Leading Change: Using the IG - UTP to implement the NUA

The New Urban Agenda (NUA) identifies urban planning as a vital field of action to deliver sustainable and inclusive cities and human settlements. The International Guidelines on Urban and Territorial Planning (IG-UTP) prepared by UN Habitat are a key implementation tool for delivery of the NUA as recognized in paragraph 93 of the Quito Declaration. The IG-UTP also provide an essential framework for realization of the Sustainable Development Goals, in particular for Goal 11. The desired outcomes of the NUA have been agreed: how do planning systems and practices now need to respond to deliver them?

This networking event will be used to launch a major new publication, Leading Change: Delivering the New Urban Agenda through Urban and Territorial Planning, that answers this question.

The principles set out in the IG – UTP are a framework to guide national government, local government, civil society and the planning profession in delivering sustainable urbanization and the NUA. The IG – UTP are of necessity brief statements of principle and cannot capture the rich narrative which underpins them. This book sets out to record some of the most critical narrative behind some of the key issues covered by the IG – UTP. The South African Local Government Association, supported by UN-Habitat and the South African Department of Human Settlements has made the publication of this book possible. The book takes a global perspective and explains how planning is being, and must be, transformed to address 21st century challenges such as climate change, informal development, urban-rural relations, inclusion and gender equality. Crucially, if focuses on measures that benefit people rather than systems and puts human rights at the centre of a new approach to planning practice. It emphasises integrating urban and territorial planning with infrastructure and with budgets, and makes a strong case for understanding business needs and working in partnership with civil society organisations.

This event will present a Call to Action that will be addressed to National Governments, Regional and Local Authorities, Civil Society Organisations and built environment professionals. There will be an opportunity to hear from the authors, and from experts who drafted the IG-UTP. Participants in the event will be invited to share their own perspectives, and to consider how to the disseminate Leading Change and the IG-UTP across the globe.