ABOUT US
A Commonwealth partnership for sustainable urbanisation
The Commonwealth Sustainable Cities Initiative (CSCI) is a partnership of the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU), Commonwealth Association of Architects (CAA), Commonwealth Association of Planners (CAP), Commonwealth Engineers’ Council (CEC) and Commonwealth Local Government Forum (CLGF), working with The King’s Foundation.
By 2050, an extra 2.5 billion people will be living in towns and cities, and nearly 50% of that growth is forecast to take place in Commonwealth countries. Commonwealth towns and cities face enormous challenges as they respond to the combined pressures of climate change and rapid urbanisation.
Through the CSCI, members and partners work together to promote more integrated, practical, and collaborative approaches to sustainable urbanisation across the Commonwealth.
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.
Why this work matters
The CSCI has developed through collaboration between Commonwealth members and partners in response to the intersecting challenges of rapid urbanisation, climate change and capacity gaps across urban governance, systems and the built environment professions. This collaboration has drawn on shared evidence, professional expertise, and policy engagement to strengthen more joined-up approaches across planning, housing, engineering, local governance, and skills development. During the Covid-19 pandemic, urban areas became the epicentre of the crisis, adding further urgency to the need for more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable urban development.
Launch of the Call to Action
The Call to Action on Sustainable Urbanisation across the Commonwealth marked an important step in building collective momentum around sustainable urbanisation. Developed through extensive collaboration and consultations between CSCI members, a broad cross-section of international partners, and Commonwealth member states, it helped strengthen engagement on the policy changes needed to support more integrated and sustainable urban development across the Commonwealth and supported CSCI advocacy in the run up to the CHOGM 2022.
Who we are
The Commonwealth Sustainable Cities Initiative brings together Commonwealth organisations with governmental, professional and technical partners to leverage the power of the Commonwealth to deliver change and innovation.