How to integrate the environment into the urban planning process?

The report, Liveable Cities: The Benefits of Urban Environmental Planning, published by the Cities Alliance, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability, showcases twelve examples of cities around the world and the way they deal with sustainable development. The report explores various options for sustainable urban development ranging from practical tools and comprehensive policies to innovative market mechanisms. It outlines the information which urban managers need to assist them in the development of their urban development strategies.

The report is divided into four main sections:

1. The general context for the report which argues that a well-managed urban environment is key to economic development and poverty alleviation;

2. The basic framework to urban environmental planning which defines entry levels, barriers to integration and provides an overview of instruments for environmental integration;

3. The examination of approaches to the application of some of these instruments, including Integrated Development Planning (IDP), City Development Strategies (CDS), Eco City Planning and ecoBUDGET©;

4. The conclusion which discusses and offers recommendations for urban environmental planning targeting city leaders, urban decision-makers and their partners.

The conclusion is followed by annexes of twelve case studies illustrating different city approaches to urban environmental planning.

The report presents twelve different case studies of how cities around the world integrate the environment in urban planning. It moreover shows how these cities' succesful experiences can be replicated elsewhere. In general the cities stress the importance of:

UNEP
Nick Nuttall (UNEP spokesperson)

/12/2007

UNEP, Cities Alliance & ICLEI

research

Urban Policy > Urban environment

Environmental sustainability