The Gerd Albers Award 2027 is open only to ISOCARP members. Applicants must hold active ISOCARP membership at the time of submission.
Background and Objectives
Established in 1999 in honour of Professor Gerd Albers, co-founder and former President of ISOCARP, the Gerd Albers Award (GAA) recognises excellence in academic publications that advance the theory and practice of urban and regional planning.
Professor Gerd Albers strongly believed in publishing as a means of fostering critical debate, sharing knowledge and promoting innovation within the planning profession. Continuing this legacy, the Award honours outstanding scholarly contributions produced by ISOCARP members.
The Award celebrates publications that demonstrate originality, academic rigour and relevance to contemporary planning practice.
Eligibility
The Award is open exclusively to active ISOCARP members.
Publication Eligibility Period:
30 June 2025 – 31 October 2026
Eligible submissions include publications produced during the eligibility period, including:
Eligible Publications
- Books
- Book chapters
- Peer-reviewed journal articles
- Published project reports
Not Eligible
- Exhibition catalogues
- Unpublished reports
Accepted Journal Articles: Journal articles formally accepted for publication but not yet published are also eligible, provided that the manuscript and publisher's acceptance letter are submitted. Applicants should indicate the expected publication date.
Evaluation Criteria
Submissions will be assessed according to the following criteria:
Content
- Relevance and quality of the thematic introduction
- Contribution to contemporary planning knowledge and debate
- Conceptual coherence and methodological rigour
- Significance for the intended audience
Design and Presentation
- Clarity of writing
- Technical quality
- Overall production and presentation
Language
Publications in all languages are eligible.
As the official languages of ISOCARP are English, French, German and Spanish, submissions in other languages must be accompanied by an extended abstract in English of at least three pages.
Jury
The jury consists of:
- Four members of the ISOCARP Scientific Committee
- One member of the ISOCARP Board
The deliberations and decisions of the jury are confidential and final.
Award Categories and Recognition
The Gerd Albers Award recognises outstanding academic contributions through two main award categories: Best Book and Best Article. The jury may also grant a Special Mention at its discretion.
Best Book
Recognising an outstanding book that contributes to the advancement of urban and regional planning knowledge and practice.
Recognition and Benefits
- Two years of complimentary ISOCARP membership
- Official ISOCARP Award Certificate
- Promotion through the ISOCARP website, newsletter and social media channels
Best Article
Recognising an outstanding scholarly article that demonstrates originality, academic rigour and relevance to contemporary urban and regional planning.
Recognition and Benefits
- Two years of complimentary ISOCARP membership
- Official ISOCARP Award Certificate
- Promotion through the ISOCARP website, newsletter and social media channels
Special Mention
In addition to the Best Book and Best Article awards, the jury may grant a Special Mention to recognise particularly noteworthy scholarly contributions. Special Mention is awarded at the jury's discretion and is not a separate application category.
Recognition and Benefits
- Official ISOCARP Award Certificate
- Promotion through ISOCARP communication channels
Submission Fees
The following fees apply per submission. ISOCARP members benefit from a 10% discount during the Early Bird period.
| Category | Early Bird Fee | Regular Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Best Book | €180 | €200 |
| Best Article | €90 | €100 |
Applicants may submit multiple entries. Fees apply to each submission.
Submit Early and Save 10%
ISOCARP members are encouraged to submit their publications early and benefit from reduced entry fees. Submit by the Early Bird deadline to save 10% on your application.
11:59 PM CET
11:59 PM CET
Submission Requirements
Each submission must include:
-
Completed Online Entry Form
Complete the official Gerd Albers Award 2027 application form, including applicant and publication details.
-
Publication in PDF Format
Submit an electronic copy of the publication in PDF format. Files up to 64 MB may be uploaded directly; larger files may be provided through an accessible cloud-sharing link.
-
Summary of Main Findings
Provide a summary of the publication's main findings, limited to 2,000 characters.
-
Additional Documentation, Where Applicable
Accepted but unpublished journal articles must include the publisher's acceptance letter and manuscript. Publications in languages other than English, French, German or Spanish require an extended English abstract of at least three pages.
Awards Ceremony
Winners of the Gerd Albers Award 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
Active ISOCARP members can submit their publications using the official application form below.