We work with partner governments to prepare strategic plans for sustainable cities and urban development such as the City Development Strategy methodology, which encourages wide participation, enhances governance capacity and encourages coordination across different sectors. We undertake research that brings integration across economic, social, institutional and environmental domains, including the use of Strategic Environmental Impact assessment in urban planning.
Examples of projects in this area:
Development in the urban era
Client: DFAT - Research for Development Impact Network (RDI Network)
ISF-UTS provided leadership of a Steering Group responsible for collaborative development with Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and sector stakeholders of an approach to better integrate urbanisation into development programming In Asia and the Pacific
Humanitarian response and development in urban contexts
Client: International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED)
This research contributed to the goal of improving humanitarian response in urban contexts through research for the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED).
The aim of the research was to learn from Fiji’s Western Division experience of integrating development planning and risk response following the response to Tropical Cyclone Winston, which struck Fiji in 2016. Lessons were generated for sub-national and national governments of Fiji, governments and donors in the Pacific region and also beyond.
City Development Strategies in Vietnam
Client: Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC)
ISF led three projects aimed at supporting City Development Strategies (CDS) in Vietnam, including ‘Support for Strategic and Cross-sector Planning in Nam Dinh Province’, ‘Extending CDS to Multiple Cities Through a Vietnamese Training and Coordinated Network’, and ‘Piloting an Innovative Tool Combining CDS and Strategic Environmental Assessment.’
City Development Strategy for Thanh Hoa City in a regional development context
Client: United Nations Habitat
Assessment of the potential for a city and regional development strategy to contribute to the sustainable development of the City and Region of Than Hoa, northern Vietnam.
Providing mentoring and quality assurance to the Philippine-Australia Local Sustainability Program
Client: Cardno Acil Pty Ltd
The institute provided support to the AusAID funded Philippines Australia Sustainability Program (PALS) in 2006-2010, a long-term program aimed at helping communities and Local Government Units plan and manage activities that improve the livelihoods of the rural poor, through chairing of the Program’s Quality Assurance Panel (QAP).
Assessing the experience of and providing guidance on sustainable city development in Vietnam
Client: Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC)
ISF provided policy advice to SDC on how to proceed with supporting sustainable development strategies in Vietnam at city and provincial levels, and potentially in other countries in South East Asia. This included a guide to developing City Development Strategies (CDSs) in Vietnam, which was developed based on in-country workshops to assess and confirm the local experience of Vietnamese cities in developing SDCs.
City Development Strategies for medium-size cities in Vietnam: Can Tho and Ha Long
Client: World Bank
ISF led a team of Vietnamese researchers based at the National Institute of Urban and Rural Research, in the preparation of City Development Strategies (CDSs) for the Cities of Can Tho and Halong in Vietnam. This involved systematic analysis of the economic, social and environmental status of each city and the existing plans for their development and extensive consultation with stakeholders.
Assessment of impact of Cities Alliance activities in Vietnam: City Development Strategies
Client: World Bank
Comprehensive review of Vietnam’s experience in preparing City Development Strategies (CDS) as part of an overall review of Cities Alliance activities in the country, including urban upgrading.
Monitoring and Evaluation System in Support of Management in Agriculture and Rural Development, Vietnam
Client: Vietnamese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD)
The Institute organised and delivered a study tour in Australia in 2007 for a selected group of senior staff from MARD on current, relevant monitoring and evaluation approaches and techniques. This was aimed at strengthening such processes and supporting the formulation of improved policies, planning, and implementation of programs in Vietnam’s agricultural and rural development sector.