Excellence recognised in projects driving resilience, energy efficiency and climate adaptation. This is part one of a three-part series.
IMESA_Awards_Winner Community Upliftment and Job Creation. Supplied by CESA
The Institute of Municipal Engineering of Southern Africa (IMESA), in partnership with Consulting Engineers South Africa (CESA), honoured the country’s top-performing municipalities and engineers at the biennial Municipal Engineering Excellence Awards.
With over 700 delegates from across South Africa’s public and private infrastructure sectors, this year’s awards showcased how engineering innovation – much like advancements in the HVAC&R sector – is driving climate resilience, sustainable design, and community upliftment.
Community upliftment and job creation
Building access, resilience and opportunity through sustainable infrastructure
At the heart of HVAC&R’s mission is the creation of healthier, safer environments – a goal echoed in this year’s Community Upliftment and Job Creation award winners. These projects demonstrate how thoughtful engineering can transform daily life through accessibility, comfort and environmental resilience.
Winner: eThekwini Municipality – Amaoti Pedestrian Bridge Project
The eThekwini Municipality’s Engineering Unit took top honours for its Amaoti Pedestrian Bridge Project in Inanda. Replacing a flood-damaged 12m bridge with four new 25m reinforced concrete structures, the project embodies the ‘Building Back Better’ philosophy. These bridges now provide safe, permanent access for residents, while being engineered to withstand future flooding linked to climate change.
“This project delivers both safety and mobility, which are essential to community health and economic well-being,” said IMESA President Geoff Tooley.
Runner-Up: City of Johannesburg – Naledi Clinic, Soweto
A healthcare milestone, the new Naledi Clinic improves access to primary care, featuring energy-efficient design and modern facilities across four specialised wings.
Third Place: City of Johannesburg – Vlakfontein Public Transport Facility
Designed to enhance safety and accessibility for thousands of commuters, this transport hub integrates sustainable design principles with user comfort – a key parallel to smart HVAC&R systems that balance efficiency and human experience.
Source: Supplied by CESA
