Host of the New Cities Summit 2026.
Africa's largest mixed-use development.
Spanning 2,200 hectares between Johannesburg and Pretoria, Waterfall City is Africa's largest mixed-use development and one of the continent's most ambitious urban projects. Purpose-built on a greenfield site, it has been planned from the ground up as a smart, integrated city — free from the constraints of ageing infrastructure and designed to meet the evolving needs of modern urban living.
A small patch of land.
An outsized economy.
Located in Gauteng, South Africa's economic powerhouse, Waterfall City sits at the heart of one of Africa's most productive economic regions — making it an ideal setting to explore the future of cities.
Designed around a live-work-shop-play philosophy, Waterfall City seamlessly integrates residential neighbourhoods, commercial districts, retail destinations, healthcare, education, hospitality, recreation and extensive public open spaces into a connected, human-centred urban environment.
Advanced digital infrastructure, sustainable utilities, alternative energy solutions and carefully planned mobility networks underpin a city built for resilience, efficiency and long-term growth.
Once complete, Waterfall City will comprise a vibrant ecosystem:
Two decades of proof.
Over the past two decades, Waterfall City has become an internationally recognised benchmark for master-planned urban development. It has received numerous local and global accolades, including being named the World's Best Mixed-use Development five times in six years at the International Property Awards, and more recently, Best Masterplan Africa.
Waterfall City is managed by Waterfall City Management Company (WCMC), which coordinates the ongoing development and operation of this complex urban ecosystem. Working closely with developers, investors, public and private partners, WCMC ensures that the city continues to deliver on its vision of being a smart city so admired, safe and sustainable, that there is no better place to live, work, play and prosper.
A city still rising.
The city remains a dynamic work in progress. With more than 1.5 million square metres of additional gross leasable area still to be developed, Waterfall City continues to evolve. The project has already created over 80,000 employment opportunities and continues to make a significant contribution to the economic growth of Johannesburg, Gauteng and South Africa.
Leasable area still to come
Jobs created so far
Experience a smart city in action
As host of the New Cities Summit 2026, Waterfall City invites delegates to experience a smart city in action. More than simply a conference destination, Waterfall City stands as living proof that Africa can deliver urban development on a truly world-class scale. Here, visionary planning, sustainable infrastructure, smart technology and collaborative city management converge to create a thriving, future-ready urban environment — demonstrating today what the cities of tomorrow can become.