The book Reflections & Design, Cities and the World Cup explores the challenges and solutions of the FIFA World Cup in South Africa, and in particular, with regards to design and city making. The book questions the role the World Cup played in forging a greater South African society. It examines the ambitious public space and transport projects that came with the World Cup and develops a critical dialogue around the design, implementation and effect of the event. The publication is seen as the first step in fostering a global discussion on the role of mega events in cities, and how they can be better used to catalyse urban solutions, be they spatial, social or infrastructure oriented. Published in both English and Brazilian Portuguese, the book is the first formal gesture from a South African organisation, Designing South Africa, to share experience and information with the hosts of the next World Cup and Olympic Games, Brazil. The publication is a conduit for exchange between the two nations, ensuring that the lessons learned from one event can better inform the next. For South Africa, Reflections & Opportunities presents a platform for a greater debate on the role of the World Cup in improving the lives of urban residents, while for Brazil it offers a carefully curated precedent. The book, divided into two sections entitled Reflections, and the other, Opportunities contains ten articles by leading international and local press houses, and four essays by key academics. The publication features a foreword by the South African Local Organising Committee head for the World Cup, Dr Danny Jordaan, and an introduction by the editor Zahira Asmal. All articles and essays are presented in between striking images and photographs by South Africa’s most accomplished and revered photographer, David Goldblatt and architect, Andrew Bell.