The City of Cape Town is taking bold steps toward creating a safer, more connected, and future-ready transport network. Speaking at the South African Roads Federation (SARF) Annual General Meeting at the DHL Stadium, the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Mobility, Councillor Rob Quintas, outlined how Vision 2050 will reshape the city’s mobility systems for generations to come.
Addressing road industry leaders, engineers, and policymakers, Councillor Quintas said Cape Town’s road network is more than a collection of intersections and traffic lights — it is the lifeblood of the city. “Our roads are the cardiovascular system of the City of Cape Town. Their arteries must remain clear and healthy to keep the pulse of our city strong. When our roads are blocked or neglected, the entire city suffers,” he said.
Vision 2050, the City’s long-term development blueprint, sets out a plan to make Cape Town resilient, inclusive, and connected. The goal is to design a mobility system that works for everyone — from pedestrians and cyclists to motorists and public transport users. “It’s about creating an urban environment that supports dignity, safety, and accessibility for all residents,” added Quintas.
Under the plan, the City is focusing on safer intersections and pedestrian crossings, improved street lighting, protected cycle lanes, and road infrastructure that accommodates people with disabilities. These interventions are part of a broader effort to make movement through the city equitable and efficient.
Quintas emphasised that climate change is already testing Cape Town’s infrastructure through floods, heatwaves, and severe storms. To meet these challenges, the City is integrating stormwater management into road design, using sustainable surfacing materials, and preparing for a shift to electric mobility by developing charging-ready depots for buses and taxis. Restoring the passenger rail network remains a key priority to ease congestion and support economic access for communities.
“The South African Roads Federation continues to play a crucial role in advancing research and best practices that keep our infrastructure strong and adaptable,” said Quintas. “Every road we build or repair is an investment in people — connecting them to jobs, schools, healthcare, and opportunity. Vision 2050 is about more than transport; it’s about social progress and economic inclusion.”
As Cape Town moves closer to its Vision 2050 goals, the message from the City is clear — the future of mobility depends on collaboration and shared purpose. “Together, we must keep building — not just roads, but pathways to opportunity, connection, and dignity,” Quintas concluded.
