Since 1965, our Society of City and Regional Planners brings together individual and institutional members from 90+ countries with the vision to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable through integrative participatory urban and territorial planning.

Our mission and objectives

ISOCARP’s mission is to contribute to better, more sustainable, inclusive, safe and resilient cities and human settlements worldwide.

We pursue this mission by:

  • Advancing knowledge and understanding of urban and regional planning;
  • Fostering planning research, training and education;
  • Facilitating the international exchange of knowledge, experience and good practice;
  • Promoting excellence in planning for the benefit of society;
  • Supporting international cooperation between professionals, governments, universities, institutions and civil society;
  • Enhancing public awareness and understanding of major planning issues at the global level; and
  • Mobilising our international community of planning professionals to contribute expertise to projects, programmes and initiatives that advance better cities and regions.

Our activities

Activate knowledge

The objectives of ISOCARP include the improvement of planning practice through the creation of a global and active network of practitioners. ISOCARP encourages the exchange of professional knowledge between planners, promotes the planning profession in all its forms, stimulates and improves planning research, training and education and enhances public awareness and understanding of major planning issues at a global level.

Publications and Awards

All ISOCARP activities are covered in publications such as the ISOCARP Review, the International Manual of Planning Practice (IMPP), Congress proceedings and special project reports. ISOCARP recognises excellence through the Society’s award programme.

Urban Planning Advisory Teams

ISOCARP Urban Planning Advisory teams (UPATs) assist sponsor organizations by offering the extensive experience and expertise of ISOCARP members to work on important local or international planning projects, programs and policy initiatives.

World Planning Congress

The Society’s main event is the annual World Planning Congress, which focuses on a globally-significant planning theme and which takes place in a different country each year. Prior to the congress Young Planning Professional Workshops are organized. This YPP programme seeks to bring together emerging young planning professionals from all over the world to tackle ‘real-world’ planning projects. Smaller-scale events such as seminars and working groups are also organized.

Young Planning Professionals’ Programme

A particular focus and commitment of ISOCARP is on young generations through facilitating knowledge for better cities with the youth. The Young Planning Professionals’ Programme is a crucial component of ISOCARP’s dedication to promote and enhance the planning profession. The objective is to contribute to the knowledge base and improve skills of young professionals, the future leaders of our profession.

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