WATERFALL CITY
MIDRAND, GAUTENG
South Africa
Waterfall City is South Africa’s largest mixed-use, master-planned development, conceived as a new, integrated urban core between Johannesburg and Pretoria. It is designed not as a traditional suburb but as a complete “city within a city,” combining corporate headquarters, retail destinations, residential estates, schools, and healthcare facilities in a secure, sustainable, and aesthetically cohesive environment.
Strategically located in Midrand, at the heart of South Africa’s economic hub, Waterfall City spans over 2,200 hectares. Developed by Atterbury Property and Attacq Limited, the project is a landmark example of public-private partnership. The Mall of Africa, the continent’s largest single-phase mall, serves as the hub. Waterfall features distinct zones including residential estates, a vast corporate campus, logistics parks, hospitals, and private schools. Its prime location provides seamless access to major highways (N1 and R55) and is near the Gautrain rapid rail network.
Future Cities criteria compliance
Environmental & Nature
Its sustainability is driven by 31 Green Star-rated buildings and energy efficiency standards. Key initiatives include 15,000 solar panels on the Mall of Africa, rainwater harvesting, and the use of an Ozone Water Purifying Plant for irrigation. The development integrates and preserves 300 hectares of indigenous greenbelt to support biodiversity.
Smart City
It utilizes a world-class integrated fibre optic and wireless network (over 33 cell masts) for high-speed communication. Security relies on an integrated public security system, central management office, and CCTV with number plate/facial recognition to ensure safety and efficient city management. Its commercial and retail centres, like Mall of Africa, feature state-of-the-art building management and customer service technologies.
Human-Centric
The city operates on a “live, work, shop, play” model, designed to be fully walkable within a 15-minute radius. It offers an active lifestyle with 37km of pedestrian/cycle lanes, extensive green spaces like the 1.2-hectare Waterfall City Park, and co-locates residential, corporate, and retail facilities to reduce vehicular travel.
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