Cape Town’s CBD: a global model for urban revitalisation

As many city centres around the globe grapple with evolving work patterns, urban challenges, and increased crime, Cape Town’s central business district (CBD) stands out as a beacon of success, earning accolades from urban experts, placemakers, and public-private partnership leaders at the recent 2025 International Downtown Association (IDA) World Towns Leadership Summit.

Hosted by the Cape Town Central City Improvement District (CCID) alongside the Voortrekker Road Corridor Improvement District and the Greater Tygerberg Partnership, the summit showcased Cape Town’s CBD as a “global role model for urban revitalisation.”

Gary Holmes from New Zealand highlighted the effectiveness of the city’s unique public-private partnership model, which has successfully reversed urban decay and attracted significant investment. Holmes underscored the vibrant atmosphere of the CBD, stating, “It’s not just a 9-to-5 office park but a real live-work-play environment with people everywhere, day and night.” He noted its burgeoning status as Africa’s digital economy hub, particularly for fintech and business process outsourcing (BPO) companies.

The emphasis on safety and cleanliness was a recurrent theme. David Downey, IDA president and CEO, commended proactive initiatives making the Cape Town CBD welcoming for all. He cited the crucial role played by safety ambassadors whose presence instils an immediate sense of security among visitors. Ojay McDonald, Chief Executive of the Association of Town & City Management in the UK, expressed his admiration for the CBD’s cleanliness and safety, asserting that it compares favourably with other global urban centres.

“The CBD is a world-class city centre that combines global relevance with a character that is uniquely its own,” Downey remarked. The mix of business vibrancy and lifestyle appeal, he noted, creates a rare environment reminiscent of coastal Californian cities. Cape Town has indeed earned its title as Africa’s very own Los Angeles, an “economic and urban beacon to the continent,” claimed Kris Larson, IDA chairperson and CEO of Houston’s Business Improvement District.

The diverse precincts within the CBD, each steeped in its own history and culture, enrich the city’s overall experience. The unique atmosphere encourages exploration, allowing guests to appreciate the myriad of design, culture, and energy that Cape Town’s CBD has to offer. Taichi Goto, founder and MD at Region Works LLC in Japan, reinforced the city's strengths, emphasising its culture, history, natural beauty, gastronomy, and hospitality. This blend has contributed to Cape Town being voted the best city in the world by both The Telegraph’s pool of 20,000 international travellers and Time Out’s survey of 18,500 residents.

The summit participants recognised an important lesson in Cape Town’s outreach; transforming the most vulnerable members of society into contributors to the city's success. Downey remarked on the transformative power of this approach, pointing out how urban planning can positively impact community engagement.

Holmes and Goto noted Cape Town’s strategic adaptation to global urban trends, particularly the development of “15-minute cities.” This concept allows residents to access essential services, work, and leisure activities within a short walk or bike ride from home, fostering a sustainable urban lifestyle. Furthermore, the idea of mixed-use developments—which allows individuals to live, work, and shop within walking distance—has gained prominence, especially in the wake of COVID-19.

Holmes observed that the rise of hybrid work has fundamentally changed the traditional office model, leading downtowns to embrace mixed-use zoning. “Empty office buildings are being transformed into apartments or new retail spaces,” he concluded, underscoring a necessary evolution in urban design that aligns with contemporary lifestyles.