By Kristin Agnello, RPP, MCIP < Back Business as Un-Usual: Revisiting Planning Processes in the Wake of COVID-19 4 June 2020 By Kristin Agnello, RPP, MCIP While things are far from business as usual, planners around the world are beginning to think about what the world will look like in a post-pandemic future. The Canadian Institute of Planners (CIP) and the Provincial and Territorial Institutes and Associations (PTIAs) have been leading the way by facilitating discussions, sharing resources, and disseminating information in order to support planners across the country as they transition into this new reality. Nearly 2 months into the COVID-19 pandemic, the world is starting to tentatively reopen its doors. While things are far from business as usual, planners around the world are beginning to think about what the world will look like in a post-pandemic future. The Canadian Institute of Planners (CIP) and the Provincial and Territorial Institutes and Associations (PTIAs) have been leading the way by facilitating discussions, sharing resources, and disseminating information in order to support planners across the country as they transition into this new reality. The public health challenges that have resulted from COVID-19 are unprecedented and, throughout the last two months, the Canadian Federal and Provincial governments have emphasized that a coordinated and collaborative response will be essential if we are to effectively overcome the challenges posed by this pandemic. It is clear that the way we think about our cities will have to change in order to prioritize physical space, public health, and social well-being. But, in addition to considering how we will live, work, and play in our cities’ reimagined public spaces, planners are also facing more basic, practical decisions. Like most of Canada, my home province of British Columbia is under a Provincial State of Emergency, which limits the number of people permitted to gather in any one place at a given time. This has meant cancelling Council meetings, public hearings, and consultations, as well as preventing direct mail-outs to constituents. Realizing that delays in processing development applications, voting on bylaws, or moving forward with infrastructure projects will likely result in cancelled projects or increased costs - both of which could negatively impact the economic recovery of a municipality or region - local governments have had to identify new ways of meeting, allowing public input, and maintaining public process in the face of restricted physical contact. However, permitting modified engagement and public hearing processes at the municipal level has been largely dependent on a series of provincial legislative changes. In British Columbia, for example, the Emergency Program Act has enabled changes to provincial legislation that have permitted local governments to hold Council meetings and public hearings virtually, to allow written testimonies for public hearings, and, in some instances, to allow bylaws to be read and adopted in a single day [i] . But, while local governments are expected to find ways to virtually support public engagement and participation, they must also remain as inclusive and transparent throughout the decision-making process. Good online engagement will mean more than recording presentations and distributing surveys; there will need to be a consideration of access to resources, opportunities for interaction, and options for alternative means of participation. Moving toward virtual participation for public engagement presents new opportunities, but it also presents a number of new challenges. Planners must be aware that there may be a stigma against virtual consultation as a credible and legitimate process for public participation. Furthermore, virtual engagement challenges planners to ensure that citizens and committee members are engaged in an accessible and equitable way. Virtual engagement is increasingly being lauded as an opportunity to reach new audiences and allow citizens to engage in civic processes from the convenience of their own homes, however, we must also consider who may be excluded due to discomfort with technology, limited access to internet, or concerns about privacy, data collection, or information sharing. While approximately 91% of Canadian households have access to the internet in their homes, this figure drops to 71% for senior households [ii] . Furthermore, internet access and reliability varies substantially across the country, with remote or rural citizens less likely to have access to dependable, affordable service. Fast, reliable internet access will increasingly become a non-negotiable necessity for people as their home technology becomes the backbone for the local and global economy, the education system, and for participation in social and civic life. As the economy begins to reopen across Canada, planners working as consultants, public servants, and academics will continue to re-evaluate their business processes and work methodologies in order to ensure that the tools they are proposing remain credible, reliable, and feasible long after the immediate effects of COVID-19 are behind us. It is an opportunity to revisit our best practices for engagement, governance, and process to create tools that are not only adequate, but that breathe new life into community relationships now and in the future. Lately, I have been feeling a push to return to a new normal. It is clear to me that our chance to return to business as usual is also our chance to re-evaluate our processes for design, planning, consultation, and implementation in order to move forward toward a more sustainable, equitable future. The world will likely not return to normal, but maybe - just maybe - that isn’t a bad thing. [i] Province of British Columbia. (2020). COVID-19 Updates for Local Governments & Improvement Districts. https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/local-governments/governance-powers/covid-19 [ii] Statistics Canada. (2019). Canadian Internet Use Survey. https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/191029/dq191029a-eng.htm Previous Back to Top Next

12 June 2020 < Back CAP STATEMENT - Planning in the Commonwealth Post-Covid-19 12 June 2020 The Commonwealth Association of Planners exists to meet the challenges of urbanisation and the sustainable development of human settlements throughout the 53 nations of the Commonwealth. Rapid urbanisation continues throughout the globe – in the Commonwealth it is estimated that 65,000 people a day (23,750,000 a year) are moving to cities. Over half this urban growth is in slums with no planning and little by way of sanitation and infrastructure. Planning for health was a major issue before the arrival of the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic. The dramatic impacts of the virus have affected all nations, rich or poor, Global North or Global South, and are likely to have a lasting effect on the way that governments, regions and local authorities plan for housing, jobs and services into the future. In efforts to limit the spread of the virus, billions of people have been confined to their homes for extended periods; businesses have closed; public transport – where it exists - has been suspended or severely curtailed; and food supplies have become strained through panic buying and disruption to supply chains. Governments generally are now looking to move out of ‘lockdowns’ into a period of recovery, bringing with it dangers and new opportunities. Aside from the evident dangers of fresh outbreaks of Covid-19 infection, there are real and long-term dangers in re-igniting global warming, which remains a serious threat to our planet, to biodiversity and to mankind. Governments may be tempted to reach for ‘off-the-shelf” infrastructure and development projects to boost economic recovery. The Commonwealth Association of Planners is concerned that many of these may hark back to carbon-intensive lifestyles while short-term exhortations to avoid the use of public transport (such as that issued by the UK Prime Minister on 10th May), alongside arguments to allow greater urban sprawl in low density developments, risk further instilling unsustainable ways of living and developments. In current jargon, projects should be “shovel worthy” rather than just “shovel ready”. The pandemic is still a recent and on-going event and there is much to learn from national and international experience as the world looks to address its adverse impacts but also to prolong the benefits that have flowed from efforts to counter the infection. There is a critical role in this for the collection and sharing of data to aid systematic understanding of the virus, its impacts and the efficacy of measures taken to address these – including those relating to the built environment. Amidst this, there are real opportunities in the present situation for planners to work in collaboration with the other built environment professions to remodel our cities and towns to create better-planned developments that contribute to climate action, to improved homes and to healthier lifestyles – and to leave us better prepared to face future pandemics. The International Energy Agency has forecast the CO2 impact of the Coivd-19 pandemic, suggesting that emissions could fall by 8% in 2020. This reduction compares well with the reduction of 7.6% each year required in order to limit global temperature rise to within 1.5 degrees of pre-industrial temperatures. But if we are to tackle global warming effectively it is essential that we maintain this level of reduction, rather than return to ‘business as usual’. In the pandemic, people have been confined to their homes for long periods, placing serious physical and mental health pressures on those who live in small, overcrowded homes. Public parks and open spaces in many cities have become vital outlets for recreation and access to exercise but have frequently become overcrowded, not allowing adequate space for social distancing. Large numbers of people and school children have been forced to work from home, reliant on sometimes variable electricity supplies and strained broadband networks for links to family, jobs, clients, shopping and essential services. On the other hand, communities have worked together with greater common purpose. Traffic reductions have contributed to quieter living environments and cleaner air quality in our cities. People have rediscovered the hidden joys in conversation, in mutual support, in birdsong – and in enhanced regard and respect for our public services, especially health and care workers. Working with local communities, planners and other built environment professions have the chance to learn from and perpetuate these positive experiences – provided the right investment is made in the resources made available to these professions. Throughout the Commonwealth there is a great – and in some places, acute – shortage of planners and other built environment professions. Accordingly, there is a huge opportunity for governments (both central and local), communities and private sector organisations to grasp the opportunities offered by our experience in the current pandemic to: Improve housing standards, both in setting good, minimum standards of accommodation and providing good sanitation, ventilation and sustained power supplies that allows space and services for families who must remain indoors for extended periods; Meet the urgent need for enhanced, stable broadband connectivity that allows many members of the same family good access from home to work, schooling, shopping and support services; Achieve well planned neighbourhoods with locally accessible shops and services and adequate provision of parks and open spaces to allow for community cohesion and much needed exercise; Focus transport investment into active modes of travel – walking and cycling – that allow people to move between homes, jobs, shops, schools and services with reduced reliance on private vehicles and (in times of pandemic) public transport; Remodel our city and town centres to enable greater levels of housing in the centres, where there is a reduced need for space for retail and commercial premises, ensuring that open space and essential services are available to the new as well as existing residents. Good governance is critical to being able to deliver good planning and remains a vital part of responding to the pandemic within the continuing context of rapid urbanisation and the need to implement UN Habitat’s New Urban Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals. The Commonwealth has the potential to act as an international convenor and facilitator in spreading knowledge, experience and good practice across the globe in responding to the pandemic, achieving a beneficial, green recovery and avoiding the temptation to revert back to ‘business as usual. Now is the time for governments to strengthen planning powers and the resources available for good planning. >>> Download Statement 1/0

04 December 2015 < Back CAP Leads Commonwealth Civil Society’s Representations to CHOGM on SDGs 04 December 2015 In July 2015 CAP was invited to represent Commonwealth civil society organisations in preparing representations to the forthcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Malta on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) agreed by the United Nations in September 2015. It was a great honour for CAP to be given this significant leadership responsibility and it reflects among other things the substantial and highly successful work which CAP undertook in promoting the need for an urban based SDG (now included as SDG 11). The Representations were prepared by an Expert Group led by CAPs immediate past President Christine Platt and including Cliff Hague, Paul Taylor, Dyan Currie and Clive Harridge. To help inform the Representations a short questionnaire survey was undertaken of CAP members seeking their views on the SDGs. Contributions were also received from other Commonwealth civil society organisations. The Representations were presented by Clive Harridge to the Commonwealth’s Committee of the Whole (CoW) at its meeting at Marlborough House, London on 20 October 2015. The CoW comprises of High Commissioners or Heads of Mission from all 54 Commonwealth countries. Clive’s presentation was very well received and the Committee gave strong support to the Representations. The final document, which was limited to 2 pages, was submitted to Commonwealth Heads of Government in October and is available here: CHOGM 2015: Civil Society Statement on the Implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals: Economic and Social Values The Representations will next be considered at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Malta in November. 1/0

07 July 2020 < Back Planning for Rapid Urbanisation in a Post Covid19 World Webinar 07 July 2020 Wednesday July 8 2020 12pm BST The Commonwealth Association of Planners is delighted to invite you to the third session in the programme of online events focused on a call to action on sustainable urbanisation across the Commonwealth. This free event is the third in the Sustainable Urbanisation series and will be hosted by the Commonwealth Association of Planners and the Prince's Foundation. It will be chaired by Dyan Currie AM, President of the Commonwealth Association of Planners and will focus on Planning for Rapid Urbanisation in a Post-COVID-19 World . Registration is available here The session will include: A presentation from Maria Monica Salazar from New York University Marron Institute of Urban Management on the scale of the problem of rapid urbanisation A presentation from Ben Bolgar, Senior Director at the Prince's Foundation on their Planning for Rapid Urbanisation Toolkit and Haja Halimah, Development Planning Officer from Bo City Council which is currently testing the Toolkit in Bo, Sierra Leone. A panel discussion on key issues faced in regard to rapid urbanisation in secondary cities, reflections on the Toolkit and key hurdles and solutions. There will be plenty of time for an interactive Q&A section, during which there will be time for live questions from the audience. To sign up to other sessions in the online programme click here , and to sign up to the series of lectures for built environment professionals running in parallel to the main programme click here . We look forward to welcoming you to the event on the 8st July. 1/0

By Trudi Elliot, CBE MRTPI Patron CAP < Back What Does Securing Consultative Status for UN Economic & Social Council (ECOSOC) Mean for CAP, Planning, and Planners? 05 October 2022 By Trudi Elliot, CBE MRTPI Patron CAP CAP is celebrating securing United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) consultative status. But what does it mean for CAP its 34 member Institutes and their many members? CAP has a history of engaging with the UN and its events particularly those that are pertinent to the work of planning and planners. So why has the organisation invested time and effort in being granted consultative status? As CAP president Eleanor Mohamed said “it has been a lengthy process, it gives us greater opportunities to influence and play our part in delivering the SDGs” What does EOSOC do? ECOSOC brings people and issues together to promote collective action for a sustainable world. It is at the centre of the UN development system, conducting cutting-edge analysis, agreeing on global norms and advocating for progress and collective solutions that advance sustainable development. The UN Charter established ECOSOC in 1945 as one of the six main organs of the United Nations. The clue to what it focuses on is in the name. ECOSOC is the United Nations (UN) central mechanism for coordinating in the areas of economic social and environmental and related field throughout is agencies subsidiary bodies and other systems. ECOSOC is the only UN body with a formal consultative body. ECOSOS describes its activities as: Promoting Sustainable Development Coordination Segment Managing the transition from the Millenium Development Goals (MDGs)to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Development Cooperation Forum Financing for sustainable development Coordinating humanitarian action Guiding operational activities for development Providing coordination and oversight Building partnerships Engaging youth Raising awareness on emerging issues Advising on Haiti's long-term development Promoting peaceful and inclusive societies Working with civil society Its high level political forum is the central platform for follow-up and review of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals. What does consultative status mean? Quite a lot actually. Consultative status is only available to Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO) “... Consultative arrangements are to be made, on the one hand, for the purpose of enabling the Council or one of its bodies to secure expert information or advice from organizations having special competence in the subjects for which consultative arrangements are made, and, on the other hand, to enable international, regional, sub-regional and national organizations that represent important elements of public opinion to express their views.” — ECOSOC resolution 1996/31, part II, ECOSOC indicates that by having consultative status, an NGO could: Provide expert analysis on issues directly from its experience in the field. Serve as an early warning agent. Help monitor and implement international agreements. Help raise public awareness of relevant issues. Play a major role in advancing United Nations goals and objectives; and Contribute with essential information at organisation events An organisation such as CAP with consultative status can: Attend international conferences and events. Make written and oral statements at these events. Organise side events. Enter United Nations premises; and Have opportunities to network and lobby How will CAP make the most of this opportunity With consultative status CAP will be able to participate more fully in UN events and conferences and enhance its ability to influence on matters that matter to planning and planners and the communities they serve. CAP has regularly attended UN events most recently the UN-HABITAT World Urban Forum, June 26-30, 2022, in Katowice, Poland. The CAP approach has been to use the attendance and skills of those from its member Institutes who are attending. It encourages Institutes near to any relevant UN events to consider attending. CAP works in partnership with other organisations attending through sharing or contributing to vents and papers .This ensures we are engaged in a cost-effective way. Much work can be done virtually. Almost all our work is collaborative. ECOSOC is important to the work of planners and those they serve. CAPs consultative status ensure planners across the Commonwealth can have their voice heard, can influence for the benefit of their communities and that we all continue to play our part. Previous Back to Top Next

04 June 2020 < Back Planning and Design for Urban Pandemic Resilience Webinar 04 June 2020 On 27th May, a major webinar took place debating planning and design for urban pandemic resilience, looking beyond the current crisis. The Commonwealth Association of Planners was represented in the debate by Ian Tant, UK Vice President (and Immediate Past President of the Royal Town Planning Institute) spoke on behalf of CAP. The event formed part of the Urban Thinkers Campus organised by the World Urban Campaign, part of UN HABITAT and was one of a series of webinars to help share learning and experience around the world. In the debate, chaired by Christine Auclair of UN HABITAT and ‘attended’ by over 370 viewers, Ian spoke about the measures being taken by governments to address the virus and the implications for the future design of homes and cities, identifying the importance of a focus on climate action in responding to the health and economic consequences of the pandemic. A report on the discussions can be found on the World Urban Campaign website (click here ) and also on the UN Habitat website. 200604_Planning_and_Design_Webinar.jpg 200604_Planning_and_Design_Webinar.jpg 1/1

13 April 2018 < Back Powering Our Common Future: Urbanism in the Commonwealth: Youth Manifesto & Invitation to Launch Event 13 April 2018 We would like to present to you a manifesto written in collaboration with young representatives from the CAA (Commonwealth Association of Architects) and CAP (Commonwealth Association of Planners). The manifesto seeks to respond to the question: ‘How can young people in Commonwealth Nations help in making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable?’ (SDG11) As young Planners and Architects, we feel strongly about sustainable development and believe that we have a strong role in helping alleviate the problems of urbanisation globally. We have produced a manifesto that is centred around the topic of urbanism. The manifesto has been produced through the engagement of young architects, planners and others from Australia, The Caribbean, Malaysia, Nigeria, South Africa and the UK with an interest in the urban environment, in order to be as widely informed as possible. Our initiative and the resulting manifesto closely align with the Youth Forum’s thematic priority item of Sustainable Future, further to this however we also seek to deal with cross cutting issues in relation to attaining a Fairer and Prosperous Future for all - working in partnership towards a common future. At CAP we are truly proud that we have been able to collaborate with our colleagues at CAA. The Commonwealth depends on its one billion young people and the summit's priorities will have a strong youth focus. Importantly, 60 % of people in the Commonwealth are below the age of 30. The Commonwealth Youth Forum, which takes place at the Summit, ”provides an opportunity for the young people of the Commonwealth to build cross-cultural connections and networks, debate the challenges facing its young people, and agree youth-lead initiatives to influence decision makers and ensure young people have a voice in its future.” Our Manifesto aims to ensure the views of young planners and architects are solidified in the Commonwealth they will create. It aims to show to heads of government the importance of sharing practice across professions and between professionals and having a vision for how young people can influence their society and profession, whilst ensuring a holistic approach to developing sustainability. Its purpose is to galvanise the Commonwealth community, demonstrating young planners and architects have an important and inspirational voice to be heard, whilst ensuring the strongest principles are applied to town planning and architecture. Manifesto Powering Our Common Future: Urbanism in the Commonwealth: Youth Manifesto & Compendium INVITATION TO LAUNCH EVENT | We are launching the manifesto on 17 April 2018 in London, all are welcome - click here for full details 2018-MANIFESTO-Powering-Our-Common-Future-3.jpg 2018-MANIFESTO-Powering-Our-Common-Future-3.jpg 1/1

By Kelley Moore, MA, RPP, FCIP < Back Recovering the Future : A Framework for Transformative Recovery from Disaster 24 June 2026 By Kelley Moore, MA, RPP, FCIP At the 24 June 2026 Commonwealth Association of Planners (CAP) Assembly meeting, we were pleased to host Vincent Goodstadt on behalf of the Habitat Professionals Forum (HPF), RTPI and ECTP-CEU about the growing need to rethink disaster recovery through more integrated, participatory and systems-based approaches. At WUF, The Habitat Professionals Forum released the Recovering the Future: A Framework for Transformative Recovery from Disaster. The release recognizes that natural and human-made disasters are becoming increasingly frequent, interconnected and unpredictable — shaped by a wider “polycrisis” that includes climate change, conflict, biodiversity loss, technological disruption, demographic pressures and inequality. In 2023 alone: Approximately 400 disasters affected more than 100 million people globally Annual infrastructure losses exceeded $700 billion More than 120 million people were displaced by conflict, with one-third classified as refugees. The framework builds upon the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and reinforces a critical shift already underway internationally: moving beyond short-term emergency response toward long-term resilience and transformative recovery. Importantly, the paper argues that disaster risk reduction is not simply an emergency management issue — it is fundamentally connected to broader systems of governance, housing, land tenure, law, infrastructure, social equity, planning, ecology and culture. Recovery cannot simply rebuild what existed before. Instead, recovery processes should: Guarantee and protect human rights Strengthen resilience and reduce future vulnerabilities Integrate nature-based approaches Respect local landscape, culture and identity Support participatory and community-led decision making Connect recovery to affordable housing, secure land tenure and long-term planning systems. The framework also reinforces the importance of integrated approaches aligned with SDG 11, the New Urban Agenda and broader Habitat Professionals Forum initiatives including the Roadmap to Recovery, the International Participatory Charter and proposed International Landscape Convention. One particularly important insight is the recognition that implementation and outcomes matter more than simply counting outputs. Participatory recovery should ultimately be measured by whether communities emerge safer, more equitable, more resilient and better connected socially, economically and environmentally. These discussions strongly resonated throughout WUF13 and align closely with many of the themes reflected in the Baku Call to Action, including integrated planning, climate resilience, housing systems, multilevel governance and professional capacity development. For CAP, these conversations reinforce the important role planners and allied professionals can play in advancing integrated, rights-based and locally grounded approaches to recovery and resilience across the Commonwealth and globally. #DisasterRecovery #ClimateResilience#DisasterRiskReduction#IntegratedPlanning#SDG11#BuildBackBetter Previous Back to Top Next

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19 May 2021 < Back Introducing the Commonwealth Association of Planners' New Secretary-General - Kelley Moore 19 May 2021 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. First, like all of you, I am passionate about planning! I simply could not have chosen a better profession to satisfy my love for learning. I am a Registered Professional Planner (RPP) and a Member of the Canadian Institute of planners (MCIP). I have extensive experience in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors. I have worked with all orders of government over the past twenty-five years. My work has covered a variety of fields including community planning; international development; public policy; economic development; human service integration; public administration as well as land use planning and development. In these roles I have had lead responsibility to bridge government and community need to deliver high quality plans, programs and services. I am employed by the Government of Saskatchewan as Executive Director for Northern Property Management with the Ministry of SaskBuilds and Procurement. Prior to this, I served as Director Community and Client Services with the Ministry of Social Services and held the portfolio for providing services to those living with disabilities. I have held numerous other portfolios including the Director of Housing Policy and Program Development and Coordinator of Human Service Integration. In addition, my partner and I own a boutique planning company that has provided a broad range of planning and research services for close to 20 years. I have been volunteering within the planning profession for close to 25 years. In June 2020, I concluded a 4-year term on the CIP Board of Directors. Prior to this, I was nominated Co-Chair of the FutureFORWARD Task Force. In 2015, we delivered a report, adopted by the Board, that recommended a new governance and financial framework to sustain CIP and advance the values of planning in Canada for generations to come. This effort received CIP’s highest honour – the President’s Award. In 2004, I co-led a small delegation from the City of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada to undertake an international training mission to the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago through the CIP International Program. Over the course of the next few years, we returned five- times to work with the State Government and City of Port of Spain to create a Local Area Plan for the Gonzales neighbourhood. This process was modelled after an award-winning program we pioneered in Pleasant Hill, a core neighbourhood in Saskatoon. This international project was an overwhelming success. In 2006, to commemorate our achievement, residents and planners from Gonzales and Pleasant Hill along with our delegation presented our work at the CIP Conference. Together, we attended the World Urban Forum 3. We shared how we have different geography, political structures, and economies, but ultimately, we have a common vision to improve the quality of life for all people, especially marginalized populations where systemic barriers prevent access to the same infrastructure, services, and opportunities. I have been looking for a volunteer opportunity to re-engage in international planning. When I was elected to the CIP board in 2016, I represented the Board on our former International Relations and Initiatives Committee. In this role, I contributed to the Commonwealth Women in Planning Manifesto and remain a member of the Women in Planning network. While on the committee, I had the opportunity to represent the CIP President at a few CAP and Global Planners Network (GPN) meetings. In 2018, I presented in New York at the American Planning Institute (API) conference on behalf of the CiP President at the International President’s Plenary on the theme of “Planning in a Time of Uncertainty.” I understand the caliber of work required to represent our respective countries and the professional expectations for CAP on the international stage. The Secretary-General role is a unique opportunity to bring my skills and experience to help advance cooperation within the Commonwealth, exchange professional information and skills, and advance the planning profession. I am committed to CAP’s vision “to be the recognized and respected champion of planning for sustainable human settlements in the Commonwealth.” Further, I am excited to help advance the profession’s capacity to contribute to the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals and New Urban Agenda, strengthening member engagement, maintaining a sound financial position by providing value to our member organizations, and refreshing our governance policy framework. I look forward to the opportunity to work with you and welcome you to reach out to me any time with your ideas, input, and feedback. Member engagement is important to me so I will be looking for opportunities to reach out to you too. Until then, I wish you and your family wellness in the days ahead. Warmest regards,Kelley Moore, MA, RPP, MCIP LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kelley-moore-5b70085 Twitter: @ExpectmooreYXE Kelley_Moore.jpg Kelley_Moore.jpg 1/1

WRITING A BLOG FOR CAP A CAP blog is a short opinion piece with relevance to planning in the Commonwealth which is posted on the CAP web site. How do I write a CAP blog post? In writing a blog for CAP, please remember the diverse and international nature of our membership and try to identify why what you are saying is of relevance to the Commonwealth family. Of course not all subjects are of interest to all, so it is important to think about who might find what you are saying of interest. There is no prescribed length for a blog, but most are between 500-700 words. It is possible and preferred to insert links to other pieces to expand on your blog. Pictures, diagrams, graphic and other visual aids can add interest and understanding. Any links to the Sustainable Development Goals would also be great where relevant. When writing, think about what might be obvious to those in your nation or continent will be understood elsewhere - avoid abbreviations, shorthand or colloquialisms. If naming an organisation in a sentence explain its remit or purpose (and where relevant, link it). Also remember that this is a global community. Summer in one hemisphere is winter in another, so please name months. Getting started It helps to: Have a clear title or headline which catches attention and helps tell the reader what the blog is about. Identify which part of the Commonwealth the experience or subject covers. Identify the issues or subjects covered early on. Describe in an opening paragraph what you be exploring and why. Think about what you hope to achieve with the blog – is it to share information and learning, persuade, offer a solution to a problem or a call to action or something else? This will help you shape your blog. Describe the problem your audience is facing. Have an opinion. Other issues and tips If writing a blog on behalf of your organisation please check its approval process before you submit it to us. It should still reflect the individual writer for maximum interest but an organisational blog still needs to respect (or at least not contradict) the organisation’s positions and priorities. Try to be direct, interesting and engaging about a topic. Blogs must not to be offensive. Passion and real interest in the subject of the blog can assist with making it interesting. Try to summarise the evidence or experience that informs your views - your main audience will be planners after all. Think about the structure of the post – what will keep the reader reading it to the end? Read other blogs to appreciate the variety and flexibility available. Include a picture or graphic to add interest to the blog. What happens next? Send your outline or draft blog to Commonweath.Planners@gmail.com . It will be reviewed by one or more of CAPs Blogs Editors who might make suggestions about content/structure. Once the blog is finalised, we will arrange for blog to be uploaded to CAP web site. View CA P Blogs

30 August 2016 < Back Latest News from the President of CAP - August 2016 30 August 2016 It's a busy time for CAP and our member Institutes with lots of on ground activities and preparations for Habitat 3 in Ecuador in October where the New Urban Agenda is likely to be adopted and discussions held around implementation projects to help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. CAP will be holding its biennial business meetingand a joint conference with the New Zealand Institute ( www.capconference.com ) and we hope to see you there. CAP currently represents over 40 000 planners from 27countries throughout the Commonwealth including African, Asian, Australasian and Caribbean countries. CAP also has a Women in Planning network and a Young Planners network and plays a leading role in developing the planning profession and planners throughout the countries of the Commonwealth. CAP works closely with other key stakeholders, such as UN Habitat, other Commonwealth professional associations and ComHabitat, and planning networks from beyond the Commonwealth, in promoting planning as being essential to sustainable development. CAP has presented at a series of Commonwealth, World Urban Forum and UN Habitat events calling for the endorsement of core values of planning for climate change, health, marine areas and small island states, good governance, gender equality and sustainable inclusive and equitable development. Good planning helps secure manage growth, and contributes to the wellbeing of individuals, communities and natural environments. CAP will continue to work with our global partners and members to advocate for good planning and to assist the profession and I look forward to leading the association in this important work. I would like to thank the Secretary-General of CAP, Clive Harridge who continues to volunteer and assist this organisation. I would also like to thank the Royal Town Planning Institute for their ongoing support of CAP specifically through the hosting of the CAP secretariat Annette O Donnell. Dy Currie CAP President Former-President-Dy-Currie.png Former-President-Dy-Currie.png 1/1