begin and end there. Goods and services can only be delivered efficiently if the transportation infrastructure is fit for purpose – with the effects felt in terms of the economy and social cohesion. All this adds up to a situation that cannot be left to sort itself out.
Doing nothing is not an option – it’s simply a dead end.