Waterfronts around the world have the potential to be inspirational places where urban planning and design at their best are championed. The 50th ISOCARP International Planning Congress, with the theme: “Urban Transformations – Cities and Water”, is the perfect venue for some of the best plans and case studies of genuine waterfronts worldwide to be presented. The congress will be held this year in the port and waterfront city Gdynia, Poland, September 23-26, 2014. Up to 10 waterfronts will be selected for this exclusive event, held as a plenary session at this congress, which brings together annually leading planners and decision makers from over 50 countries, of the private, public and academic sectors from all continents.

Format
Following a short introduction, each marathon participant will present his/her plan or project in 10 minutes sharply. When the bell rings, the next presentation starts.

Awards
An international jury chaired by President of ISOCARP Milica Bajic-Brkovic will evaluate and choose one or two participants for “The Best Waterfront Project Award”. The audience will choose “The Best Waterfront Oral Presentation”. These will be first announced at the Gala dinner of the congress and award certificates will be handed to the winners.

Judging criteria for the best projects: Quality of urban planning and design; Comprehensiveness; Good links between city and water; Innovation, creativity and uniqueness; Enjoyment and profit of the general public; Sustainability and improvement of the environment; Economic viability; Success (where already implemented).

Eligibility to participate
Planners, stakeholders, mayors, municipalities, public or private organisations, firms, NGO’s, artists, or other professionals from the private, public and academic sectors. Plans at all scales and stages, and also projects which were already implemented are all welcome. A judging panel will take the stage of plan or project in consideration.

Terms of participation
All the material might be used by ISOCARP for publications. Submission of an entry will be a proof that all the submitted material is free of copyrights and can be used by ISOCARP.

All selected participants have to attend the marathon and gala dinner, and will have to pay registration fee of the congress and dinner at the early bird fee and deadline (June 30, 2104).

Benefits

• Opportunity to present your plans or projects during a plenary session of a leading international planners congress, with high profile participants from all continents, and professional from the hosting country and city.
• Chance to win a prestigious certificate award for The Best Waterfront Project, or The Best Waterfront Oral Presentation, from the International Society of City and Regional Planners, with members from over 80 countries. Award presentation during the congress Gala Dinner.
• Publicity of the prize winners.
• Optional reduced price booth at the congress venue.

Dates and Entry Requirements

30 April: Four pages in A4 format will be sent in pdf and word format to  isocarp@isocarp.org. The pages will include a description of the project, relating to the judging criteria, and visual images (plans, photos, etc.).
31 May: The jury will announce the list of up to 10 selected projects which will participate in the marathon.
31 July: The final Powerpoint format (ppt) of the presentation which will be presented at the marathon will be sent to isocarp@isocarp.org.
24 September: Marathon will take place in Gdynia at the morning plenary session.
26 September: Winners will be announced at the congress Gala Dinner and certificates will be handed to the winners.