A Sustainable Asset Valuation Assessment of Nature-Based Solutions in the Jukskei River Catchment in Johannesburg, South Africa

Johannesburg’s Jukskei River catchment is one of the city’s most degraded urban ecosystems. Rapid urbanization, informal settlements in riparian zones, invasive alien species, solid waste dumping, and aging infrastructure have intensified flooding, sewage contamination, and extreme heat. These pressures disproportionately affect vulnerable communities and place growing strain on public health systems and municipal budgets. 

The Scaling Urban Nature-based Solutions for Climate Adaptation in Sub-Saharan Africa (SUNCASA) project supports ecosystem restoration across the Jukskei River catchment. Implemented by the International Institute for Sustainable Development and the World Resources Institute, the project includes riparian restoration across 469 hectares, urban tree planting with 46,000 trees, removal of invasive alien species, solid waste management, and the development of multifunctional green infrastructure along the river corridor. 

The Nature-Based Infrastructure Global Resource Centre conducted a SAVi assessment to evaluate the full life-cycle costs and benefits of these interventions compared to a business-as-usual scenario. 

Over a 25-year period, the NbS interventions will generate USD 8.6 million in net benefits. For every USD 1 invested, Johannesburg will receive USD 3.06 in economic, social, and environmental returns, and the investment pays for itself within 7 years. 

The largest share of benefits comes from improved water quality. Avoided health costs linked to water pollution amount to USD 3.7 million over 25 years. Additional benefits include reduced flood damage, lower invasive alien plant management costs, carbon sequestration, and employment creation. 

This assessment shows that restoring the Jukskei River is not only an environmental intervention but a financially sound strategy that improves public health, reduces long-term municipal expenditure, and strengthens urban climate resilience in Johannesburg.