WCPDF 2026 Conference places future (city) perfect under spotlight

How will we design, fund and build resilient inclusive cities in South Africa, especially as our municipal boundaries grow ever closer together?  

The Western Cape Property Development Forum (WCPDF) will interrogate this at its 13^th Annual Conference to be held from Wednesday 24 to Thursday 25 June 2026 at the CTICC in Cape Town. Under the theme “Future (City) Perfect”, this year’s event will explore how South Africa will cope with the future growth of its cities and towns. 

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“When it began in 2013, our conference originally focused just on the challenges and opportunities as they related to the Western Cape,” explains WCPDF Chairperson, Deon van Zyl. “However, we now attract private and public sector Built Environment professionals from across the country, as well as from allied financial and legal fields, because there is so much commonality in our industry throughout South Africa.” 

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Over 500 delegates are expected to attend the conference in 2026 as it has become known for providing a major platform for discussion, debate, networking and decision-making. Those Speakers confirmed to date include high-ranking politicians and officials from numerous municipalities, a host of private-sector speakers involved in urban design, global trends within the production pipeline of property, cyber risk, foreign investment, and the importance of rebuilding skills in the industry. 

Premier Alan Winde and Cape Town Executive Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis will be in discussion with WCPDF Chairperson, Deon van Zyl, in a Day 2 Session which aims to set the outcomes from the conference and form a blueprint for collaboration between the private and public sector across the next year. Africa Melane, host of Early Breakfast (702 and CapeTalk) will be back by popular demand to once again facilitate the two-day event, and the Opening Keynote on Day 1 will be futurist Deon Chang of Flux Trends, delivering his insights on “The State We’re In: the trends that speak to political, economic and social aspects of cities.” 

Sessions throughout the two-day event include:

• The future of Megacities in the Western Cape: As our South African cities grow ever closer and transform into megacities, what do we want for the Western Cape? We can either set a Masterplan now for the future or risk the rise of unworkable monsters. 

• The Urban Design-led future:  Why is urban design so important in South Africa now, and how can we ensure it will be profitable - not only in short-term economic gains but long-term legacy? 

• Building a Production Pipeline for the Future: What’s next in global trends, and how will this affect the future production process and, specifically, contracting consultants? How fast will AI evolve building plan approval, how will we insure projects, and how do we avoid cyber risk?   

• Funding the Cities of the Future: What new revenue streams will power local and regional growth; where will global investors place their bets – on urban or rural areas, or both? 

• Rebuilding Capacity to build Future Cities: People power our industry, and yet the decline in professional and artisanal skills continues. How do we rebuild our talent pipeline?  

For more information on the 2026 WCPDF Conference, to attend as a Delegate or for the remaining opportunities in Sponsorship, Exhibition or Advertising, please visit: wcpdfconference.org.za

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