BrazilSia introduces the C3P3 Framework for city masterplanning and urban liveability
Global consulting firm Sia has launched a new framework that aims to pioneer the way that city planners and government policymakers masterplan their cities and communities. The approach has already been adopted by megacities worldwide, including Dubai.
Unveiled at the World Governments Summit 2025, the C3P3 Framework provides a structured, data-driven, and actionable roadmap for city planners and policymakers, helping them ensure that cities remain liveable, resilient, sustainable, and of course globally competitive.
The report could not have come much timelier. A fresh insight from the United Nations warned that urbanization – projected to reach 70% of the global population by 2050 – is mounting pressures on cities to remain liveable. Many cities simply aren’t able to keep pace with population growth, either lacking the strategic foresight, or funds or capabilities, to respond in a timely and effective manner.
As a result, key necessities for people such as infrastructure, healthcare, commodities, safety and much more will increasingly come under strain.
Sia’s C3P3 Framework takes an approach that bring together a wide-range of factors, beyond traditional physical infrastructure factors, to help city leaders build their plans for the future, while prioritizing liveability and ensuring adaptability to the ever-evolving landscape.
“A truly liveable city is more than just a place to reside – it is a hub of opportunity, sustainability, and innovation,” emphasized Cesar Moukarzel, Associate Partner at Sia (formerly Sia Partners). “By integrating connectivity, collaboration, and sustainability, cities can apply the C3P3 Framework to generate a clear and actionable roadmap for cities to enhance urban liveability in a way that is adaptable to diverse contexts.”
“With liveability nowadays a key driver of economic competitiveness, cities that embrace forward-thinking planning approaches will be best positioned to attract investment, talent, and long-term prosperity,” continued Moukarzel.
The C3P3 Framework
The C3P3 Framework is structured around six key dimensions that define a thriving and liveable city:
Connected
Ensuring strong physical and digital connectivity, efficient transportation, and smart infrastructure to enable seamless urban mobility.
Collaborative
Encouraging multi-stakeholder engagement, partnerships between public and private sectors, and active citizen participation in city governance.
Circular
Embedding sustainability at the core of urban planning, from green infrastructure to circular economies and renewable energy adoption.
Protected
Strengthening urban resilience through robust security, disaster preparedness, and legal protections to create safe and stable environments.
Proactive
Enabling cities to anticipate and adapt to change by leveraging data-driven decision-making, AI-powered governance, and smart service delivery.
Present
Enhancing city branding, global positioning, and cultural identity to attract investment, talent, and tourism.
A call for action
At the World Governments Summit 2025, the region’s top annual gathering for business leaders and government officials, Sia and others sent out a call to action to governments, urban planners, and policymakers. Their message was clear: take a strategic and holistic approach to urban planning, before it is too late – major improvement initiatives that come with urban planning have long lead times that need to be planned for and organized.
Dubai, which is one of the megacities that has already adopted the approach, was among those that pressed for awareness and action. Working together with Sia, Dubai Municipality has integrated the six principles of the C3P3 Framework into its Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan.
