Urban Planning Advisory Group (UPAG)
UPAG is committed to incorporating disaster risk reduction and resilience building in urban planning policy, practice, and research.
Description
The Urban Planning Advisory Group (UPAG) was formalized in 2015 with the mandate to advise the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and the United Nations Agency for Disaster risk reduction (UNDRR) on matters related to urban planning, disaster risk reduction and resilience at national and local levels in order to facilitate the implementation of the Sendai Framework.
To that end, UPAG worked to mainstream DRR in global urban planning policy, practice and research. Our work includes support to local government practices incorporating DRR into urban planning and development. For example, we contributed to several conferences, meetings and knowledge products such as the Handbook for Local Government Leaders. We also advocate for stronger links between DRR and urban planning policy and research. Our contributions include knowledge products such as the Words into Action document on Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience Strategies as well as the Words into Action document on the Implementation Guide for Land Use and Urban Planning.
The Urban Planning Advisory Group (UPAG) is constantly supporting the work on making risk reduction and resilience integral to city planning practices.
Did the Sendai Framework change or contribute to changes in your activities/organization? If so, how?
Yes, UPAG was initially formed in 2012, as a technical working group to provide guidance to UNDRR (formerly UNISDR) on mainstreaming disaster risk reduction in urban planning policy, practice, and research. In 2015, this working group was formalized into the Urban Planning Advisory Group (UPAG) with the mandate to advise the SRSG for DRR and UNDRR on matters related to urban planning, disaster risk reduction and resilience at national and local levels in order to facilitate the implementation of the Sendai Framework.
What led you to make this commitment/initiative?
What was your position before making this Voluntary Commitment / prior to the Sendai Framework?
Prior to Sendai Framework, UPAG was a technical working group working in the larger context of DRR and urban planning. Following Sendai, the newly formed UPAG's activities focused on facilitating the implementation of the Sendai Framework, particularly at the local level.
Deliverables and Progress report
Deliverables
Deliverables are the end-products of the initiative/commitment, which can include issuance of publications or knowledge products, outcomes of workshops, training programs, videos, links, photographs, etc.
As an advocate of the Making Cities Resilient Campaign, UPAG worked to support and champion local government practices that incorporate DRR into urban planning and development.
Sound urban planning policies and practices do not only have the ability to reduce vulnerability and risk, but also mitigate climate change and increase resilience towards the development of equitable and sustainable cities. UPAG has undertaken several practices that advocated for a stronger link between DRR and urban planning practices, policy and research. Among them are the organization and presentation at conferences and the development of knowledge products and positional statements.
UPAG's main mission is to facilitate the implementation of the Sendai Framework, particularly at the local level. To that end, UPAG has organized and presented at several conferences and meetings and produced knowledge products.
Organizations and focal points
Focal points
Partners
