ComHabitat

These include;

• Commonwealth Consultative Group on Human Settlements
• Commonwealth Association of Planners
• Commonwealth Foundation
• Commonwealth Human Ecology Council
• Commonwealth Local Government Forum
• Commonwealth Secretariat
• Homeless International

The partnership brings together agencies representing governments, local governments, civil societies and professional organisations with the aim of implementing the UN Habitat Agenda.

All of these stakeholders are actively involved in addressing human settlements concerns in their own spheres. However, ComHabitat allows them to co-operate to achieve their goals though networking, advocacy, information sharing and the promotion of integrated approaches.

ComHabitat Strategic Plan: 2007 – 2011

The ComHabitat Strategic Plan builds on the experiences of the past two years and identifies specific areas where the partnership will focus its work.

1. Improving financial investment to human settlements development

There is an increasing trend for international development agencies to provide direct budgetary support to recipient governments. This approach often makes it difficult for these funds to reach local communities where the resources are most needed. ComHabitat will develop principles and approaches that support effective public sector decentralization and an improved flow of resources in support of the local delivery of basic services.

2. To strengthen leadership and governance in human settlements development

Post disaster reconstruction is often more successful when affected communities are able to play a key role in planning and implementing recovery programmes. ComHabitat will build on approaches such as the UN Habitat Urban Governance Index and the Commonwealth Local Government Forum’s Aberdeen Agenda to showcase best practice examples.

3. To reduce risks and build community resilience in an urbanising World

Increasing urban populations, slum dwelling and climate change are generating new levels of risk for communities, but the impact of disasters on people’s lives can be greatly reduced through effective forward planning and governance. ComHabitat will review the adequacy of national legislative frameworks related to disaster risk management, and galvanise professional associations to share examples of good practice.

Download:

ComHabitat Strategic Plan 2007-2011

For further information about ComHabitat please consult the website at http://www.comhabitat.org/

Financing Decentralisation and Local Government to meet the MDGs

Paper prepared by the Commonwealth Local Government Forum and ComHabitat for the 2007 Commonwealth Finance Ministers Meeting

ComHabitat paper for Commonwealth Finance Ministers

Links

• UN-Habitat
• UN-Habitat Agenda