ABOUT US
A Commonwealth wide initiative for a sustainable future
By 2050, an extra 2.5 billion people will be living in towns and cities, and nearly 50% are forecast to be in the Commonwealth. Commonwealth cities and towns will face enormous challenges as they deal with the combined pressures of climate change and rapid urbanisation. .
Through the Commonwealth Sustainable Cities Initiative, Commonwealth partners work together to create strategies to tackle the urgent challenges of climate change and rapidly growing cities, leveraging their collective power to promote sustainable urbanisation.
Our Mission To ensure that sustainable urbanisation is at the heart of our common future and to work together towards achieving the global goal of leaving no one and no place behind.
Background
Since 2018, the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU), Commonwealth Association of Architects (CAA), Commonwealth Association of Planners (CAP) and Commonwealth Local Government Forum (CLGF) have been advocating for Commonwealth organisations to take a more integrated approach to achieving sustainable urbanisation across all its member states.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, urban areas had become the epicentre of the pandemic, with an estimated 90% of all reported cases. Cities and towns had borne the brunt of the health and economic challenges world-wide. This added further urgency to our efforts to see sustainable urbanisation integrated into the priorities of the Commonwealth.
In 2020, the ACU, CAA, CAP and CLGF, in collaboration with the Rwandan Ministry of Infrastructure, the Rwandan Ministry of Local Government and The Prince’s Foundation, with support from other Commonwealth organisations, governmental, professional and technical partners, jointly developed the Call to Action on Sustainable Urbanisation across the Commonwealth.
The Call to Action aimed to support our collective advocacy at the 2022 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Rwanda.
The importance of sustainable urbanisation was formally recognised at CHOGM 2022 and the Heads of Government adopted a Declaration on Sustainable Urbanisation. The declaration acknowledged the need for integrated strategies to deliver safe and sustainable urbanisation and to support cities to mobilise resources to develop scalable programmes that address key challenges while reducing risk and vulnerability.
The CHOGM Communique further recognised the intrinsic value of sustainable urbanisation to harnessing structural transformation for the world’s urban populations.
Read more about the outcomes of CHOGM
Since the Call to Action, we have developed a number of activities to raise awareness and enable collaboration to advance sustainable urbanisation across the Commonwealth, including resources, knowledge exchange and professional development training.
What the Call to Action Asks For
The initiative encourages governments, institutions, and partners to:
- Embed sustainable urbanisation in policy at all levels
- Promote multi-sector dialogue and collaboration
- Support practical, measurable infrastructure actions
- Align development with UN SDG 11
Who Is Leading It
The Call to Action is developed through collaboration among:
- Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU)
- Commonwealth Association of Architects (CAA)
- Commonwealth Association of Planners (CAP)
- Commonwealth Local Government Forum (CLGF)
Supported by governments, The Prince's Foundation, and ministries in countries like Rwanda. These partners provide expertise, networks, and guidance to ensure the initiative is both practical and impactful.
How It Came About
The Call to Action emerged from wide consultative processes across the Commonwealth:
- A series of webinars, workshops, and online consultations with youth, professionals, and policymakers
- Inputs from built environment experts and urban planners
- Strategic discussions ahead of key global and regional forums on sustainable development
This approach ensures that the Call to Action reflects diverse perspectives, practical experience, and local realities.
What We're Doing Next
To implement the Call to Action, partners are focusing on:
- Share case studies and good practice examples
- Build data platforms and resources
- Advocate for integrated climate solutions
- Provide training and capacity-building
These steps aim to translate the Call to Action from vision into tangible outcomes that improve lives and urban environments.
Background
Whether you're a city leader, planner, academic, youth representative, or community stakeholder, there are opportunities to contribute:
- Share your ideas and expertise
- Participate in initiatives and workshops
- Support policy advocacy at local or regional levels