CAA Knowledge Sharing Partnership Fact Finding Survey

The Fact-Finding Survey has been undertaken by the 16 signatories to to the CAA Knowledge Sharing Partnership and represent 10 ODA and 6 non-ODA countries from all 5 regions of the Commonwealth. The aim of the Fact-Finding Survey was to enable a comparative study to be undertaken to assess knowledge sharing needs and opportunities among the signatories. The findings will be used to help build an understanding of the ecosystem in each country together with the barriers and enablers to sustainable urbanisation facing each member organisation. The output of the study has been used to identify issues of common concern, thereby enabling us to prioritise topics which will have the greatest impact for those with the greatest need.

Signatories were invited to complete an online survey, the aim of which is to establish knowledge sharing priorities in the areas of advocacy, capacity development and climate action. The Fact-Finding Survey comprised 100 questions grouped as follows:

• The Profession: One of the main issues facing the profession is a failure to enforce existing legislation, while one of the principal issues facing the education of architects is closing the gap between academia and practice.
• Professional Capacity and Market Maturity: Many of the countries experiencing rapid urbanisation have a critical lack of professional and educational capacity, alongside and a lack of market maturity, and they are often those most vulnerable to climate impacts.
• Policy, Regulatory and Standards Environment: A broad range of policy areas are ineffective because of weak public policy, outdated legislation, and a lack of enforcement.
• Policy Coordination, Implementation and Delivery: One of the main reasons for poor policy implementation and delivery appears to be lack of alignment between different tiers of government.
• Quality of the Built Environment: The provision of adequate, sustainable, and affordable housing is a universal concern. The provision of basic services, including public transport and walkability, is a particular concern to respondents in ODA countries.
• Engagement with the New Urban Agenda: The New Urban Agenda has not gained traction with the profession; most members do not find it relevant to their work.
• Capacity development and Knowledge Sharing: ODA countries seek support in advocacy, capacity development, and climate action. This includes promoting the profession’s value to policymakers and the public, offering Continuing Professional Development (CPD) content, and sharing international best practice.