Established in 2005, the ISOCARP Award for Excellence recognises outstanding achievements in urban and regional planning. The Award celebrates plans in the design phase, projects under implementation, and completed initiatives that demonstrate excellence in planning practice.
Background and Objectives
The Award is open to professionals and institutions working in urban and regional planning, including:
- Architecture and urban planning firms
- Public administrations and urban development agencies
- Universities and research institutes
- Non-governmental organisations (NGOs)
- Independent planning professionals and consultants
Eligible Projects and Submissions
Submissions may include, but are not limited to:
- Normative plans
- Strategic plans
- Urban plans
- Urban design projects
- Urban policies
- Research studies
- Digital platforms, software and smart tools supporting planning practice
Planning Themes
The Award welcomes submissions addressing a wide range of planning themes, including:
- Town and country development
- Urban regeneration and brownfield redevelopment
- Temporary and transitional uses
- Mobility and accessibility
- Urban and metropolitan ecology
- Urban agriculture
- Smart communities
- Disaster risk reduction
- Low-carbon urban development
- Place-based circularity
- Climate mitigation and adaptation
Projects addressing other relevant planning themes are also encouraged.
Evaluation Criteria
Submissions will be assessed according to the following criteria:
- Sustainability of planning processes and outcomes
- Resilience, including efficient use of resources and energy
- Alignment between planning strategies and local socio-economic challenges
- Quality of the planning and learning process
- Innovation in planning approaches, methods or implementation
Jury
The jury comprises five experienced ISOCARP members representing a broad range of expertise in urban and regional planning.
Awards and Recognition
The ISOCARP Award for Excellence recognises exceptional contributions to urban and regional planning through two levels of distinction.
Grand Award
The Grand Award represents the highest distinction of the ISOCARP Award for Excellence, recognising outstanding achievements in planning across two distinct streams.
Grand Award Streams
- Planned Projects
- Realised Projects
Recognition and Benefits
- One year of complimentary ISOCARP membership
- Complimentary registration for the ISOCARP World Planning Congress
- Official ISOCARP Award Plaque
- Official ISOCARP Award Certificate
- Promotion through ISOCARP's website, newsletter and social media channels
Merit Award
The Merit Award recognises high-quality submissions that demonstrate significant achievements and contributions to urban and regional planning.
Recognition and Benefits
- Complimentary registration for the ISOCARP World Planning Congress
- Official ISOCARP Award Plaque
- Official ISOCARP Award Certificate
- Promotion through ISOCARP's website, newsletter and social media channels
Submission Fees
The following fees apply per submission. A 10% discount is available during the Early Bird submission period.
| Applicant Category | Early Bird Fee | Regular Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Active ISOCARP Members | €675 | €750 |
| Non-Members | €1,350 | €1,500 |
Applicants may submit multiple entries. Fees apply to each submission.
Submit Early and Save 10%
Take advantage of the Early Bird discount and submit your project for the ISOCARP Award for Excellence 2027.
11:59 PM CET
11:59 PM CET
Submission Requirements
Each application must include:
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Completed Online Entry Form
Including applicant details and a publishable project summary of no more than 150 words.
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Project Description
A description of the plan, project, policy or initiative, limited to 10,000 characters including spaces.
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Supporting Visual Material
Drawings, maps, posters, diagrams or other graphic representations, limited to four A3 pages.
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Optional Video
A video illustrating the project may also be included.
File Submission: Materials may be uploaded directly through the application form, subject to a maximum file size of 64 MB, or provided through an accessible file-sharing link.
Awards Ceremony
Winners of the ISOCARP Award for Excellence 2027 will be announced during the official Awards Ceremony at the ISOCARP World Planning Congress 2027.
Location: Wellington, New Zealand
Congress Dates: 27–30 April 2027
Contact
For questions about the Award or application process, please contact:
Dr. Shi Nan
ISOCARP Director of Awards
shinan@isocarp.org
ISOCARP Awards Team
awards@isocarp.org
Apply Here
Complete the official application form below to submit your entry for the ISOCARP Award for Excellence 2027.
Applications are considered complete once the applicable submission fee has been received.