Cities Alliance has adopted a new Charter to guide its operations. The Charter defines Cities Alliance primarily as a global partnership for urban poverty reduction and the promotion of the role of cities in sustainable development.
Cities Alliance has adopted a new Charter to guide its operations. The Charter defines Cities Alliance primarily as a global partnership for urban poverty reduction and the promotion of the role of cities in sustainable development.
This partnership – between local and national governments, slum dwellers, the private sector, NGOs and development partners – promotes the vision of Sustainable Cities without Slums.
To help achieve this vision, the Alliance is prioritising support to cities, local authorities, associations of local authorities and/or national governments that are committed to:
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Improving their cities, and local governance, for all residents;
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Adopting a long-term, comprehensive and inclusive approach to urban development;
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Implementing those reforms necessary to effect systemic change and achieve delivery at scale; and
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Decentralising resources to empower local government.
As in the previous Charter, city and nationwide slum upgrading and city development strategies remain the key pillars of intervention. However, they are now complemented by a third pillar: national policies on urban development and local government. These three broad categories allow Cities Alliance members and partners to respond to a range of urban developmental challenges that are identified as priorities by a city or national government, slum dwellers, the private sector and other partners.
According to the new Charter, the Cities Alliance will offer the following types of support:
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Country Programmes – Longer term, demand-oriented interventions that are customised to a country’s urban context and needs. These programmes emphasise institutionalising dialogue and operational partnerships to enable transformation towards inclusive cities.
- Catalytic Projects – Shorter-term activities that provide more targeted and results-oriented support to cities attempting transformative change.
- Knowledge activities – Activities designed to fill knowledge gaps at local, national, regional and global levels.
- Communication support and advocacy – Activities designed to improve awareness of relevant policies or activities, influencing changes to policies and behaviour. They also aim to contribute to dynamic local, national, regional and global debates.
For more about the new Charter, including membership matters and governance of the Cities Alliance, please see the full article “New Charter Repositions Cities Alliance and Signals Major Operational Changes” on our website.
