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• Create Date September 17, 2026
• Last Updated September 17, 2026

Building Plans Approved by Province and Type January 1994 - July 2026

Building plans passed show a modest 1.8% y-y increase in sqm approved, with the residential market maintaining a 8% y-y increase, against a weaker non-residential market. Multi unit housing drove approvals in July 2026, centred mainly in North West and Gauteng.  Western Cape supported an increase in retail, and industrial although weaker demand in other provinces pulled the overall industrial market down. Gauteng recorded the largest y-y increase for the month, followed by Western Cape and North West province. A much weaker industrial market in Kwazulu Natal slowed approvals by 22% y-y in Kwazulu Natal, with a slowdown in townhouses and flats resulting in a 40% drop in Mpumalanga.

Demand remains muted, with approvals up just 0.7% y-y over the last 12 months to 11.5 million sqm. Western Cape continues to show the strongest private sector market with over 4 million sqm approved, with just 2.9m approved thus far in Gauteng. Kwazulu Natal still has the strongest increase y-y in sqm approved, and Mpumalanga showing some pressure in the private sector.

Visit the website to download the Private Sector Building Demand Dashboard or click here. (Only available to subscribers)

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