Commonwealth Association of Planners
Advancing professional planning globally
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2026 CAP Planning Awards
AND THE AWARD RECIPIENTS ARE ...
Planning for Human Settlements / Plan-Making in the Commonwealth
Te Pātukurea Spatial Plan for Kerikeri-Waipapa
NEW ZEALAND
Far North District, New Zealand
Te Pātukurea Spatial Plan for Kerikeri-Waipapa is an outstanding example of integrated, long-term spatial planning. Developed through partnership with hapū and combining scenario testing, infrastructure planning, compact-growth principles, climate and hazard resilience, and staged delivery, the plan provides a clear framework for sustainable growth over the next 30 years. Its technical strength, cultural grounding and coordinated approach to land use, infrastructure and community needs offer valuable lessons for planners across the Commonwealth.
Planning for Human Settlements / Plan-Making in the Commonwealth
COMMENDATION
Living Well Locally – Rural and Island Planning with Children & Teenagers
United Kingdom
Shetland, United Kingdom
Living Well Locally is a distinctive child-led planning programme that places children and young people at the heart of decisions about their communities. Working across Shetland’s urban, rural and island settings, it has enabled young people to identify local priorities, develop planning evidence and engage directly with decision-makers. The judges particularly recognised its inclusive approach, practical local influence and potential as a transferable model for rural, island and dispersed communities across the Commonwealth.
Planning for Climate Change and Adaptation
Developing Shoreline Adaptation Plans for our Future Coasts
NEW ZEALAND
Auckland, New Zealand
The judges commend its integration of coastal risk evidence, long-term adaptation choices, community engagement and participation by mana whenua (Māori groups with traditional authority in the area). Its apparent influence on council planning and asset-management decisions distinguishes the work as more than a technical exercise. The proposal is recognised for its strong planning leadership and practical application, while its long-term effectiveness remains to be demonstrated through reduced flood and erosion losses.
Planning for Equitable and Inclusive Cities and Human Settlements
COMMENDATION
Planning Dignity into the Street; A national network of inclusive urban hygiene centres
Bangladesh
Dhaka, Bangladesh
Planning Dignity into the Street merits a CAP commendation for transforming public sanitation into infrastructure for dignity and urban inclusion. Beginning with a revitalized women-only restroom in Dhaka, it combines community input, including women’s perspectives, accessible design and reliable long-term management to address barriers to everyday city life. Its scalable network advances equitable access to public space and offers a practical model across the Commonwealth.
The project demonstrates how a targeted architectural intervention can respond to a broader planning challenge.
Planning for Equitable and Inclusive Cities and Human Settlements
COMMENDATION
City of Kingston Playground Accessibility Plan
Canada
Kingston, Canada
The City of Kingston Playground Accessibility Plan merits a CAP commendation for combining community engagement, measurable accessibility standards and long-term investment planning into a practical, transferable framework for inclusive playgrounds. While implementation outcomes remain to be demonstrated, it offers a valuable model for municipalities across the Commonwealth.
Young Planner Award: Essay Competition
More Than a Mirror: Who Gets to Shape the Digital City? - Ezikiel Ufuoma Lucky (Nigeria)
Digital Twins and Participatory Futures (Suva, Fiji essay) - Anamul Haque (BIP, Bangladesh): essay text is written from Suva, Fiji
COMMENDATION
For the 2026 CAP Young Planners Award, young planning students or professionals were
invited to submit an essay entry on the topic:
Digital Twins and Participatory Futures: Democratizing Urban Planning Through Immersive Technologies