The JDA is keen to get lots of nominations, particularly high quality ones, says chief executive Lael Bethlehem

Nominations for the awards, managed by the Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA), opened on 11 February, and anyone can enter a project or individual who has made a significant contribution to the regeneration of the inner city. The deadline is 19 March.

The awards acknowledge outstanding contributions and commitments to reviving and uplifting the inner city. There are seven categories: Living Joburg; Working and Buying Joburg; Relaxing and Playing Joburg; Sustaining Joburg; Caring Joburg; Believing in Joburg; and Conserving Joburg.

They have been run by the JDA for the past three years. And the agency was very keen this year to get lots of nominations, particularly high quality ones with regard to substantial and complete projects within the inner city, said Lael Bethlehem, its chief executive, at the launch of the 2010 Halala Joburg Awards.

She compared previous Halala Joburg Awards, saying nominations increased each year. "Entries have grown over past years, starting from 35 nominations in the first year and 100 in the second year."

Investment conference

Turbine Hall, one of the previous award winners

Each nominee will be given a chance to present their projects so that other nominees and investors become aware of what is going on in the city. There will also be a number of sessions between investors, analysts and academics involving public private partnerships that have been formed.

The handing out of trophies to winners will conclude the investment conference.

The awards recognise "the tenacity, faith and commitment of those who have joined the collective regeneration effort that has seen Joburg's inner city regain her dignity and take her place as the centre of a world-class African City".

Criteria

Detail from the Colosseum Award, which recognises work in conserving the heritage of Johannesburg

Projects which are submitted have to be located within the inner city and must have made a significant difference to the City's regeneration mandate. There are no age requirements but judging will be biased to regeneration projects that have taken place over the past 10 years, as long as the projects are operational on the date nominations close.

Individuals can nominate themselves. To make a nomination, download the trigger form and view the criteria for the seven categories, criteria, and terms and conditions, online.

Living Joburg, with the sub-theme "Not houses but homes", recognises residential projects that provide innovative, progressive and inclusive housing that addresses inner city residents' needs and supports developing the community.

"The Living Joburg category has received a significant boost in the volume and variety of nominations, with a number of entrepreneurs making their appearance in response to the risks they have taken in providing accessible and affordable housing in the city, while those who have undertaken to provide luxury inner city living have also been included," said Millan.

Working and Buying Joburg, with the sub theme "Creating a business destination", recognises innovative, exciting and striking commercial and retail developments that attract people to the city.

This includes the original use of public space, urban art, sports and recreation, and entertainment facilities, such as gyms, restaurants and theatres, among others.

Going green

The Halala Joburg Awards celebrate projects that have made a difference in the Inner City. read more

According to Bethlehem, this category will allow investors and developers to think about using safer and even recycled materials, solar panelling and heat pumps. "Cities are vulnerable to climate change," she said.

"Supporting Joburg's citizens" is the sub-theme of Caring Joburg, which recognises selfless and community-minded individuals, volunteer groups and organisations that create the "caring heart" of the city. This category acknowledges individuals who deliver support services focused on community development.

Believing in Joburg - the Stan Nkosi Achievement Award - has the sub-theme "Joburg: the home of innovators, investors and implementers". This category honours the late JDA chairman, Stan Nkosi, by recognising individuals who display the same degree of commitment, developmental values and allegiance to sustaining the inner city.

The final category is the Colosseum Award, which is related to conserving Joburg and has the sub-theme "Joburg past, present and future". It recognises work done in conserving heritage buildings that meets certain renovation criteria as shown in the national and provincial heritage policies.

These Halala Joburg Awards also aim to encourage efforts in building sustainable and inclusive renewal projects, which recognise roles and relationships between the private and public sectors.

At the official launch of the awards in September 2007, Bethlehem was quoted as saying that the awards would "recognise daring and encourage maximum participation in building a reclaimed city".