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News items, events, and resources are regularly added to this page.
Please return soon for the latest updates.
| 25/01/2012 | World Habitat Awards
The World Habitat Awards were established in 1985 by the Building and Social Housing Foundation as part of its contribution to the United Nations International year of Shelter for the Homeless.
Two awards are given annually to projects from the global North as well as the South that provide practical and innovative solutions to current housing needs and problems. An award of £10,000 is presented to each of the two winners at the annual United Nations global celebration of World Habitat day.
The deadline for submission is 1st November 2012. For more information see the website at
www.worldhabitatawards.org |
| 22/12/2011 | World Urban Forum (WUF6)
The Sixth Session of the World Urban Forum (WUF6) will take place in the ancient southern Italian city of Naples - Italy, from 1 to 7 September 2012 under the theme THE URBAN FUTURE. UN-Habitat joins the Government of Italy, the Campania Region and the City of Naples in warmly welcoming you to attend and participate in the Forum. Look out for more information at the Forum website
www.unhabitat.org |
| 21/12/2011 | Caribbean Urban Forum 14-17 March 2012
The Jamaica Institute of Planners, and the Caribbean Network for Urban and Land Management, in partnership with the University of Technology, Jamaica, are pleased to announce the International Call for Papers for the 2nd Caribbean Urban Forum 2012: Planning to achieve the vision...towards a Green Urban Economy (CUF2012). For more information see the website at
www.bluespacecaribbean.com |
| 24/11/2011 | State of the Australian Cities
Cliff Hagues's latest World View blog is about the Australian State of the Cities Study. The blog can be read on
cliffhague.planningresource.co.uk |
| 07/11/2011 | CAP calls on CHOGM
to take Urgent Action on Cities
At the 2011 Commonwealth Heads of
Government meeting (CHOGM) held in Perth
in October, CAP put forward powerful messages on the need for urgent action to
address the growing urban crisis in the Commonwealth.
At the Commonwealth People's Forum held
immediately prior to CHOGM, CAPs Secretary-General
Clive Harridge spoke of the need for new approaches to urban policy to tackle the
rapid rates of urbanisation, the growth in non-communicable diseases and the threats
to food security. Dyan
Currie, President of the Planning Institute of Australia, brought messages from
CAP's Sate of the Commonwealth Cities Symposium held in Brisbane which called
for new policy approaches for cities to help overcome poverty, bring economic stability
and achieve sustainable growth (see separate item on What's New page).
Attending CHOGM provides an unparalleled opportunity
for civil society to engage directly with Governments. CAP attended a round table meeting with over
40 Foreign Ministers including Kevin Rudd from Australia
and William Hague from the UK. CAP President Christine Platt addressed the Ministers
and argued powerfully for a Commonwealth Urban Agenda to be a standing agenda
item for CHOGM. Christine stated that an
effective urban agenda would:
- Make
adequate land and infrastructure available for new urban development
- Support local economic
development as a contributor to national wealth creation.
- Ensure climate change is
addressed especially where concentrations of people are at greatest risk
- Build urban wealth through
affordable land and legal title.
During CHOGM three documents prepared by
CAP were presented to Heads of Government delegations:
- Statement to Heads of
Government on the Urban Crisis available here
- Communiqué from the Health in
the City Workshop in London
(see separate What's New item)
- Communiqué from CAP's State
of the Commonwealth Cities Symposium in Brisbane
(see separate What's New item)
Clive Harridge
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| 26/10/2011 | State of Commonwealth Cities Symposium, Brisbane
Planners attending the State of Commonwealth Cities Symposium in Brisbane on 20-21 October have issued a Communiqué to the Commonwealth People’s Forum in Perth in the lead up to CHOGM. Planning Institute of Australia President Dyan Currie and Commonwealth Association of Planners President Christine Platt are attending to deliver the message that the Commonwealth must pursue an Urban Agenda.
View the Communiqué
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| 22/10/2011 | Health in the City Workshop
An Expert Group Workshop involving over 35 leading planning, health and built environment professionals was convened at Marlborough House in London on Wednesday 28 September 2011 to discuss one of the most urgent challenges facing the Commonwealth: non-communicable diseases (NCDs). The workshop was led by the Commonwealth Association of Planners, the Commonwealth Health Professions Alliance and the Built Environment Professionals in the Commonwealth.
The workshop was held against the background of the Commonwealth Statement on Action to Combat NCDs and the Port of Spain Communiqué. With a range of expert speakers (including CAP's President Christine Platt) and attendees the workshop examined the challenges of creating healthy urban environments and looked to form policy recommendations for Commonwealth Governments. For further information about the workshop click here. For the presentations at the workshop click here.
The workshop concluded with a Communiqué including a Call for Action by CHOGM and individual Governments to help tackle NCDs and improve health and well-being in Commonwealth cities. To read the Communiqué click here.
CAPs Secretary-General, Clive Harridge who chaired part of the workshop, identified the need for urgent action and said:
“The rapidly growing incidence of NCDs is prevalent across the whole of the Commonwealth impacting on the lives and life expectancy of millions. Urgent action is necessary now. The Commonwealth Association of Planners working with the Commonwealth Health Professions Alliance and others is committed to using its expertise, networks and resources to support Commonwealth Governments in developing effective policy approaches and initiatives to address these critical issues. We call on Commonwealth Heads of Government at their forthcoming meeting in Perth to give their full support to the urgent actions necessary to tackle NCDs.”
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| 07/10/2011 | Young Planners Essay Competition – Winners Announced
CAP’s Young Planners’ Network had an excellent response to its Essay Competition with over 30 entries submitted from 10 Commonwealth countries. The essays gave different perspectives on the 2011 CHOGM theme of “Building National Resilience, Building Global Resilience”.
The overall winner of the Competition was SONYA BAIRD from New Zealand 
Sonya’s essay highlights the key skills that planners have and how these can be used to contribute to disaster recovery; the essay drew on experience from the earthquake disaster in New Zealand earlier this year. To read Sonya’s essay click here.
The runner up winner was ELMARI MARAIS from South Africa.
Elmari is a Senior Planner with the City of Cape Town and her essay commented on the role of planners in achieving more resilient communities; the essay drew on experience of informal settlements in Cape Town. To read Elmari’s essay click here.
As the winners of the competition, Sonya and Elmari will be attend the forthcoming CAP Conference in Brisbane towards the end of October.
CAP’s Secretary-General Clive Harridge commented:
“The standard of essays was extremely high making my judging of the competition an extremely difficult task. My congratulations go to all of the entrants for submitting such excellent work. The competition has helped raise the profile of CAP’s young planners and provides an excellent basis for the further development of the Young Planners’ Network. Finally I wish to thank the Commonwealth Foundation for its sponsorship of the competition.”
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| 04/10/2011 | World Habitat Awards 2012
Submissions are now being accepted for the 2012 cycle of the World Habitat Awards. The deadline is 1st November 2011. Apply online at
www.worldhabitatawards.org |
| 20/09/2011 | State of Commonwealth Cities Symposium
CAP and PIA (Planning Institute of Australia) will be hosting the State of Commonwealth Cities Symposium in Brisbane on 20-21 October 2011 as a lead up event to the CHOGM 2011 in Perth, Australia. Come and enjoy the insightful discussions at this event which will include speakers from across Australia and throughout the Commonwealth.
All members of CAP and their respective constituents are invited to attend. We are looking for a fantastic turn out from our neighbours near or far, in particular our members from the Asia Pacific Region. Registration now open at
www.planning.org.au |
| 23/08/2011 | Young Planners’ Network Essay Competition
The Commonwealth Association of Planners is hosting an essay competition supporting the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) to be held in October 2011.
Funding will provide successful entrant(s) attendance at the ‘State of the Commonwealth Cities Symposium’ conference on October 20-21 2011, in Brisbane, Australia ahead of CHOGM.Download Competition Brief |
| 18/08/2011 | State of South Africa's Cities
Cliff Hague's latest World View blog looks at the recent report on the State of South Africa's Cities. The blog can be read on
www.cliffhague.wordpress.com |
| 15/08/2011 | Commonwealth Local Government Forum
The Commonwealth Local Government Conference 2011 conference report is now available. For more information go to CLGF web site
www.clgf.org.uk |
| 10/08/2011 | Bangladesh to set up Urban Data cell
There are reports from Bangladesh that the Bangladesh Institute of Planners is to set up an urban data cell. This project will be funded by the German Development Corporation (GIZ). This will make available on one site all urban data about the country. This report comes from Mehedi Ahsan and is posted as a Comment on Cliff Hague's blog about planning in Bangladesh, which has become a focus for much discussion amongst Bangladeshis about how to modernise planning in their country. To read this go to
www.CliffHague.wordpress.com |
| 10/08/2011 | Blog on the Work of Planners in Dadaab Refugee Camp, Kenya
Cliff Hague's latest World View blog is about the work of two young Commonwealth planners. Jeremiah Atho Ougo and George Wesonga Auma are part of a team of planners, land surveyors and engineers who are working on the extension of the world's largest refugee camp, about 80 kms from the Kenyan border with Somalia. Jeremiah and George submitted an essay on their work to the competition that CAP ran in 2010 to set up the CAP Young Planners' Network. They were one of the winners. The blog can be read on
www.CliffHague.wordpress.com |
| 20/07/2011 | Habitat Professionals Forum
Statement by Ms Christine Platt
On behalf of the Habitat Professionals Forum
Partner's Dialogue at 23rd UN-HABITAT Governing Council
"In plenary dialogue at GC 22 Chairman of HPF made a presentation which outlined the purpose of HPF, which is a network which represents in excess of 6 million Human Settlement professionals who together constitute a key partner in delivering the Habitat agenda. Yesterday HPF met again and adopted the Habitat Professionals Forum Charter "The role of human settlement professionals in delivering a sustainable and equitable future". It has agreed to make the following call to the UN-HABITAT member states and partners.
The theme of this plenary session is "Sustainable and ethic urban development through expanding equitable access to land, housing, basic services and infrastructure". Never before has the world faced such an urgent need to acknowledge the reality of this statement and for evidence lead policy making to be put in place to deal with the complexities it generates.
Equitable access to land, which has a major gender dimension, housing, basic services and infrastructure are key deliverables in addressing sustainable urbanization. They are each key areas where a practical difference can be made. We welcome the call made by the ED to take a new positive view of the way forward. Getting our cities right is the key to social progress, economic development and the reduction of both urban and rural poverty. This plenary dialogue must therefore be seen in the context of a very difficult and complex set of challenges which requires global collective action.
The HPF therefore calls on the UN-HABITAT member states and partners to acknowledge the urgency of addressing the urban agenda and to work with one another, with local governments and with other key Habitat partners, particularly the 6 million human settlements professionals who are specialists in these fields. Together we can produce the evidence-lead policy which can produce the positive responses we need and which is the only hope we have of delivering the sustainable urbanization we so urgently seek. If we fail to act now, the consequences will affect people all over the world and nobody will be immune from the impacts of failure. HPF welcomes proposals to formalize the participation of UN-HABITAT partners, including the professionals, in the governance structure of UN-HABITAT.
The HPF stands ready to play whatever role is asked of us."
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| 05/07/2011 | Regional and Local Economic Development
A new book by CAP Past President Cliff Hague looks at practice-led economic development across the globe. 'Regional and Local Economic Development' is written for practitioners and for use as a teaching text. It is clear and easy to follow but also offers insights into the aims and effects of policy. It includes chapters on environment, transport, housing, land and premises, business development, retailing, tourism, and skills. For more details click on link below or look for it on the websites of bookstores or other on-line book sellers.
www.palgrave.com |
| 05/07/2011 | How can we build capacity in planning in the Commonwealth?
A report on the Commonwealth Planning Education workshop held on 3 July in Perth Western Australia is available on Cliff Hague's blog at
cliffhague.wordpress.com |
| 29/06/2011 | CAP Young Planners' Network Co-ordinator Appointed
Alexander O'Reilly has been appointed by the CAP Executive as Co-ordinator of the Young Planners' Network. Alex graduated in 2009 with a Bachelor of Urban and Regional Planning from Australia's Queensland University of Technology and he is currently working for Murray Associates as a town planning consultant. In 2010 Alex was joint winner of CAP's Young Planners' essay competition – his winning essay is included in the latest edition of CAP News.
On taking up his new role Alex said: "I am extremely honoured to represent the Commonwealth's young planners and take on the responsibilities which the CAP Executive has entrusted to me. I will support CAP's young planners and act as a springboard for their ideas and aspirations".
In congratulating Alex on his appointment Secretary-General Clive Harridge said: "CAP's Young Planners' Network has a major role in connecting young planners from across the Commonwealth. Alex takes over from Brooke Yates who performed a great job in helping establish the Network last year. Alex is an excellent appointment and his professional approach combined with his tremendous enthusiasm will be a great asset in driving forward the Young Planners' Network".
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| 24/05/2011 | CAP Elects Vice President (Europe)
Ann Skippers has been elected as CAP Vice President (Europe) by CAPs Executive Committee.
Clive Harridge CAPs Secretary-General said: "I am delighted that Ann has been elected to the Vice President position. Ann brings tremendous enthusiasm to the post and she will be a great asset in helping CAP progress our exciting range of activities and events addressing the challenging planning issues facing the Commonwealth".
Ann has a background in local government in England and was President of the UK’s Royal Town Planning Institute in 2010. Ann is currently Director of the consultancy "Charisma Spatial Planning Ltd" and Vice Chair of the RTPI’s International Committee.
On taking up her appointment Ann said:
"It's a great privilege for me to be elected as Vice President and to have the opportunity of working alongside a very committed group of people around the world. I'm looking forward to taking on a new and exciting challenge."
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| 24/05/2011 | Professional accreditation of planning programmes in the
Commonwealth
A report to the Commonwealth Foundation
March 2011
Download PDF |
| 05/05/2011 | Planning and Food Security
Cliff Hague's World View blog this week looks at the recent CAP Discussion Paper on Planning and Food Security. You can read this blog by clicking here.
www.CliffHague.wordpress.com |
| 08/4/2011 | Commonwealth Secretariat Natural Resources Forum
Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma told delegates at the launch of the first Commonwealth Natural Resources Forum that the proper management of natural resources could make or break a country's development. Read more on the Commonwealth Secretariat's website at
www.thecommonwealth.org |
| 21/03/2011 | CLIFF - Call for New Partners
Homeless International has launched the search for new organisations to become implementing partners of the Community-Led Infrastructure Finance Facility (CLIFF). CLIFF enables civil society organisations to access greater public, private and civil society sector resources to deliver adequate land, housing and basic services for slum dwellers. The deadline for applications is Sunday 10th April 2011. Contact details for Homeless International are available on their website at
www.homeless-international.org |
| 18/03/2011 | Commonwealth Lecture
At the Commonwealth Lecture in London, Mrs Sonia Gandhi called for women's voices and concerns to be heard in the global climate change debate, to 'help the world find a more sustainable and less consumerist path to development'.
'Among all the challenges facing humankind in the 21st Century, few are more pressing than climate change and global warming. Unfortunately... most of the climate debate has so far been gender-blind. Yet women have played a special role in raising environmental consciousness... Indira Gandhi herself... in 1972, powerfully expressed the link between poverty and environmental degradation, an issue which continues to shape the current debate.'
Mrs Gandhi also reminded the Commonwealth that 'investing in women is the highest-return venture', and said that 'if urbanisation is the world's future, we must design urban environments and services in ways that will give women greater security'.
Mrs Gandhi, President of the Indian National Congress Party and Chair of the United Progressive Alliance, was discussing the 2011 Commonwealth theme, 'Women as Agents of Change'. |
| 16/03/2011 | Managing Urban Growth: Challenges for Small Cities
44th EAROPH Regional Planning Conference 2011 Brunei Darussalam 8 - 10 November 2011. First Announcement and Call for Papers. For more information see the earoph website at
www.earoph.info |
| 15/03/2011 | Town Planning and Planners in Bangladesh
By 2030, one in every two urban residents in the world will be in Asia. Read more on Cliff Hague's blog
www.CliffHague.wordpress.com |
| 09/03/2011 | UK drops UN-Habitat and warns Commonwealth Secretariat
The UK’s Department for International Development is planning to withdraw its financial support from UN-Habitat and from the UN’s International Strategy for Disasters Reduction. It has also warned that in two years time funds may also be withdrawn from the Commonwealth Secretariat. See Cliff Hague’s blog on www.CliffHague.wordpress.com, which argues that DFID has failed to make the connection between urbanisation and poverty reduction. For ComSec’s response to DFID click here.
| | 02/03/2011 | Planning and Food Security within the Commonwealth – Discussion Paper
This discussion paper addresses one of the most serious challenges facing Commonwealth countries. Access to food is a basic human need but unfortunately that human need is not being met in many areas. Planning has a significant role to play in addressing threats to food security but this is not a topic that is currently featuring strongly in planning practice. This must change. Food security is recognised as a major issue at the highest levels of Government and was a topic discussed at the last CHOGM in Trinidad and Tobago (November 2009) where Heads of Government expressed their deep concern about world food security. The Discussion Paper together with its Call for Action will be highly valuable in raising awareness and understanding of planning and food security challenges across the Commonwealth. CAP is very grateful for the valuable work of Professor Wayne Caldwell, Anneliza Collett, Therese Ludlow, Ian Sinclair and Jenny Whitehead in preparing this discussion paper on one of the most serious challenges facing Commonwealth countries.
Download PDF
| | 25/02/2011 | Message of Support to the New Zealand Planning Institute
Clive Harridge, CAP's Secretary-General, has sent the following message of support to planning colleagues in New Zealand: It was with great sorrow that we in CAP heard about the earthquake last week and its devastating impact on Christchurch. The sad loss of life and the scenes we are seeing daily on our TVs are tragic . The citizens of Christchurch and New Zealand including our fellow planning professionals are all in our thoughts at this most difficult of times. We wish you all much courage and strength. If there is anything at all that CAP can do to assist then please do not hesitate to contact us straightaway.
For an update see
www.planning.org.nz |
| 24/02/2011 | South-South Co-operation
Planners from Nigeria are currently on a technical study visit to Singapore. This example of the global South learning from the global South is the result of two CAP Vice-Presidents sharing a vision and putting it into practice. Dr. Belinda Yuen, Vice-President (South-East Asia) worked with Kabir Yari, who is President of Nigerian Institute of Planners and CAP's West Africa Vice-President. During their 5 day visit the 37-strong Nigerian delegation will tap into Singapore's know-how on city management, development management and energy planning. Singapore's expertise in city planning has been a significant factor in making it a leading Asia city. For more see
www.guardiannewsngr.com |
| 22/02/2011 | New Blog on the Planning Website
Cliff Hague, a Past President of CAP, discusses the RTPI President's special award to CAP and CAP's current survey of planning programme accreditation on his new blog. You can read it at
www.cliffhague.wordpress.com |
| 22/02/2011 | Gnarly Planning: Some Tools for Local and Global Action
Dr Jane Stanley has written a manual on what she has termed 'Gnarly Planning', responding to the calls for a reinvention of the planning discipline. This examines grassroots planning in a transnational context, drawing on case studies from Jane's previous work in the shanty towns of Ghana, tenement rehabilitation in Glasgow, barangay improvements for the 'poorest of the poor' in the Phillipines, working with traditional land owners to protect the forests of Papua new Guinea, and development within remote Aboriginal communities of Australia.
The skills which Jane promotes involve an integration of environmental, social, economic and cultural planning, driven by considerations of local culture. The emphasis is on highly practical ways of grassroots engagement and participatory planning, and there is some consideration of how the conventional 'western' ways of doing things often obstruct achievement on the ground.
'Gnarly Planning' presents a toolkit for planners who are concerned about making a difference locally, regionally, nationally and internationally. Its target audience is planning students as well as practicing planners who want to re-examine the way they contribute to the greater good. Interspersed through this highly practical manual is a personal story of learning and surviving, much of it set in West Africa, but venturing into other far flung parts of the world. It doesn't pretend to provide all the answers, but as the book explains, if you can ask the right questions you are well on the way.
Internet publication on
www.gnarlyplanning.com |
| 10/02/2011 | Commonwealth Association of Planners wins prestigious
RTPI President's Special Award
The Commonwealth Association of Planners (CAP) has been awarded the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) President's Special Award for Planning Achievement. The Award was given by immediate Past President Ann Skippers at the Institute's awards lunch at London's Hilton Hotel.
In giving the award Ann Skippers said:
"For forty years CAP has promoted planning around the world. It has influenced the way people and governments think about planning. It has focused on rapid urbanisation and poverty firmly believing that sustainable development will simply just not happen without proper planning. CAP connects people all over the Commonwealth through its volunteers and its networks. In recognition of what can be achieved through outstanding cooperation, determination and goodwill, it is my very great privilege and pleasure to award CAP the President's Special Award for Planning Achievement."
Clive Harridge, CAP's Secretary General said:
"It is a great honour for CAP to have been given this Award. The Award reflects the tremendous work CAP has undertaken over many years in the advancement of planning throughout the Commonwealth. CAP's achievements would not have been possible without the excellent support received from the Commonwealth Foundation, the Commonwealth Secretariat, the Royal Town Planning Institute and others for which we are very grateful. The Award acknowledges the work of the many people across the Commonwealth who have helped CAP over many years and who have dedicated substantial amounts of their time on a voluntary basis to support its work."
 
The attached photographs show members of CAP receiving the Award from RTPI Past President, Ann Skippers at the Awards Lunch at the London Hilton Hotel.
| | 20/12/2010 | Town and Country Planning Association
The Town and Country Planning Association has launched the first online database of international best practice case studies on climate change adaptation. It is part of 'Green and Blue Space Adaptation for Urban Areas and Eco Towns' (GRaBS), an EU project that the TCPA is involved in. This free database, developed by the University of Manchester, focuses on examples relating to green and blue infrastructure, considering in detail the processes that have supported the implementation of adaptation responses in a range of urban areas across the world. For more information go to
www.grabs-eu.org |
| 26/11/2010 | University of Johannesburg e-Newsletter
The Department of Town and Regional Planning at the University of Johannesburg is producing a regular newsletter that may be of interest to CAP members. It can be accessed at
www.uj.ac.za |
| 25/11/2010 | The State of African Citities 2010
'As the world reviews its performance to date on the Millennium Development Goals, and with less than five years to run, evidence shows that effective urban planning and sustainable cities can make a critical contribution.' This message from Achim Steiner, the Executive Director of UNEP, is a key theme in the report on 'The State of African Cities 2010' that was published this week.
The headline figure that most of the mainstream media picked up on is that Africa's population now exceeds 1 billion. However, it is the messages about urban growth and the need for effective planning that governments and Commonwealth bodies need to heed. Currently 395 million (almost 40%) live in urban areas. That number is expected to triple to reach 1.23 billion by 2050. While there has been some progress in slum reduction in North Africa, the situation in sub-Saharan Africa remains serious. As the report comments, 'Urban slums are one of the major threats to African urban stability and, by extension, to overall political stability'. The report highlights the growth of urban regions and development corridors and argues that reforms to make possible 'holistic, area-wide planning' is essential. The real risks of acute urban food and water shortages are highlighted, along with the key role that the cities will have in adaptation, mitigation and protection in the context of climate change.
The report echoes many of the themes developed in CAP's work on 'Making Planning Work' and on The State of Commonwealth Cities. It argues that 'A people-centred perspective highlights the need for more appropriate, realistic planning and building regulations that are affordable to the urban poor and that facilitate, rather than restrict, sustainable livelihoods. In other words, spatial planning and development control should focus less on impractical planning theory and imported notions of urban aesthetics or unattainable regulatory standards. Instead, they should embrace standards that reflect the needs of public authorities and the population, as well as current institutional capacities'. The report can be downloaded without charge from
www.unhabitat.org |
| 07/10/2010 | CAP Launches Young Planners Network in Montreal
Brooke Yates from the Planning Institute of Australia is the Convenor of the CAP Young Planners' Network. The Network was launched in Montreal when CAP President Christine Platt announced the winners of the inaugural essay competition. The winners were Jeremiah Atho Ougo and George Wesonga Auma from the Kenya Institute of Planners for their essay on their work in the huge Dadaab refugee camp in north-east Kenya; Alex O'Reilly from the Planning Institute of Australia for his essay on how the Network could contribute to sustainable urbanisation; and Jaya Ramlall from the Trinidad and Tobago Society of Planners for writing about how the Network can help make planners more gender aware. CAP congratulates the winners and thanks the many other young planners from across the Commonwealth who contributed high quality entries. CAP thanks the Commonwealth Foundation for its support in the creation of the Young Planners' Network.
CAP President Christine Platt said 'Half the people in the Commonwealth are under 25. These young people are not just the future - they are the present. In launching the Young Planners' Network CAP is seeking to bring the voice of the new generation into the work of CAP, while also making planning students and young professionals aware of the Commonwealth's values and the work that CAP is doing on re-inventing planning, gender, the state of the Commonwealth cities, food security and capacity-building'. |
| 07/10/2010 | CAP Business Meeting
CAP held a successful business meeting in Montreal on 1 October. Christine Platt from South Africa was re-elected as President and Clive Harridge from the Royal Town Planning Institute became the new Secretary-General. |
| 07/09/2010 | Scoping the State of the Commonwealth Cities
CAP's work on the scoping the State of the Commonwealth's Cities has now been electronically published. 'Urban Challenges: Scoping the State of the Commonwealth Cities' (2010) can be downloaded from
www.commonwealthfoundation.com |
| 27/07/2010 | Launch of CAP Young Planners' Network: Competition
The Commonwealth Association of Planners is to launch a Young Planners' Network at its Biennial Business Meeting to be held in Montreal on 1 October 2010 ahead of the Canadian Institute of Planners Conference.
It is our intention to launch this network by holding a competition with the winning entrants attending the Montreal business meeting and conference. We gratefully acknowledge the Commonwealth Foundation funding that has been made available for this. The deadline for entries is Monday 16th August 2010. For further information email: annette.odonnell@rtpi.org.uk |
| 22/06/2010 | The State of the Cities
Why, and how, the Commonwealth must address the challenge of sustainable urbanisation.
Expert analysis: Sick Cities?
Professor Cliff Hague, in his paper warns of the risks of failing to address urbanisation.
| | 22/06/2010 | Port of Spain Civil Society Statement
The online version of the Port of Spain Civil Society Statement to the 2009 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting is availalble here.
| | 23/03/2010 | Commonwealth Journal of Local Governance
A Special Edition of the Commonwealth Journal of Local Governance has been published and can be viewed at the link below.
The issue focuses on proceedings and outputs of the Commonwealth Local Government Conference, Bahamas May 2009. It features: Peer-reviewed research presented to the conference; Background and Working group papers; and Commentaries.
epress.lib.uts.edu.au |
| 27/01/2010 | Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting
The Commonwealth Heads of Government formally recognised the importance of urban development in the Communiqué from their meeting in Trinidad and Tobago. Paragraph 74 of the Communiqué states:
74: Heads recognised that rapid urbanisation was posing a significant challenge in many Commonwealth countries, and that new and inclusive approaches to urban planning and management were central to achieving the MDGs. They acknowledged that leadership and a deeper understanding of the trends were required at all levels, together with the provision of effective financing for local infrastructure and services, to improve human security and achieve the Commonwealth goal of “demonstrated progress towards adequate shelter for all with secure tenure and access to essential services in every community by 2015”. They welcomed continued Commonwealth efforts to address these challenges.
The full Communiqué can be downloadedhere
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| 25/01/2010 | Discussion Paper: Gender in Planning and Urban Development
Commonwealth Secretariat Discussion Paper 7 December 2009
Download PDF
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| 16/12/2009 | CAP Regional meeting in Trinidad and Tobago
CAP held a very successful regional workshop in Port of Spain on 19-21 November. The meeting was hosted by the Trinidad and Tobago Society of Planners and supported by the Commonwealth Foundation and the Ministry of Housing, Planning and the Environment of Trinidad and Tobago. Over 100 attended including planners from Barbados, Canada, Jamaica, Grenada, British Virgin Isles, Martinique and Montserrat. UN-Habitat was represented also. Students and young planners took a prominent part. The event included two study tours. Mark Collins, the Director of the Commonwealth Foundation, was a keynote speaker and said “The Commonwealth Association of Planners and other groups of professionals engaged in urban development and regeneration have achieved a great deal and have an enormously important part to play. There is an urgent need to train more planners, and to modernise planning systems and practices that are all too often still embedded in colonial legacy, unsuited to today’s challenges”. His full speech can be accessed here. There will be a full report in the next issue of CAP News.
can be downloaded |
| 16/12/2009 | CAP’s work on the State of the Commonwealth Cities was summarised into a short document from ComHabitat that was published for the Commonwealth People’s Forum in Trinidad. The booklet is called ‘Partnering for a more equitable and sustainable future through Better Urban Development’ and can be downloaded here |
| 19/11/2009 | Equity, Sustainability, Partnership
The theme of the 2009 Report by the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Kamalesh Sharma, is Equity, Sustainability, Partnership. The report says that in a Commonwealth where 60% of the citizens are under 30, it is important to give youth a voice. There is also reference to the need to build public service capacity and to strengthen public institutions.
Climate change is recognised as a key issue for the Commonwealth.
To see the full report go to
www.thecommonwealth.org |
| 11/11/2009 | CAP Regional Meeting in West Africa
The Nigerian Institute of Town Planners hosted a CAP West Africa meeting in Lagos 3 - 4 November. Representatives of the CAP members in Ghana attended, as well as a representative of planners in Togo. The meeting agreed to form a West Africa Planners Association. A full communique from the meeting is available here. |
| 26/10/2009 | House of Commons International Development Committee
The House of Commons International Development Committee has criticised the UK Department for International Development (DFID) for downgrading its support for urban poverty at a time when more and more of the world's poor are living in urban slums and mega-cities are expanding rapidly. The Committee's Report published last week says that this has profound implications for the effectiveness of DFID's development assistance when slum upgrading is lagging behind the explosive growth of urban settlements.
Africa is the fastest urbanising region in the world and has the highest proportion of slum dwellers in its cities. Almost all population growth is expected to take place in urban areas and Africa has some of the world's largest and fastest-growing cities. The Report found that, despite the increased need for support to tackle urban poverty, DFID has reduced the visibility of its urban programmes and its in-house expertise on urban issues has become too fragmented.
The Chairman of the Committee, Rt Hon Malcolm Bruce MP, said:
The last 5 years have seen rapid urbanisation, almost all of which has happened in developing countries. In 2008 we reached the point where there are more people living in cities than in rural areas. We are not convinced that DFID is doing enough to help developing countries, and particularly African countries, to address the specific challenges of urban poverty, which include access to basic services such as housing, health, education, transport, employment and water and sanitation. There is a risk that, without more help, a number of cities will face a humanitarian crisis in the near future. DFID needs to refocus its attention on the urban poor.
This should include publishing a new urban poverty strategy document.
Rapid urbanisation has led to an increase in the number of slums. Many people living in slums work in the informal sector, have inadequate housing and lack security of tenure. They are also much more vulnerable to crime and violence. The Report recommends that upgrading slums and improving the lives of slum dwellers should be given much greater priority by donors and by African governments. Community-led initiatives, such as the Urban Poor Fund International and the Community-led Infrastructure Finance Facility, have been shown to be particularly effective in addressing urban poverty and deserve increased support from DFID. |
| 05/10/2009 | World Habitat Day 2009
PLANNING NEEDED AS COMMONWEALTH CITIES DOUBLE IN SIZE IN A GENERATION
By 2025, UN projections suggest that almost 1.2 billion people will be living in the Commonwealth's urban areas. Today the figure is about three-quarters of a billion. Every day it increases by 65,000. Cliff Hague, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Association of Planners said that growth at this pace and scale poses fundamental challenges to governments at all levels and in all countries. "Urban spread is the common denominator that links the problems that have to be solved in the first half of this century. We need the economic dynamism of the burgeoning cities to be able to lift people out of poverty. We need the open and tolerant culture of cities to liberate people and stimulate innovation. But we also need cities to grow in smart ways, or they will destroy farmland and forests, drink dry the reservoirs, pollute the waterways, and impose unacceptable costs in energy use and carbon emissions" he said.
The UN Habitat Global Report on Human Settlements 2009, published today, emphasises the key role of urban planning in national and international responses to these challenges. However, few Commonwealth countries have sufficient professional planners with the right skills to make a difference. Mega-cities are developing without up-to-date plans to steer growth into sustainable directions. At the other extreme, there are small island states where there are no huge cities, but very high rates of urbanisation, and high vulnerability to climate shocks. The Maldives is a typical case, and literally can only call on a handful of professional planners in a situation where expertise in urban development and environmental management is sorely needed.
Thirty-two of the Commonwealth's 76 'million-plus cities' are expected to more than double in size between 2000 and 2025 with Abuja, Kampala, Dar es Salaam, Nairobi, Mombasa and Klang, all growing by more than 160%. In India, the Commonwealth's most populous country, the level of urbanisation remains quite low, about 30%: This will increase to over 55% in the next 40 years. Urban growth rates of 4% a year, such as are found in Kenya, Gambia, or the Solomon Islands, to cite just some examples, equate to almost a doubling in urban numbers by 2025.
"We have had 'anti-urban' policies, such as attempts to contain urban growth and resist new development. They fail business and they fail the urban poor. We have had 'non-plan' policies with utopian dreams of privatisation and unregulated market forces: these paved the way to the global financial crisis. It's time we adopted evidence-based pro-urban planning policies, that identify economic opportunities, unlock the potential of land but also recognise the need for equity and to manage carbon emissions" Hague added. "There is still time to make a difference, but each year that slips by makes it harder to rectify the diseconomies of urban growth, such as traffic congestion, car-dependent sprawl or slums lacking basic services. Planning – preventative urban medicine – is urgently needed. Strategic urban planning is essential. It can reduce uncertainty, facilitate efficient infrastructure provision, and provide transparency in the development process."
For further information contact:
Professor Cliff Hague, Secretary-General, Commonwealth Association of Planners.
Phone +44 (0) 131 447 5265 Mobile + 44 (0) 771 471 8900 Email C.B.Hague@sbe.hw.ac.uk |
| 08/06/2009 | Built Environment Professions
Built environment professions in disaster risk reduction and recovery.
A 40-page brochure on the part that built environment professionals, including planners, can play in disaster risk reduction and recovery has just been published. It can be accessed on the RTPI website. The RTPI is a member of CAP and has worked closely with CAP on several activities.
The new report was edited by Tony Lloyd-Jones from the RTPI's International Development Network. Other members of that Network contributed profiles and sections of text. The primary purpose of this study is to tell humanitarian relief agencies (UNRWA, Oxfam, Red Cross etc) what the professions do in response to disaster. This is something that other CAP member institutes might make effective use of in their own countries. The foreword, by the Chief Executive of the Disasters Emergency Committee, Brendan Gormley, says:
'From risk reduction and preparation, through to the immediate aftermath and the subsequent recovery and recontruction phases of the disaster management cycle, the skills of architects, engineers, planners and surveyors can be harnessed. They can ensure that best use is made of finance, opportunities to build back better are seized, local people learn new skills and, crucially, that a legacy archive of lessons learned is developed.' |
| 08/06/2009 | Cities Under Threat from Rapid Urbanisation & Climate Change
Policy-makers and professionals in building industry were urged to club together to address crises at a forum in London organised by Built Environment Professionals in the Commonwealth (BEPIC). Full article is available on the Commonwealth Secretariat website at
www.thecommonwealth.org |
| 04/06/2009 | State of the Commonwealth Cities Study
The Interim Report of CAP's work on State of the Commonwealth Cities was presented to the Commonwealth Consultative Group on Human Settlements in Nairobi (see What's New 1/4/09). It can now be downloaded from
www.thecommonwealth.org |
| 04/06/2009 | Commpedia
Commpedia is a new 'Wikipedia' style website that focuses on Commonwealth organisations. There is no formal connection to Wikipedia but the concept is the same. The site allows material to be posted that can be amended, updated and commented by others. It is an initiative of Friends of the Commonwealth. Want to find out more - and check out CAP's entry? Go to
www.commpedia.org |
| 14/05/2009 | Flag-Raising to Celebrate 60 Years of the Commonwealth
CAP was represented by Clive Harridge, Vice-President Europe, at the Flag-Raising Event in London to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the modern Commonwealth on 30 April. The event was opened by the Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma, followed by a reading of the London Declaration and a performance of a specially commissioned piece of music composed by Paul Caroll and sung by South African singer Steven Leas. The main event was the raising of flags of all the Commonwealth member countries accompanied by drums and loud cheers as individual countries were announced. Each flag was carried by a young person in national costume. There will be a full report in the next issue of CAP News. |
| 01/04/2009 | UN and Commonwealth plan to work together
UN and Commonwealth plan to work together on Commonwealth cities.
Work done for CAP on the state of Commonwealth cities was warmly welcomed by delegates to the Commonwealth Consultative group on Human Settlements meeting in Nairobi on Tuesday. Research by Will French and Lucy Natarajan from the Royal Town Planning Institute shows that the Commonwealth's urban population is expected to leap from 261M in 2000 to 451M in 2015, a staggering 73% increase.
UN Habitat Executive Director, Dr. Anna Tibaijuka, strongly supported this initiative. She said "There is a fundamental need to build the skills and systems of each Commonwealth city to respond to these challenges. This will require new tools, efforts in capacity building and innovative planning strategies."
She noted that the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Port of Spain, Trinidad in November this year will address issues related to the current financial crisis. She urged that the CHOGM should include the urban dimension of food scarcity, climate change and the financial crisis in cities.
CAP's work on the State of Commonwealth Cities is not expected to be completed until July. |
| 30/03/2009 | Work in partnership - or fail say Habitat Professionals
Today's global economic problems make it more necessary than ever that governments, professionals and community organisations work together to tackle the global challenge of urbanisation. This was the message sent out by a meeting of Habitat Professionals at a meeting at the UN complex at Gigiri this weekend.
The world is experiencing a surge of urban growth on a scale never seen before. Better management of this growth is fundamental to international attempts to grapple with CO2 emissions, the consequences of climate change, and threats to food security through loss or farmland. Derek Martin, from the International Federation for Housing and Planning, who chaired the meeting, said "Huge urban growth is inevitable, but the way we managed that growth is not. The skills of professionals matter more than ever – planners, architects, surveyors and engineers can make a difference. But they need to work together and as partners with governments, communities and UN-Habitat. The price of fragmentation is failure".
Mr. Martin urged governments at all levels to respect the role of professionals and experts in making and implementing urban policies. "Policy making needs to be informed by evidence, not assumptions," he said. However, he also stressed the need for a new kind of urban profession. "We need professionals who can share knowledge and skills not only with each other but with non-professionals. We need to become better listeners and better at reaching out to groups who cannot afford or have been ignored by professionals in the past. Active partnership with UN-Habitat can be an important catalyst here."
CAP played a prominent role in the meeting through the participation of its President, the Vice-President (East Africa) and the Secretary-General. |
| 30/03/2009 | Head of UN-Habitat Challenges Planners
Planners have an ethical obligation to grapple with the combined impacts of rapid urbanization, climate change and globalization, says the Executive Director of UN-Habitat. "The role of professionals is central to our quest for sustainable urbanisation and for sustainable development. UN-HABITAT stands ready to support and work with you in this endeavour" Dr. Anna Tibaijuka told a meeting of the Habitat Professionals Forum in Nairobi on Saturday.
CAP was represented at this meeting by Christine Platt (President), Bosire Ogero (Vice-President, East Africa) and Cliff Hague, the Secretary-General. Dr. Tibaijuka directly addressed planners: "Your design becomes part of the urban landscape for generations to come. And the users of what you design will either love you or hate you!" she told them.
She drew attention to the plight of the estimated one billion women, men and children who live in slums. Then she stressed the inter-connected nature of the problems we face: "the impact of rapid and chaotic urbanization on our environment, and the ability of our planet to sustain diversity of life as we know it. As human activity concentrates itself in cities, irreversible changes occur in our production and consumption patterns. With half of humanity living in cities, we must bear in mind that cities consume 75% of the world's energy and generate an equally significant proportion of the world's waste, including greenhouse gas emissions. As easily seen in satellite photographs from space, the ecological footprints of megacities is growing alarmingly".
Dr. Tibaijuka challenged "How as professionals can we harness the positive aspects of urbanization to promote social inclusion, smarter growth and thus contribute to our collective stability and prosperity? How can urbanization become the cornerstone of a new inclusive civilization? How can we help create vibrant and socially cohesive urban communities?" |
| 09/03/2009 | Commonwealth Day
The Secretary-General represented CAP at the annual Observance for Commonwealth Day at Westminster Abbey and then at the reception in Marlborough House. Her Majesty the Queen said at the Observance, 'The call that brought the Commonwealth together in 1949 remains the same today. Then we joined together in a collective spirit - built on lasting principles, wisdom, energy and creativity - to meet the great tasks of our times. As the Commonwealth celebrates its sixtieth birthday, its governments, communities, and we as individuals should welcome that achievement. Together we should continue to work hard to deal with today's challenges so that the young people of today's Commonwealth can realise their aspirations. In that way we can look to the future with confidence'. |
| 03/03/2009 | International Knowledge Center
Four international planning organisations have come together to form a new international knowledge center in The Hague, Netherlands. The International Federation for Housing and Planning, the International Society of City and Regional Planners, the International New Towns Association and Nicis International have signed a Letter of Intent to intensify cooperation between the four organisations, providing joint responses to the challenges to the urban community worldwide.
In signing this preliminary agreement, the four institutions intend to create in the City of The Hague, The Netherlands, an international knowledge centre on urban development.
Their announcement says 'These international organisations believe that contemporary challenges, issues and problems concerning urban settlements demand integrated solutions that would benefit from more effective international collaboration and knowledge transfer programmes'.
The initiative is supported by the City of the Hague and the Dutch Ministry of Housing, Planning and the Environment (VROM). |
| 26/02/2009 | Sustainable Urbanism: The financial bottom line
The Prince's Foundation for the Built Environment is holding a one-day seminar on 'Sustainable Urbanism: The financial bottom line' on 18 March in Poundbury, Dorchester, England. This event promises to give the audience the tools to deliver communities that are resilient even in these economic times.
The recent Prince's Foundation publication 'Valuing Sustainable Urbanism' signalled a new awareness of the financial benefits of residentially led mixed use settlements in the UK, over and above market values being attached to other standard forms of housing development. The report co-authored by the Prince's Foundation for the Built Environment from Savills Residential Research (with support from English Partnerships), persuasively argued that better planning increases market value.
CAP has a Memorandum of Co-operation with the PFBE.
For more information about the seminar go to
www.princes-foundation.org |
| 18/02/2009 | 60 Years of Planning Education
The University of South Australia is celebrating the 60th Anniversary of the first formal planning education programme in Australia. To mark this event there is a major symposium on planning education at the University on 13 February. Two members of CAP's Women in Planning network are amongst the distinguished speakers - Professor Dory Reeves (University of Auckland) and Dr.Carolyn Whitzman (University of Melbourne). Other speakers are Professor Stephen Hamnett (University of S. Australia), Professor Andreas Faludi (Technical University of Delft), Professor Bruce Stiftel (Georgia Tech, USA), Trevor Budge (Chair of PIA's National Education Committee) and Associate Professor Lee Lik Meng from Malaysia. Last year the Planning Institute of Australia published a Discussion Paper that called for a review of accreditation procedures, enhanced relations between planning education and planning practice, and the establishment of a dedicated Planning Research Institute. The paper is available on the PIA website
www.planning.org.au |
| 10/02/2009 | Prince's Foundation for the Built Environment
Prince Charles has again highlighted the important part that good planning has to play in tackling the challenges of rapid urbanisation. It was a theme he aired in his video address to the World Urban Forum last November (see CAP News). Last week he told the annual conference of the Prince's Foundation for the Built Environment that 'Well-made places are fundamental to the ability to establish locally-inspired solutions to local issues - and, indeed, local solutions to global ones'. He noted how the consequences of poor planning and place-making are a degraded natural environment, dislocation and ugliness.
The Prince asked the delegates if the world could build developments that respected existing settlements, improved living standards and accommodated the expected flood of migrants to urban areas.
He said: 'I believe we can, and that the benefits of taking such an approach could deliver more durable gains than those delivered through the present brutal and insensitive process of globalisation that is shaping so many aspects of how we now live'.
The one-day conference, Globalisation From The Bottom Up, showcased schemes from across the globe which are sensitively developing or restoring historic or poor areas through active involvement of local residents. CAP has a memorandum of co-operation with the Prince's Foundation, and were represented at the event by the President, the Vice-President for Europe and the Secretary-General. For further details of the speech see
www.princeofwales.gov.uk |
| 21/01/2009 | Peter Oberlander
CAP was saddened to hear of the death of Peter Oberlander on 27 December 2008.
He was Canada's first Professor of Urban and Regional Planning and played a prominent role in the 1976 Habitat conference in Vancouver that did so much to put human settlements on the international agenda. Professor Oberlander was present at the 2006 World Urban Forum in Vancouver also, where his contributions were recognised by the Canadian Institute of Planners. He was 86. |
| 14/01/2009 | Strategic City: Planners for the 21st Century
A new book has been published which showcases CAP's global role in re-inventing planning. Strategic City: Planners for the 21st Century is edited by Nicolas Buchoud and published in France. It includes chapters by CAP President Christine Platt and CAP Secretary-General Cliff Hague, as well as by Buchoud himself and contributors from many different parts of the world. 'For most authors cities seem to be the outcome of factors external to their development, to such an extent that we have forgotten that it is possible to actually create, build and develop and change cities' says the editor. To get more information contact nbuchoud@yahoo.fr. The contents can be downloaded from
www.commonwealth-planners.org |
| 20/11/2008 | Zhenjiang Communique
The meeting of the Global Planners Network in Zhenjiang ahead of the World Urban Forum agreed a communique. It commits the Network to:
Continue to champion and promote strategic, integrative, inclusive and pro-poor planning;
Concentrate on building capacity, opening up access to training and fostering education, research and a deeper understanding, as a sound basis for action;
Narrow the gap between the rate of urbanisation and our capacity to plan and manage settlements in an expeditious, affordable and harmonious way;
Broaden its reach, connect planners across the world and strengthen links with other professionals, politicians and civil society concerned with the future of human settlements;
Sustain and deepen its relationship with UN-HABITAT;
Forge partnerships with donor agencies and other bodies so that appropriate funding goes to well-planned projects, and plans are financially realistic and create economic opportunity; and
Share and disseminate lessons and good practices, including by holding another Global Planners Network Congress in 2010, returning to the WUF5 to report progress against the GPN Action Plan and scoping further actions collaboratively.
The full statement can be downloaded from
www.globalplannersnetwork.org |
| 17/11/2008 | How Cities are Changing
An article about the recent work of CAP has been published and can be accessed for free on-line. 'How cities are changing and the implications of those changes for urban planning' by CAP's Secretary-General, Cliff Hague, appears in the Bulletin of the Spanish Association of Geographers (Boletin de la A.G.E. No.46) It describes CAP's efforts to promote a 're-inventing planning' agenda. It can be found at
age.ieg.csic.es |
| 17/11/2008 | Self-assessments of capacity for planning: Key findings
Results from a major global study by CAP and the Royal Town Planning Institute of the capacity for planning are now available. The project was launched in March 2008 at the Planning Africa Conference in Johannesburg, by CAP Vice-President (Europe), Clive Harridge. The 'Self-Diagnostic Tool' is a questionnaire that allows planners to assess and reflect on the role and capacity of planning in their own country. It has been completed by 1268 planners from 117 countries, over 30 of them Commonwealth countries.
The analysis shows that too often the potential contribution that planning can make to critical challenges like reducing the rate of new slum formation, reducing vulnerability to natural disasters and fostering sustainable economic growth, is not being realised. Planning is fundamentally about integrating the economic, social and environmental aspects of places, yet it is common to find planners scattered in different departments, and for non-planning agencies to be able to over-ride plans and planning decisions. Too often there are too few planners and insufficient political support. Capacity building and skills development are widely recognised needs - but too rarely is there access to a holistic planning education that addresses local priorities.
CAP acknowledges the generous support of the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy (Cambridge, Mass.) and the RTPI Trust that made the project possible. CAP Secretary-General, Cliff Hague, said 'There has never been a study like this before. It provides a unique insight into the state of planning in and beyond the Commonwealth. It has built a virtual network of unprecedented breadth and potential. We will now seek to work with our partners such as the Commonwealth bodies, the Prince's Foundation for the Built Environment and UN-Habitat, and of course our member institutes, to see how we can translate these findings into action to fill the capacity gap that has been identified.' The summary of the findings can be downloaded from
www.rtpi.org.uk |
| 07/11/2008 | Sick Cities - The Price of Neglect
On World town Planning Day, 8 November, the Commonwealth Association of Planners (CAP) calls on governments across the Commonwealth to recall the fundamental reasons why cities need planning. Town planning democratises the development process and makes it transparent. Through planning legislation we assert the right of all citizens to decent living conditions. The essence of town planning is the idea that the rights of land owners to maximise their private interests should not override collective interests and long-term needs.
"Too often, land piracy by vested interests, corruption and political manipulation has been allowed to subvert planning. The ideology of de-regulation damaged planning as it has now damaged the banking system. Land and natural resources have been ripped off to build a sub-prime future" says CAP Secretary-General Cliff Hague.
The 2008 State of the World's Cities report by UN-Habitat shows just how sick and divided many cities now are after a prolonged period during which basic planning principles have been neglected or ignored. Professor Hague notes that the Commonwealth has some of the world's biggest slums. "Mumbai is probably the world's slum capital with 10-12 million squatters and tenement dwellers. Lagos is not far behind. Almost half of Karachi's people live in the Orangi slum. In a world where the planet takes 14 months to regenerate the resources we consume in a single year, the sprawl of car-dependent settlements in some of the Commonwealth's richer countries is literally costing us the earth – earth that is needed to grow food, nurture trees and provide natural habitats."
CAP highlights the potential of planning backed by effective regulation to contribute to a better future, because cities are massive consumers of energy, and buildings and transport are major sources of greenhouse gas emissions. The Commonwealth also can provide some outstanding examples of strategic planning, national parks, historic conservation and outreach and public involvement. However, "With the total urban population of the developing world now expected to grow from 2.3 billion in 2005 to 5.3 billion by 2050 we are going to need all the expertise of town planners and then some more" said Professor Hague. "Modern planning systems, properly funded and supported by governments are not a luxury – they are indispensable if we are to escape from the consequences of destructive and inequitable forms of urban development." |
| 06/11/2008 | Backing for Planning and Local Government at WUF
Mrs Anna Tibaijuka, Executive Director UN-HABITAT, told the plenary meeting of the World Urban Forum on Tuesday that urban planning was crucial at the policy level. 'For cities without slums, planning has to be firmly in the mainstream', she said. To avoid reactive measures such as slum upgrading, she said proper planning to prevent the formation of slums was the best way to proceed.
Another top UN official, Mr Abdoulie Janneh, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa, stressed that strong urban agglomerations contribute to wealth because they are home to vital sectors for economic growth such as industry, commerce and finance. He said it was important to build harmony and equity in cities from the perspective of good urban governance so that barriers are broken down, and access to jobs, affordable housing and education can be promoted.
Mr Abdoulie Janneh emphasised the importance of good government at the local level. To ensure equity, local governments had to be based on the principles of popular participation, transparent and accountable structures, and viable institutional frameworks. Local leaders, he said, had to have the skills and the capacity to manage cities in partnership with community-based organizations, the private sector and other non-governmental bodies.
He cited some examples of programmes to fight social exclusion and induce economic achievement. They included several in Commonwealth countries: the Single Regeneration Budget and the New Deal for Communities programmes in the UK; in Cape Town, community participation in the city's Rebuilding and Development Programme; water delivery in Yaounde, and Local Agenda 21 Programmes in Uganda.
The Prime Minister of Kenya, the Hon. Raila Odinga, opened his remarks saying that slum upgrading and housing were matters of prime concern to his government. Decent, affordable housing was the responsibility of any government. Yet in Kenya it constituted what he called a monumental challenge. His own constituency, for example, he said covered both Karen, one of the wealthiest and most affluent suburbs of the capital Nairobi, and Kibera, an overcrowded slum, home to nearly three-quarters of a million people.
He quoted UN estimates showing urbanization to be growing more rapidly in Africa than any other continent. In the majority of cases rural migrants ended up in slums and conditions worse than those they had left behind. Thus anger, hunger and frustration built up. He explained how the Kenya government was working with UN-Habitat in a project set up in 2003 called the Kenya Slum Upgrading Programme. The programme being implemented in Nairobi, and the other major cities of Mombasa and Kisumu, he said, was aimed at helping the country attain the Millennium Development Goals, especially Target 11 on improving the lives of slum dwellers around the world. He described slums as places of disease and misery, dusty during the dry season, muddy during the rains and always stinking of human waste, and always a threat to health. This was why housing was not merely a matter of putting up homes, but ensuring that hospitals, schools and other facilities are also available along with water, sanitation, and electricity services. He said that there was resistance to slum upgrading because past upgrading projects had not benefited the urban poor, and had a tendency to benefit non-slum residents. However, he believed that governments owed their citizens decent housing. |
| 04/11/2008 | CAP President opens World Urban Forum Dialogue
CAP's President, Christine Platt was the opening speaker in the UN-Habitat World Urban Forum Dialogue 1 on 'Territorial balance in urban development'. She told the delegates, who include ministers, mayors, senior officials and NGOs, that there is compelling evidence that planners around the Commonwealth have responded to CAP's call at the 2006 WUF to reinvent planning. She said 'Responses from grass-roots planners have been heard in a series of events around the world over the past two years, including the Pacific Islands, Australia, the Caribbean, Canada, the Great Lakes area of East Africa and Cameroon'.
From these meetings, Mrs Platt discerned a number of key messages. These are:
- Governments need to grasp how spatial planning which is strategic, integrated and participatory can help.
- Governance issues, including insufficient funding, lack of political will and political instability are affecting the delivery of planning.
- There is a skills shortage in ALL regions of the world and in all areas of planning and planning decision making.
- We need cross boundary thinking if we are to effectively deal with the big issues such as climate change, deepening poverty, increasing slums and the food and energy crisis.
- Globalisation and its impact on new migrations, densities, heritage and changing sense of place cannot be ignored.
'We need to reinvent planning education and to support the 'Barefoot Planners' who are working hard to serve communities in rural areas and small island states, with few opportunities to access new knowledge and skills', said Mrs Platt. |
| 03/11/2008 | Effective planning critical in increasingly urban world
Strategic, integrated and participatory planning is needed to ensure wealth created by urbanisation is shared fairly - President Commonwealth Association of Planners. Read more on Commonwealth Secretariat website at
www.thecommonwealth.org |
| 29/10/2008 | World Planners Congress and World Urban Forum
The second World Planners Congress will be in Zhenjiang this weekend. It follows from the first Congress that was held in Vancouver in June 2006. It is organised by the Global Planners Network (GPN). CAP is a supporter of the GPN, and will be involved in sessions in the congress. The Congress themes are Urbanization, Poverty, Climate Change and Hazards. Featured speakers include Dr. Anna Tibaijuka, the Director of UN-Habitat, and Mr Shi Heping, Party Secretary of Zhenjiang. It is expected that the Congress will agree a Communique to focus the development of the Network for the next 2 years and to provide the basis for a message from planners to the wider community of governments, professionals and NGOs at the World Urban Forum (WUF).
The WUF begins in Nanjing on Monday and runs until 6 November. CAP will have a prominent role. The theme of WUF is 'Harmonious Urbanization: The Challenge of Balanced Territorial Development'. There will be a video address to the opening session from HRH Prince Charles. Then CAP President, Christine Platt, will be the opening speaker in the first Dialogue which is on 'Territorial Balance in Urban Development'.
On Monday afternoon CAP's Women in Planning network will be a partner, along with the Nanjing Women's Federation in collaboration with UN-Habitat's Gender Unit, for the Women's Roundtable. Christine Platt will be one of the two Chairs for this important session. Professor Alison Todes from University of Witswaterstrand will present the findings of the study commissioned by CAP on gender and planning in the Commonwealth. Carolyn Whitzman from Australia will also represent CAP amongst the high level speakers on the Roundtable.
Also on Tuesday 4 November there will be a CAP Workshop on 'Planning post-Vancouver: Challenges and Responses'. This will aim to share practical experiences which demonstrate the degree to which the principles of Reinventing Planning are seen as relevant and are being followed. It will have an African theme and speakers will include Ashraf Adam, President of the South African Planning Institute and Waheed Kadiri, President of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners.
The findings from the study undertaken by the Royal Town Planning Institute and CAP of the state of planning and planning capacity internationally will also be presented. Over 1250 planners from over 100 countries have completed this 'Self-Diagnostic Tool'. Funding for the project came from the Lincoln Foundation and the RTPI Trust. |
| 06/10/2008 | Cities on a knife edge say Commonwealth planners
The global financial crisis threatens to tip cities and local governments over an economic precipice, Commonwealth planners warned on World Habitat Day, 6 October. Dubious financial practices and the failure of our financial systems eventually filter down to affect everyday life through distorted housing markets, and diminished investment in urban development and infrastructure. Commonwealth countries were already facing a huge urban challenge before the events of recent weeks. In countries like Malawi, urban growth runs at around 5% a year but investment in adequate housing and essential services like water, sanitation and electricity lags far behind. Even rich countries like the UK and Canada are experiencing serious shortfalls in investment in affordable housing. The impact of the financial crisis on the resolution of these issues is potentially profound.
Christine Platt, President of the Commonwealth Association of Planners said, 'The theme for World Habitat Day is 'Harmonious Cities'. Adequate shelter and access to basic services are a critical stepping stone towards making that vision a reality. At a time when people all over the Commonwealth are worried about how the global financial crisis will hit them, it is important to remember that investment in basic urban services and adequate shelter is essential, equitable and will deliver not only an economic dividend but also a social one through reducing illness and mortality. No country, whether rich or poor, will be immune from the impacts of poverty which we can never afford to ignore even in these times of economic hardship'.
CAP, along with the Commonwealth Local Government Forum, and the bodies representing architects and surveyors in the Commonwealth, has led calls for a major review of the State of Commonwealth Cities. The Commonwealth adopted a goal in 2001 of 'demonstrated progress towards adequate shelter for all with secure tenure and access to essential services in every community by 2015'. However, half way along the track, there has been no systematic reporting on what is happening in Commonwealth cities, and no concerted mobilisation of urban policy makers and NGOs across the Commonwealth for action on human settlements. This is despite the scale and pace of urbanisation that this generation will create (currently only 28% of Indians live in cities), the urbanisation of poverty and the environmental significance of urban growth.
Mrs Platt said that urban change is central to at least two of the 8 Millennium Development Goals - 'eradicate extreme poverty and hunger' and 'ensure environmental sustainability'. Aid agencies have increasingly moved towards a system of block grant funding to governments. However, Mrs Platt argues that this macro-approach overlooks the fact that actions to create wealth and relieve poverty ultimately take place at a local level.
'We need analytical and comparative information on urban conditions and assessment and sharing of policies to make the current aid regime work. When the world begins to reconstruct its financial systems - as it will have to do once the immediate crisis is past - government and multi-lateral agencies will need to rediscover the basic importance of investing in urban public services and strengthening local governments. These are essential foundations for the successful functioning of our cities, without which the notion of Harmonious Cities will remain no more than an elusive concept.' |
| 08/09/2008 | Improving the Lives of Slum Dwellers: A Home in the City
'Slum upgrading is a remedial measure made necessary by the inaction of past governments and the failure to adopt or implement adequate or efficient national and urban policies. Planning can prevent slums from forming. Cities need to apply the principle of planning before development, focusing on the future needs of low-income populations. The pervasiveness of precarious and informal settlements demands a comprehensive approach that can be ensured only by citywide development strategies and participatory planning.' This view is put forward in a major new report, 'A home in the city', which is produced by the UN Millennium Project Task Force on Improving the Lives of Slum Dwellers. The full report can be downloaded here.
www.unmillenniumproject.org |
| 01/08/2008 | Built Environment Professions in the Commonwealth
CAP worked together with Commonwealth bodies representing Architects, Engineers and Surveyors to put on a special event in London on 29 July. The meeting was held at the offices of the Prince's Foundation for the Built Environment, and attracted a distinguished audience. Its theme was 'The future of cities and how to respond to the challenges which arise from climate change'. CAP's Vice-President for Europe, Clive Harridge, was one of the panel of speakers. He emphasised the importance of working with people and the scope for international professional assistance. He highlighted CAP's work on 're-inventing planning'. Other speakers were Hooper Brooks (Director of International Programmes at the Prince's Foundation for the Built Environment); Pablo Lazo (a leading architect and urban designer); Duncan Preston (Vice-President of the RICS); and Adrian Cooper (an architect and urban designer who works for Atkins Global). Professor Tony Ridley CBE, chaired a lively discussion at the end. Thanks are due to Clifford Dann MBE, (Convenor of Built Environment Professions in the Commonwealth (BEPIC) and Founder/Chairman of the Commonwealth Housing Trust) who played the leading role in organising the event. A full report is planned in the next issue of CAP News. |
| 25/06/2008 | China - Post Earthquake Recovery and Reconstruction
UK Government officials have met the First Secretary at the Chinese Embassy and her team in London in response to a request for advice and assistance after the recent earthquake in Sichuan Province. The span of expertise and advice that they seek is wide: policy, immediate remediation, reconstruction, risk mitigation, design, economic regeneration, community leadership & self-help, to long-term community trauma management. They are interested in both professional and academic aspects. The Civil Contingencies Secretariat has undertaken to collate replies and make them available to the Chinese authorities on request. If you would like to be involved and are content for your details to be recorded, retained and given to the Chinese authorities, please email the CAP Secretariat to be given the Cabinet Office email address and format for replies. |
| 25/04/2008 | New Planning Capacity Tool
The Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) and the Commonwealth Association of Planners (CAP), with the support of the Lincoln Institute, and the Global Planners Network (GPN), have developed a capacity assessment tool for all people involved in planning around the world to use.
The tool helps planning organisations to assess their skills-base, organisational capacity, leadership and working methods. It is hoped that by identifying any shortfalls which may exist organisations will be able to take steps to respond to the challenge of urban growth within their country.
We encourage you to complete the tool using the link below and to tell your colleagues around the world about it.
www.tinyurl.com |
| 13/03/2008 | Land use is critically important for sustainable development
Professor Mohan Munasinghe, Vice-Chairman of the UN's Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change and co-winner of the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize, this week stressed the importance of land use. Prof. Munasinghe delivered a briefing on climate change to Commonwealth organisations. He stressed the need for integrated action to tackle climate change and move towards more sustainable forms of development.
'Land use really matters' he said. 'For example, through planned re-afforestation you can increase carbon absorption, reduce environmental hazards and create jobs and economic opportunities.'
Prof. Munasinghe argued that the Commonwealth can make major contributions to meeting the challenges of climage change. This is because the Commonwealth is able to foster South-South and also South to North transfers of knowledge. This is rare in a world where the main transfers are from North to South.
At the Commonwealth Day Observance, Prof. Munasinghe said 'Climate change threatens the development prospects of everyone on the planet - particularly billions of already destitute people. Conversely, current development trends (and greenhouse gas emissions) will worsen global warming. The poor need protection and the rich must adopt more sustainable consumption patterns. Selfless personal commitment, partnerships, united action and bold leadership are essential to make 'spaceship earth' a safer and happier place for our children. Despite the formidable challenges, I am optimistic. We can simultaneously solve the intertwined problems of climate and development. We know enough to start making development more sustainable today. Only the will is lacking - and that we must provide, together.' |
| 13/03/2008 | Commonwealth Commits to the Environment
As Head of the Commonwealth, Her Majesty the Queen, in her Commonwealth Day Message, called on governments, businesses, communities and individuals to defend the environment.
Her Majesty said 'The impact of pollution falls unequally: it is often those who pollute the least - notably the world's least-developed nations - who are closest to the razor's edge: most affected by the impact of climate change and least equipped to cope with it.
If we recognise the interests and needs of the people who are most affected, we can work with them to bring about lasting change. Happily, this approach has always been a strength of the Commonwealth, and awareness of environmental issues is now widespread, with a determination that future generations should enjoy clean air, sufficient fresh water and energy without risking damage to the planet.'
The Chairperson-in-Office of the Commonwealth, President Yoweri Museveni of the Republic of Uganda noted in particular the active role of ComHabitat in addressing 'ways to help the 1 in 6 Commonwealth citizens who live in slums'. CAP is represented on the Management Committee of ComHabitat.
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| 13/11/2007 | Francophone planners sign Vancouver Declaration
Six African planning associations and the French Society of Urbanists signed the Vancouver Declaration, and the six also signed the Durban Declaration.
The Vancouver Declaration was signed by planning organisations from 18 countries at the 2006 World Planners Congress in Vancouver. It commits the planning associations of the world 'to work together and with others to tackle the challenges of rapid urbanisation, the urbanisation of proverty and the hazards posed by climate change and natural disasters.'
The Durban Declaration was agreed at a meeting of African planners in 2002 and set up the African Planning Association 'to ensure that the promotion and co-ordination of planning in Africa receives attention at the highest level.'
The signatories were the representatives of Planning Associations in Togo, Benin, Ivory Coast, Algeria, Tunisia and Cameroon.
Cameroon has also applied to host a permanent secretary for World Town Planning Days for (Francophone) African Countries.
Ashraf Adam, President of the South African Planning Institute addressed the meeting in Yaounde and urged as many Francophone delegates as possible to attend the Planning Africa meeting in Johannesburg next April, which will also be CAP's biennial conference and business meeting. |
| 09/11/2007 | CAP Sends Message of Support
CAP sends message of support to the Ordre National des Urbanistes du Cameroun. In a message to the World Town Planning Day meeting organised in Yaounde by the Ordre National des Urbanistes du Cameroun and the Societe Francaise des Urbanistes, CAP Secreary-General Cliff Hague noted that there are now important debates about planning within Africa and internationally. Zimbabwe's urban 'clean-up' campaign in 2005 was strongly criticised by the Executive Director of UN Habitat. Some 700,000 people were casually categorised as part of the 'filth', and evicted as informal settlements were demolished. The process was undertaken using planning legislation (though there were significant failures to follow the letter of the law).
'The use of planning in this way has created a crisis for urbanists and planners. Is planning a relic from the colonial era that is used to oppress some of the poorest people on this planet? Or can it be something else?' he asked. He argues that the urbanisation of poverty in Africa means that planning needs to be pro-poor.
Hague said that he hoped the meeting in Cameroon can be the start of a dialogue between the Commonwealth Association of Planners and planners in the Francophone world, and that 'together we can make planning a more potent mechanism for tackling the 21st century challenges of urbanisation and development.' |
| 08/11/2007 | Current Urbanisation Is Not Sustainable Say Planners
The way that cities are growing is not sustainable, says the Commonwealth Association of Planners (CAP). The association calls on governments to fundamentally rethink policies and approaches to managing urbanisation before it is too late. 'We have ten, maybe fifteen years, to get on to a new track. After that the slum problem, environmental damage and urban insecurity will become so entrenched that they will dominate international relations for the rest of the century', says CAP President, Christine Platt, a planner who works in South Africa.
Today, 8 November, is World Town Planning Day. There are 65,000 more people living in cities in the Commonwealth than there were yesterday. There will be another 65,000 tomorrow, and tomorrow and tomorrow. Urban growth rates are between 3 and 6% a year in a third of Commonwealth countries. Around 327 million people in the Commonwealth are waking up today in a slum. Their numbers are increasing day by day. Their life expectancy is dramatically less than their compatriots who live in better conditions.
Because the poor live in the most hazardous locations they are disproportionately vulnerable to the local impacts of climate change. The problems are particularly acute in small island developing states where the growing threats from rising sea levels and extreme weather conditions are not matched by growing capacity to plan and manage settlements in sustainable and equitable ways.
'Urban growth is going to be huge in this generation. It will create great wealth that can lift people out of poverty. However, we have to get the cities right, and that needs smart planning', said Mrs. Platt, who recently visited India to see how they are handling the urban consequences of an economic boom. 'We need a quantum leap in management capacity: more trained people with better skills, and planning legislation that is fit for purpose in today's world. This is something that CAP is working on, together with our member institutes, our Commonwealth partners and also UN Habitat. Too often, even in rich countries, the approach of governments to urban development is one of curative medicine: clearance, infrastructure after the development has happened, too little too late in environmental protection. Planning means preventative medicine; it's about acting now so that our cities and rural areas are not allowed to degrade to the extent that recovery becomes a prohibitive cost. There are encouraging signs that some governments within the Commonwealth are realising that they need to re-invent planning.' |
| 25/09/2007 | New Book on Planning in Post-Apartheid South Africa
A book has been published on planning in South Africa. After the transition to democracy in 1994, planners sought to build a vision of integrated, equitable and sustainable cities, to replace the apartheid legacy of divided places. The book covers the experiences of planners, the barriers they met and the extent to which their aims were achieved.
The authors are Phil Harrison and Alison Todes (both University of Witwaterstrand) and Vanessa Watson (University of Cape Town). The book is published by Routledge in the RTPI Library Series. It costs £85 hardback or £29.99 paperback. It will be reviewed in an issue of CAP News next year. |
| 03/08/2007 | East African Planners Meet in Kampala 30-31 July 07
The East Africa Region of the Commonwealth Association of Planners held a well attended regional conference in Kampala, Uganda 30-31 July 2007. The theme of the conference that is linked to the 2007 CHOGM meeting was 'The Dawn of Effective Urban Planning in the Great Lakes Region: Skills, Capacity Building and an Agenda for Action'. The conference was officially opened by the Uganda Minister for Lands, Housing and Urban Development Hon Daniel Omara Atubo who emphasised the importance of Planning for achieving national and regional development. The conference was also addressed by the President of CAP Christine Platt, the CAP Regional Vice-President Bosire Ogero, a representative of the UN-Habitat Executive Director as well as the presidents of the Uganda Institute of Physical Planners, Town Planning Association of Tanzania and the Kenya Institute of Planners. Resolutions made at the conference will be taken to the CHOGM People's Forum later in 2007, and fed into the Global Planners Network and so on to WUF IV. A key outcome of the conference was the formation of the EAST AFRICA ASSOCIATION OF PLANNERS with branches in each of the East African community member states, and that will work closely with the East African community to promote new urban planning in the region. While addressing the official conference closing ceremony the Uganda Minister of State for Housing Hon Michael Werikhe commended planners in the region for forming the East Africa Association of Planners and challenged them to play a key role in promoting regional integration and the eventual realisation of the East African Federation. |
| 25/07/2007 | Making Places
For a stunning sequence of slides of Vancouver go to www.makingplaces.hu then click on Programme Information then Programme Presentations then open the Adobe Acrobat file of the presentation by Larry Beasley (former head of planning in Vancouver).
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| 28/06/2007 | Planning Needed to Avert Urban Catastrophe
The challenges of rapid urbanisation and the need for effective urban planning are highlighted in the new report from the UN Population Fund, 'State of World Population 2007: Unleashing the Potential of Urban Growth'. The report shows that the urban population of Africa and Asia is likely to double in a generation, mainly through natural increase. The need for planning is recognised, but as the Commonwealth Association of Planners has argued, this needs to be a new type of planning that is responsive to rapid change and meets the needs of the urban poor.
Launching the report at the UN in New York, Ann Erb Leoncavallo of the United Nations Population Fund stressed the need for planning that gives 'explicit consideration of the needs and rights of slum dwellers and the urban poor, as well for their participation. Providing minimally serviced land for the poor, with clean water, shelter and sanitation, would help meet present and future needs'.
Cliff Hague, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Association of Planners, said that the Commonwealth has a crucial part to play if urbanisation is to be made more sustainable. 'Commonwealth countries such as Nigeria, Bangladesh and even small island states like Vanuatu, are experiencing very high rates of urbanisation, which will continue for a generation. Already the poor live in slums often in locations that are vulnerable to hazards like flooding and landslips. Effective planning is essential if the world is to avoid the urban catastrophe that is in the making.'
The Commonwealth Association of Planners is calling on governments to work in partnership and to invest in building the capacity of their planning systems. 'This means developing individuals and institutions that are able to work with civil society to anticipate and plan for the surge of urbanisation and the urbanisation of poverty that the Commonwealth is facing.' |
| 24/05/2007 | Urban World News
Global News on Urban Issues - updated throughout the Day. This is a free site that might be of interest to CAP members.
urban-strategic-intel.com |
| 01/05/2007 | Solomon Islands Tsunami
CAP's contacts in the Solomon Islands report that the International Foundation of Red Cross is starting a 12-month project to facilitate housing reconstruction using local timber for the structure and sego palm for roofing. Nails and wire will be distributed. One demonstration model will be built in each village, and then materials are left for villagers to build the remainder of the housing. Oxfam have a similar plan.
Other issues are: where will people relocate? There are concerns about environmental impacts, community participation and conflict sensitivity - mitigating tensions that may arise as a result of reconstruction of houses. A big planning issue for the villages at this stage is the number of land disputes which are starting to emerge, and the fact that most villages are rebuilding uphill, when all of their infrastructure is downhill. |
| 13/10/2006 | Natural Disasters: Reducing Risk, Recovering Faster
World Bank Creates New Facility to Protect Development Gains
The World Bank has created a new global facility, The Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR), designed to integrate disaster reduction strategies and sustainable recovery in development plans of countries believed to be at high risk for natural catastrophes.
web.worldbank.org |
| 25/07/2006 | Summary of Ministers' Discussions at WUF
Putting Human Settlements and Urban Poverty at the Heart of the Development Agenda. You can download the Chair's summary of the discussions from the ComHabitat website. To download the PDF, click on the link and it is the first item under documents in the left hand bar.
www.comhabitat.org |
| 21/04/2005 | The Tsunami Recovery Network
The Tsunami Recovery Network has launched a new independent website dedicated to exchanging information on tsunami recovery and reconstruction activities following the Asian tsunami disaster. The Network will lobby for the implementation of policies which respect the expressed needs of the communities directly affected, particularly the poor and most vulnerable. Further information is available at
www.tsunami-recovery.net |
| 07/03/2005 | A Commonwealth Perspective
The December issue of Habitat Debate is devoted to urban planning and contains an article by the CAP President, Professor Cliff Hague. You can read his article 'A Commonwealth Perspective' on-line at
www.unhabitat.org |
| 02/01/2005 | CAP's submission to the Commission for Africa
www.commonwealth-planners.org |
| 10/08/2004 | PLANNING IN ICELAND From the Settlement to Present Times
A recently published book by Trausti Valsson, Professor of Planning, University of Iceland. Preface by Professor Sir Peter Hall.
www.hi.is |
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