07 July 2020 < Back Commonwealth Sustainable Urbanisation 07 July 2020 The Commonwealth Sustainable Urbanisation Programme was launched on 24 June by HRH The Prince of Wales. The Programme is a series of online free sessions which focus on engaging with the theme of sustainable urbanisation in the Commonwealth. With nearly 50% of the projected increase in the world’s urban population to 2050 forecast to be in the Commonwealth, there has never been a more important time for members of the Commonwealth to come together to tackle the challenges of climate change and rapid urbanisation; challenges which have now been compounded by the effects of the Coronavirus pandemic. The programme sets out to: Build on the momentum which has already been developed in response to the need for sustainable urbanisation in the Commonwealth. Inform and strengthen a call to action on sustainable urbanisation in the Commonwealth through exchange of ideas and good practice. In the face of the aftereffects of the COVID-19 pandemic, to advocate for the centrality of SDG 11 in reviewing the targets and achievements of the Sustainable Development Goals. Promote inter-disciplinary, cross-sector collaboration and engagement to address the challenges and unlock the opportunities presented by sustainable urbanisation across the Commonwealth. The programme is structured around the following key question: How can we collaborate more effectively to leverage the power of the Commonwealth to achieve sustainable urbanisation? The launch event is available as a recording online here . This online series will continue with weekly events through early September. The schedule of events and links to registration are here . 2020_Sustainable_Urbanisation_Programme.jpg 2020_Sustainable_Urbanisation_Programme.jpg 1/1

08 August 2018 < Back CAP Surveys of Planning Capacity Across the Commonwealth Countries Receive High Profile at United Nations 08 August 2018 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. In 2018, there was a focus on SDG 11: ‘Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable’. Countries and humanitarian agencies meet with experts to discuss the issues and provide a forum for exchange of ideas. One session looked at increasing built environment professional capacity in local government to deal with two aspects of SDG 11: in humanitarian situations when there is a disaster (war, earthquake, hurricane etc.); but also for the long term, to plan ahead for prevention and response to crisis. In each situation, humanitarian organisations fulfil an important role in delivering aid and managing the emergency. But their involvement is limited to when the crisis occurs; after the initial intervention, they leave. In addition, their intervention results in the local governments not investing in, nor increasing their own capacity to deal with disaster. Built environment professionals have a big role to play in this. By creating plans for places, however rudimentary, some crises might be avoided, and if a disaster does occur, there will be some guidance about how to manage, for example, population movement and re-settlement. Using the data from the CAP survey, Janet Askew was able to report that the number of planners and architects are lowest in the countries, such as Bangla Desh and Uganda, that are most vulnerable to climate change, migration and urbanisation. The surveys were also quoted by other speakers, including by urban planner, Maimunah Mohd Sharif, Executive Director of the UN-Habitat, emphasising that planners have a vital role to play for prevention and response in countries facing crisis. Janet Askew was pleased to announce that the Commonwealth associations of planners, architects and engineers have signed a commitment to carry out more research into these issues with the aim of increasing built environment capacity. Drawing on the CAP and CAA Youth Manifesto, she stressed the role of young people in planning for the future, and the urgent need to educate the next generation of planners. The commitments were well received. It was agreed that humanitarian agencies and built environment professionals need to work together. This means learning each other’s languages, and this was high on the agenda. The Sustainable Development Goals are inter-related, and there is a big role for Commonwealth planners to work with governments to co-ordinate their implementation, leading by example and good practice. Janet Askew 2018-08-August.jpg 2018-UN-Panel.jpg 2018-08-August.jpg 1/2

CAP's partners and allies in planning for sustainable urbanisation and human settlements. LINKS Our Partners in the Commonwealth Sustainable Cities Initiative (CSCI) Commonwealth Association of Architects The Association of Commonwealth Universities The Commonwealth Local Government Forum Commonwealth Youth for Sustainable Urbanisation Other Commonwealth Organizations The Commonwealth Commonwealth Foundation The Prince's Foundation Commonwealth Secretariat Commonwealth Round Table in Australia (CRTA) Other links of interest Association of African Planning Schools Building and Social Housing Foundation European Journal of Planning Global Planners Network International Society of City and Regional Planners (ISOCARP) International Federation for Housing and Planning Planners Network UK Cliff Hague's Blog

CAP's members--national planning organizations--assign representatives to CAP's executive. CAP MEMBER INSTITUTES REPRESENTATIVES Planning Institute of AUSTRALIA Peter Johns BANGLADESH Institute of Planners Fazle Reza Sumon BARBADOS Town and Country Planning Society William Bain, Secretary BELIZE Association of Planners Carolyn Trench-Sandiford, President Pula Institute of Town Planners (BOTSWANA) Nnyaladzi Tema , President CANADIAN Institute of Planners Dan Huang CYPRUS Association of Town Planne rs Dr. Ioannis Pissourios Planner’s Association of DOMINICA Annie Edwards , President FIJI Planners Association Mere Naulumatua , President GHANA Institute of Town Planners Frank Tackie Institute of Town Planners INDIA Pradeep Kapoor JAMAICAN Institute of Planners Earl Bailey KENYA Institute of Planners Fawcett Komollo MALAYSIAN Institute of Planners Noraida Saludin, President MALAWI Institute of Planners Dereck Mamiwa, President MALTA Chamber of Planners Bjorn Bonello NAMIBIA Council of Town & Regional Planners Kristy Asino NEW ZEALAND Planning Institute Jim Ebenhoh NIGERIAN Institute of Town Planners Chime Andrew Ogbonna Royal Town Planning Institute Ifeanyi Chukwujekwu RWANDA Urban Planners In stitute Vivien Munyaburanga, President SAINT LUCIA Institute of Land Use Planners Jenny Daniel SINGAPORE Institute of Planners Karen Tham, Hon. Secretary SOUTH AFRICAN Planning Institute Luke Williams Institute of Town Planners SRI LANKA Upuli Perera TANZANIA Institute of Town Planners Emanuel Amosi Luhamba TRINIDAD & TOBAGO Society of Planners Stephen Boodhram , Immediate Past President UGANDA Institute of Planners Hon Grace Tubwita, President ZAMBIA Institute of Plann ers Charity Kalombo, Vice-President Information on BECOMING A MEMBER OF CAP 1/1

17 September 2019 < Back 2019 CAP Awards for Outstanding Planning Achievement in the Commonwealth - SHORTLIST ANNOUNCED! 17 September 2019 Following an excellent response to the call for entries to the 2019 CAP Awards, a shortlist of entries has been identified by our eminent judging panel - Trudi Elliott CBE (CAP Patron and Chair of Judges), Emeritus Professor Cliff Hague OBE (CAP Honorary Vice President), Professor Barbara Norman, Kristin Agnello (CAP Women in Planning Network Coordinator), Viral Desai (CAP Young Planners Network Coordinator), Dr Carol Archer. The shortlisted entries can be viewed here: 2019 CAP Awards Shortlist The Award winners will be announced on the 9th November 2019 at the 50th anniversary conference of the Ghana Institute of Planners in Accra, Ghana. Congratulations to all those who have made it to the Awards shortlist! Clive Harridge Secretary- General 2019-CAP-AWARDS-Shortlist.jpg 2019-CAP-AWARDS-Shortlist.jpg 1/1

19 May 2021 < Back Message from Clive Harridge on Stepping Down as CAP Secretary-General 19 May 2021 I am delighted to welcome Kelley Moore to the role of CAP Secretary–General. Kelley was appointed by CAPs Executive Committee in April and she formally took over the role on the 1 May 2021. Kelley has excellent credentials for the role and I wish her every success. I would like to use this opportunity to briefly reflect on my time as CAP Secretary- General over the past 10 years and to thank those who helped me over the years. I was appointed at the CAP Business Meeting in Montreal in 2010 with my position extended every two years thereafter. It was at the CAP 2020 virtual Business Meeting that I formally announced that I wished to step down. Throughout my time as Secretary-General it was a real honour and privilege to have worked with the wonderful, hard working, unflappable and indomitable CAP Administrator Anette O’Donnell and four truly incredible Presidents: Professor Emeritus Cliff Hague OBE, Christine Platt, Dyan Currie AM and Eleanor Mohammed. In addition I have had the good fortune to have worked with many others involved including CAPs Vice Presidents and our Patron Trudi Elliott CBE. A big THANK YOU to all of you for your invaluable support and guidance to me personally during my time as Secretary-General. I would like to give special mention and another big THANK YOU to the Royal Town Planning Institute which has provided office and administration support throughout my period of office and also to the New Zealand Planning Institute which has managed our web site in recent years. An even bigger and public THANK YOU is owed to my lovely wife Judith and amazing daughters Natasha and Rebecca for their unfailing support and incredible perseverance during my time as Secretary-General. Being Secretary-General would just not have been possible without their backing. Over the years as Secretary-General I have been hugely inspired and truly humbled by the amazing planners I have met from across the Commonwealth. I feel immensely proud to have been involved in CAP and represent an organisation which brings together such a fantastic community of excellent and highly committed planning professionals. On stepping down from the Secretary-General role I retain many wonderful memories of the incredible people I have met and the activities undertaken. A few highlights include: Representing CAP in meeting Her Majesty The Queen, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh and HRH The Prince of Wales on various occasions at Buckingham Palace, Clarence House and Marlborough House, London. Receiving honorary Fellowship of the Ghana Institute of Planners at their 50th Anniversary Conference in Accra in 2019, Attending several Commonwealth Observance celebrations at Westminster Abbey including hearing an amazing speech by the inspiring Malala Yousafzai. Drinking ‘Singapore Slings’ at Raffles Hotel during a break from the CAP Business Meeting in Singapore (being part of CAP is not all hard work!). Although I am standing down from the Secretary-General role, I will not be leaving CAP altogether and I will continue as an Honorary Vice President to contribute to the organisation in a number of areas including the roll out of the Rapid Urbanisation Toolkit being developed with the Prince's Foundation and contributing to the Governance Review. CAP has developed and changed substantially over the years with a growing membership and increasing influence across the Commonwealth and beyond. Some of the key events and activities undertaken by CAP during the time I was in office include: Formal establishment of CAP Young planners Network. Introduction of CAP Awards Programme (2018) Received major project grants from UN Habitat, Prince of Wales’s Charitable Fund, and the Commonwealth Foundation among others; Conducted research into climate change, food security, urbanisation, resilience, health, planning education and other topics Appointed first CAP Patron -Trudi Elliott CBE. Completed governance review of role of Vice Presidents and Trustees. Contributed to the development of the Rapid Urbanisation Toolkit - launched by HRH Prince Charles in video message at CAPs Fiji business meeting. Undertook Subscription review during global economic crisis – led to reduction in subscription rate for a four year period. Secured growth in membership - CAP now represents over 40,000 planners in all regions of the Commonwealth Celebrated CAPs 40th anniversary in 2010 (now arranging our 50th anniversary celebrations) Established a social media profile for CAP (still evolving!) Prepared CAPs Fiji Declaration which called for urgent action by Commonwealth Governments to implement the UN New Urban Agenda and SDGs Redesigned CAPs web site to include Blogs pages and Good Practice Platform. Participated in launch of UNs Planners For Climate Action Initiative at COP 23 in Bonn. Participated in CHOGM events including People’s Forums in Perth, Sri Lanka, Malta and London Conducted surveys of the Planning Profession in the Commonwealth Helped establish the Independent Forum of Commonwealth Organisations I am sure that under CAPs current President Eleanor Mohammed supported by Kelly Moore and an excellent Executive Committee CAP will continue to flourish and strengthen its position at a global level and be a successful advocate for planners and planning to help make the world a better place for all. Finally to Kelley, my successor – “Good luck and best wishes for a successful future with CAP. I hope you enjoy being part of this amazing organisation with such wonderful people just as much as I have”. See the following pages for a few photographs of the many fond memories I have of my time as CAP Secretary-General. Clive Harridge May 2021 Image 1.jpg Image 2.jpg Image 20.jpg Image 1.jpg 1/20

27 March 2018 < Back Conference Grant for CAP Young Planners 27 March 2018 Applications invited for grants for 2 young planners to attend CAPs South Africa Business Meeting and Planning Africa Conference, October 2018 I am very pleased to let you know that the CAP Executive Committee has agreed to offer grants of GBP £1,000 (British pounds) to two young planners to attend the CAP biennial Business Meeting and Planning Africa Conference 2018 (cost of which needs to be paid out of the prize money received) in Cape Town, South Africa 14-17 October 2018. Grant applications must be from young planners in a CAP member association. A young planner is defined as someone (of any age) who is in the first 10 years of their career as a planner. Applications must be supported by a Sponsor. Applications should be submitted by email to Annette O’Donnell (annette.odonnell@rtpi.org.uk ) and include the following information: Full Name and qualifications Contact details: address, email and telephone number Current position Number of years as a planning student and years working as a planner Name of the CAP association you are a member of Sponsor details (name, position and email address of person who supports your application – this person should be a member of a CAP association) An essay of no more than 1,500 words setting out your ideas on how young planners in the Commonwealth can contribute to making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable, with examples of good practice. The essay must entirely be the applicant’s own work. Applications must be received by Annette O’Donnell no later than 24.00 hours (UK time) on 15 June 2018. The two candidates with the best statements as judged by CAPs President Dyan Currie and CAP Young Planners Co-ordinator Viral Desai will receive the grants. Successful candidates will be notified by 15 July 2018. The grants can only be used towards travel, conference registration or accommodation. It is a condition of receiving the grant that each successful candidate must attend the Conference and submit a report on the Conference by the end of November for publication on the CAP web site. The grant will only be paid once Conference registration is fully confirmed and any necessary visa obtained. If a successful applicant does not attend the Conference then the grant must be returned in full immediately. For further information please contact Annette or myself. Good luck! Viral Desai CAP Young Planner Co-ordinator Viral.desai.cap@outlook.com 2018-Planning-Africa-Logo.jpg 2018-Planning-Africa-Logo.jpg 1/1

By Kristin Agnello, CAP Women in Planning Coordinator and CAP Vice-President, Canadian Institute of Planners < Back When Planners Design, We All Win 16 July, 2019 By Kristin Agnello, CAP Women in Planning Coordinator and CAP Vice-President, Canadian Institute of Planners “To inspire designers—too long the servants of producers—to better serve humanity as the ambassadors of the end-users: the citizens of the world.” ~Montreal Design Declaration, 2017 Nestled in the heart of the Cité du Design, the room is buzzing with debate, deliberation, and innovation. To my left sits a graphic designer and to my right, a social design researcher - both engaged in the debate about the future of design and what it means for society. Professionals, academics, government and privately-funded researchers, and nonprofit design organizations – representing a wide-variety of disciplines – are gathered at the Design Declaration Pre-Summit Meetings in Saint-Étienne to discuss the world’s most wicked problems and the role of design in solving them. Pressing and highly complex, wicked problems have multiple causal factors and high levels of disagreement about the nature of the problems – and the approach to addressing them. Flashback to October 2017, when delegates from 22 international organizations, representing over 500,000 creative professionals – met for the first time to discuss design as a driver of innovation, growth, development, and prosperity. This inaugural World Design Summit Meeting in Montréal concluded with the ratification of the unprecedented Montréal Design Declaration in the presence of three UN agencies. The Declaration proclaims the potential of design to achieve global economic, social, environmental and cultural objectives and marks the first time that the design community - across disciplines - began speaking with one voice. The Design Declaration Pre-Summit Meeting that took place in Saint-Étienne in April 2019 represents the first milestone on a path toward realizing the aspirational goals and vision outlined the Montréal Design Declaration. This meeting focused on the development and deliberation of three key projects that were identified as highest priority by the Declaration Signatories in a recent internal survey: design metrics; design research and education; and government design policy. Design Metrics Too often, planning and design discourse is bogged down with jargon, technical details, and industry-specific references. But, how we articulate design intent is critical to conveying the value of design to society. Conversations must begin early and include everyone in society, utilizing metrics that are relevant to designers and non-designers alike. By not adequately conveying the value of planning and design, non-designers may undervalue the role and potential of design for social transformation, and – perhaps more importantly – underestimate the social and economic costs of bad design. Design Research and Education Design thinking is increasingly being recognized in business, government, and beyond, as a core skill and a key indicator of success. The time has come to ensure that design education adequately equips professionals with the skills necessary to take on management and governance roles. There is currently a significant gap between academia and practice in the design disciplines and discussions are underway about how to address this gap through mentorship, co-operative work terms, and reimagined educational approaches. If creativity and innovation are to be valued, then we must prepare our students and professionals with the skills needed for them to be valuable. Government Design Policy If design is to be leveraged worldwide to improve the lives of everyone, everywhere, then perhaps it is time to reevaluate the policy directions that impact – and are impacted by – our government leaders, funding agencies, and agents of change. To create an international design policy – by designers for designers – that embraces intersectionality and drives social and spatial change could address specific challenges in design standards, nomenclature, evaluation, and education. However, to be effective, such a policy would require a powerful cohort of leaders who will champion the power and potential of design in all disciplines and discussions. The Design Declaration and the Future of Planning Reflecting upon the discussions that took place at both the World Design Summit Meeting in Montréal and the Design Declaration Pre-Summit Meeting in Saint-Etienne, there is great potential to leverage planning and design to confront social and economic inequities and address environmental concerns. It cannot be understated that the environmental and social emergencies that we are facing have prompted an urgency that has never before been articulated in our profession: we cannot build our way out of disaster once it has occurred. Planning needs to remain a forward thinking profession, driven by innovation, intersectional collaboration, and creative exploration. If the heart of design and invention is prototyping, perhaps there is an opportunity to approach planning – and through it, the wicked problems of the world – within a mindset of exploration, experimentation, and critical reflection. “Because everyone deserves to live in a well-designed world.” For more information about the Design Declaration Summits, please click here . Click here to read the Montreal Design Declaration Previous Back to Top Next

24 October 2018 < Back CAP Award Winners 24 October 2018 The inaugural CAP awards were announced on 16th of October in Capetown during the SAPI Planning Africa Conference and CAP biennial Business Meeting. The judging panel consisted of Professor Barbara Norman (Australia), Emeritus Professor Cliff Hague OBE (CAP Past President) and Trudi Elliott CBE (CAP Patron) 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. Congratulations to all nominees and winners! CAP is also pleased to announce that the awards program has been confirmed as an annual event from 2019. The Winner: Innovative risk-based planning & engagement for Natural Hazards Key organisations: Bay of Plenty Regional Council, Enfocus, GNS Science & Integrity Professionals Limited. Location: Bay of Plenty Region, New Zealand. In 2012 the Bay of Plenty Regional Council (New Zealand) embarked on a process to change its Regional Policy Statement (RPS) to better manage risk through land use planning. The resulting 2016 operative RPS has risk-based natural hazards provisions that provide a regionally-consistent framework for managing the region’s natural hazards, including low likelihood and high consequence hazards, according to their risk (determined by both likelihood and consequence). This outcome, at the forefront of the nation’s risk approach to avoiding and mitigating natural hazards, was achieved through: formal governance direction and decision making, a collaborative project management process reflecting the complexity of the subject matter and the breadth to interests involved, and responsive policy formulation that took account of evolving national guidance, led innovative community engagement, and addressed the needs of stakeholders. Judges Citation: With a thorough and innovative approach led by planners and recognising diversity, engagement and the need for simplicity the judges thought this was a worthy winner. The approach taken has particular relevance across the Commonwealth when thinking about climate change, hazards and other resilience challenges. The judges noted the use of a natural hazard integrated approach, planning science and wider considerations of risk. Great planning skills were displayed and their story was well told. Commendations: Embedding Young People in Planning and Engagement Processes Key organisations: Cred Consulting, City of Parramatta Council. Location: Parramatta CBD, Western Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. The City of Parramatta, located in Western Sydney, Australia, is experiencing significant growth and transformation through urban renewal. By 2036, young people (aged 12 to 24) will represent 16% of the population (64,000 people), while thousands of young people from diverse backgrounds visit the Parramatta CBD each day to work, study, and shop. The Needs of Young People in the Parramatta CBD study aimed to recognise the contribution of young people to the City, identify opportunities to make the CBD more welcoming for young people, and make recommendations to embed engagement with young people in Council’s planning activities. This resulted in the first youth led annual Parramatta Youth Forum which provides an ongoing mechanism to build community capacity in planning, engage with young people, and inform major planning and policy projects. Judges Commendations: With the age profile of the commonwealth the judges felt that this entry demonstrated the benefits of embedding young people in planning and engagement processes. Planners across the commonwealth will be interested in the committee and effective approach to engaging young people by the planners involved. Overall the judges felt a wide range of skills were involved and demonstrated to have been effective Risk Mapping and Planning for Urban Preparedness Key organisations: Beca International Consultants Limited. Location: Port Vila and Luganville, Vanuatu. The project assembled and interpreted a substantial body of existing data into risk maps fir the five natural hazards (flood, earthquake, wind, coastal inundation and tsunami) for the two main urban settlements of Vanuatu - Port Vila and Luganville. The maps categorised risks from natural hazards using a simplified "traffic light"approach. Future growth trends were examined as well as recent settlement patterns. A risk responsive management strategy was developed to address mapped hazard distributions including risk sensitive land use planning development controls (building code) and early warning system for evacuation planning. Community lead tsunami evacuation plans were developed and signage provided for evacuation routes. Evacuation drills have been undertaken. The project has provided the Government of Vanuatu planners and managers with evidence based, realistic but simplified hazard models and maps to allow risk responsive future planning. Judges Commendation: The judges commended the planning skills displayed in addressing challenges of a small island state and the hazards they must plan for-an important issue for the Commonwealth. It demonstrates the Resilience benefits of good planning. The judges were impressed by the outreach to women and youth and commitment to meaningful inclusion. There are lessons to be drawn for commonwealth planners in the approach to risk mapping and planning for urban preparedness. A very good resilience plan for Vanuatu. Te Tai Tokerau Papakāinga Toolkit Key organisations: Barker & Associates, in collaboration with Far North District Council, Kaipara District Council, Northland Regional Council and Whangarei District Council. Location: Northland, New Zealand. In mid-2017, four councils and a planning consultancy based in Northland, New Zealand began to work collaboratively on a guidance tool to assist Māori land owners to navigate the planning process to undertake papakāinga developments on their ancestral lands. The outcome of this collaboration was the Te Tai Tokerau Papakāinga Toolkit (‘the Toolkit’) and an associated summary brochure, which provide an accessible and informative medium to assist Māori land owners. The Toolkit simplifies the planning process into five identified steps with key contact details and associated questionnaires, checklists and diagrams. The document marries together traditional Māori concepts (tikanga) with the technical knowledge required to navigate the planning process. Communication is universal. The planning profession is often criticised for being overly wordy and long winded. The Toolkit shows that effective graphic design and simple communication techniques can be applied across the Commonwealth to effectively engage with stakeholders and communities. Judges Commendation: Commendation The judges felt this demonstrated the valuable role that a non-statutory initiative can play in filling a significant gap. The recognition of Maori disadvantage was a valuable lesson in inclusion. The techniques used are of relevance to many commonwealth partners but not exclusively to indigenous groups' land rights in other colonised commonwealth countries. The Judges particularly liked the explicit links to the sustainable development goals (SDGs). The project demonstrated the power of well delivered non-statutory initiatives in planning in shaping good outcomes. Ghana 40-year Long Term National Development Plan Key organisations: Government of Ghana, Ghana Institute of Planners Location: Ghana. In 2010, the government of Ghana set up a Constitutional Review Committee to review the national Constitution which has been in practice since 1992. The Committee teased out 44 items to engage the public in the discussion. In the end, 50% of the respondents requested for the preparation of a long-term national development plan which should be made binding on all successive governments. The government rejected it as it will 'have the effects of a command model of development planning and tie the hands of successive governments to the ideological interest and policies of a particular political party' . The Ghana Institute of Planners adopted an advocacy role by engaging the public through data collection, sensitization of its members, press briefings, stakeholder engagements, dialogue with key stakeholders to make our position known to the government. In the process other national bodies joined the 'crusade' and the government eventually adopted the concept and the plan is being prepared for implementation. Judges Commendation The Judges felt this project as an excellent example of the planner as advocate, a key role for planners within the Commonwealth. They described the supporting report as a great read which would be of practical use to commonwealth planners in many advocacy situations. The judges commended the Advocacy role of a National Institute here for National Development Plan. The project used smart and effective political and public engagement 2018-CAP-Awards_edited_edited.jpg 2018-CAP-Awards_edited_edited.jpg 1/1

30 March 2020 < Back CAP COVID-19 Statement 30 March 2020 These are unprecedented times for our world and CAP is conscious that we are all exceptionally busy and focussed on helping our immediate families and communities at this time. It is a period of stress and anxiety for our membership and also a time that is demonstrating the importance of well-designed and functioning cities - in particular the importance of local and regional governments, public servants, health officials and all involved in service delivery. The importance of connection to others through virtual exchanges is helping with solutions and opportunities; the importance of the SDG's in relation to cities and all communities is never more obvious than during this pandemic. In order for us to fight COVID-19 and then rebuild economies we will need to all work together sharing our expertise and adapt to new realities. CAP is working with partners including UN-Habitat to help towards solutions and examples of responses to share. We are also continuing to work on a range of initiatives including follow up to our involvement at the World Urban Forum earlier this year and preparations for the next Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting whenever that will be held. Also, the Executive Committee is to maintain its regular tele-conference meetings and is considering arrangements for the next CAP biennial Business Meeting scheduled for November this year. Finally, we hope you are all staying well at this difficult time. Keep safe, stay at home where possible and please also remember to spread positivity - planners of all people need to believe in a good future. Dyan Currie, President Clive Harridge, Secretary-General 1/0

14 August 2019 < Back The Planet in Intensive Care! 14 August 2019 CAP was represented by Neil Blackshaw (retired RTPI member and specialist in health and planning) at the launch of A “Manifesto to secure a healthy planet for all” at the Overseas League in London on 31st July. The Manifesto was developed by the InterAction Council a group of former heads of government that addresses some of the most difficult global challenges. The Manifesto to Secure a Healthy Planet for All – A Call for Emergency Action The launch was attended by representatives of the Governments of Papua New Guinea , Belize , Barbados, Sri Lanka, Germany, Denmark Ireland and Wales as well as many Commonwealth organisations, all of whom expressed strong support. The Manifesto draws on some of the most recent published research on climate change and biodiversity loss to argue that were the planet to be assessed as a patient it would be considered to be in a critical state, demanding of urgent and radical intervention. It effectively places an obligation on actors at all levels to work towards a healthy and sustainable environment. The basic premise is the need to align thinking and action on health and the environment. It builds on the work published in the Lancet since 2015 under the general title of Planetary Health. It also reflects the long-standing social determinants of health model and the WHO definition of health as ‘more than the absence of disease’. As such this initiative has great relevance for planning and and offers a valuable opportunity to build a common agenda with the health sector. It calls for the following broad actions. Security– A Critical Care Response for the Planet’s Health: with the declaration of a Climate and Environmental Crisis and the urgent establishment of an Emergency Response mechanism to ensure the rapid reversal of carbon emissions, the stabilisation of risks from runaway climate change and the protection of vulnerable populations. Recovery– Rehabilitation and Resilience: to enhance the recovery of the Planet’s Biodiversity and Eco-systems, creating healthy air, water, land and food systems, scaled up through Universal Health Systems for Planet, Place and People. A Flourishing Planet for All: combat denial and eco-anxiety bypromoting sustainable wellbeing by maximising multiple health and environmental benefits, including healthy eco-systems, and multi-sector, systems based urban planning and ‘One Health for One Planet Education’ approaches across the life-course, to create connected communities and cyclical economies, for a flourishing Planet for all. Guardianship for a Healthy Planet: every organisation and community to establish a ‘Guardian for the Planet’s Health’ responsible for:Planetary first aid, Emergency responses, Guardianship, Advocacy, Solutions, Unifying action and Sustaining a flourishing planet (PEGASUS); enabled by a Healthy Planet Index. Collaborative – Community and Health Professional Action: everyone can become a community ‘Guardian for the Planet’s Health’to: protect and strengthen resilience by greening communities; reduce consumption and waste, recycle and use clean energy and transport; walk, cycle and communicate digitally and shift to healthy, planet friendly foods. Community members, including health professionals can lead by example with quality services and promote healthy green communities with resilient families. Next steps Following on from the launch the Commonwealth Centre for Digital Health is establishing a hub to create a common resource to secure a healthy planet for all via a digital platform for Universal Health Systems for Planet, Place and People. This will be based at Southampton University, with a team of Commonwealth Digital Health Fellows. The Manifesto will be the subject of a side meeting at the forthcoming Climate Action Summit which is to be held in New York in September CAP Response CAP has endorsed the Manifesto in the above light. Speaking at the launch Neil Blackshaw outlined the work of CAO in influencing the sustainable development agenda He highlighted the critical importance of the process of urbanisation on health, climate change and the loss of biodiversity and the role of CAP in seeking to increase the capacity for planning throughout the Commonwealth. He also stressed the need for collaborative working with health organisations in meeting those challenges. It is hoped that there will be opportunities to collaborate with the Centre for Digital Health in both raising awareness of the urgency of the situation and developing capacity and strategies for meeting the challenge. In the long run it is hoped that the Manifesto will stimulate and facilitate closer working between health and planning organisations across the Commonwealth. Member organisations are thus urged to look for opportunities to pursue the actions outlined in the Manifesto on a collaborative basis. 2019_The_Planet_in_Intensive_Care.jpg 2019_The_Planet_in_Intensive_Care.jpg 1/1

05 October 2022 < Back CAP Gains United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Consultative Status 05 October 2022 CAP has secured ECOSOC consultative status. ECOSOC brings people and issues together to promote collective action for a sustainable world. ECOSOC is the United Nations (UN) central mechanism for coordinating in the areas of economic social and environmental and related field throughout is agencies and subsidiary bodies and other systems. ECOSOC is the only UN body with a formal consultative body. As a result, CAP will be able to participate in UN events and conferences and enhance its ability to influence on matters that matter. Consultative status is granted to Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs). CAP President Eleanor Mohamed said: “CAP is honoured to have secured consultative status it has been a lengthy process and gives us greater opportunities to influence and play our part in delivering the Sustainable Development Goals SDGs” To find about more about what consultative status means for planning and planners click here to our blog. 1/0