The CJP, over a two year period in the early 1990s, carried out extensive international research into practical solutions to the problems of urban decay and urban management. The most appropriate of these was identified as an intervention that had spread over the previous almost two decades throughout Northern America and was now to be found in a number of countries outside of the US. This approach was known as Business Improvement Districts (BIDs).
By the end of 1997 the CJP had established four CIDs in the Johannesburg Inner City covering nearly 50 city blocks. In 1999 a fifth District was established.
Employing in excess of 200 security officers, cleaners, informal trading and environmental management personnel, the CIDs have proved to be a positive intervention in the City.
As a result of its Improvement District success, the CJP was requested by the Gauteng Provincial Government to assist in drafting enabling legislation to facilitate the establishment of Improvement Districts throughout Gauteng's towns and cities. The resultant legislation was unanimously approved by the Gauteng Provincial Legislature in mid-December 1997 in the form of the Gauteng Provincial Government City Improvement District Act No. 12 of 1997.
By 2004 the CJP had processed four of the previous voluntary CIDs into fully legislated CIDs in terms of the Provincial Government Act.
In early 1999, the CJP was approached by a major property owner who wished to outsource all informal trading management. The CJP absorbed the relevant staff and provided this service on a broad basis for a number of years.
During 2004 the CJP was approached by the City Council to design, manufacture and erect some 700 informal trading stalls throughout the inner city and Lenasia.