Cape Town’s CBD shines as a world-class inner city
While many city centres around the world are being reshaped by changing work patterns, urban densification, and crime and grime, the Cape Town CBD continues to distinguish itself as one of the world’s leading inner cities.
This is the consensus from urban experts, place makers and public-private partnership leaders from around the globe, who were in Cape Town earlier this year to attend the 2025 International Downtown Association (IDA) World Towns Leadership Summit hosted by the Cape Town Central City Improvement District (CCID), together with the Voortrekker Road Corridor Improvement District and the Greater Tygerberg Partnership.
Gary Holmes from New Zealand described Cape Town’s CBD as a “global role model for urban revitalisation,” noting that its unique public-private partnership model has successfully reversed urban decay and attracted major investment. He added that the city is well placed to cement its role as Africa’s digital economy hub.
“It’s not just a 9-to-5 office park but it’s a real live-work-play environment with people everywhere, day and night. Plus, it’s become a huge hub for tech and business, attracting fintech and BPO companies; a big deal,” said Holmes.
David Downey, IDA president and CEO, praised the proactive measures that make the Cape Town CBD a safe and welcoming place, highlighting the role of safety ambassadors whose visible presence “creates an immediate sense of security.”
Ojay McDonald, the Chief Executive of the Association of Town & City Management from the UK, agreed. “I was struck by how clean the CBD is and how safe it feels. Despite the challenges all big cities face, Cape Town compares favourably with global peers. I never felt less safe here than in any other major city.”
Downey was equally impressed by the attentiveness of local businesses to the visitor experience.
“The CBD is a world-class city centre that combines global relevance with a character that is uniquely its own. It has the vibrancy of a major business hub, but what truly distinguishes it is the lifestyle appeal – a rare blend of outdoor and coastal culture, reminiscent of California.”
Cape Town can rightfully be regarded as Africa’s Los Angeles. “It is an economic and urban beacon to the continent, and among the most beautiful cities I’ve ever visited,” according to Kris Larson, IDA chairperson and CEO of Houston’s Business Improvement District in the United States.
Downey added that the CCID’s unique precincts in the CBD, with their own history and culture, provided diverse experiences that enrich the city overall and captured the imagination of the summit attendees. “This creates an atmosphere where one can confidently explore and appreciate all the incredible design, culture, and energy the CBD has to offer.”
Taichi Goto, founder and MD at Region Works LLC in Japan, noted that “culture, history, landscape, food and hospitality are all the strengths of the city, which has evolved as a port city that connects different parts of the world.”
This recognition of the city’s cultural and culinary delights, as well as its natural scenery, is reflected in the fact that Cape Town was recently voted the best city in the world, not only by The Telegraph’s 20,000 international travellers, but also in Time Out’s survey of 18,500 city residents.
Downey said there was an important lesson for other cities in Cape Town’s innovative outreach work. “It is remarkable how some of society’s most vulnerable have been transformed from being a potential burden into contributors to the city’s success.”
Both Goto and Holmes observed that Cape Town is successfully tapping into global urban trends, including the development of a “15-minute city,” where residents can access groceries, work, and entertainment within a short walk or bike ride from home.
They also pointed to the rise of mixed-use developments as another trend shaping the CBD’s future.
“The mixed-use approach, where residents can live, work and shop all within walking or biking distance, has become particularly important in the wake of COVID-19, which has transformed work and commuting habits,” Goto said, adding that downtown districts are adapting by creating more pedestrian-friendly streets, cycling infrastructure and flexible spaces that can accommodate offices, homes, cafes and cultural venues, all aimed at making urban life more attractive.
Homes noted that the rise of hybrid work has completely changed the traditional office model.
“Downtowns are responding by moving to mixed-use zoning, turning empty office buildings into apartments or new retail spaces,” concluded Holmes.
