From 2001 to 2003, nine cities around the world participated in a unique competition to design sustainable urban systems. The objective was to develop staged 100- year plans that would lead to urban sustainability. Sponsored by the International Gas Union (IGU), the competition was inspired by the need to encourage cities to consider the transition from an economy based on fossil fuels to one based on alternative energy sources. Participating cities came from Japan, Canada, Russia, Germany, India, Argentina, China and the USA/Mexico. The Canadian entry, cities^PLUS featuring the Greater Vancouver region won the Grand Prize. Cities from India, Tokyo and the USA/Mexico were also given special recognition by the jury.

The results of the experience were compelling. All of the international design teams — whether from developed or developing countries, from academia, the private or public sectors — used different methods and yet came to similar conclusions. Fundamental changes in all the urban infrastructure and resource consumption patterns are needed for cities to become sustainable. To continue with ‘business as usual' poses major risks to our natural and urban systems. Even anticipating massive technological changes and conversion to other fuels, a ‘business as usual' scenario was unsustainable much beyond 30 years. These predictions themselves were not surprising, but rather than a sense of despair, the challenge of completing a 100-year plan generated an unexpected positive response.

In Canada, for example, a national competitive process led to the selection of the Greater Vancouver Region as the Canadian entry (two million people located in 21 municipalities and one electoral district). cities^PLUS — an acronym for Cities Planning for Long-term Urban Sustainability — was the name given to the project. From small beginnings, the project expanded to a collaborative exercise involving governments, the private sector, academia and civil society. The region sought the advice and input of eleven other cities and towns in Canada. The long term focus encouraged new forms of brainstorming, sharing of tools and ideas and collaborative planning. Over 500 people became involved in visioning and design exercises, and a regional network of 80 organizations met to discuss different phases of the plan. The resulting learning led to valuable new insights about long-term planning methods and processes, and issues such as climate change and community resilience. The results were incorporated in immediate decisions facing the Greater Vancouver Regional District (GVRD) as part of its Sustainable Region Initiative.

In all cases, the need to focus well beyond the normal planning horizon led the participants to think outside of their usual boundaries and focus on integrated solutions to economic, social and environmental shocks or changes. The process was unlike other attempts to communicate about important environmental issues such as global warming and greenhouse gas emissions, which are often characterized by debate and acrimony, and seldom lead to change. The long-term sustainability framework allowed stakeholders, academics and community residents, using forecasting and back-casting tools, to consider the impacts of climate change in a relatively neutral context. The result was profound change in how the issues were approached and, in Vancouver, led to change in decisions being made on current infrastructure plans.

During a consultation hosted by the Liu Institute for Global Issues, eleven other cities, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) and ICLEI- Local Governments for Sustainability, expressed their desire not just to contribute to the Canadian entry, but to remain involved in a continuing dialogue about long-term integrated planning as well as to learn from other cities nationally and internationally. Likewise, the participants in the IGU competition expressed a strong desire to continue the dialogue about designing sustainable urban systems.

The PLUS Network:

PLUS is a network of cities and communities sharing learning on integrated long-term planning for sustainability . The idea was to bring 30 or more cities and communities together to share their learning at the celebration of HABITAT PLUS 30 in conjunction with the World Urban Forum in Vancouver in 2006.

The Network is intended to build upon the experience of the cities involved in the IGU competition and create a network of cities willing to share their integrated long-term planning processes, technologies and implementation strategies and undertake demonstration projects. The purpose is to catalyze action and advance the state of thinking and practice around long-term sustainability, incorporating research and applying the learning in demonstration projects. The PLUS Network will facilitate that sharing, allowing communities to avoid costly mistakes and benefit from one another's lessons. Participating cities will:

• document and share their experiences and tools through a web-based network,
• meet face-to-face every two years, and
• report on their learning at various international events

The shared experience will result in better models of long-term planning; the development and application of different tools and techniques; the establishment of strategies and short-term goals that enable those long-term plans to be implemented; and the creation of benchmarks, measurable indicators and action plans to start on the pathway to sustainability. The result will be more resilient cities able to cope with economic, ecological and social shocks and stresses .

Benefits of the network will accrue not only to member cities but also to industries and businesses that support the move towards a sustainable future. Working together to tackle urban issues ensures that planners and policy makers address the needs of developers, businesses and future residents, along with their economic, social and environmental impacts. All network participants will benefit from the opportunity to collectively gain access and contribute to a shared international pool of best practices and knowledge and showcase their city and its professional expertise and technology at high profile international events such as the World Urban Forum and HABITAT PLUS30 in 2006.

The International Centre for Sustainable Cities in Vancouver, Canada, serves as Secretariat for the PLUS Network, in partnership with the Greater Vancouver Regional District, the Liu Institute for Global Issues and the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI). In addition, a team of consultants from cities^PLUS, the IGU competition, The Natural Step and others, along with an International Panel of Advisors will be available to advise and provide support to the Network.