Urban governance, development and management are all critical pillars in their own right that contribute to sustainable communities and cities. Though conceptually separate, they are all interdependent, interconnected and interlinked in the value chain of sustainable development. The Urban Management Programme of Habitat essentially describes Urban Governance as follows: "it is about effective collaborative planning, decision making processes, mechanisms and implementation to co-ordinate distinctive efforts of local government, civil society organisations and the private sector towards the progressive attainment of sustainable urban development and local democracy".

Urban development can essentially be understood as the multi–sectoral, multi-dimensional, integrated interventions in the built environment to contribute towards sustainable city growth by dealing with challenges emanating from the growing urbanisation trends (i.e. worsening access to shelter, growing

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backlogs in service delivery as demands outstrips institutional capacity, financial resources and environmental carrying capacity, growing inequality in cities, lopsided economic growth manifested in the two economy syndrome and a general increase in poverty).

Urban management on the other hand refers to the processes, mechanisms and strategies utilised in deploying resources to achieve outcomes that contributes to a state of sustainable development. Some of the specific tools that Akanani Consulting can provide relates to the following:

• Strategy and Policy Advisory services to urban development challenges of an integrated nature and
• The development and customisation of particular tools to deal with physical infrastructure challenges.