More than 30 national planning associations, listed here, belong to CAP's network. CAP MEMBERS Planning Institute of AUSTRALIA BANGLADESH Institute of Planners BARBADOS Town and Country Planning Society BELIZE Association of Planners Pula Institute of Town Planners (BOTSWANA) BRUNEI DARUSSALAM Department of Town & Country Planning CANADIAN Institute of Planners CYPRUS Association of Town Planners Planner’s Association of DOMINICA FIJI Planners Association GHANA Institute of Town Planners Institute of Town Planners INDIA JAMAICAN Institute of Planners KENYA Institute of Planners MALAYSIAN Institute of Planners MALAWI Institute of Planners MALTA Chamber of Planners NAMIBIA Council of Town & Regional Planners NEW ZEALAND Planning Institute NIGERIAN Institute of Town Planners Royal Town Planning Institute RWANDA Urban Planners Institute SAINT LUCIA Institute of Land Use Planners SINGAPORE Institute of Planners SOUTH AFRICAN Planning Institute Institute of Town Planners SRI LANKA TANZANIA Institute of Planners Town Planning Association of MAURITIUS TRINIDAD & TOBAGO Society of Planners UGANDA Institute of Planners ZAMBIA Institute of Planners Information on BECOMING A MEMBER OF CAP See the REPRESENTATIVES on CAP's Executive for our members. 1/1

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09 November 2020 < Back Canada sweeps the board in CAP Awards, 2020 09 November 2020 The winners of the 2020 CAP Awards for Outstanding Planning Achievement in the Commonwealth were announced in a special web-based event on World Town Planning Day, 8th November 2020, hosted by CAP President, Mrs Dyan Currie AM. Winners and Commendations Watch the Awards Webinar 1/0

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

By Kristin Agnello, RPP, MCIP, Director, Plassurban < Back Engender: Developing a Commonwealth Women in Planning Manifesto 15 March, 2019 By Kristin Agnello, RPP, MCIP, Director, Plassurban In 2018, the Commonwealth Association of Planners reformed the Commonwealth Women in Planning Network to explore issues of gender in the built environment. The first initiative of this Network was to develop a Manifesto . As International Development Week wraps up across Canada, professionals across the nation have been examining what it means to work together for gender equality. As planners, we are aware of how the design of a space can influence the social behaviours of a population, but we are only beginning to understand the extent which the tools we use, and the infrastructure we create, encode a specific set of values. This year - 2019 - has been dubbed the “year of the woman.” From the “Me Too” movement to “Girls on Boards,” women’s roles and experiences are being re-evaluated, renegotiated, and reimagined. Perhaps, then, it is also time to re-examine the values that have long been embedded in the infrastructure of our societies – the policies, budgets, roads, buildings, and public spaces. Do these values represent citizens of all genders? Are these the values we aspire to as planners, as professionals, and as people? In 2015, world leaders unanimously adopted the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, a global development strategy that identifies 17 Sustainable Development Goals – more commonly referred to as the “SDGs” – to create a more liveable, equitable world by 2030. More ambitious than the preceding Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the SDGs form a universal call to action, identifying quantitative, interconnected goals and targets that reflect the social, economic, and environmental dimensions of global sustainable development. In response to the creation of the Sustainable Development Goals, planners around the world have begun to re-examine what makes an equitable and sustainable city. Gender, class, and ability are often identified as three of the key categories that underlie social and spatial difference within our shared community spaces. As such, planners must acknowledge the role of gender as a considerable factor in understanding access to, and opportunities resulting from, participating in city or community life. In 2018, the Commonwealth Association of Planners reformed the Commonwealth Women in Planning Network to explore issues of gender in the built environment. The first initiative of this Network was to develop a Manifesto , which would outline the impact and importance of considering the needs of women living and working in the built environment. The Commonwealth Women in Planning Manifesto represents the world’s first international planning commitment to considering and advancing gender equality through the built environment and its professions. Created in collaboration with over 35 women from 11 countries, the Manifesto addresses several of the Sustainable Development Goals, including Gender Equality (SDG 5), Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11) and Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17). It serves as a call to action for planning professionals and a united voice for women living and working in the built environment across the Commonwealth. By endorsing the Commonwealth Women in Planning Manifesto, the Commonwealth Association of Planners has affirmed its commitment to join the international community in supporting and developing a safe, sustainable, equitable, and prosperous planet with no one - and no place - left behind. The development of a Manifesto is eye-opening, humbling and, at times, deeply personal. The opportunities and barriers presented by policy and development - and the ability to predict these impacts – is highly variable from person to person, and country to country. Still, the commonalities between lived experiences across the Commonwealth – from feelings of safety or insecurity in public spaces, to a woman’s ability to access professional opportunities - are striking. But, perhaps most striking was the camaraderie that was instrumental in making this unprecedented project a reality. Participants were honest with their opinions and generous with their experiences, and they were met, not with scrutiny or criticism, but with honest inquisitiveness and a desire to learn individually and support collectively. In short, the process of developing a Manifesto mirrored the process of developing a city; allies over activism. Now, the Commonwealth Women in Planning Network faces the challenge of putting its words into action. Just as gender underlies social and spatial differences, geographical, political, and professional contexts influence gender-based impacts and understanding. But, the seeds of understanding have already been planted. At its heart, the Commonwealth Women in Planning Manifesto is about empathy and solidarity. It is about respecting the lived experiences of those around you, and especially of those who are different from you. Really, it’s about being aware of the space you occupy in the world, how it relates to the experiences and opportunities of those around you - and sharing this awareness with others. Author’s Note: The Commonwealth Women in Planning Manifesto was fully endorsed by the Commonwealth Association of Planners on October 14, 2018 at their Biennial Business Meeting in Cape Town, South Africa. This Manifesto has garnered the attention and support of numerous organizations, including UN-Habitat, Women in Cities International, Women Transforming Cities, and Women in Planning (UK). To date, the Manifesto has been further endorsed by the Canadian Institute of Planners and the Royal Town Planning Institute. Previous Back to Top Next

By Jenna Dutton, Member of the CAP Women in Planning Network < Back Women and Planning During COVID-19 5 June 2020 By Jenna Dutton, Member of the CAP Women in Planning Network Over the past months, it has become increasingly clear that the decades of work done to move the dial toward greater gender equity have quickly reverted back due to a lack of effective action. How can we harness the lessons learned during and post pandemic recovery and plan for cities that continuously strive for gender equality and inclusivity? This year the advent of International Women’s Day came at a time when most countries across the globe were contemplating lockdown measures to ensure physical distancing and limit the spread of COVID-19. The announcement by UN Women in early March that the progress towards gender equality is lagging was subsequently overshadowed by the mass media surge on the global crisis. Over the past months it has become increasingly clear that the decades of work that have been done to move the dial forward has quickly reverted back due to a lack of effective action. How can we harness the lessons learned during and post pandemic recovery and plan for cities that continuously strive for gender equality and inclusivity? For the past 11 weeks I had the opportunity to participate in an online systems course with 3 other group members. With these friends from Brazil, France, and Denmark we had the task of analyzing a complex system. Having recently finished reading the book Invisible Women: Data Bias in a World Designed for Men by Caroline Criado Perez, I was struck by an example of post disaster management in Gujarat, a state in western India. As communities began to rebuild after an earthquake, the majority of housing had been destroyed and new homes were needed. Given that women were not included or consulted in the process, homes were constructed entirely without kitchens, thereby impacting essential daily tasks[i] (p.575). This example, in addition to similar stories from group members, resulted in us choosing the complex system of gender equality for disaster management in informal settlements. As none of us had direct experience with this topic, the process involved research and evolving iterations of a systems map and included feedback from practitioners with applicable experience. Overall the main takeaways from the systems exercise were that gender inequality was pervasive throughout all levels of society. Therefore, broader lasting changes are required to ensure pre and post disaster management is improved. This has been prominent previously where “women’s care-taking responsibilities also have more deadly consequences for women in pandemics. Women do the majority of care for the sick at home” (Criado Perez, p. 592). Globally, women make up 70% of healthcare workers. In the United States, although women made up 49% of the overall workforce prior to the pandemic they have accounted for 55% of the job losses in April . In Canada 80% of non-profit and charity workers are women and a recent Canadian Women’s Foundation survey found that 82% of organizations fear they may have to close their doors due to COVID-19. In a handful of countries including New Zealand, Germany, Finland, and Taiwan, Province of China, exemplary female leadership at a national level has finally received some deserving attention . At many other levels however, the disproportionate inequality has expanded the cracks in our systems. In Academia, women have noticeably been publishing less and, in the UK, public backlash against scientific advice have further reduced the potential to have brilliant women experts participate in panels and events. Across the entire world, women in parenting or other care-giving roles have been taking on additional full-time roles, while in many cases continuing to juggle full-time work. For many women, the work-life balance that was already skewed against our gender is even more precarious at a time with increased uncertainty and toll on our well-being and mental health. In February 2020, the Royal Town Planning Institute published a report on Women and Planning based on a study that aptly notes that “while gender equality is crucial to all parts of society, it is particularly essential to planning because the lack of gender diversity affects not only the way we design and plan, but also who we design and plan for.” UN Habitat and the UN Secretary General have also since stated that a gendered response to COVID-19 is an absolute necessity. Along with their March press release UN Women included an inspiring image of Equitera[ix], where gender equality is real and Sustainable Development Goal 5 is achieved. The vibrant illustration by Ruby Taylor reflects an imaginary place that we can aspire to build. Rampant gender inequality across the world has become glaringly obvious in the face of COVID-19. In response, places like Hawaii have already adopted a feminist recovery plan in hopes of “building a system that is capable of delivering gender equality”. As planners and city builders, we have tremendous opportunity to advance planning to create cities that are no longer just a colorful, imaginary concept or visionary statement in a policy document. We have the chance to harness the cross-disciplinary partnerships and innovation that have resulted from this global crisis to truly achieve an equitable recovery. By shifting processes to focus on co-benefits and requiring methods such as Gender Based Analysis (GBA+) in all policies, programs and services we can prioritize planning that results in more equitable and resilient communities for all members of society. [i] Perez, C. C. (2019). Invisible Women: Data Bias in a World Designed for Men [E-reader version]. Retrieved from https://www.kobo.com/ca/en/ebook/invisible-women-7 Previous Back to Top Next

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

By Lionel Nurse < Back Richard C Gill - An Outstanding Planning Professional in Barbados, the Caribbean, and the Commonwealth 6 June 2024 By Lionel Nurse Barbados Town Planning Society recently made Richard Gill an Honorary Member in recognition of his outstanding contribution to urban and spatial planning in Barbados from its beginnings in the 1950s right up to the present day. Richard has made major contributions to the development of the island through his work in both the public and private sectors, helped establish and develop BTPS, and was involved in the original formation of the Commonwealth Association of Planners. The following appreciation of Richard is by Lionel Nurse, a long-time professional colleague and friend, former Chief Town Planner in Barbados, and author of the 2021 book, Fifty Years of Physical Planning in Barbados: 1968 – 2018 (available from Amazon). I met Richard after becoming a member of the planning office back in 1976. By that time, he had done his stint as a government planner and moved on to set up what is undoubtedly the most impressive and enduring planning firm in Barbados. Richard has made a massive and significant contribution to the practice of physical planning on the island in all the elements of planning practice. Much of his work was in development control as the planning consultant to some of the largest development projects and firms on the island. Although we were on opposite ends of the process, I valued having him as a professional to interact with and often he acted as a buffer against hard-nosed developers and landowners who saw the planning office as getting in the way or blocking their proposed developments. He had to carefully balance the equation between advocacy for his clients and his professional judgement as a planner. When thinking of Richard I always think of the term “probity“, the quality of being honest and behaving correctly. This, incidentally, is the term used by the RTPI in its professional code and its practice advice on ethics and professional standards. He and I had many long, interesting discussions on applications, conditions attached to permissions, planning theory and practice, and even my requiring too much planning gain from some developments long before the concept of planning obligations was formally put into our legislation. Our modern planners would not have experienced this, but it was not an easy transition from persons being able to do whatever they wanted to with their land to accepting an agency which decided on these matters. In the first planning case which went to court before Chief Justice Stoby, the case of Kitty Feldman at Navy Gardens v Peter Stevens, the judge made it quite clear that a sea change had occurred with the introduction of the new planning system and persons were no longer at liberty to deal with the use and development of their land as they pleased but had to seek permission first from the Chief Town Planner or the Governor in Executive Committee (pre-Independence). Richard was among that group of early planners who had to bring the whole island along with them in understanding the importance of this change. Richard was also deeply involved with and interested in development planning and plan preparation. Indeed, after the days of United Nations assistance in the preparation of Physical Development Plans (PDPs) came to an end, and we had to do them from our own resources, Richard was one of the consultants working for government on the preparation of these plans. In this regard you will see his name in the Physical Development Plan of 2003 (Approved 2013) and the 2017 PDP (Approved in 2023). In addition, he prepared jointly with Colin Jones of Robertson Ward Associates, the Speightstown Development Plan, and the Oistins Development Plan. Richard also prepared for government the New Orleans Development Plan. I also remember him working as part of the team on the Barbados Surface Transportation Study. On the administrative side, he served periods as a member and sometimes chairman of the Planning Advisory Committee, the organ created in the earlier legislation to advise the Minister on policy matters and specific applications. Richard also functioned as a panellist, hearing appeals against decisions made by the planning office and making recommendations to the Minister who then made the final decision. While I am not sure of the extent of his work outside of Barbados, Richard did appeals in other islands, including Bermuda, where he was an “independent visiting inspector” for a ten-year period. Richard was one of the first professional planners in Barbados and certainly the longest practicing one. In those early days planning was new and many people did not appreciate or care for planning and it was the planners such as Richard who had to explain and teach persons about this new thing impacting their lives. He shared that burden with Peter Stevens, Leonard St Hill, Peter Shepherd, Luther Bourne, Colin Jones, Derek Baker, Douglas Gill, Margarita Omotoso, and I would go as far down as The Reverend Alan Jones and Alloysius Blackett. Richard played a pivotal role in the development of the planning profession in Barbados and held all the key positions within the Planning Society for long periods of time. I well remember the evolution of the society and its outreach to related professions and the general public, the monthly in-house meetings of the professional planners group, and eventually the accreditation of professionals by the Society. He also generously allowed his office to become the home of the Planning Society. He was one of the first planners on the island who connected the local planning society with The Commonwealth Association of Planners, so taking the local Society into the wider context of regional and Commonwealth planning professionals. This function tonight and the honour to Richard is thoroughly deserved and I applaud Richard for his contribution and the Planning Society for so recognizing his sterling work. Previous Back to Top Next