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Self Report 2017

The self-report on WHS Commitments below is organized according to the 24 transformations of the Agenda for Humanity. It is based on commitments pledged at the time of report submission. Click on the 'Expand' symbol to expand each section and read the reporting inputs by transformation.

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4C
Deliver collective outcomes: transcend humanitarian-development divides

Individual Commitment

  • Commitment
  • Commitment Type
  • Core Responsibility

  • The Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) commits to provide the Global Alliance access to professional built environment expertise through the United Kingdom Built Environment Advisory Group (UKBEAG) which comprises professional planning, architectural and engineering institutes. The RTPI's particular area of expertise is planning and therefore it commits to provide access specifically to trained and experienced planners to the Global Alliance via the UKBEAG alongside its architectural and engineering partners.


  • Capacity
  • Change People's Lives: From Delivering Aid to Ending Need

  • What led your organization to make the commitment?

    The commitments of the Sustainable Development Goals & New Urban Agenda witnessed the increased natural and humanitarian disasters taking place and the struggle in rebuilding efforts (some less successful than others) in for example, Haiti, Nepal and Ecuador. Our members are planners and have the skills and expertise to help plan more sustainably before and after disasters and want to help create more resilient communities. In the past we advised members to donate to relief efforts so as not to be an imposition to humanitarian agencies in the aftermath of serious crises.

  • Achievements at a glance

    In October 2016, the Royal Town Planning Institute, along with our partners - the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and the Institution of Structural Engineers (IstructE) launched a new network: The United Kingdom Built Environment Advisory Group (UKBEAG) at the UN's Habitat III conference in Quito, Ecuador. Graham Saunders, Head of the Shelter Cluster at the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Society was invited to represent the Global Alliance for Urban Crises (GAUC) and the humanitarian sector and the Charge D’Affaires from the British Embassy also attended. The UKBEAG will provide access to planners, architects and engineers to the humanitarian sector including the GAUC.

  • How is your organization assessing progress

    Along with our UKBEAG partners, we aim to engage with GAUC's working groups and will attend GAUC's meeting in Brussels in March 2017. We will also look at updating or producing material to demonstrate the role built environment professionals can undertake in disaster risk reduction and rebuilding post disaster for the humanitarian sector. We will also promote awareness among our members and our international relationships with sister planning institutes and organisations.

  • Challenges faced in implementation

    Like most built environment professions, there is a serious shortage of planners worldwide and many planning systems are outdated or are unable to adapt to global challenges like rapid urbanisation, climate change and the consequences of natural and man-made disasters. There is also a lack of political awareness of planning or support in some countries.

  • Next step to advance implementation in 2017

    Developing a programme of activity which includes awareness raising for our own members of the Royal Town Planning Institute; and collaboratively with members of the UKBEAG and the GAUC.

  • If you had one message for the annual report on what is most needed to advance the transformation 'Deliver collective outcomes: transcend humanitarian-development divides', what would it be

    Install greater understanding of each other's activities in pre and post disasters and how we can all increase resilience. Work collaboratively to increase capacity among planners, architects, structural and other engineers, surveyors and other built environment professionals. Build in resilience, mitigation and adaptation in policies.

  • Cross cutting issues

    ☑Innovation ☑ Private sector ☑ Urban

  • Specific initiatives

    ☑Global Alliance for Urban Crises

  • Other related Agenda for Humanity transformations

    ☑4A - Reinforce, do not replace, national and local systems ☑ 4B - Anticipate, do not wait, for crises