|
|
 |
News items, events, and resources are regularly added to this page.
Please return soon for the latest updates.
| 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 |
| 23/04/2008 | Planning Africa 2008 Conference
CAP Presidents's Address |
| 18/03/2008 | World Habitat Awards 2008
The Building and Social Housing Foundation (BSHF) is currently seeking entries for the 2008 World Habitat Awards competition.
Established in 1985, the Awards seek to identify practical, innovative and sustainable solutions to current housing issues faced by countries of the global South as well as the North, which are capable of being transferred or adapted for use elsewhere.
Entries are assessed by a panel of international judges and an award of £10,000 is presented to the two winning projects at the annual United Nations global celebration of World Habitat Day.
Stage 1 of the submission process requires only a concise summary of the project. Please note that all entries should reach BSHF by 1 June 2008. Further details can be found on the World Habitat Awards website at
www.worldhabitatawards.org |
| 13/03/2008 | World Urban Forum
Un-Habitat have notified us that the World Urban Forum dates have been changed. The Fourth Session of World Urban Forum in Nanjing will now take place between 3-7 November 2008. |
| 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.
|
| 10/03/2008 | Commonwealth Week
A the start of Commonwealth Week, and in a year when 'The Environment - Our Future' is the Commonwealth theme for the year, CAP today stressed the importance of effective and equitable urban planning for conserving and enhancing the environment. CAP President Christine Platt said that across the Commonwealth planners through their day-to-day practice are helping to protect nature and to ensure that environmental impacts are properly considered when decisions are taken about development. However, she called for renewed efforts to ensure that planning systems have the capacity to plan for the mitigation of environmental hazards. 'The future for the environment will be better if it is planned, not unplanned. Planning is preventative medicine for the environment. Governments and international development agencies need to grasp the value of proactive environmental planning,' said Mrs Platt. |
| 10/03/2008 | Commonwealth Day
Today, Monday 10 March, along with others right across the Commonwealth, CAP celebrates Commonwealth Day. CAP will take an active part in a number of events during this week of Commonwealth festivities. On Monday, the President and the Secretary-General will represent CAP at the Observance for Commonwealth Day in Westminster Abbey, and then at a reception in Marlborough House in the evening. They will also have meetings to follow up progress on 'Re-inventing Planning' in preparation for the UN-Habitat World Urban Forum later in the year.
On Tuesday they will be at the Climate Change Briefing by Mohan Munasinghe, and then have discussions with the Commonwealth Foundation, the Commonwealth Secretariat and the Commonwealth Local Government Forum about how to progress the idea of a State of the Commonwealth Cities Report.
On Wednesday, the President will address the International Committee of the Royal Town Planning Institute and then attend the Commonwealth Lecture that will be given by the environmentalist Dr David Suzuki on 'The Challenge of the 21st Century: Setting the real bottom line'. |
| 20/02/2008 | World Cities Summit
Singapore will host the first-ever World Cities Summit, a premier international conference on public governance and sustainable development of cities, from 23 to 25 June 2008.
Featuring the theme 'Liveable and Vibrant Cities', the Summit will discuss the challenges of urbanization and examine best practices for the sustainable development of cities. The discussion topics will include issues related to effective governance, urban planning, infrastructure development, environmental sustainability, quality of life and economic competitiveness. For further information click on the link below
www.urbanicity.org |
| 18/02/2008 | The RTPI's 9th Annual Planning Convention
9-11 July 2008 The QE2 Conference Centre, London. The premier planning event of the year - over 700 attendees in 1007. For further information, please visit the website below
www.theplanningconvention.co.uk |
| 15/02/2008 | Planning Africa 2008 Conference
Shaping the Future, 14-16 April 2008 Sandton Convention Centre Johannesburg, South Africa Brochure;
Registration Form |
| 12/02/2008 | CAP Business Meeting
The next CAP Business Meeting will be held on Sunday 13 April 2008 in Johannesburg.
The Planning Africa Conference will follow on from the business meeting and a whole afternoon will be devoted to CAP in that conference (web link to conference below). We will build it in towards the World Urban Forum as we did in Vancouver and use this opportunity to collect material that we can take forward with us to our networking event at WUF in Nanjing.
We will be supporting participation in these activities of some members from poorer countries provided their member oganisations have fully paid all their subscriptions. Anyone wishing to go needs to be nominated and should contact their member institute for a nomination.
www.precisionconferences.co.za |
| 12/02/2008 | French Network of Urban Planning Public Agencies
The latest newsletter of the French Network of Urban Planning Public Agencies (FNAU) has just been published. You can access an English-language version using the link below. It includes news of a meeting on 3-5 March about strategic urban planning with Majal, the network of Moroccan urban agencies (see www.majal.org).
www.fnau-international.org |
| 31/01/2008 | European Research Programme
A new European research programme about regional development has just began. It includes three Commonwealth countries - the UK, Cyprus and Malta. ESPON is the European Observation Network on Territorial Development and Cohesion. Click on the link below to access its website. The programme is currently tendering 6 research studies. These are on:
Cities and urban agglomerations: their functionality and potentials for European competitiveness and cooperation.
Development opportunities in different types of rural areas.
Demographic and migratory flows affecting European regions and cities.
Climate change and territorial effects on regions and local economies.
Effects of rising energy prices on regional competitiveness.
Territorial Impact Assessment of policies.
There are also opportunities for groups of local authorities from at least 3 countries to propose, and then collaborate with, new projects that will be commissioned later. Researchers and practitioners are also needed for the 'Sounding Boards' that will monitor and advise on each study. The deadline for all applications is 22 March. For further information and assistance please contact research@rtpi.org.uk.
www.espon.eu |
| 29/01/2008 | Safer Cities
CAP as a partner of UN-Habitat's Safer Cities programme has been asked to publicise a post for a consultant to work on Urban Safety for the Poor in Asia and the Pacific.
'The consultant should be an expert on urban development, planning, law/law enforcement, and social development in the sub-region, have experience with analysis and policy assessment in the region. Exposure to recent debate on crime/violence globally or in the sub-region a definite asset. Experience in policy analysis and documentation of practices in the region a requirement. English, writing skills, analytical and synthesis are a must.'
If you are interested and have appropriate expertise please contact annette.odonnell@rtpi.org.uk for further information. The deadline for nominations is 6 February 2008. |
| 09/01/2008 | Urban Planner
The Turquoise Mountain, a non-profit, non-governmental organisation, under the joint presidency of HRH The Prince of Wales and HE President Karzai, is urgently seeking an urban planner to assist in the preparation of a detailed plan for the regeneration of the historic area of Murad Khane in central Kabul. The planner would report to the Turquoise Mountain CEO and Directors, and work alongside the architects and the engineers of the Kabul municipality and the Ministry of Urban Development to facilitate the planning process for Murad Khane, which is led by the Government of Afghanistan. Further details can be found on their website at
www.turquoisemountain.org |
| 18/12/2007 | State of the Cities
CAP's call for a State of the Commonwealth Cities report to be compiled and presented at the 2009 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting was put to ministers at the 2007 meeting in Kampala last month. For details see link below.
The idea is supported by the other Commonwealth Built Environment professions - the architects, engineers and surveyors, and was also backed by other Civil Society Organisations.
www.thecommonwealth.org |
| 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.' |
| 31/10/2007 | ALERT! Another Scam Conference
'Invitation Participation to the International NGOs & CBOs Summits on Development - Gunderson Council Development Foundation.' Please be aware this is NOT a legitimate conference and members should not respond to their emails or send any money. Please refer to the Press Releases section of the Council on Foundations website where there is a message saying this is a fraud.
www.cof.org |
| 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. |
| 21/09/2007 | Canadian Institute of Planners National Conference 2008
The Manitoba Professional Planners Institute will be co-hosting the next Canadian Institute of Planners national conference in Winnipeg, Manitoba from 13 - 16 July, 2008. The 'Call for Proposals' is on the CIP website and the submission deadline is 1 November, 2007.
www.cip-icu.ca |
| 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).
|
| 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.' |
| 20/06/2007 | ALERT! Latest Scam Conference
The organisation calling itself Global Partnership for Overseas Development (GPOD) is still sending emails promoting Scam conferences, this time being held in Quebec and New York. Please be aware that this is NOT a legitimate organisation and members should not respond to their emails or send them any money. |
| 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. |
| 23/04/2007 | MA International Development and Planning
The University of Sheffield's new International Development and Planning MA has recently been given full accreditation from the Royal Town Planning Institute. The course brings together insights from planning and development studies: its emphasis on exploring the relevance of cutting-edge theoretical debates for planning and development practice will make it of interest to both recent graduates and those with existing professional experience. Further details can be found online at
www.shef.ac.uk |
| 07/11/2006 | ALERT! Scam Conference Targeted Towards CAP Members
Recently, a conference invitation was sent to CAP members. The sponsoring body, Global Partnership for Overseas Development (GPOD), invited members to an 'INTL MICROFINANCE CONFERENCE' in Quebec, Canada and Oxford, United Kingdom. Please be aware that this is NOT a legitimate conference or organisation, and members should not respond to their emails or send them any money. |
| 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 |
Top of page
|
