Hon Speaker, I want to thank the hon Nhlengethwa for her statement regarding the Integrated Urban Development Framework. I would also like to call upon all members of this House, across party lines, to get involved and also involve their constituencies in a national dialogue on the future of our cities and towns.
The pace of urbanisation in South Africa and other countries in Africa and Asia is increasing very rapidly. As the member pointed out, six in 10 of South Africans live in urban areas at the moment; that's projected to increase to 70% by 2030. Of those matriculants who are writing exams today, eight out of 10 will be living in urban areas when they reach retirement age after 2050.
The trends in most parts of the world indicate that urbanisation generates significant opportunities for growth, poverty reduction and environmental sustainability. Urbanisation is also associated with growing numbers in respect of inequality and environmental damage. I think the challenge for South Africa is to ensure that we overcome the downward pressures of urbanisation and start reaping the so-called urban dividend. That is what this discussion document on the Integrated Urban Development Framework seeks to do.
Our National Development Plan spells out a very clear vision for where we want our urban areas to be by 2030, but this document also makes it very clear that urban development and rural development are linked. Urban development and rural development are often misunderstood as alternatives to each other, but they are not. In fact, failure to manage urban development properly will not stem urbanisation, but it will, in fact, also impact negatively on rural development.
We recognise that municipalities alone cannot deal with the challenges of urbanisation and the transformation of apartheid spatial patterns that still persist in our towns and cities. We are proposing a national approach that brings together three spheres of government and all sectors of society. Thank you. [Time expired.] [Applause.]