About Ayanda Roji

Ayanda Roji is a social scientist passionate about people-centered public spaces. Her focus is on how shared spaces are understood, designed, used, managed and inclusive of groups with divergent aspirations, particularities and worldviews. She strongly advocates for innovative participatory planning practices that stimulate belonging and public ownership, particularly in the face of rising inequality and injustice. She is the Head of Research and Knowledge Management at the City of Johannesburg’s Parks and Zoo agency. Ayanda holds a Master’s degree in Local and Regional Development from the International Institute of Social Studies of Erasmus University, an Honours degree in Development Studies from Rhodes University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from the University of Fort Hare.