Table 128 Extent of engagement between Government and the Town Planning profession Region
Country
Does the organisation advise the Government?
Botswana
Y
We write formal advisory letters/notes on topics of interest. The government planning system is however very weak, especially at the top Ministry level. As you can see there is no Chief Planner in Government.
Ghana
Y
Advises are given to the government in a form of prepared plan of actions for implementation
Mauritius
Y
Regular consultation meetings on strategic planning, Planning laws amendments, outline planning schemes and planning policy guidelines modifications with the Ministry.
Nigeria
Y
Our Institute participates in discussions during policy making, and during public hearings in the process of making laws and occasionally writes position papers to draw government's attention to issues relating to Urban and Regional planning and general development of the country.
Y
Between 1996 and 2002 the regulatory environment for planning was finalised with the Act adopted. SAPI played a role in ensuring that planners were more informed and linked to what was taking root in planning, participatory approaches, strategic foci and implementation-oriented development planning - Integrated Development Planning (IDP). Planners had a unique opportunity to be at the forefront of positioning and skilling themselves on IDP. This led to an appreciation of the critical role of spatial and physical planning competencies of Planners and this remains a key differentiator for the Profession. Post 2010 SAPI commenced a robust engagement with the South African government processes around the National Planning Commission, the formulation of the National Development Plan (NDP) and SPLUMA (Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act). The sustainability and spatial components of development were consolidated in terms of the spatial principles and objectives set out in the NDP with a focus on sustainable human settlements and spatial targeting by the Department of Human Settlements and National Treasury as a driver for resource allocation. In 2002 SAPI mobilised many planning activists to help refocus efforts on building planning capability starting with organising the first Planning Africa conference that year. The conference marked a seminal moment by at least partly restoring confidence and belief in the value and central role of Planners in the changing landscape. Subsequently, and for this reason, Planning Africa has rightfully become a flagship programme for SAPI. It has evolved into a premier knowledge sharing platform and positions SAPI as a leading voice by facilitating key dialogues and learnings. Planning Africa has become one of the largest gatherings of its kind globally. SAPI mobilised funding from UN-Habitat and GIZ for research and publication of the first African Planning Report. The report was presented to Planning Africa 2014 and to an international Commonwealth Association of Planners (CAP) webinar event highlighting the urbanisation challenge on the continent that requires serious Planning capacity.
Tanzania
Y
The TAP has been advising the government on many issues related to planning viz: 1) How to manage proliferation of unplanned areas in urban centres 2) Planning for land within major Infrastructure corridors like the SGR railway project, the Uganda - Tanzania oil pipeline, The Stigglers Gorge hydro power generation project, 3) On Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) - the Association advised the government to involve the private sector especially in realizing SDG 11 i.e Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable. The government has started to involve the private firms in planning and regularization of of informal settlements under community driven initiatives 4) Decentralization of professional service provision in line with capacity building
Malaysia
Y
1. Through preparation of development plans and policies under town and country planning act 1976 (act 172) 2. Members of specific committees on various matters affecting government policies
Sri Lanka
Y
For each Planning Project of the Government a Town Planner is involved through relevant Planning Agency
Y
The incoming Prime Minister asked the Society to run stakeholder engagement on planning reform. The PM herself attended and spoke at meetings and we used social media and broadcast media. BTPS members formed part of the consultancy team preparing a Green Paper, White Paper sand a Bill. The Society was able to respond formally to these documents. Following passing of the Bill the Society is now being consulted on the subsidiary legislation.
Canada
Y
There is no direct line to Government at the National level. Provincial Organizations have their own arrangements with Provincial Governments. The majority of our advice is given in the form of responding to open consultations (e.g. on the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy) but we also place volunteers on Government advisory groups, e.g. Natural Resources Canada's flood risk guidance group.
Trinidad & Tobago
N
The interaction is not consistent. Many things are decided on by the Government without consultation. Where there is interaction or consultation, there is often no feedback.
Malta
N
Occasional meetings are held, publications in the press and public meetings.
United Kingdom
Y
Undertaking research into the art and science of TP and disseminating the results. Providing evidence and responding to government consultations.
Australia
Y
PIA advises Government via submissions, inquiries, direct contact and via advocacy campaigns on priority planning industry issues (eg the need for a National Settlement Strategy). Additional comment to the above question "Is there such a role as Government/Chief Resilience Officer?" - No, however there is a joint government/NGO sponsored Chief Resilience Officer for Sydney and Melbourne.
New Zealand
Y
Regular sessions with Ministry staff and formal submissions on policy proposals
Africa South Africa
Asia
Barbados Caribbean and Americas
Europe
Pacific
Survey of the Built Environment Professions in the Commonwealth
How does the professional organisation advise the Government?
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