Marlboro Station and surroundings

Johannesburg, South Africa

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Winning Team: Green Mavericks
Team members: Snethemba Jiyane, Theo Motsohi, Tlhalefang Mogatosi, Gift Chuene & Mamotseki Mofelehetsi | University of Johannesburg

The team’s proposal pilots a transit-oriented development in Marlboro Station and its surrounding informal settlements. They propose a high-density mixed-use block that optimises vertical space to add green areas.

The team concentrated on the Jukskei River to help with the problems of food security and agricultural trade. They explained that “We wanted to establish a system to preserve this body of water, harnessing its flow to generate electricity, and developing it into the most well-thought-out green space that will reduce the carbon footprint of the new construction.”

The team noted that “The social inequities that still exist in South Africa's informal settlements, especially in Alexandra, have been brought to light by this initiative. We had the opportunity to visit the location and engage in conversation with the residents of Alexandra regarding their living circumstances. After reviewing the site's history, we concluded that, given the attention that has been paid to the effects housing projects have on the environment and the social welfare of the land's residents, there is a greater need than ever for housing projects. We also discovered that by collaborating across diverse design philosophies and methods, we can create amazing designs. 


Congratulations to all teams that participated! Check out the documentation tab to view the winning team's proposal. 


Special mention | Urban Nexus 
  • Team members:  Frank Moffat and  Khulani Motha | University of the Witwatersrand
  • Advisor: Tahira Toffah, Sessional Lecturer, School of Architecture & Planning | University of the Witwatersrand
Special mention | Recycled City 
  • Team members: Gustav Lambrechts and Nkosikhona Mfusi | University of the Witwatersrand
  • Advisor: Tahira Toffah, Sessional Lecturer, School of Architecture & Planning | University of the Witwatersrand



The study site 'Marlboro Station', is 
'otherwise categorised as Portion 1 of the Remaining Extent of the Farm Bergvallei 37 IR',  owned by the City of Johannesburg. The Jukskei River borders the site’s western edge, whilst the Marlboro Gautrain Station is on the southern edge. The site is currently undeveloped, however, many informal settlements have developed along the river banks. Flooding and river pollution are among the biggest challenges affecting these settlements. The site is situated on the corner of the N3 Highway and Marlboro Drive. It is approximately 6.2km east of Sandton CBD and 20 km northeast of Johannesburg CBD. It is located near the well-known township of Alexandra to the south and 6.5km east of the affluent residential area of Sandown.

The site is located close to the train station and major road interchange, whilst a large affordable housing development borders the subject area’s northern edge. These factors contribute to the site's potential to be transformed for the site to be transformed into a Transit Oriented Development (TOD). The expectation is that a TOD would link public transport hubs with affordable housing developments with access to adequate social facilities and a public open space system. 





Approx. site area: 
  • Approximately 14 hectares

Key Information: 

  • The site is within the Greater Alexandra Development Area which has a population of more than 231 900 people and 82 840 households. The average household size is 2.8 (3 people/dwelling unit).

Priority areas & main expectations: 

Proposals should seek to reinvent the area into a green and thriving TOD, specifically considering the following priorities and focus areas:


  • Improve the area’s connections to public transport (Gautrain station).

  • Develop social and affordable housing.

  • Provide social and community facilities.

  • Enhance the public open space system.

  • Implement climate change and adaptation measures that mitigate the impacts of flooding and polluted water, and improve water security.



The jury panel who evaluated all submitted projects consisted of the following members:

  • Matimba Ngobeni, Specialist Strategic Urban Planner: Urban Design and Architecture | City of Johannesburg Development Planning Department
  • Julius Sello, Deputy Director: Land Use Development Management | City of Johannesburg Development Planning Department
  • Monica Albonico Sack, Professional Urban Designer and Architect | Albonico Sack Metacity Urban Designers
  • Lunelle Serobatse, Director of Strategic Coordination | City of Johannesburg  Environment and Infrastructure Services
    Lemohang Cindi, Assistant Director or Urban Design and Architecture | City of Johannesburg  Human Settlements Department
  • Jessica Kavonic, Head of Implementation, Africa | C40 Cities
  • Jessica Harding, Design Director, Regional Cities & Urban Design Practice Area Leader | Gensler
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Location
Johannesburg South Africa
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