JDA completes Goud Street upgrades
The Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA) has completed the public environment upgrades (PEUs) on Goud Street, located in the heart of Johannesburg’s Central Business District (CBD). This development transforms the street into a high-quality space, enhancing the pedestrian experience with wider sidewalks, improved lighting, landscaping, and the addition of trees and natural elements.
The Goud Street PEUs are part of the broader Inner-City Core Public Environment Upgrades within the Gandhi Square East Precinct. This precinct has emerged as a bustling hub for commerce, retail, and public transport, serving thousands of daily commuters using buses, taxis, and the Rea Vaya Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) system.
Goud Street, which stretches nearly a kilometer through Ward 124, is home to the historic Downtown Music Hub, a recording facility that opened in 1979 and is officially recognized as part of the city’s heritage.
The project, valued at R15 million, is a key component of the Gandhi Square East Precinct Urban Development Framework and part of the City’s larger plan to invest over R800 million in capital projects within Region F, which includes Johannesburg’s inner city.
The upgrades spanned from Marshall Street, crossing Main and Fox Streets, to Commissioner Street, and included:
- Sidewalk upgrades
- New public lighting
- Stormwater system installation
- New street furniture, including benches and bins
- Planting of street trees
In line with the JDA’s commitment to job creation, the project employed labour-intensive methods through the Expanded Public Works Programme. Seven small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs) were involved, with R6 million allocated to SMME expenditure.
JDA CEO Themba Mathibe expressed pride in the project, stating, “The successful upgrade of Goud Street reflects our commitment to revitalising Johannesburg’s inner city by creating spaces that are not only functional but also enhance the quality of life for residents, businesses, and visitors.”
He added, “The transformation of this key area into a vibrant, pedestrian-friendly environment exemplifies our vision of fostering economic growth and urban renewal while honouring the rich heritage of our city.”
The upgrades align with the city’s vision for the Gandhi Square East Precinct as a thriving, economically viable, and integrated inner-city area, promoting both development and socio-economic growth.
