The Singapore institute of Planners is a professional organisation established in 1971 which is dedicated to the advancement of sustainable urban and regional planning with a view to create better communities and environments. The Institute collaborates with government planning agencies including the Urban Redevelopment Authority, the Housing and Development Board, the JTC Corporation, the Centre for Liveable Cities and Institutes of Higher Learning. The Institute is a member of the Design Singapore Council (DSg) which is now with the Economic Development Board (EDB) a statutory board under the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI). The Institute is a corporate member of the Commonwealth Association of Planners (CAP), and in June 2016 it joined the Eastern Regional Organisation for Planning and Human Settlements (EAROPH). In Oct 2018, it has recently signed a MOU with the Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors, Planning and Development Division (HKIS-PPD) to promote programmes of mutual interest.