COMMONWEALTH SUSTAINABLE CITIES INITIATIVE

Commonwealth Sustainable Cities Coalition

In November 2025, the Commonwealth Sustainable Cities Initiative (CSCI), funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) launched the Commonwealth Sustainable Cities Coalition (CSCC) as a pilot programme to address the growing challenge of sustainable urbanisation across the Commonwealth.

With urban populations expected to nearly double by 2050 – particularly in climate‑vulnerable African and Asian cities –the initiative aims to strengthen policy, governance, and climate resilience. Building on the Commonwealth Declaration on Sustainable Urbanisation, the CSCC will support knowledge exchange, capacity building, and practical action among governments and professionals.

The programme convenes three Action Groups focused on Housing, Urban Finance, and Integrated Planning to drive collaborative, evidence‑based urban development.

Case studies

These case studies illustrate a diverse, action‑oriented body of work driving more inclusive, climate‑resilient, and financially sustainable urban development across the Commonwealth and beyond. Together, they highlight how disability‑inclusive health planning, reform coalitions, and strengthened urban‑planning skills can shape more equitable cities – from addressing vulnerabilities in Bangladesh to unlocking reform momentum in Nairobi.

Reports

This collection of reports explores how education, housing, planning, and finance systems can work together to strengthen urban development across the Commonwealth. From the role of higher education in shaping effective urban systems, insights from workshops that examine the connections between institutions, policy, and practice to a series of housing system profiles – from Fiji, India, and Kenya – offer a comparative understanding of opportunities and constraints in delivering inclusive, resilient homes.

Policy briefs and recommendations

These policy briefs present practical, forward‑looking recommendations to strengthen urban development across the Commonwealth. They call for coordinated housing policies, highlight the role of reform coalitions in addressing complex city challenges, and recommend accelerating low‑carbon construction materials. The briefs also emphasise the importance of embedding built‑environment skills within local government and strengthening municipal capacity.