Start Date : 17 Feb 09   End Date : 19 Feb 09 Location: Cape Town, South Africa

The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) in collaboration with the Africa Centre for Cities (ACC) and UN-HABITAT are jointly hosting a workshop from 17-19 February 2009 in Cape Town, South Africa, to identify regional priorities that will set the agenda for a Sustainable Urban Development Network (SUD-Net) for Africa, the first regional network to be launched under the SUD-Net initiative.

The workshop will bring together representatives from cities, education and research institutions as well as existing networks dealing with urban development issues. They will be joined by key partners from local governments involved in policymaking and practice in urban planning and development.

African cities are currently confronted with the problem of responding to rapidly growing urban populations, while at the same time ensuring that cities remain inclusive, providing adequate shelter and basic urban services, ensuring environmental sustainability, as well as enhancing economic growth and development. 

At both the regional and national level, there is a growing demand for initiatives to strengthen the capacities of local authorities, particularly within processes of decentralization and environmental changes and degradation, which have huge impacts on the economy and livelihoods.

If cities are to come to terms with these challenges, they require leaders, managers and communities capable of adopting innovative and robust approaches to planning, developing, managing and financing growth for all citizens. Thus, the role of integrated planning, management and governance needs to be highlighted further in response to these emerging threats through strengthened networks which work with clear agendas and address priorities within the regions.