Commonwealth Association of Planners

The inaugural CAP awards were announced on 16/10 in Capetown during the SAPI Planning Africa Conference and CAP biennial Business Meeting. With nominations received from across the Commonwealth, the independent panels of judges reviewed the entries in detail and awarded 4 commendations and 1 overall award for excellence...

This summer, the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games brought together thousands of elite athletes, and welcomed volunteers and excited spectators to join in an incredible festival of sport and culture. From the spectacular opening ceremony at Celtic Park to the closing event at Hampden Park, which was transformed from Scotland’s national football stadium to a vibrant athletics arena, the focus was on the sport ...

On Thursday 20th July 2023 CAP members gathered alongside members of the Royal Town Planning Institute to celebrate the launch of the CAP book “Planning, Sustainable Urbanisation and the Commonwealth”.

The launch was preceded by a seminar hosted by the RTPI to discuss issues raised in the book. Chaired by Harry Burchill, co-Chair of RTPI London, the speakers were Christine Platt (past President and Honorary Vice President of CAP), Professor Barbara Norman, Sue Bridge (President of the RTPI) and Olafiyin Taiwo (convenor of the CAP Young Planners Network).

Anne T Gallagher, Director-General of the Commonwealth Foundation, welcomed guests to the launch itself, introducing a video message from CAP President Eleanor Mohammed. Cliff Hague (Past President of the RTPI and of CAP) gave the keynote speech on behalf of the Editors. Two of the book sponsors, Atkins and Beca made short presentations: Will Steel spoke in person on behalf of Atkins, while Bryce Julyan (one of the Editors) and colleagues appeared by video from New Zealand on behalf of Beca.

Four of the book Editors, Clive Harridge, Cliff Hague, Ruiz Nik and Ian Tant, were able to meet in person.

Copies of the book, which is published by Routledge, can be ordered. Read our BLOG to learn how you can get 30% off the purchase price if you are belong to a CAP member organisation. (If you don't belong to a member, read the blog to find a code for 20% off.)

We are very pleased to announce that JOANNA PATTON (Canadian Institute of Planners) and WESSEL STRYDOM (South African Planning Institute) are the winners of the GBP £1,000 grants to attend the CAP biennial Business Meeting and Planning Africa Conference 2018 in Cape Town, South Africa 14-17 October 2018...

The Commonwealth Women in Planning (CWIP) Network focuses on gender equality and the participation of women in shaping the built environment. With this goal in mind, CWIP members will exchange knowledge, expertise, and experience on the role of women in the planning profession and the impact of planning and design on women’s safety, prosperity, and empowerment. CWIP is seeking participation from CAP member organizations as we develop a manifesto for the Network...

It is my distinct honour to be the newly appointed Secretary-General and Trustee for the Commonwealth Association of Planners as we embark upon our 50th Anniversary. Congratulations to all that have contributed to this hallmark event and all the extraordinary work that has been accomplished over the years. I particularly want to recognize Clive Harridge our out-going Secretary-General for his 10 years of service. Through his leadership, our organization is in a strong position and ready to seize the opportunities ahead.

On the 8-9th November 2019, the Ghana Institute of Planners (GIP) held its 48th Annual General Conference and 50th Anniversary under the theme “GIP @50; PLANNING FOR GHANA BEYOND AID”. The objective of this Conference was to celebrate the accomplishments in planning in Ghana and in the sub-region as well as share relevant information and knowledge on the subject matter of “Planning for Ghana beyond aid”. The event also provided an excellent opportunity for participants to reconnect, fraternize and network for professional development. Read full report here...

The recent survey of planning capacity across Commonwealth countries was widely quoted at the High Level Political Forum at the United Nations in New York in July. Representing the United Kingdom Built Environment Advisory Group, former president of the Royal Town Planning Institute, Janet Askew, attended the forum, which is held annually to discuss progress on the Sustainable Development Goals...

CAP, along with the Eastern Regional Organisation for Planning and Human Settlements (EAROPH) International, EAROPH Australia, and with the support of the New Zealand Planning Institute (NZPI), has agreed to extend the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) originally signed at the Fifth UN Pacific Urban Forum on 3 July, 2019.

The goal of the MoU is to record an understanding between the parties to renew a Pacific Island Planners Association (PIPA) and to cooperate in establishing closer links that may involve the exchange of expertise and knowledge, enhanced cultural and historical understanding, the pursuit of collaborative sustainable development projects, and planning for partnerships with government and academic bodies on issues of common concern.

The document was re-signed at the Sixth UN Pacific Urban Forum in Suva, Fiji, on 7 September, 2023 and will be extended for another year.

Doing the honours are (left to right) Mazrina Abdul Khalid - Secretary General EAROPH International, Peter Cuming - President EAROPH Australia, and Mere Naulumatua - President Fiji Planners Association & VP CAP.

Are you interested in sustainable urbanisation in the Commonwealth? Whether you are a planner, an architect, an engineer or a politician, the Commonwealth Sustainable Urbanisation Programme will have session that will interest you. This series of events over 11 weeks sets out to...