The International Society of City and Regional Planners (ISOCARP) is delighted to officially announce the appointment of Elisabeth Belpaire as President for the 2024–2027 term. With a distinguished career spanning more than two decades in urban and regional planning, Elisabeth brings a wealth of knowledge, international experience, and a deep passion for transforming cities and regions into sustainable, inclusive, and resilient spaces.
In her inaugural address at the Annual General Meeting (AGM), Elisabeth expressed her excitement about the future of ISOCARP, outlining a bold vision for the next three years. Central to her presidency are four key priorities:
- Nurturing a Healthy Foundation through Good Governance and Transparency
Elisabeth is committed to enhancing ISOCARP’s foundation through what she describes as a “body scan”—a thorough health check of the organization’s governance structures, finances, and operational processes. Her focus is on building a Society that reflects the values of integrity, inclusiveness, and ethics, ensuring that ISOCARP is well-positioned to address the global challenges of our time.
- Empowering Members at the Heart of ISOCARP
At the heart of ISOCARP are its members, and Elisabeth has made it clear that empowering members and amplifying their voices is a top priority. She has called for a “big re-think” of the Society’s vision and mission, with the aim of crafting a strategy that reflects the collective ambitions of ISOCARP’s diverse global membership. This will include more opportunities for members to engage, collaborate, and contribute to the future direction of the Society.
- Women, youth and diversity at the forefront
As only the third woman to hold the role of President in ISOCARP’s 60-year history, Elisabeth is deeply committed to increasing the visibility and leadership of women and young planners. She emphasizes the importance of diverse perspectives in shaping the future of cities and regions, and she aims to create more opportunities for underrepresented groups to take on leadership roles in planning.
- Position and leverage ISOCARP globally
Elisabeth’s presidency comes at a critical time when urban planning plays a central role in addressing global issues such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and social inequality. Under her leadership, ISOCARP will strengthen its position as a leading voice in the international planning community, expanding its global reach and impact through cross-disciplinary collaboration and strategic partnerships.
A Vision for the Future
Reflecting on her journey as a planner, Elisabeth shared her personal transformation from viewing planning as a bureaucratic task to seeing it as a powerful tool for shaping the way people live, work, and thrive. Her experiences in places like Paris, Switzerland, Vietnam, and Brazil have deeply influenced her approach to planning, particularly in addressing spatial inequities and promoting resilience and regeneration.
In her words: “Planning is about service to the public, to future generations, and to the planet. It has the power to transform communities and livelihoods, and it has never been more important than it is today.”
Looking Forward
As ISOCARP embarks on this new chapter under Elisabeth Belpaire’s leadership, we are excited about the future and confident in her ability to lead the Society through both challenges and opportunities. With her vision and dedication, ISOCARP will continue to shape the global planning agenda, inspiring planners worldwide to create cities and regions that are sustainable, equitable, and prepared for the future.
We invite all members and partners to join us in supporting Elisabeth in her presidency and to engage in the exciting work ahead as we continue to advance ‘Knowledge for Better Cities’.
For more details on Elisabeth Belpaire’s inaugural address and vision for ISOCARP, please click here.