Cities are clearly the frontline actors for translating both agendas into action, and planning is increasingly recognised as a critical tool for transforming the ideals and principles of sustainable development into meaningful reality.  The spirit behind the World Urban Campaign is germane to the spirit of the World Urban Forum, UN-HABITAT's biennial conference.  The World Urban Forum is for open dialogue and exchange of substantive information and ideas between all stakeholders on matters urban. The World Urban Campaign seeks to add value to the strengths of the Forum. Emerging ideas include: 

• the consolidation and transformation of the exchange of information and ideas into a knowledge base of documented and peer-reviewed best practices, good policies and model legislation
• building bridges and visible links between the Forum dialogues and regional ministerial meetings on housing and urban development, meetings of Parliamentarians for Habitat, and professional congresses to strengthen key messages and policy options and
• leveraging efforts and resources of the network of partners of the Campaign to better inform strategic policy and decision making processes at the global, regional and country levels.

A broad-based and geographically representative Steering Committee will meet periodically to decide on a common set of objectives, tangible outputs and mutually reinforcing activities.  RTPI and its partners in the Global Planners Network are represented on this body by Nicolas Buchoud of the French planners' organisation SFU.   

A note on the new campaign can be downloaded here.
 

Author:

Judith Eversley

Publisher:

The Royal Town Planning Institute

Date:

03-Jun-09

Categories:

 

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