The City of Cape Town is developing its new five-year plan, also known as the Integrated Development Plan (IDP). The IDP sets out the City’s strategic and budget priorities for the next five years. It specifies how the municipality will allocate resources and spend money.

With the end of term of office of the previous Council and the election of a new Council on 18 May 2011, the City is required by law to prepare a new five year plan (IDP). This will cover the period from July 2012 to June 2017, and is subject to annual review.

The IDP is a plan for the entire city, and not just for specific suburbs or areas. Because the needs identified in the IDP also shape the City’s budget, it is a very important document that
affects every resident in one way or another.

Your participation

Public comment and input is very important, so that the City can identify residents’ priorities and decide how to meet those needs with the resources available.

The Executive Mayor, Patricia de Lille, and the Deputy Executive Mayor, Ian Neilson, will address public meetings across the city over the next month.

The City’s plans and priorities for the next five years will be outlined and explained at these meetings, which will also provide residents with the opportunity to give their input.

In addition to these opportunities, the City’s subcouncils will be hosting meetings for residents. Watch the local press for details of subcouncil meetings in your area.

Other events will be hosted at shopping malls and large corporations. The five-year plan for the City of Cape Town builds on the city’s current Have your say about the City’s five-year plan
strengths, and concentrates on five ‘pillars’ or strategic focus areas, which are: 

• the opportunity city 
  
• the safe city 
  
• the caring city 
  
• the inclusive city 
  
• the well-run city
  

Together, these five strategic focus areas provide direction for a new term in local government.

Cape Town’s first IDP was drawn up in 2000, and has been revised every year.

Follow the City's Twitter and Facebook groups for the latest updates.